Computer problem...

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

Ok so last night I built my new computer:

Asus A7V333 Motherboard

Athlon XP 2200+

Volcano 5 HSF

512 MB DDR PC2700

Geforce 4 Ti4400

Western Digital 100GB IDE HD

36x12x46x CDRW

16x DVD

So I put it all together and turn it on. It works! I set the frequency settings in BIOS (I set 133mhz)

Then I restart with the Windows disk in. It starts to install Windows XP. It comes to a menu where I need to choose something. Drats! My keyboard died! (It's been known to do this before) I get a new one but I still can't select anything. I figure its frozen and restart.

Then it freezes on boot in the PCI list and IRQ settings. I restart. It continues to do this.

I fiddle with some stuff on the motherboard (set the jumpers to force 133mhz)

Still doesnt work.

Undo what I did.

Now I turn on the computer and everything starts up. All the fans (except the HSF, it starts and stops) and the lights turn on and everything but there's no display on my monitor. Like its not connected. I use a different monitor, still no display. Then I proceeded to cry.

Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions? I'm desperate. Brand new supercomputer and it's just a noisy paperweight.

[WhoCares 0]

If the computer encounters display problems during startup it uses a Beep code to give you a hint of what the problem might be (at least this was the case several years back). The manual of your MoBo might have a description of what the Beep codes says, otherwise you have to check the internet...

[CosmicCastaway 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (residuum @ July 26 2002,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ok so last night I built my new computer:

Asus A7V333 Motherboard

Athlon XP 2200+

Volcano 5 HSF

512 MB DDR PC2700

Geforce 4 Ti4400

Western Digital 100GB IDE HD

36x12x46x CDRW

16x DVD

So I put it all together and turn it on.  It works!  I set the frequency settings in BIOS (I set 133mhz)

Then I restart with the Windows disk in.  It starts to install Windows XP.  It comes to a menu where I need to choose something.  Drats!  My keyboard died!  (It's been known to do this before)  I get a new one but I still can't select anything.  I figure its frozen and restart.

Then it freezes on boot in the PCI list and IRQ settings.  I restart.  It continues to do this.

I fiddle with some stuff on the motherboard (set the jumpers  to force 133mhz)

Still doesnt work.

Undo what I did.  

Now I turn on the computer and everything starts up.  All the fans (except the HSF, it starts and stops) and the lights turn on and everything but there's no display on my monitor.  Like its not connected.  I use a different monitor, still no display.  Then I proceeded to cry.

Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions?  I'm desperate.  Brand new supercomputer and it's just a noisy paperweight.<span id='postcolor'>

Sounds pretty similar to the one I just put together. When you say HSF I assume you are talking about the Heatsink Fan yes?

If thats the case you don't really WANT it running without the heatsink fan spinning, that can only spell trouble.    You could try resetting the bios, i.e short the jumper on the motherboard to reset it and/or remove the battery. If you can get it to start up after that, make sure the fan on the heatsink is definately turning, otherwise you might well be investing in an expensive paperweight after all.

A problem I encountered when installing Windoze on my new machine was that it would hang about half way through, then give me a BSOD and whinge about a memory error. I found that reducing the performance settings in the bios solved the problem. (depends on bios) I swapped the default settings from 'fastest' down to 'normal' and windows installed fine. You can always set them back to faster afterwards, but just watch for stability problems.

One thing you didn't mention, what wattage is your PSU rated at? For that amount of kit I wouldn't really think anything less than a 350w PSU would do.

Good luck!  

[CosmicCastaway 0]

Oh yeah, listen for those 'beep codes' as mentioned above. Otherwise your MB might have a 2 digit number display somewhere on it, to give you a post error code which you can then look up in the manual.

Aint technology brilliant

[Sweeper 0]

Okay a friend of mine has bought the same motherboard and turned up with the same problem

He have sent it back to the webshop now but we tried multiple graphics cards but no image neither it was the powersupply

[CosmicCastaway 0]

AMD reccomend at least a 300w power supply. Personally I wouldn't reccomend anything below 350W, more if you can get it.

