Major Problems with new build... Please Help

[nicolivolkov]

I apologize for starting so many threads. I've never used a forum before and wasn't clear on how it works. SO thanks, now I know.

Ok here's my build:

cpu = e6600
MOBO = p5w dh deluxe
GPU = sapphire x1900 xt
RAM = 2 gb crucial
HDD= 320 gb seagate
optical = liteon CD / DVD burner
monitor = 22 inch Chimei
case = p180 antec
PSU = 700 watt EPS

Ok I had the build up and running and everything seemed pretty good. I was having some problems with the MOBO and OS conflicting with the wireless connection. I was trying to fix it and finally got it working but I was only receiving about 1 /10 of the packets being sent. I was also unhappy with the clarity of te graphics. So everythingwas working but as I was trying to install some drivers I must have made a fatal error in the BIOS because now the system will start up and but it takes FOREVER and once in the desktop screen ANYTHING I try to do causes the computer to freeze. I can't even shutdown or run MSCONFIG.

When starting up I typicaly get two errors.

1. No LAN cable connected
2. not enough PCI memory to run PCI- ROM.. I don't think that's the exact message.

So Once the build was done things were working I was able to play GRAW online. BUt somewhere in installing some drivers and trying to get the wireless internet right and tinkering with the BIOS this build has basically become non functional.

I'm sorry for al the post. I'm using this build for my school work so I'm in a desparate situation. Again now I know. Hope you guys can help. Let me know If you need anything further information.

[Cricket]

So, after you assembled the computer and got the OS installed (did this part go smoothly?), what order did you install the drivers and program software? Did you install the motherboard chipset driver before installing anything else?

Have you tested your hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility yet?

Have you tested your RAM with Memtest86+ yet?

Are you sure you have all the power connections hooked up? Do you have the separate video card power cord connected? And both motherboard power connections hooked up?

Did you list all the components that are in your computer?

Have you tried clearing the CMOS yet? If you've been messing with the BIOS a lot you may need to clear it.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

Cricket the answer to most of your question is "NO".

The installation did go smoothly, but I made the mistake of installing OS before configured the HDD and Optical.

I know for sure I have the GPU power cord connected and I'm pretty sure I connected only ONE power cord to MOBO. THere was no mention of a second.

I did not install the MOBO drivers yet. I was in the process of trying to get that done when I started having these problems

No test on RAM.

I'm pretty sure everything is connected correctly because it was working for a while and I was able to play Ghost Recon online. I think the problem is with te BIOS at this point and not having the drivers installed and HDD configured.

Those are all the components in the build... yes.

I have not tried to clear CMOS, no. I don't know how to do so. What is CMOS?

Where should I start? How do you reset BIOS?

Thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov The installation did go smoothly, but I made the mistake of installing OS before configured the HDD and Optical.

What do you mean by configuring the HDD and optical? If you're using a SATA HDD, you really don't have anything to configure. With the optical you just have to be sure the jumper is set right.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I'm pretty sure I connected only ONE power cord to MOBO. THere was no mention of a second.

There is a second 4 pin power connector by the copper chipset heatsink (the one the heatpipes go to) you need to connect...I'm amazed that the computer even powers up without this connected.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I did not install the MOBO drivers yet. I was in the process of trying to get that done when I started having these problems

Motherboard drivers must be installed right after the OS is installed.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I think the problem is with te BIOS at this point and not having the drivers installed and HDD configured.

Please explain what you mean by configuring the HDD and optical drives.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I have not tried to clear CMOS, no. I don't know how to do so. What is CMOS?

CMOS

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Where should I start? How do you reset BIOS?

Read the motherboard manual, there are instructions on how to clear the CMOS in there. If it's not in the paper one, check the electronic manual on the motherboard CD. It's a .pdf file.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

In the manual I was using it said that I should first partition the HDD and install the drivers for the optical.

