Schrodinger's Cat
08-21-2003, 02:48 AM
Argh!
This is my first ground-up PC build. I did the research, learned the methods, and even practiced on my friend's computers first... But I'm having motherboard problem after motherboard problem.
I purchased an Asus A7N8X Deluxe as my motherboard of choice after reading many glowing reviews. I also purchased an Athlon XP 2500+, a Geforce FX 5600 (256MB Version), 1024MB PC3200 DDR400, and a Antec case within plenty of cooling. The first A7N8X was a lemon; it simply refused to POST (though the fans would turn on, no video or PS/2 power, no beep codes). I sent it back, and got another one. The second one POSTed, and opened up the BIOS setup just fine. I was happy. After making the needed changes in the BIOS, I went to exit...and couldn't. It was strange, the thing that usually says "Press 1 for..." was X's instead of options. It wouldn't let me exit. Eventually I restarted...and the MB was DOA from then on, doing the same as the first...sent that one back as well.
Well, surfice to say, I was a little turned off from Asus after that. I bought a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2, which is similar to the A7N8X. I used the 2500+, Geforce FX, and PC3200 RAM as before. POSTs just fine, and gives me the single-beep "all is well" signal, and then tries to setup RAID (which I don't need). The manual says to push the delete key while the MB is POSTing to enter BIOS...But the BIOS won't come up. (And yes, I know when POST takes place). After I exit all of the RAID setup stuff, it runs system tests and tries to boot from the hard disk, which of course it cannot do because the hard drive hasn't been formatted. It says: "Boot disk error. Replace disk and hit enter to retry", and no key other than enter works after that. Any ideas of how to get my BIOS to come up? Techinical support wasn't helpful...
And, at least, any suggestions for a replacement if it comes to that? General thoughts? Thank you.
This is my first ground-up PC build. I did the research, learned the methods, and even practiced on my friend's computers first... But I'm having motherboard problem after motherboard problem.
I purchased an Asus A7N8X Deluxe as my motherboard of choice after reading many glowing reviews. I also purchased an Athlon XP 2500+, a Geforce FX 5600 (256MB Version), 1024MB PC3200 DDR400, and a Antec case within plenty of cooling. The first A7N8X was a lemon; it simply refused to POST (though the fans would turn on, no video or PS/2 power, no beep codes). I sent it back, and got another one. The second one POSTed, and opened up the BIOS setup just fine. I was happy. After making the needed changes in the BIOS, I went to exit...and couldn't. It was strange, the thing that usually says "Press 1 for..." was X's instead of options. It wouldn't let me exit. Eventually I restarted...and the MB was DOA from then on, doing the same as the first...sent that one back as well.
Well, surfice to say, I was a little turned off from Asus after that. I bought a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2, which is similar to the A7N8X. I used the 2500+, Geforce FX, and PC3200 RAM as before. POSTs just fine, and gives me the single-beep "all is well" signal, and then tries to setup RAID (which I don't need). The manual says to push the delete key while the MB is POSTing to enter BIOS...But the BIOS won't come up. (And yes, I know when POST takes place). After I exit all of the RAID setup stuff, it runs system tests and tries to boot from the hard disk, which of course it cannot do because the hard drive hasn't been formatted. It says: "Boot disk error. Replace disk and hit enter to retry", and no key other than enter works after that. Any ideas of how to get my BIOS to come up? Techinical support wasn't helpful...
And, at least, any suggestions for a replacement if it comes to that? General thoughts? Thank you.