Having problems with a new build? Try this.

[haptry]

Hal9000 - Thanks for moving my post - and directing me to this page. I am up and running, with the exception of some small details - as you notice.

But thanks again - Henry

[haptry]

When building a system, how do you know if you fried the CPU?? I am haveing a rebooting problem with Win98SE installation. Have done several of the suggestions - Still Rebooting every few minutes or so. Is the CPU fried, can I check??

[HAL9000]

If you fried the CPU, it wouldn't work at all. Most likely you have either a software problem or a hardware conflict. There is the possibility of bad RAM or motherboard.

[highrisemech]

Also try resetting the cmos either by jumper or removing the battery for 1-5 mins do this with the computer unplugged then re-install the battery. God knows how many times this has worked.
Another thing you can try, I had an instance last week where I set the jumper to auto detect but no post so I set the actuall FSB for the cpu with the jumpers once I done this it booted right up. don't ask me why auto should have worked but did not. Setting the jumper to the cpu recommended FSB did the trick.
Also if you get a beep during power up decipher your beep code here before doing anything else. Usually it is a simple problem you can workout, particulary with a new build. Most new builds are an error on the builders part during the assembly process or the incorporation of incompatible parts. Very seldom when using new quality parts is there a problem with the actual part. If you are at your wits end and you suspect you have a faulty part you can have the indivual part tested at a local computer store, or post your problem in the forum and maybe one of the members can help you further.

[haptry]

Thanks again for the info, can't wait till I get home from work to try this agin. Glad to know I did not fry my CPU.

Henry

[KlumpDud]

Originally posted by glc On ATX systems, the front panel power button connects to a pair of posts on the motherboard. You just take a small screwdriver and touch it to those 2 posts at the same time.

Do you have to hold it there the whole time to allow power?
If not, how do you turn it off?

[highrisemech]

Well ah it is very technical.
Just touch the two posts with a screwdriver and remove it
you will see it power up.
You unplug it lol.

[KlumpDud]

Woah, buddy! Slow down! Not all of us have a degree in Hyper-Physics!

[KlumpDud]

Ok, so I did that and the fans start going but no beeps and no display on the monitor (it just says "no signal"). What does that mean?

[Hpro]

Originally posted by highrisemech Well ah it is very technical. Just touch the two posts with a screwdriver and remove it you will see it power up. You unplug it lol.

NO you use that screwdriver again at the same post - if the computer did power up right - meaning your monitor got a picture or at least the computer beeped for the monitor - then a single touch is enough to powerdown - if it didn't boot successfully, or it hung - then you have to make contact for more than 4 SECONDS on the Pins of PW or the two posts you call it.. that does it..

[highrisemech]

Klumpdud
(Check to make sure your video card is fully seated also memory chip is fully seated), read the trouble shooting tips above.

[Alfie]

The problem lies between the monitor and the video card,hence no signal display message.
If there are jumpers on the board,make sure they are set to default values.
Reseat the video card, make sure the cable is inserted the right way into video card.
Many times when you install AGP cards,they tend to ride up and a clean contact isn't made,this is more than likely your problem.
Another possibilty is a faulty video card,is it possible for you to test the video card on another computer?
Do you have access to another video card(AGP or PCI)?

[kraken]

Hal

Back to basics, This topic shold have a page of its own with diagrams and pics.

When something aint right back to basics.

The trick is knowing what the basics are. Well written and well done.

Back to basics could and should be a topic in its own right.

[HAL9000]

You're right, I should work on something with some pics. There ain't nothing better than "make it look like the picture". The only problem being if I do it, some people will have to throw out their AMD stuff and get Intel stuff

[Werewolfdaddy]

I am Intel to the core, but after building both an AMD and Intel computers, the experiences were similiar. They are both easy to install and fun to work with systems. I am not, however, including the AMD PC Chips MB my friend had originally bought. PC Chips changes the rules. It was a nightmare of incompatibility. Everything from the AGP to IDE controllers had to be patched.
BTW, we broke that sucker box that it came in down and put a Gigabyte MB in there and it runs twice as fast as it did before. A file we downloaded from a lan connection had originally taken 35mins, this last time it took 6mins. There was a big ide issue with the PCChips motherboard. It ran, but like a cow with no legs.

