Frustrating

[omgcomputers]

After having a motherboard fry on me..I figured it was time to go out and buy basically a new computer. I ordered a case w/ power supply, AMD Opteron processor, a new video card, and an Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard. I'm using the same RAM (in great condition), CD drive, and Hard drive. However, I'm running into some problems

Reformatting my hard drive. I put in the Windows XP CD. However, it gives me no option to boot from disc. It tries to load Windows and eventually just reboots itself...now I'm getting the options to boot in safe mode, last good config., and normally. I've tried all and they give the same result. When we first started the computer, we were given the option to go into BIOS but it also gave us a message saying CMOS Settings incorrect. We were clueless about this at the time (My friend and I are basically new to this. My friend not as much) but one thing we DID check is to see if the drives were connected. All were connected so it couldn't have been a problem with my CD drive. Now we aren't given a BIOS option anymore. It just tries to boot up.

The only solution that we could think of was hooking my hard drive up to another computer and making it a slave drive and reformatting it on another computer. Is this the only option other than buying a new hard drive?

Any help for this is greatly appreciated.

[Disgrace]

I'm not sure about your main problem... are all the components compatible? You might want to give all of the details; brand name, model name etc for the experts so they can pin down your problem. How many RAM sticks do you have? If more than 1, you can try with just 1 at a time and see if one is defective. I had a stick of defective RAM and it caused many pre-Windows installation problems as well.

What's the case with the PSU? Most PSUs that come with a case are lemons.

[omgcomputers]

The case is a Raidmax Smilodon..and yes, I have heard that the PSU that comes with cases are bad..but it seems to run all the fans and LEDs just fine. 500 watt PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

the mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131568

videocard (not that it matters):
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130075

Processor:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103582

I am going to lookin around for the brand name of the hard drive.

[tigstah]

when you first start the pc up, a message should tell you to press delete or f8 or some other key to enter the bios. from there you should be able to change the boot sequence, change it to boot to the cd instead of the hdd. from there you can format and reinstall windows.

[omgcomputers]

On Start Up...we get an option "Press F10 to run PC Angel" PC Angel is some lame program that came built into the hard drive meant for hard drive recovery...we tried this program but nothing worked.

How about...unplugging the hard drive and booting it from that CD and then plugging the hard drive back in? I know it's a little vague but it was suggested to me just recently.

[Disgrace]

How about...unplugging the hard drive and booting it from that CD and then plugging the hard drive back in? I know it's a little vague but it was suggested to me just recently.

Well... you need to install XP and having the HDD unplugged won't allow that... i'm not sure if that'll do anything.

[omgcomputers]

I meant unplugging the hard drive and booting from the CD drive..then plugging the hard drive in. It worked just fine and I'm typing this message on my new computer.

but now I'm running into other problems

I using the onboard sound, downloaded the motherboard drivers, and plugged the speakers into the right outlet in the back of the computer..and the audio driver even recognizes that I plugged the speakers in...but absolutely no sound is coming from it.

What could this mean?

[flanzig1]

Open up the audio control panel and see if any of the volume controls are muted. Should be able to find it in the Control Panel in the Sounds and Audio Devices section.
Also, you need powered computer speakers to get any sound out from on-board sound.

[omgcomputers]

I have this computer running at least..but I guess some things aren't work. I'm probably going to bring it to someone who knows more about it than I do. In addition to the speaker problem, I'm also having a situation with startup.

When I start up, I'm not getting any POSTs or BIOS messages from the computer..it's just a blank screen for 10-15 seconds and then Windows starts up.

[doubledragon5]

I have that same mb, when you get the message CMOS is not set press I believe F1 it will bring you into bio, and set the correct time and date. Or when you first hit the power switch start tapping the delete key and it will bring you into bios as well.. Make sure you system is reconizing your drives before you continue... Also you should really get a new psu for that system.. And try this if problems presist.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[omgcomputers]

I don't get the CMOS message anymore. I've already gone into BIOs and set the time and ever since then, I haven't gotten the message. My friend also runs the same mobo. On startup, he gets an "Asus" screen and it tells him what buttons to press to enter BIOs. However, I get a blank screen for 20 seconds..followed by the Windows startup screen.

I also get no beeps from my PC speaker because for some reason, my sound isn't working. I've downloaded the Realtek audio driver and my volume controls are all unmuted but still no sound. However, the Asus Sound Manager RECOGNIZES my speakers every time I plug in to the Line Out jack. Still no sound. I'm going to check to see if the speakers are the problem. If not, I'm going to check to see if the board may have been installed incorrectly but as far as I know, it isn't. I'll probably also look into the installation of a sound card.

The computer works perfectly fine except for my issue with the blank startup and the lack of sound

Yeah, I've heard that stock PSUs have a life span of about 2-3 years..but I was a little short on money to buy an aftermarket PSU.

and as for the mobo..the warranty is up. My friend bought it from Newegg and it was DOA...so he sent it back and instead of a refund, they sent him a new one. It remained unopened or even moved until I took it. If it's a defective mobo...that's some pretty bad luck :(