Completely Flumoxed (Computer build)

[Dymetrie]

Well I have had the week off work and was going to do some fantastic computer rebuilds and upgrades.

*sigh*

First problems I came across were with upgrading my own computer. New case was fine but new HS/F can't be connected to the CPU fan header because there's a capacitor in the way. Then I find I can't install my lovely new X-Fi PCI-E x1 soundcard as the slot is too close to the exhaust from the GFX card would be blocked by the sound card. Finally after the rebuild I find that the bearings on the NB fan are now grinding and making a godawful racket so, as my PC is on 24/7, I've disabled the NB fan until the chip hits 50 degrees (this is working quite well).

Next problem was when I went round to my friend's house today to install the lovely new X1650 AGP GFX card I have bought him. It won't fit. And we're not talking I've bought the wrong thing, or that there isn't enough space... The card will physically not fit. The connector is out by about 3-4mm (hanging over the end of the slot) and there's no way I was going to try and force that thing in as it'd knacker it. So that needs to be returned and I need to see if I can get a replacement which will fit.

Now to the crux of the problem for which I am requesting assistance.

My brother's computer

A few weeks ago it failed, wouldn't boot, nothing. We narrowed down the fault to the motherboard and I managed to find a replacement to buy (it's a socket A chip so not the easiest thing in the world to find in quantity).

Everything was delivered on Monday but I sorted my computer then so Simon's had to wait until Tuesday.

Installed it all and it boots. I then find out that the FSB is jumper controlled (huh?) so in order to get the CPU actually running at the right speed I power down the system, remove the GFX card and switch the jumper. Put the GFX card back in and power back up.

No display.

I went through every test you can think of with that board to try and get it working again, but I received no error beeps and despite my best efforts, no display.

So today I went out and bought another new board and CPU to swap out for the ones which were possibly faulty.

Put it all together (this is now with a new GFX and HDD as well) and power it up.

No display.

Went round to my brother's house and got his old PSU (450watt, more than enough to power the system), wired it up and...

No display.

I now have no idea what's wrong. I have changed every damn component in the system (and have spent out over £100 in the process):

2 CPUs
2 Motherboards
2 Graphics Cards
2 PSUs
2 Hard Drives
5 different sticks of RAM

I am completely flumoxed, and due to the complete cluster**** which has been my week off, am considering retiring from PC repair completely

Anyone got any ideas?