[Cricket]

Hey Werewolfdaddy,

That was a very interesting post. I remember all the trouble you were having with your friend's computer and that PC Chips motherboard. Have you seen the PC Chips Motherboards thread over in Assembly/Overclocking?http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=23886

By the way, good move replacing the PC Chips with the EPoX. Amazing what a difference a good motherboard will make.

Cricket

[Werewolfdaddy]

Thank you, cricket. I read that post and it livened up my day a little.

[kraken]

Hal

Regardless of Intel Vs AMD fights, the basics are still the basics.

Tommorrow 1800XP takes on 2GHz P4 in a fight to the death. Who will win, tune in this weekend to find out.

Back to you Matt.

[HAL9000]

LOL... I know... failed attempt at humour I guess

[Paul Victorey]

Originally posted by Nuclear Krusader Thanx for the tips. I didn't know that the anti-static bag is capable of conducting electricity. And to think that I've been placing the MoBo on it!! Oh, boy!! I've been very lucky till now.

I believe what was meant is, don't place the Mobo on it if you're going to run your computer outside of the case. For parts storage or for putting parts on something, you WANT the surface to be conductive; it can't build up a local static charge, and the entire thing will be at the same voltage. Aluminum covered workbenches are semi-common in electronics shops.

Just don't give the thing any juice at all when it's on a conductive surface(remember that an ATX board will always have power unless you unplug it at the wall).

[breathtaker]

i am having a probelm with my computer to see here http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...363#post178363

i tried 1) Remove EVERYTHING from the case
2) Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. .DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can acually conduct electricity! We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case.
3) Install the CPU and heat sink.
4) Install the RAM (only install 1 stick for SDRAM, 2 for RDRAM)
5) Install the video card
6) Connect the monitor to the video card.
7) Connect the power supply to the motherboard.
8) Connect power to the power supply
9) Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected.
10) Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard

and still does not work

[highrisemech]

Breathtaker.
I suggest you reseat your video card also reset your cmos then try.
You can also look here at this trouble shooting guide for your particular board.

[breathtaker]

thx for the link but what is cmos ?

[highrisemech]

Check your manual there is a jumper for it. You should always do your homework before attempting a build. You can read about cmos at the home page of this site. You can also reset your cmos by removing the battery for three mins with the computer off then reinstallit then power up. In my opinion though you should locate this jumper and make sure it is not in the reset position.

[breathtaker]

what do you mean by jumper ? cause i removed the cmos for 3mins then installed and nothing still.

[highrisemech]

Breathtaker you should read the build your own tutorial at the home page of this site.

Try hitting the insert key during boot up.

Jumpers are small pins on the board with plastic or metal devices that go over the pins. This device is called a bridge. When the bridge is connected to any two pins, it completes the circuit between those pins, telling the computer what it need to know. Jumpers are much more common than switches, but they are harder to use. If asked to remove a bridge, always save it for later. A little trick is to leave the bridge hanging on one pin. The computer will think the bridge is gone, but its still there so that you don't lose it. Also, knowing the jumper settings for your device can be a chore. You must have the device's manual to do it.

[breathtaker]

i hit insert then the code went to 00 but on the site does not have that . also i played with the jumpers and still nothing.

[highrisemech]

You wat to reset the cmos buy removing the battery then reinstalling then hit insert during bootup. Also make triple sure that the video card is fully seated.

[breathtaker]

hmm i pressed insert and did not work now ill remove it again and then press insert.

[breathtaker]

just found out that my cpu is BAD is i just emailed mwave to replace it