I know I plugged in the four pin power connector, but the one I plugged in was right next to the main power.

I don't believe I have have installed the MOBO drivers... how can I check to see if I have?

SO at this point should i :

1. reset CMOS
2. install MOBO driver if pc is made operational by resetting CMOS
3. test ram
4. install remaining drivers

THanks for helping me cricket I know my lack of understadning is probably annoying as hell. But I really appreciate you helping me get this straightened out

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov In the manual I was using it said that I should first partition the HDD and install the drivers for the optical.

You partition the HDD during the Windows installation. No drivers needed for the optical drive, Windows already has a generic one built in.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I know I plugged in the four pin power connector, but the one I plugged in was right next to the main power.

Check your motherboard...there is another 4 pin power connector near the copper heatsink by the edge of the motherboard.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I don't believe I have have installed the MOBO drivers... how can I check to see if I have?

Open Device Manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks for the IDE/ATA/ATAPI controllers, sound controller or Network adapters.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov SO at this point should i : 1. reset CMOS 2. install MOBO driver if pc is made operational by resetting CMOS 3. test ram 4. install remaining drivers

I would clear the CMOS first and then try to install the motherboard drivers from the motherboard CD. No need to test the RAM yet, just get the motherboard drivers installed. And check to see if you have the second 4 pin power connector plugged in or not.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

Ok Cricket CMOS has been reset, I'm firing this up and the only thing I've changed in BIOS is the time and date.

Can I re-install the drivers for MOBO? I think I already did, but I'm not positive. Is it ok or do I need to uninstall first?

Everything was connected correctly.

What is next?

Ok things seem to be functioning much better at this point. Reinstalling everything that came with MOBO and drivers for monitor. I think I have everything else installed.

Should I do some benchmarking or any other testing to see how everything is running?

One problem that is still going on righ now is everytime I boot up I get an error message saying that;
"JMciron JR03X RAID has encountered a problem and needs to close."

is this because I am not using RAID (don't even know what it is) but I have the drivers installed?

[dogdude16]

mabye you need to disable raid in the bios if you dont what raid is search it on google

[nicolivolkov]

Yeha

I think I'm getting there. I'm definitely back up and running.

I'm still having trouble with my internet connection. It is slow and I'm only receiving about 1/5 of the packets being sent.

Where can I perform the memory test?

Can somebody give me some information about benchmarking?

All of a sudden my opcial has stopped working. I get an error message " d:/ not accessible." or it just freezes and sits there with the time clock showing.

My optical drive is not even showing up anymore. My pc seems to think I have a floppy drive, which I don't, but no cd/dvd, which I do. What the hell?
Ok I've unplugged the opcial and replugged it and installed ALL the programs that caem with it. (powerDVD and Nero). and still the same problem. I don't understand what s going on here. I was having no problems with the optical before?

The only time I get the optical to show up is when I have the Jmicron Raid enable in Bios. Which causes an error message everytime the computer is turned on. No matter what I do the optical does not read blank discs. I get the error message whenever I insert a blank disc and try to burn something to it??????????????

[glc]

You are getting ahead of yourself. You have to get everything connected and installed correctly before you start playing games or doing any benchmarking. If there are *any* flags on devices in device manager, you have more work to do, such as installing drivers.

What you need to do now is sit back and READ THE MOTHERBOARD MANUAL. This is going to be your primary reference to getting things connected and configured properly.

If you are not using the onboard Ethernet connections (there are 2) they must be disabled in the bios.

The hard drive and optical drive must be connected to Intel ICH7R connectors, *not* the JMicron connectors. Reference these in the manual. Use SATA1 for the hard drive. SATA_RAID1 is the JMicron. PRI_IDE is the ICH - use that with an 80 wire cable and jumper the drive to CS, PRI_EIDE is the JMicron. DISABLE the JMicron controller in the bios.

Manual section 4.3.6 - IDE configuration. Set it *exactly* as the picture shows. Standard IDE, Enhanced Mode, S-ATA.

