First Build Problems…

[Jeri]

Man… I was all set to post how wonderful my first build went and then this happened…

Everything came up, loaded Windows XP Home, loaded Kaspersky trial version, AdAware, SpyBot, and Zone Alarm’s free firewall. Ran for about 2 hours and decided it was time to get on-line. I wanted to connect to my cable modem via Ethernet, but had no success, so I switched to the USB connection – since this is what my old comp had been using. Comp recognized “new” hardware immediately and was installing the driver when the comp rebooted – only it never came up again...

When I try to boot, I see all the BIOS stuff – then a blank screen. Not even sure it is the Blue Screen of Death – it’s more black than blue. Tried to put my XP CD in – but it never goes past this black/blue screen.

Build:
Antec Sonata II (with Antec 450 psu)
ASUS A8N5X mobo
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ (San Diego core)
Corsair ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512) VS1GBKIT400
eVGA GeForce 6800 GS CO SE 256MB PCIe
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 7200 SATA150
Lite-On DVD/CD model: SHM-165H6S
Freebie Samsung floppy (free with purchase)

I’ve posted here first – just in case someone out there has a quick answer :-) I will now read everything I can find that may help me.

I did read the “Having problems with a new build?” - Do I only put 1 stick of memory in for the test???

Thanks!

[Jeri]

I still have no idea what is going on (it’s my 1st build!). But this is what I have done so far...

I cleared the CMOS (CLRTC) since I read here and elsewhere how often this helps. I was able to get into the BIOS and *everything* looked correct. Still – would not go past POST. I then booted from a floppy and used an old DELL Debug program that wiped my HD clean. Put my XP Home CD in and booted again. This time – it did what I wanted – it knows it has to format and install. This is where I am – formatting is 85% complete.

While seeking answers to my problem – I looked at the BIOS updates for my board (A8N5X). They do have a new one dated 2006/03/24 and one of the line items listed was this:

2- Fixed system hangs on POST while installing some PCI-E x16 VGA cards.

Do you suppose this could be my problem??? My videos card is a eVGA GeForce 6800 GS CO SE.

……..

[juppy]

Hi Jeri

One question here.....did you install the motherboard drivers from the CD that should've come with the motherboard? If you did, I don't really understand why the ethernet wouldn't have worked for you. Unless there's a way in the bios to turn it on or off.....I'm not sure on that, might check though. For the problem booting from the XP cd, you have to go into the bios and set your first boot device as the cd drive, otherwise it tries to boot from the hard drive.

For your first question, yes, you only use one stick of ram in the first slot to test with.

As for the second question, I doubt the bios update would do you any good. By it saying it fixes hangs during POST with some video cards, that would imply that something hangs before the system ever initializes the card. You said you had it up and running for a couple hours before trying to go online, so your video card must've been recognized and working fine.

[Jeri]

I was supposed to load the drivers? OK – that makes sense – but that would not have caused my problem – would it?

I reloaded my OS. It acted differently this 2nd time – asking me to enter user names for example. It didn’t do this the first time leading me to think (hope?) that my problem was a bad initial install. Perhaps that is why when it tried to load a driver it had major problems?

Anyway – I’ve reloaded the OS and all the drivers for my mobo and video card. I’ve not yet tried to get back on-line, but it has been up and running for close to 48 hours now. Do comps still need a burning in period???

I hope to find time to work on it tonight. See if I can get on-line. If I do – I’ll post again. :-)

My only disappointment is how LOUD this comp is. I think it is the fan on my video card. It is really bothering me. I can probably live with it – but I have plans for a second build, so I will probably go with a different card for that one.

Thanks for replying Juppy! :-)

Jeri

[flanzig1]

there's no real need for burn in. But you should monitor voltages and temps for a while at idle and underload just to make sure everything is fine.

[Jeri]

OK – There is a nifty utility that came with my Asus A8N5X that displays all those numbers. But I have no idea what they mean or if they are good or bad, or when I should worry. I wonder if asus.com has that info…

[juppy]

Originally Posted by Jeri I was supposed to load the drivers? OK – that makes sense – but that would not have caused my problem – would it?

Hard to say, really. Missing or bad drivers can cause alot of different problems. Could be that, could be the possible bad install you mentioned.....who knows? But yeah, the motherboard drivers DO need to be loaded because they tell the chipset what to do as far as sound, video, data buses and other functions are concerned.

Originally Posted by Jeri I’ve not yet tried to get back on-line, but it has been up and running for close to 48 hours now. Do comps still need a burning in period??

Not really, no. In my opinion a burn-in is just extra unneeded stress on the components.