Build Advice New build starts - but doesn't POST

I've just finished putting together my first build with specs:

AMD Phenom 2 X4 940
4 GB Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2
Gigabyte GA MA780G - UD3H motherboard
Corsair VX 450W PSU

When I press the power button, the CPU fan, case fan and PSU all work, but there is no display on my monitor. I'm using the integrated graphics (Radeon HD 3200). The motherboard emits intermittent long beeps. According to the manual, this means that the "graphics card is not inserted properly."

However, since I'm using the IGP, how can this be an issue ?
I've tried installing an old 8600GT but it still refuses to POST and the beep code is the same. I've also tried a CMOS reset and booting without RAM - but the problem still remains.

Is there anything else that could be the problem - or is the motherboard faulty ?

Thanks

 

Did you get different beeps when you removed the RAM? I think the mobo should test for RAM before a video card.

If not, then I'd say the mobo is dead.

Also make sure there are no shorts (for example a badly placed motherboard mount). You could try running it on a (wooden) table (aka not in the case).

 

The beeps were the same even with the RAM removed - and I've already tried it outside the case on a wooden table.

Oh well, looks like it's time to RMA the motherboard.

 

Try with just 1 stick of ram for now.

See if it posts. If not, I hope you havent bent and cpu pins =/

 

I tried with 1 stick of RAM but it still doesn't work.

Anyway, Scan have kindly agreed to send me a new Phenom II X4 940BE and a new motherboard - so hopefully it should be sorted by this time next week.

 

It may be a stupid question but did you connect the 4 pin 12V plug to the motherboard?

 

Yes - it was the first thing I checked. Anyway, the new parts should be here soon and hopefully the problem will be solved.

 

In my experience, the boot process goes something like this:
bring up the CPU, load any basic CPU microcode needed, and do basic CPU test
do any pre programming in preparation for running reference code
run vendor specific code, either MRC/uncore or Agesa
system should now see RAM
program on board chipset devices that need programming before PCI init
Enumerate PCI
start video
start 8042 (legacy keyboard) and/or USB
do POST tests
run all other PCI option ROMs (like RAID BIOS)
enter the CMOS setup util or proceed to boot based on user input

So a lot of stuff happens before you get video.
If the beeps are the same with, or without RAM, I would suspect mainboard or CPU. Sounds like you are RMAing the board, but I would also try and check the CPU too.

 

Problem is I don't have another AM2/2+ CPU or motherboard to test. Scan are going to replace the CPU anyway, as well as the motherboard.

 

UPDATE:

Scan have just emailed me saying that a BIOS update was required and now it's booting fine. So I guess all it required was a simple update - although the X4 940 is technically compatible with the original BIOS.