4.4.6 - set the JMicron to Disabled, regardless of the warning. This is the same place you disable the LAN controllers.

[nicolivolkov]

Ok... So right now I just need to switch from where the optical runs to where it is plugged in on the mother board?

The HDD shows up properly, but it shows up in as the third primary. Is this wrong?

In device manager there is only one thing flagged. It is the FIRST MArvell Yukon PCI E Gigabit Ethernet controller listed under NETWORK ADAPTERS.

I will double check but I'm pretty sure that the HDD is connected to SATA1

I dont' think I have any cables that connect to the PRI IDE... The ribbon cable I received with the MOBO that is labeled as CD-ROM connect to the PRI EIDE but not to the PRI IDE??

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov The HDD shows up properly, but it shows up in as the third primary. Is this wrong?

No. If it's connected to SATA 1 and not SATA_RAID1 just leave it alone.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov In device manager there is only one thing flagged. It is the FIRST MArvell Yukon PCI E Gigabit Ethernet controller listed under NETWORK ADAPTERS.

Either disable it in the BIOS or make sure you install the proper drivers for it from the motherboard CD.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I dont' think I have any cables that connect to the PRI IDE... The ribbon cable I received with the MOBO that is labeled as CD-ROM connect to the PRI EIDE but not to the PRI IDE??

Move the IDE cable from the PRI_EIDE to the PRI_IDE port.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

Ok I think I've got it in. I was trying connect it to the wrong side.... This is more confusing that having sex for the first time...

Anyways now I' need to fire up and disable JMICRON completely?

Why does my HDD show up as the THIRD MASTER DRIVE?

ok my optical show up as the primary slave and the hdd shows up as the secondary master. Is this ok?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Why does my HDD show up as the THIRD MASTER DRIVE?

Because the IDE controllers are given priority. Don't worry about it.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov ok my optical show up as the primary slave and the hdd shows up as the secondary master. Is this ok?

The optical should show as Primary Master, not Slave. Is it on a 40 wire or 80 wire IDE ribbon cable?

If it's a 80 wire and you have the jumper set to CS, the optical drive has to go on the end of the IDE cable, not the middle. The end is the master connector and the middle is the slave connector.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

I believe it's a 40 pin. That's what is says in the manual, but I have it connected using the end connector of the ribbon cable, not the middle...

But it is now able to read blank discs which is a good thing.

I re installed the Ethernet drivers and now I have no warnings in device manager...

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I believe it's a 40 pin. That's what is says in the manual, but I have it connected using the end connector of the ribbon cable, not the middle...

All IDE cables have 40 pin connectors...it's the number of wires in the ribbon that's different. 40 wire IDE cables use the master/slave jumper settings. 80 wire IDE cables use the CS (cable select) jumper setting. Are you sure the optical is showing up as Primary Slave? Well, if it's working no need to mess with it I guess.

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

Yeah it's definitely the slave.

haha ok yeah I think it's 80 wire. Do I need to do something to set CS?

In MSCONFIG should I turn off some of the stratup stuff? I get quite a few things popping up when I start up...

what's next? some benchmarking?

Do I need to test RAM?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Yeah it's definitely the slave. haha ok yeah I think it's 80 wire. Do I need to do something to set CS?

Set the jumper on the back of the optical drive to CS and put it on the end (black) connector of the IDE cable.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov In MSCONFIG should I turn off some of the stratup stuff? I get quite a few things popping up when I start up...

Exactly what kind of stuff is popping up?

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov what's next?

If all the drivers and Windows updates are installed and you've installed all your security software and productivity programs, just go ahead and use the computer like you normally would.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov some benchmarking?

Why?

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Do I need to test RAM?

Why, are you getting BSODs or is the computer running unstable?

