Need help with new build

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Just put together my first PC.

I am using a Gigabyte GA-7VAX motherboard. It will not boot. When I hit the power button the light flashes and the CPU and Power Supply fan turn for a moment and the quit. The Ram led light is on but nothing comes on the screen. I have unhooked all the compopnets and checked everthing again. still nothing. The only thing I am not sure about is the CK_Ratio switches? They are set to auto do I need to change them? I am using and XP 1600 CPU.

[Markoman01027]

I assume that you do not POST and get any beeps.

Try putting in another Power Supply, and see if you are able to POST.

[LawyerRon]

Welcome to PCMech Rockhouse,
Try this troubleshooting thread: Having problems with a new build? Try this.

Most problems like you describe are caused by either the ram or video card not seated fully, so check those first.

Your motherboard board manual should tell you, but on most boards you leave everything set to "auto".

[Markoman01027]

The CK_Ratio switches should be left alone. They are there to set the FSB. Leave them alone, as you are able to change the FSB in the BIOS. Keep in mind, you can do 100Mhz and 133MHz(100MHz will be=200MHz and 133=233MHz) If you are able to go over 133Mhz, you risk on damaging other hardware in your system.

[Markoman01027]

in the old days..You had to manually set the FSB on the motherboard, as you were not able to do it in the BIOS. Now, motherboards are configured Jumperless, and you are able to change every setting directly in the BIOS. Just makes things easier for ya

[Markoman01027]

Configuration of the GA-7VTX is a bit complex, due to the massive number of jumpers and Dips switches that have been installed by Gigabyte and many of those functions are not reproduced in the BIOS. Because of this, we'll have to take some time to go over the greater details of these switches, and their use.

First off, we have the array of Dips labeled CLK_SW, which can be used to force the FSB to one of the following frequencies: 133 - 100 - 166 - 200 - 66 - 110 - 120 - 140, or 150Mhz .

Next we have CK_RATIO, which - as you may guess - is used to set the CPUs clock multiplier value.

Other important Dips include:



RAM_OV: which can be used to set the memory voltage to 2.5v, 2.6v or 2.7V.

AGP_OV: which can be used to set the AGP port voltage to 1.5v, 1.6v ou 1.7V.

Unfortunately, the Vcore and Vio voltages are not adjustable.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the BIOS does not reproduce the ability to change the clock multiplier, though it does include the abilities to change the FSB in 1MHz increments, and adjust the memory bus frequency.

Source: active-hardware.com

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

I realy don't know what you mean by post. It does nothing. I took everything apart and did notice that I messed up and let one of the post for the mother board in a spot where there was no screw hole on the board. I will check the Guide in the link. I am afraid I may have sharted to board or the ram as the post was about where the ram sockets are located

[Markoman01027]

What you can do is take out the motherboard, and set it on cardboard paper(something that will not shorten it out) and just plug in the VIDEO, RAM, CPU, Power, and see if you are able to post. Atleast hear one beep when you start the thing up.

[Markoman01027]

Sorry for posting too much in little time..What I mean is POST..is when you boot up, BIOS runs tests on your hardware to make sure everything is OK..if something fails, your PC speaker will beep. Your motherboard manual has a BEEP code list, and you just look there and reference on how many beeps you heard, and it will tell you possible solutions.

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

I didn't have the speakers hook up before but I hooked them up and nothing. It is not posting?

[LawyerRon]

POST means Power On Self Test.

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Well since it won't post I am assuming that it is the Motherboard that is bad?

[Markoman01027]

Rockhouse,
when you don't hear a beep. It is usually your CPU, Motherboard, or your Power Supply.

Test the CPU on another motherboard, to see if it works OK.

Try getting a motherboard replacement?

What PSU you have? Could you try and use another one, to see if everything works OK?

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

I am going to take everthing out and triple check it. If nothing works I will get the mother board replaced....Don't have another board to try the CPU in...... Thanks for all the help.

[Cricket]

Hi Rockhouse Bad Boy,

You mentioned that one of the standoffs was left on the motherboard tray and it didn't match up to any mounting holes in the motherboard. That is causing the motherboard to short to the case and that's why you aren't getting any response from your new computer.

