I bought a new case and installed all PC components (correctly).
The computer turned on once, but the second time the LED's just flash for a second or so, and then the computer just won't turn on.
Did this happened to someone also? Any suggestions welcome!

Lizette

Im afraid I fried my motherboard. How can I tell if so?

Ok, I will help you out. First I wanna remark on this statement though.
"I bought a new case and installed all PC components (correctly)."
Correctly,eh? If you did it CORRECTLY it wouldn't be broke, lol. the only reason I mention this is because often people ask for an answer. Unfortunatly, you typically will recieve more of a troubleshooting answers then you will a direct answer. And often, I find people over look your answer. An example would be telling you to check the power cords, then you say to yourself, "Well I know I did that right, so I won't check it." If your not willing to troubleshoot, then you really shouldn't waste the tech's time on the message board. Now, for the answer. I would do this, check the power cords, j/k. I think you got a fried power supply. Put the computer on an outlet you know works perfectly, then turn it on. If the pc doesnt do anything, i.e. doesnt make noise, or light up, or anything. Then it is the power supply. They range about $50.00. Let me know if you need aditional information. Also let me know if this helps.

Hi Ian,

I actually did check the power cords, the main power cord, even those little wires for the reset and power (don't know the definition of it)
I changed the power supply with an old one from my old case and checked it.
But when it turned on, the computer had power and it started. But... a few seconds later it started to smoke and i smelled a burned plastic smell.
I imiditately turned it off and tried my 'new' power supply.
I turned it on and it worked! But, I got error beeps, long, short 3x. I looked it up and it means that my graphic card is either broken or not connected right.
Well, i took out the card and tried it again.
Same error beeps. Im gonna try it into a different computer tonight and pray that my video card isn't the component that fried.

If my video card turns out to be OK, do you know what I should do?

Full specs
Asus V7X8X-X motherboard
AMD CPU 1,6 Ghz
256 Mb DDR PC2100
40 Gb Western Digital 7200 rpm

Just post a message with a response whether the video card works in a different PC or not. Now that you have got it to boot, I'm guessing its the video card. If not chances are it is the mobo. By chance did you see specifically what was smoking?

Hi Ian,
The video card didn't work also in a different computer. When I looked at the connection part of the card, I saw one of the golden tips was burned.
Ok, so it is my videocard now that is broken. How can I tell if my AGP slot on my motherboard is also broken?
And no, unfortunately I didn't see where the smoking was coming from.

~Lizette

You will have to put a different graphics card in and check it.

Well, this is bad. The smoke came from the agp card and slot. Im hoping for your sake it didn't fry the AGP slot. There are two ways to check the slot. One would be measuring the voltages of it, which I know nothing about. Or, you could find a junk AGP card you know works and pop it in there. I say use a junk one because who knows if it'll fry that two. Also, check and make sure the wires that come from the power supply that hook onnto the mobo are hooked up right. This could be catastrophic! If nothing else, just downgrade to a PCI video card. There super cheap and they will do what you need. Unless you are a serious gamer or video editor.

I checked with a different graphic card, and indeed, my AGP slot is also broken.
*Sights* I actually do game alot, so I might go for a new graphic card and motherboard.

Ian, thanks alot for your time and efforts :D

~Lizette