New Build Problem w/ Processor and Mother Board

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

I have been working on troubleshooting my first new build and can't seem to figure it out. In the passed I have swapped RAM, Video Cards, CD/DVD drives, and even my Heatsink fan but I can't figure out what is going on with my processor and motherboard. I purchased a Mach Speed Matrix P4M800 Socket 478 to work with an Intel Pentium 4/Celeron D processor. I put everything together being very careful to follow the how to build your own computer guide. I put everything together and had my boot disk ready when I got no sceen and a series of beeps from the motherboard speaker.

I contacted the motherboard manufacturer and tech support told me I either had a bad board or I had a bad processor. I sent the board bad to the manufacturer and they said the board was fine and that I had a bad processor. So, I went out and I bought another processor and check with the manufacturer to make sure it was going to be compatible. I followed the guide yet a second time this time using an anti-static wrist band to make sure that I didn't blow the processor and the board gives me the same series of beeps.

One of my friends said that I needed to reset the CMOS which I read on how to do. I preform the neccesary actions and it still didn't work. Finally, I unstrewed the motherboard from the case and I put the static bag the mother board came in under to make sure that there was no grounding issues. I powered up the computer and it gave me a whole new set of beeps. If anyone can help me with figuring this out I would really apreciate it because the manufacturer is not helping at all!

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[CrazyPenguinDude]

Yeah i personally wouldve gone with a known brand name mobo as they always seem to work great. Anyway it should say in your mobo manual what the series of beeps mean. (should be in like the bootup section.

That should help you see whats going wrong and what (if anything you need connect) Are you seeing anything on the screen when it boots up? If none of the above works double check allll the wiring and make sure fans are all working.

[flanzig1]

Remove the mother board from the Anti-static bag NOW. The outside of an antistaic bag is conductive and can short out the motherboard.
One thing to check is if the BIOS version supports your CPU.

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

I check the manual online and it does not give a description of the beeps I was getting. The first set of beeps (when the mobo was installed) were one long high beep follow by three short high beeps then one long low beep. The second set of beeps (when it was screwed into the case) were five short high beeps, and I shut it down quickly. Afterwards, I reinstalled the board and found that I got the same set of beeps I got the first time. The manual make no mention to any of these series of beeps. Is there anywhere else that I can get a description of beeps?

Note: I just remembered that I did not have the anti-static bag under the mobo when I turned it on. It was actually setting on the wooden desk I was working on at the time. Thanks for the tip about the anti-static bag though.

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[flanzig1]

The one long/3 short beeps could be video card or ram depending on the Particular BIOS brand.
http://www.machspeed.com/tech/beepcodes.htm
Is the 4 pin power plug from the PSU to the mobo plugged in?(next to the CPU)

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

I want to thank you for the help already suggested! I just pulled the mobo out of the case and put a chunk of card board under it. I put in one memory stick in Bank 1 and I made sure that it and the video card were completely pushed in. I hooked up the main power and the PSC power and made sure the Heatsink fan was pulled into the mobo. I turned it on and I get one long beep followed by two short ones. Then there is a pause followed by continues higher pitched beeps. I went to the manufacturer's website and they do not give a beep pattern that follow the first pattern I talked about. I took out the video card just to check if the beeps would change and they did the proper beep pattern to tell me that my video card is missing or bad. Anyway, I can tell what this beep code pattern is and I would greatly appreciate it if anyone knew a good website to get this information.

Thanks Again,

pcdaugs

[newbuilder14]

So you've tried new memory? Is it quality memory?

Now, those beeps seem to indicate something critical/incompatible - first thing that comes to my mind is the memory and/or CPU. Do you have any others you can test the motherboard with?

[pcdaugs]

Hello Again,

I don't have any other memory that I can try in the mobo but I do have another mobo that that I could try. the only problem is that the other mobo doesn't have a SATA connection on the mobo for my new hard drive. I am not sure what kind of memory it is other then that it is two stick of 256 DDR PC3200. If someone could make a suggestion as to what kind of memory to buy that would be great. Although, I really would like to use the stuff I already have.

As to the continous beeps, I think that it has something to do with the CPU. I don't think it is the CPU's is bad, but I think it is about it over heating. I am not sure why this would be happening because I bought a better heatsink fan instead of using the one that came with it. The fan does turn on and run when I turn on the computer and I have the heat paste between the heatsink and the processor. Is there something else I could try? Well, thanks for the advice so far.

If anyone can tell me where to find a good manual to tell me what the beeps actually are for my BIOS that would be great. My BIOS chips reads this on it, "ATMEL AT49LH00233JC0417" and the specific Mach Speed mobo I have is the PM9MS.

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[glc]

It's kinda hard to give you real good advice when you buy low quality components. That motherboard is made by PC Chips and it has a Via chipset - that's 2 strikes right there. I also assume by what you are saying the ram is quite generic and low cost too.

Not trying to give you a hard time or slam your computer, but I'm thinking you may also have a low quality power supply - you really need to research parts and get qualified opinions before you buy, not after. There ARE some good low cost components out there, but they have to be very carefully researched and validated. The Tiger Direct website is the WORST place to do this research - they have some very creative ad writers who can make turds smell like flowers.

Can you tell us the brand and model of the power supply and video card? Which exact processor do you have?

