Help- built new computer, can't get into BIOS!

[protox13]

Hi - I'm a first-time builder (though I've swapped parts in and out of my old computer before)and bought/assembled the following parts from Newegg:

Mobo MSI K8N Neo4-F NF4 939
Audigy 2 soundcard
512Mx2 OCZ low-latency Dual Channel DDM RAM
AMD|A64 3500+ 2.2G 939 512K , Venice core
AC 64 Artic Pro Cooler
300G Maxtor 7K 16M SATA2, fluid bearings OEM
VA902b Viewsonic 19" LCD
Sony DVD-RW, OEM (DWQ120AB2)
Asus Vento 3600
XFX N 7600GS 256MB Graphics card
PSU SEASONIC|S12-500
Mitsumi floppy-flash reader combo drive

The problem is when I boot up I see the MSI splash screen and nothing else- no RAM check, can't access BIOS. I'm thinking it may be the HD or the CPU, but I have no way of verifying whether they work or not (details below). Can’t get any response from the keyboard, though they keyboard’s not the problem- it works fine on other computers. Plus the PSU makes a sound like there's a stuck piece of paper flapping around when the fan spins.

I've looked around the forums but haven't found a similar problem/solution so far, which is why I'm posting. I'm not sure what to do...

Installation notes:
-I've been reading the manual for the mobo and no words on jumpers or anything like that- I assume all the setup is in CMOS, so...
-Can't find the voltage switch for 100/240, so I'm assuming the PSU doesn't have one (seems to power everything fine anyway)
-Haven't verified if the sound card works. Can't verify the HD because the case has no HDD activity light (though strangely enough there is a wire in the case that connect to the mobo: "HDD (activity) light" or something like that.
-No system sound wire from the case that connects to the mobo, so no system beeps either.
-Worried about the CPU: securing the fan/heatsink was tricky- smeared some of the thermal paste around but latched on at both ends after a few tries- worried that securing it with the level may have subjected the CPU to too much pressure (though I didn’t hear anything break…)
-I put the mobo, HD, and some other things on their static bags (hey, I was ignorant and trying to do the right thing!), though I didn’t move them around it too much, so I don’t think it was a problem…
-RAM should be fine; they’re in the right slots and secure. CPU was inserted with no problems either.
-Haven’t attached the Mitsui drive yet because I heard it causes problems if you do so before installing XP…
-DVD drive seems fine, lights up and makes noises like it’s reading the XP OS CD when it’s supposed to. Will try to unplug it later, as I saw it mentioned in a thread.
-I also bought 2 case fans, and installed the 120mm one, but put the stock case fan back because it wasn't spinning.
-Actually, some other fans (other case fan/CPU fan) weren't spinning, but after checking the wiring and moving some around, they do.
-I've checked the connections for everything else and made sure they're firm...

[blue60007]

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

Don't *run* the components while they are on an anti-static bag.

[protox13]

Yep, that was one of the first links I checked. I meant that before I installed some parts I put them briefly on their static bags. I was following the PC mechanic guide and was pretty careful about having the power cords unplugged and constantly tapping on metal objects to discharge any static...

[tempus]

try removing the cmos battery on the mobo. I had an MSI board that wouldn't boot and resetting the cmos did the trick.Is there something stuck inside the power supply? Is it possible the fan blades are rubbing on something? Also did you try an out of case build but don't put in on the antistatic bag. Finally is the ram the right stuff and properly seated.

[protox13]

Originally Posted by tempus try removing the cmos battery on the mobo. I had an MSI board that wouldn't boot and resetting the cmos did the trick.Is there something stuck inside the power supply? Is it possible the fan blades are rubbing on something? Also did you try an out of case build but don't put in on the antistatic bag. Finally is the ram the right stuff and properly seated.

Thanks much tempus- will try to remove the CMOS battery or use "SW1" to reset it.

After having done some more searching, other things I will try are resetting the wires (again... sigh), and unplugging everything except the bare necessities (CPU/fan, RAM).

Pretty sure RAM is compatible (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16820146896), as I checked the specs against MSI's mobo specs.

I looked inside the power supply and it doesn't seem like there's anything in there (also, the fans are inside the case, so they shouldn't be rubbing against anything)- again, it's new, and nothing is burnt or smoking, so I'd chalk it up as a minor nuisance for now.

