Ok, I've got a bit of an issue. I recently (like 30 minutes ago) put a whole bunch of goodies into my computer, but I'm having trouble getting anything to run. The computer starts fine, but it seems like its not reading the hard drive or any disc I put in it. My monitor just stays in its standby mode with the little light on it being orange, and if I try starting it even with my Windows XP disc in the cd drive it still does nothing. I also noticed that when I have my cd drive unplugged from the IDE port on the motherboard, it opens and closes and has power just fine, being hooked up to the power supply only, but as soon as I plug it into the IDE port, the power doesn't work and it won't open or close or do anything any more.. I have a list here of all the new hardware I bought for my computer, maybe someone has an idea why its not working correctly? I've talked to my uncle and cousin both who have built a few computers in the past few years, and they told me to retrace my steps, starting at the very beginning and plug everything in, making sure all the connections are tight and whatnot. I've done this and I'm pretty sure I have everything plugged in right, but It's still not working, mind you this is my first time doing something this big with a computer, normally I just have a friend or family member who knows more than me about computers install any new part I buy, but I figured I might as well give this a shot since nobody else is closeby to overlook. Unfortunately the inevidable has happened and I did something wrong. Heres the new hardware I bought for my computer.

OCZ / GameXStream / 700-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / EPS / Active PFC / Power Supply

Thermaltake / Ruby Orb / Socket 775/754/939/940/AM2 / Aluminum Core/Fins / CPU Cooler

OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB)

Asus M2N-SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Processor 3.20GHz Retail

XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX Video Card - 256MB DDR3, PCI Express, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card

Would very much appreciate any help that anyone could offer. Thanks a lot.

Either you have purchased a bad video card or the bios is not configured correctly to start it up or you have not powered it up on its on power supply plug.

The first thing I would do is completely remove the graphics card and then reseat it and make sure that it locks down properly. You have an SLI motherboard so the proper slot would be the PCIe slot closest to the CPU.

There should be a 4 prong power connector ( similar to that on a harddrive)located on that card and it requires its own power source from the PSU.

Reconnect the monitor plug!

Reboot the computer and enter the set-up (bios) by pressing the appropriate key(usually DEL or F2) refer to manual that came with motherboard...make sure that the video is set to non SLI (unless you have both graphics cards)
make sure that the Video is set to PCIe and not the onboard video(if present)
again refer to the manual concerning the propper video settings of the bios.
I would make sure that the BIOS is set to "Default Settings" then check the video settings. By the way if that orange monitor light turns green then you have done well!

VERY IMPORTANT****************************
Do not try to overclock anything till you have everything up and running and the operating system installed and updated...Overclocking is the very last thing that is done to a system build.

Don't worry about the CD/DVD drives not seeming to work properly...this is normal until the BIOS says it should power up the complete system

I have searched all over the motherboard and video card itself and cannot find any spot to plug in the PCI unit from the power supply. my power supply has cords on it that are labeled for PCI but I cant find anywhere to plug them in..

That particular card may not have an extra power connection to use. If there was there should be a power connector splitter that came with the card.

Take a look at this viewing:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
A power connector like the one shown should have come with the card if there was an one.

Just go on and retry the system and see if it boots up.

There is a square 4 pin power plug located between the back of the motherboard and the CPU. That must be plugged in with a matching plug from the PSU...did you plug that one in?

yea i see the slot on that video card, this video card is the one that i ordered. it doesnt have and pci power supply plug ins on it though.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

im just about to the point im too angry to want to worry about it any more tonight.. maybe i can just convince my cousin or uncle to figure it out tomorrow

yes the plug at the top left hand of the motherboard, i did plug in.

well thanks so much for your help, i think im going to call it a night. had my share of anger and frustration for one evening :P

I am thinking that you got a bad graphics card. Is there any possibility of substituting another graphics card from a friend to make sure it is that and not a bad motherboard.