[pcdaugs]

Hello Again,

I have Intel Celeron D 3.2 Ghz 478 pin processor and a GeForce FX5200 256RAM. With regard to these two details can anyone offer up some good mobo brands that would work well with these? I am considering doing better research into mobo and buying a new one and possibly some new RAM as well. If anyone could give me some suggestions as to what would be good brands for each of these that would greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[glc]

Power supply brand and model PLEASE.

GOOD Socket 478 boards are getting scarce. Almost everything out there now is made by a low quality manufacturer and has either a Via or Sis chipset. I recommend you grab one of these while they are still around:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241316

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

My power supply is a CODEGEN model: 350XA. Also I would like to know if you could tell me what kinda of memory will work well with that mobo link you sent me? I think I would like to get that and some good memory since I don't know what mine is. Anyway, I greatly appreciate everyone's advice so far!

Thank You!

pcdaugs

[Cricket]

I'd seriously consider replacing that Codegen power supply, they're cheap low quality rubbish.

:) Cricket

[glc]

That's a questionable power supply.

The board takes standard DDR400 ram - probably what you have now.

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what is a good power supply for the mobo at the link below?



It would be great if all I need is a new mobo and power supply!

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[newbuilder14]

Something from Fortron Source/Sparkle would be best - they are sold at Newegg.

Also, keep in mind: That motherboard does not have onboard LAN, depending on your connection and/or current components, you may need to add a LAN card.

[pcdaugs]

I have been looking into the Fortron power supplies, and I am unsure which one I would need for the mobo mention above. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[flanzig1]

This Sparkle should power your system: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103484
Here's a Fortron: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104901

[pcdaugs]

Hello Again,

Well, I just received my new mobo and I plan on installing the cpu, ram, and video card and see if I get any problem beeps. I read through the "Having problems with a new build? Try this." thread to make sure that I am starting out with the least amount of hardware as possible. Anyway, if there are any other issues that I should take into account I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[flanzig1]

Put the motherboard on the box it came in.
If it boots to BIOS screen, go into the BIOS and set the date/time and set boot order(CD first).
Before mounting the motherboard to the case, dry fit the mother board to make sure that the correct number and placement of standoffs match the mounting hole in the mobo(check the mobo manual for which holes are mounting holes)

[pcdaugs]

Hello,

Thanks Flanzig1 for the help. Only one problem and that is that the mobo does not give any sign that it is posting. I followed all the directions with regard to the installing the CPU and heatsink. I even made sure that I use my grounding wrist band and that where I was working on it was none conductive. I double check my memory and video card to make sure they were seated properly and the mobo does not do anything. A little green light that is on the mobo turns on and the heatsink fan turns on but there are no beeps. I check to make sure that they was a onboard speaker and there is so I don't know what to make of it. Finally, I also noticed that the mobo doesn't turn on right away when I touch the screwdriver to the on/off pins. You can hear the heaksink fan turn on for a second and it turns off and I am sure that it is not me just moving the screwdriver. Anyway, it take about 4 or 5 times before the mobo will stay on and there are no beeps and no screen. I would gladly take any advice anyone can offer with this problem.

Thanks A Lot!

pcdaugs

[flanzig1]

Do you have both the 20 pin ATX power connector and the 4 pin plugged into the motherboard? The 4 pin connector is right next to the CPU.

[pcdaugs]

Yes, I do have the four pin connector insert in its place on the board. Also, I have the board sitting on a peice of cardboard so that I know that there are not any grounding issues.

Thanks,

pcdaugs

[doubledragon5]

What brand of video card, ram, and what new psu did you buy if any...

[pcdaugs]

I have generic ram and a Intel Celeron D 3.2 GHz processor. I have Gefore FX3200. I have not replaced my power supply yet and I am not sure what the brand is. If you read above in this thread I have the power supply listed. Anyway, thanks for the help.

pcdaugs

[glc]

You said it's a Codegen and we said that it can be rubbish. You still trying to get it going with that low quality motherboard and generic ram? You obviously have a power supply, motherboard, and/or ram issue if it won't fire up on the cardboard.

Have you tried it with the onboard video instead of the video card?

[pcdaugs]

Hello Again,

If you think that I need to get new ram and power supply I will get those and try that out. The power supply had been work ok on my other computer so I just assumed that it would be ok since it has enought watts to support it. As far as using the on board video, I didn't know that I should try that. So I will make a go at it tonight and I will post my findings. If I get no different response I will get the new power supply and ram. Thanks for all the help.

pcdaugs

[glc]

A bad motherboard is just as likely.

[pcdaugs]

Hello glc,

I tried the system without my graphics card and used the onboard graphics. There was no change. With regard to your comment about the mobo being bad. Could this be the case even if the led light is turning on on the board its self? Also I get power to the heatsink fan was well. Again, I can't explain how helpful you all have been with helping me to get this figured out.

Thank You,

pcdaugs

[glc]

Just because the light is on doesn't mean it's fully functional. That only means it's getting +5vdc from the power supply.

Starting it out of the case with bare minimums with onboard video only involves the power supply, CPU, ram, and motherboard. No successful POST means that one or more of these items are defective. Connecting a case speaker to the motherboard posts can give you a clue - a successful POST will give you one beep. Three short beeps is usually video, any other sequence - usually a long continuous beep is ram. NO beep is usually CPU or motherboard. If you let it run for a few minutes, the heatsink should get warm - if it does, the CPU is okay. If not, either it or the motherboard is bad. This all assumes you are using a known good tested power supply.