You have to take the motherboard out of the case and set it up on a non-conductive surface and try to get POST while it's out of the case. This eliminate the chance of the motherboard being shorted to the case. And since the motherboard is supported well you can make sure the RAM and video card is installed properly by pushing down on them with more force to seat them correctly.

Once you get POST, reassemble the parts back into the case carefully (remove any standoffs that don't match up to any motherboard mounting holes) and make sure you connect everything up right. Go over the motherboard manual carefully for instructions on jumper or dipswitch positions. Don't connect any drives yet...make sure the base parts (CPU, heatsink, motherboard, video card, 1 stick of RAM, PC speaker and power supply) will POST first.

If the system doesn't POST out of the case, then something is defective. Post the results back here and we'll help you from there.

Cricket

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Ok. I took everything back apart and reassembled just the CPU, Video Card, 1 Stick of Ram and pluged the speakers in, on a peice of card board. Still does the same thing. Light will flash on fans turn for a breif second and then nothing. The Ram LED on the mother board comes on but that is it. It does not POST. I also treid it with the Video Card out. Same results. As for having extra parts to test with I realy don't have any. I could use the Power Suply and Video Card out of my old PC that I am using now but the Ram and CPU are not of the same type Like I said I am new to this game and just guessing on some of this stuff but if the Power Suply was bad would it do anything at all? Also if the RAM was bad wouldn't it post. I am leading towards a bad motherboard but like I said I am just guessing. Let me know what you guys think I should do now. Again thanks for all the help. This is a great forum I have stubled onto

[Cricket]

Hi Rockhouse Bad Boy,

Does your motherboard have a small piezo speaker on it somewhere? Or does it require hooking up a small case speaker (not the stereo speakers that connect to the sound card)? You need one or the other in order to hear the POST beeps.

Try starting up the motherboard without the RAM (with the video card installed). You should hear a BIOS beep code telling you there is something wrong with the RAM or it's not present.

If you don't get a response, try it without the CPU installed (some motherboards will let out a steady wailing tone if the CPU is installed incorrectly or not present).

If you still don't get a response, inspect the motherboard and CPU carefully for any signs of damage. One or the other is either damaged or defective.

Cricket

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Took the Ram out like you said. Nothing, same as before. Then took out the CPU. Now the Fan for the AGP chip stays on and continues to run. Still no POST though. I don't have a set of speackers like you are talking about. The only one I have are the powered Sub type that plug into the onboard sound on my MB. I am not sure if there is a speaker on the MB or not. So you think it could be the CPU? I got it on a trade but it was supose to be brand new and it sure looked new to me. Not a mark on it anywere. A maybe getting excited over nothing but maybe I am on the right path now anyway. Let me know what you think.

[Cricket]

Hi Rockhouse Bad Boy,

You really need a case speaker (it's a small 1.5" speaker attached to the case and has wires and a connector attached to it for connecting to the motherboard) or a piezo speaker on the motherboard (it's a small black plastic cylindrical object with a small hole in the top). Without hearing the beeps codes, you're not getting all the info you need to troubleshoot.

But it does sound as if you got a dead CPU on your hands. One way to check is to take it to a computer shop and ask them to test it. Or find someone with a motherboard that supports it and see if they'll test it for you.

Cricket

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Now that you metion it there was a speaker that came with the case I just din't know what it was untill you posted..LOL...Now I have to fin out where to plug it in on the board. I will let you know.

[mike breck]

What is on the bottom of your Heatsink - a thermal pad (i.e. a flat square of waxy or plasticine looking substance that conducts the heat from the CPU to the heatsink)?

Did the Thermal Pad have plastic film over it to protect it?

Did you remove the plastic film before mounting the Heatsink on the CPU?

That Gigabyte mobo is made to shut down quickly if it doesn't like the Heatsink or if the temps shoot up.

If there was nothing at all on the base of the Heatsink, then you have to use Thermal Paste instead.

