[Sertelegger]

The PSU on my file server gave out just before Christmas, so I decided to upgrade the whole system instead of just getting a new PSU (bad idea, I know).

I got a MSI P6NGM-FIH motherboard with a Celeron 440 processor and some new OCZ RAM. Put everything together, hit the power button, but the system won't POST. I get no display at all, and I don't even get the initial beep when you power on the system. All fans are working and all devices are getting power, but nothing else ever happens.

I followed all the usual steps, removed all components, reseated the processor, made sure the heatsink has full contact and enough pressure, built up a bare-bones system outside the case to eliminate shorting from the case, but the result is always the same. No beep, no POST, no display.

My question is, is there a way for me to find out whether it is the motherboard that has a defect or maybe the processor? I think for pretty much all other components the system should at least POST and then throw some error message or at least give me some beeps.

All components were brand new and I could not find any obvious damage such as bent pins etc. The motherboard was an open-box purchase from Newegg, and it had a sticker on it from MSI that said serviced 12/08, which means somebody must have just tested it. That's why I'm still hesitant to believe that it's really the motherboard that's shot.

Before I RMA the board and then find out that with a new board I still have the same problem I was hoping somebody might have a good idea. Unfortunately I don't have another board lying around that takes a Celeron processor, and I also don't have another processor that I could try on the motherboard to rule one or the other out.

Thanks!

[crjdriver]

The only real way to test is to swap in a known good cpu. If you still have the problem, then it is either the board or the power supply.

[Sertelegger]

I eliminated the PSU as the potential culprit by connecting it to my old board which still works fine with the new PSU. However, the old board is an AMD board, so I cannot test the CPU with that board.

I RMA'ed the new board now, I should be getting the replacement board in 2-3 days, and then I will know more. Hopefully I don't have to RMA the CPU as well.

I'll post an update once I got the new board.