New Build...Big Problems

[strummer]

Okay - After waiting forever (at least it seemed that way) for UPS to deliver all the parts for a new build (my first), I set out to assemble the components yesterday:

CPU- AMD 3700+ San Diego

Motherboard - Epox EP-9NPA+SLi

Case - Antec Sonata II, w/ 450W PSU

HDD - Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L080M0 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA150

DVD/CD ROM - LITE-ON 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive

Memory - pqi TURBO 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System

Video Card - evga 7800gt

o/s - windows xp home

Monitor, mouse, keyboard - fro m an old HP pavillion

So I set out to put the components together in accordance with the "Build Your Own PC" guidance on the home page, and the various user manuals. Assembly was pretty smooth, at least I thought, then I power up and - all fans on, the MOBO LEDs on, the combo drive spinning (put XP in there as a to use as a system disk) - nothing on the monitor, no beep and a big fat "FF" in the post port. It didn't cycle at all. Alright, gave me something to do today at work - try and find out what the heck was going on.

So I find the recommendation on the forum to build outside the case first - d'uh - that is such a good idea and such common sense, but I missed that before starting. Anyway it looks like the problem is either the processor, motherboard (possible short due to mobo screw- least serious problem - which is what I was hoping for), or something else that should be diagnosed outside of the case. So I get home from work and disassemble last night's previous work - to set out from scratch. And so I disassemble, I loosen the CPU heatsink to remove, and the CPU comes up with it when I take it off. Now I look at the CPU and see that it is really attached to the heatsink (via the thermal pad) - I mean really attached tightly.

So here I now sit - afraid to pry the CPU off the heatsink for fear of doing some damage, all the while knowing that I have this "FF" error hanging over my head. I did inspect the CPU pins and see that they are all looking good, pointing straight down.

Looking for some advice regarding the CPU/Heatsink dilemma, as well as any possible insight into the FF thing. Thanks in advance for any help - don't know what I would do without this forum which is an invaluable resource.

[kram 2.0]

When you boot up outside the case, try resetting the CMOS.

kram

[strummer]

Thnaks for the reply. I have the CPU off the heatsink, and the components assembled outside the case. Will have to do the artic silver thing because the stock sink heatpad is a little bit worse for the wear.

I started it up and it started cycling. Making progress. Going to Epox site to look for info on the latest Post error -- 7F. Something about going to text mode and clearing a logo (or something like that).

[strummer]

Further update - got the outside the case assembly to post. Looks like the original FF post code/error was definitely due to a short on the installed mobo due to the attaching screws. The 7F post code was due to the keyboard/monitor/mouse (one of them) not being hooked up. Get an error on the intial screen regarding floppy drive - but I don't have one, so I don't think that is going to be a problem. All the hardware is recognized and deemed okay - CPU is running at 34C.

Gonna do the artic silver thing tomorrow, and then reinstall everything into the case. Pretty optimistic at this point.