[flanzig1]

HDD stands for the hard drive.
The BIOS may be defaulted to fast start so you don't see the ram count and stuff. Try as soon as you power on the computer, start hitting the DEL key. New builds today are so fast that it is sometimes hard to get to the BIOS when fast start is selected.

[protox13]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 HDD stands for the hard drive. The BIOS may be defaulted to fast start so you don't see the ram count and stuff. Try as soon as you power on the computer, start hitting the DEL key. New builds today are so fast that it is sometimes hard to get to the BIOS when fast start is selected.

Thansk flanzig1- will try that again when I get home. One problem was the keyboard wouldn't respond... got a replacement which I tested, though; will see if it will make a difference.

[FLG]

Take the connector for the HDD light and turn it around. That will slove your light problem.

[protox13]

Originally Posted by FLG Take the connector for the HDD light and turn it around. That will slove your light problem.

Actually, this case model does not have a HDD activity light.

Disconnecting the SATA drive got me to the RAM check screen, but it's like peeling into an onion:

-"Keyboard error or no keyboard present"
-"CMOS checksum error - defaults loaded"

I've tried two keyboards which have worked on other computers, but no dice. Going to search the forums again for a solution to that, as well as how to reconnect my HDD while letting it boot up... any advice?

[minsonngo]

"CMOS Checksum Error" usually means a dead or failed CMOS battery. But, maybe your getting that message because you reset the CMOS/BIOS settings. Does this error appear everytime you boot or just that one time?

With the keyboard error. You said that the keyboard was working in another system. Maybe the keyboard controller on the motherboard is dead? Only way I can think of to fix that would be to replace the motherboard itself.

[tempus]

is that a usb keyboard? If yes, try another with the older style connection. If you have a voltmeter you could always measure the cmos battery to be sure. Usually these are 3.3 volts. Good luck.

[protox13]

Thanks guys. I will check the CMOS battery again to make sure I put it back in right, and try a keyboard with the PS/2 (? non-USB) connection. Now I've just got to figure out how to get my SATA drive to work, assuming it isn't kaput...

I got the CMOS error everytime I boot. Again, this could be because I took out the battery to reset it and didn't put it back in right.

Hope I don't have to send back the motherboard...
Does a SATA HDD need special voodoo to work? Or shouldn't it just work by plugging in the power and sata wires?

[tempus]

Originally Posted by protox13 Thanks guys. I will check the CMOS battery again to make sure I put it back in right, and try a keyboard with the PS/2 (? non-USB) connection. Now I've just got to figure out how to get my SATA drive to work, assuming it isn't kaput... I got the CMOS error everytime I boot. Again, this could be because I took out the battery to reset it and didn't put it back in right. Hope I don't have to send back the motherboard... Does a SATA HDD need special voodoo to work? Or shouldn't it just work by plugging in the power and sata wires?

the hard drive should work just by plugging it in. Assuming you can get to the BIOS then it will be there.
If the battery is in backwards then likely the board is damaged the battery shorted.

[protox13]

Originally Posted by tempus it should work just by plugging it in. Assuming you can get to the BIOS then it will be there. If you put the battery in backwards then you likely damaged the board and shorted out the battery.

Nope, I put it in the right way, just not sure if it's 100% locked in there.

[minsonngo]

Not sure how your motherboard works, but usually the battery is often only held in place by a couple of thin clamps that can be gently slid aside or raised enough to get the battery out. Whichever way it works on your motherboard, just make sure it is put back the same way it was before you took it out.

If it is installed correctly and you still are getting the error message, go grab a new CMOS battery and replace the old one. Just make sure you buy the right one. It helps to bring the old battery along.

[ktkendall]

You also want to check the clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard and be sure it is in the normal position. Everyonce in a while we see new motherboards that come with that little jumper set in the clear position.

[protox13]

CMOS error: Didn't check the voltage (it's out of the box, anyway) but made sure the battery is in place. Also tried the CMOS switch (no jumper on this mobo model) several more times to no effect.

SATA 2/300 problem: Tried removing something that resembled a jumper in the back of the HDD because I read in some cases it needs to be done for SATA 1/150 compatible mobos. No effect.

Keyboard error: tried removing the Audigy sound card because I read it some cases having it in a certain PCI slot would caise an IRC conflict; no effect.

At this point I'm going to bring home an old PS/2 keyboard and see if that won't get me into BIOS. Otherwise, I guess I'll assume the HDD and mobo are bad and be asking Newegg for a RMA...