I recently got an ECS G31T-M7 motherboard to replace a failed motherboard.

But when I try starting it, I just get a blank screen.

OK, it has an intel E1400 CPU, so I try a different CPU: same problem.

I change power supply: same problem.

I test both power supplies: they are ok.

Maybe the RAM… I replace the 1GB DDR2 with a stick of 512MB DDR2: same problem

I remove the RAM, and I get a series of beeps (motherboard is complaining about no RAM…

So I take it back to my supplier and ask for a refund.

They test it and it works!

Besides the embarrassment, I can’t see what went wrong.

Back at the office, I try again… with the same results!

Is my KVM switch failing? No (I try connecting directly to another monitor).

I try a third stick of 2GB DDR2 RAM… and now it works!

I look more carefully at the RAM I’m using, and I then realise the problem:

I was using some old DDR2-533Mhz RAM (which doesn’t work with this motherboard), while the newer 800Mhz RAM worked.

Another one of those “I’m an idiot” moments 🙁