Initial startup failure

[Beeeph]

While I'm troubleshooting, I'd like to hear what others think the problem might be.

[Beeeph]

Ok, it turns out it was a wiring problem.  So now that I can get it stay on, it won't P.O.S.T.  Any things I should check right off the bat?  I've reseated the RAM and the CPU, but I'm not really sure what else I should check.  Thanks!

[ras2a]

Try resetting the CMOS - Flip the button cell out, wait a few moments and replace!

Craig

[Oddfeld]

Do you have the case speaker hooked up properly? When it POSTs it should give a series of beeps that tell you whether it's freaking out about RAM or fan failure or whatever so you can at least narrow it down a bit - see your motherboard manual (go download a copy from the mobo manufacturer's website if you've lost it).

[whammoed]

You can also try removing everything from the pc that is not necessary to see the bios.  i.e. take out any cards (besides graphics) , hard drive, floppy , usb, etc.  All you need to see the bios is memory and graphics, and processor.  That way you can at least rule out all the other stuff first.

[Todd H]

It almost sounds as if you have a blown capacitor on the motherboard.

[RayB]

Is the CPU fan hooked up?
If it's not, it will overheat within seconds and either the system will shutdown, or the system will lock up.

[Beeeph]

This forum is great and you guys are always a tremendous help!  Flipping out the CMOS battery seemed to have reset something and now it POSTs just fine.  Except now is giving a me a floppy disk error whereas it didn't before.  But I can figure that one out, thanks everyone!

[Beeeph]

The problem is back!  Popping out the CMOS battery worked about three times, now it wont POST and popping out the battery doesn't do a thing.  I hooked up the PC speaker and I'm not even getting any error beeeps.  Any other ideas, anyone?

[Beeeph]

now it's working again.  It looks like a wiring problem with the I-Pac was causing an error.  Great...a quirky cab.