I have a problem here. I hope you people can help.

I just got a new CPU cooler; a Zalman CNPS9500 LED. I've installed it and it is firmly in place, but now the computer (socket 939, Abit motherboard, Award bios) doesn't start; upon pressing the power button, it makes the usual click noise, however all the fans, etc, move for a split second, and then nothing. Then it gives a beep code (1 long, 1 short).
Nothing appears on the screen, either.

Upon searching google, it seems that this beep code means that there is a motherboard problem. What could be the cause of this problem?

What do you suggest doing?

It's my experence that when the fans spin then stop after a short second that there is a short in the board. This is caused by the screws being too tight and the motherboard grounding out on the chase of case. Make sure you use the supplied risers between the motherboard and the case.

Right. Sounds like a short, and the power supply is kicking out to prevent damage.

I would reseat all components, including CPU and cables. It's possible you knocked something loose while installing your heatsink.

I had a similar problem before, resetting the jumpers fixed it.

Depends on the Make of the motherboard, but IBM and Award BIOS's use the beeps of different lengths, like yours.
Use google, and enter 'BIOS beep codes' to see them all.
The one example of a one-long-one-short signal meant "System Board Problem" which definitely could be, as someone posted above, a short or other malfunction at the board level.

Great, thanks everyone. It is indeed late at night, the stars are shining so bright, I'll give up the fight, tonight, and tomorrow I'll try re-seating all the components.

I've tried re-seating all the parts, I've tried swapping out different parts, clearing the CMOS, etc... no good. I think the motherboard is broken.

I'll go and look for a cheap replacement. But if anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them.

This may seem silly, but if there's a CPU in the board, remove it and turn the thing on. Notice if the beeps are different.

If the CPU is IN the board, does it have a heatsink on it? Has that heatsink got heatsink-compound or a suitable substitute on it? And finally, this may sound even sillier, but is the CPU installed correctly, ie in the right direction and squarely in place?

Yeah, I tried it with the CPU in the board, and without the CPU. and there was a heatsink on the CPU. I tried removing the memory, removing some of the memory, and so on. The results were the same each time.

OK.. Well, certainly sounds like you are on the right track, in searching for another board. Doesn't sound good for that one. Crummy!

If its a 939 didn't the cooler come with screws to hold the fan-heat sink on. You didn't over torque the screws did you. Before I bought a board I'd remove the fan-heat sink screws and give it a short try. I mean short, with the heat sink loose it will heat fast.

Are you sure that the cooler was connected to the proper power connector on the motherboard?

Hahaha! Now all you need is a drum beat!

However, this doesn't clear up which component is misbehaving. As it could be mobo, it could be the CPU or it could be at least one of the memory modules.

If you hear beeps, then the mobo is alive but something bothers it. For my experience with "one long, one short beeps", I think one or possibly all the memory modules are fried.

You should check your mobo manual for those beep codes. Which Abit mobo model do you have?

Oh man! DENIS DENNIS.
My motherboard model is "AV-8".

But wait till you hear this. I think the problem is, the power supply was dead. I tried using a spare power supply which was lying around, and the computer booted up properly. (I put some memory module and CPU and video card in to test).

It booted right up to the BIOS screen! And then no further, because of course there were no hard disks plugged in.

I'll go and buy a new power supply.