Some manufacturers will supply the Thermal Paste (or Gel as some are calling it) with the Heatsink and expect you to apply it yourself.

See this link for instructions about applying Thermal Paste. It's for a well known brand called Artic Silver, but the principles are the same for any Thermal Paste.

http://www.articsilver.com/arctic_si...structions.htm

Now, if the Heatsink did have a Thermal Pad on it, i'm afraid your in a "Gotcha" situation because you should only use a Thermal Pad once.

If, for any reason, you remove the Heatsink (as you have done), then you should clean the residue of the Thermal Pad material from the CPU and Heatsink (as per the instructions in the link) and use Thermal Paste.

This can either be Artic Silver or a Silicon-based Thermal Paste you can buy from any PC or Electronics store.

Tell us about your Heatsink.

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

The Heat sink and fan is the Thermaltake Valcano 7. It had a white paper on the bottom to protect the core. I did remove it and I did you artic silver between the CPU and Heat sink.

I hooked up the case speaker and nothing. A couple of guys I work with have a computer shop. I am going to take the CPU, Motherboard and Ram to them and let them check it out for me. I will let you guy know how it goes. I realy apreciate all the help. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Well I took it to my freinds PC shop. He put the processor in another system that he had runing and it wouldn't do anything. Blank Screen. I ordered a new XP 2000. Should have it next week and will start from there I guess. I realy apreciate all the help you guys gave me. Great froum that I will definiatly be visting alot. Who know maybe some day I will be able to help someone out:rolleyes:

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Got my new XP2000 chip in and put it all together again. Everything seems to bo working now. Having touble getting Windows XP Profesional to install. I changed the bios to boot CD first but it say faild to but please insert valid boot CD. Also noticed that the light on the floppy drive stays on. IS that normal? I read somewhere that you need to install CD drivers fist. I think it was an older artical though. I am using a TDX CDRW as the cdrom. Do I need to install drivers first?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Rockhouse Bad Boy Also noticed that the light on the floppy drive stays on. IS that normal?

Check that the floppy cable is installed correctly...red stripe to pin 1 on the motherboard and floppy connector sockets. Twist is on the floppy drive. When the light stays on constantly, that means the floppy cable is installed wrong.

Originally posted by Rockhouse Bad Boy Having touble getting Windows XP Profesional to install. I changed the bios to boot CD first but it say faild to but please insert valid boot CD. I read somewhere that you need to install CD drivers fist. I think it was an older artical though. I am using a TDX CDRW as the cdrom. Do I need to install drivers first?

No, you don't need to install the drivers separately as they're already on the WinXP CD...when the system boots to the CD, it gets the drivers off the CD and loads them into memory. Go into BIOS and make sure the IDE channel position the CD-ROM drive is on is set to AUTO.

Cricket

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Got the floppy working but still no luck with OS install. The boot disc I d/l boot but came up with error saying a file was missing. error 512 I think? Can I hook up the new HD to my other PC that has XP Pro installed, formatt it, make it a bootable drive and then just switch it back to the new PC?

[glc]

You need to make the set of 6 bootdisks to install XP if you can't boot from the CD, a single downloaded "bootdisk" won't cut it.

[Markoman01027]

Try borrowing an XP CD from your friend or whatever, and use your CD KEY to install XP. Once you have XP installed, go ahead and create those 6 boot disks in XP for future use.

[Rockhouse Bad Boy]

Yea! I finialy got it installed. I had a copy of ME so I booted in dos got the copy of me to install and then did a clean install of XP Pro. Everything seems to be runing fine!

Here are the finial spec. Let me what you guys think. I will probably be ordering another stick of RAM as I just ordered one to get everthing going first. Beeing my first build did want to get in to deep.....LOL...

Gigabyte GA-7VAX motherboard
Athlon XP 2000
Thermaltake Volcano 7
256 Curtial PC 2700
WD 80 Gig 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache
ATI All in Wonder Radon 7500
Creative Blaster Modem
TDK 24X CDRW (will be repalced with a TDK 40X)
Sony Flopy Drive.

Will be adding a DVD ROM Drive and a DVD Burner soon.