Hi all I am hoping someone can help me out.

JUst bought some bits for a new PC. Spend weeks checkinng reviews to get the best I could for a reasonaqble buck. Specs are:

ASUIS P5KC Mobo
Intel E8400 CPU
2 x 1024 Corsair DDR2 1066Mhz matched RAM
ASUS EN880GS video card
500GB Seagate SATA2 Hard Drive
Samsung DVD

Running a 500W power supply

Built it yesterday with all the love and care an enthusiest has. But it won't boot. When I power on the system the processor fan starts then stops then starts again. I don't get any video.

Things I have tried.

Reduced the RAM to 1 stick, reseated the video card and changed the 6 pin connector from the power supply to the power cable supplied with the video card - 6 pin and 2 molex.

Have a sinking suspision that it could be the CPU. Had a little trouble attaching the CPU cooler/fan and I may have smeared off some heat paste. I intent to get some more later this morning.

Does anyone have any other ideas? anything would be greatfull.

Cheers

Tony

Once you've tried all the other fixes you will no doubt get from the very wise regulars here; if they don't work, take all the parts out of the case, place them on a piece of cardboard and reconnect them. If the computer works you've got a short between the board and case. Then make sure you don't have too many stand-offs installed or mislocated causing the short by contact with the wrong place on your motherboard.

Above and beyond everything else, make sure you are either connected (grounded) to your computer case with a wrist strap, or keep yourself discharged by touching the large matal surfaces of your computer case, often. ESD (electrostatic discharge - static electricity - will make short work of uninstalled computer components).