Cricket

[flanzig1]

80 wire IDE cable: blue/gray/black connectors, blue to mobo/black for first drive/set jumper to CS
Before going into msconfig, make sure everything that you want is installed, software wise.

If the system is stable, no need for benchmarking or ram tests.

[nicolivolkov]

I received THREE ribbon cables with the MOBO. They are all tagged. One as "HDD CABLE", one as "CD-ROM" and one as "FLOPPY"

the "ribbon cable" that is labeled "cd-rom" has only black connectors.

The HDD "ribbon cable" has the three different colors as described.

Should I use the HDD labeled ribbon cable to connect optical???

I mean it's working pretty well but it is being labeled as slave and I don't know why?

I';; write back in a few to tell you what's popping up... gotta vote!

My internet is still malfunctioning pretty bad. THere is some sor tof conflict between windows and ASUS AP WIFI solo. At this point I am getting a strong connection, but when I open a browser I get the error message that "page cannot be displayed." I have been able to use the browser at sometimes, but now something is wrong.

[Alaron]

Use the CDROM cable for your optical drive.

Toss the HDD cable aside, your hard drive is SATA. Therefore you don't need the big gray cable, just the thin red one.

Use the FLOPPY for a floppy drive.


Check to be sure the jumper is set correctly. You may be reading the diagram upside-down.

[nicolivolkov]

I'm not sure what the jumper even is...

is i locaded on the optical drive?

what does the jumper need to be located on? CS?

Any solution to the Internet problem?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov I'm not sure what the jumper even is... is i locaded on the optical drive?

Yes. The priority jumper is located on the left side of the IDE cable connector. Example (the jumper block).

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov what does the jumper need to be located on? CS?

Use the cable for the CD-ROM and set the drive jumper to master. Doesn't matter which connector you connect to.

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Any solution to the Internet problem?

Sorry, I don't know much about built-in WiFi. Did you install the driver for it off the motherboard CD?

Cricket

[nicolivolkov]

yes everything is installed but there is some sort of conflict bewtween Windows and AP WIFI solo THe connection is working and is strong but just can't load a web page. I need to diabe either ASUS WIFI solo or windows from controlling the connection.

This is kind of why I'm asking about disabling startup in msconfigur or unistalling some programs because it seem as though I have installed everything and now there is too many programs. For instance do I need "powerDVD and NERO?

Yes the optical now post as the master... thanks guys...

I'm still hung up on the internet thing... if anybody can help.

my temps:

CPU = 35 - 40 degrees celcius
MOBO = it seems to be right around 43 degrees C are these ok?

[newbuilder14]

You may have to disable one, I know I did (Linksys + Intel). I would choose to disable the Asus utility and use the Windows one.

You may disable those programs from starting up if you feel the need to - it's up to you - if you feel don't feel any performance loss, I would just leave them.

Those temps are good, no problems there.

[Alaron]

You don't need Nero or PowerDVD to run at startup if you find them in Msconfig. However, you do want that software installed if you want to watch movies or burn discs.

[nicolivolkov]

Ok I'm just not sure how to distinguish what is what in MSCONFIG... maybe I'll list everything and somebody can help me with it

Can anybody help me get my two computers connected so I can transfer my homework files and programs?

[Alaron]

Easiest way to figure out what some of the stuff is in Msconfig is to just google the name to learn about it. And remember, if you uncheck one that you later think you want to include, just re-check the box and reboot, no harm done.

As for sharing files, how are the systems connected? If they are under the same workgroup name, they should see each other on the network.

[nicolivolkov]

Well I don't really know how all that works, but they are not currently connected at all. I believe I need to create a "home network" is this right?

How can I do this?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov Well I don't really know how all that works, but they are not currently connected at all. I believe I need to create a "home network" is this right? How can I do this?

Setting Up A Basic LAN

About Networks

How To Set Up A Simple Home Network

Home Network Setup - Setting up a Local Area Network

Connect Two Home Computers for File Sharing

Cricket