Just earlier today, I built a PC using some parts I had from a previous computer, and a few pieces that I bought new. This is the first time I've actually constructed an entire PC, although I've disassembled a number of them. So here's what happens when I hit the power button: The power light goes on, the fans turn on at full power, the keyboard lights flash once... and that's it. It just sits there, like a really noisy paperweight. The monitor never even activates, and there are no beeps from the speaker. The motherboard is an ECS 661GX-M, the processor is a plain Pentium 4, and the RAM is a 512MB stick of PC2100. Apparently nothing else is relevant, because I've unplugged all the other hardware and it still does nothing. One possible clue: If the two CD-ROM drives are plugged in, their lights do the "initializing" flash, then about 5 seconds later, they do it again. And again, and again, and it keeps on going until you shut it off. I've never done this before, so if it doesn't work right the first time, I'm clueless. Any ideas?

You should always benchtest a board to confirm it works before connecting anything to it! Take out any cards, disconnect ALL drives (HDD, optical, floppy), remove all RAM except one stick. Unplug all external devices except monitor & keyboard. Unplug all case cooling fans. All you should be left with are the board, power supply, CPU w/HSF, one stick of RAM, keyboard, & monitor connected to the onboard video. Now try to bootup & see if you can access the BIOS.

What I have done is exactly what you said. I never installed any cards, all the drives are disconnected, there are no external devices besides keyboard/mouse/monitor, and only one stick of RAM is inserted. And the results I get are exactly what I described above.

I wasn't sure what you had because you mentioned the optical drives. Disconnect the mouse...you don't need it to access the BIOS. Also, when I say 'benchtest', I mean just that...on the bench. I assume you have the board in a case? Are you sure all the standoffs are in the right place? Make sure there's not one grounding out the underside of the board?

Currently the board is still inside the case, but it is sitting on top of a piece of insulating foam. The only things connected to it are: The power supply (2 cables), the power button, the CPU fan, the processor, one stick of RAM, the keyboard, and the monitor. When I press the power button, the CPU and power supply fans rev up, and the lights on the keyboard flash once, but that's all it ever does. I have to hold down the button for 5 seconds to shut it off.

I have and amd duron that wont post just as yours, only thing I can suggest is to get the manual ( avail online) SEE IF IT TELLS YOU HOW TO RESET YOUR BIOS WITH A JUMPER AND OR TAKING BATTERIE OUT FOR 10 SECS. this got mine going for awhile but alsa now its out again and cmos wont reset.Hope it helps, read ALL instructions on resetting bios, as you can damage m/b resetting with power hooked up.I AM PULLING MY M/B TO CHECK FOR SHORTS TO STANDOFFS AND YES ON THE BENCH OUT OF CASE. Good luck.