[Ex-RoNiN 0]

I recommend getting a 350W power supply and a decent heatsink+fan, such as an Alpha PAL 8045 or a Globalwin CAK-2 38.

Make sure your jumper settings are correct, esp. the BIOS one - lots of people leave the BIOS at "reset" settings, which wont work of course.

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

OK I'll listen to the beeps.

I have a 350w power supply.

I don't know which jumpers you are talking about to reset the BIOS.  I'll look around in the manual.

I tried setting the front side bus on teh motherboard instead of BIOS, but it didn't solve anything.

I'm going to try a different video card tonight, see if it works.  Also I'm gonna reset bios and take everything apart put it back together.

Power supply seems like the culprit however like I said it is a 350w...

I don't know about the situation on the HSF. It was working fine before... but so was the monitor. Power problems again?

[Warin 0]

I used to be a huge fan of Asus mobos. Then I hafd half a dozen go belly up on my friends in the space of two months.

Now I use MSI.

Trade that A7V333 for the MSI KT3-Ultra ARU. that's the board I am currently using, and it's rock solid. If you dont plan on overclocking, it's one of the most stable boards going. Plus you get DLED, which will tell you simply and easily what is wong when it wont boot.

Look here

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

I'm asking for help on how to fix my computer, not on which parts I should have bought :\

[Warin 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (residuum @ July 26 2002,20:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'm asking for help on how to fix my computer, not on which parts I should have bought :\<span id='postcolor'>

If the Ausu mobo is dead (and that sounds like the case if the VGA isnt booting) you can trade in the mobo

Here are the meaning of the beep codes generated by the Award Bios. If it doesnt beep, make sure you have the speaker connected.  If it still doesnt beep then it's the motherboard.

Also, RTFM!

Page 45 in your manual

[RedRogue 0]

Step by Step Guide to Find possible hardware issues:

1. Remove all the components from the computer except

The Motherboard with the BIOS reset via jumpers with the

jumpers then returned to the normal mode.

The PowerSupply of proper capacity

The Video Card that is known to be of working order.

1 Stick of of Memory at the proper rating for the

Motherboard that is known to be in good working state

inserted in Slot 0.

This means No disk drives connected, No Hard Drives no

Sound Cards, no nothing.

2. Now with these bare minimal components installed check

for a POST screen and proper fan function. If there is no

POST then it is almost certain that you have a defective

motherboard.

3. If the POST screen completes and then gives you "Insert

system disk and press any key" this is good.

4. Now power down the computer and attach your Hardrive.

If this drive is going to be the only HD installed in this

computer it is advisable to pull off the Master/Slave

jumpers next to its IDE connector. Some motherboards

have issues with HDs being set to Master if they are the

only drive installed. No jumpers is the undocumented

Single Drive setting for HDs.

5. Now power the computer back up and wait for the POST.

If the drive installed was blank then you should still get

the "Insert System Disk and Press any key message".

6. Keep adding single components to the computer each time

checking for a successfull boot. If after installing a

component the computer refuses to boot then remove said

component and make sure the computer will boot without

it. You will know know the culprit component.

Lesson: Never try to install all components to a computer then flip the switch hoping that all will be well.

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

Thankyou RedRogue. Will try this when I get home.

[Mister Frag 0]

Warin, just because he doesn't see anything doesn't mean that the motherboard is fried.

Other possible causes for not getting any video would be having the boot device set to PCI instead of AGP (a BIOS setting), or a damaged video cable (bent pin, for instance).

If the RAM is bad or not seated properly, the system also wouldn't boot.

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

Let me reiterate that the video was working for a while, then quit after some freezes during boot.

[Warin 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Mister Frag @ July 26 2002,22:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Warin, just because he doesn't see anything doesn't mean that the motherboard is fried.

Other possible causes for not getting any video would be having the boot device set to PCI instead of AGP (a BIOS setting), or a damaged video cable (bent pin, for instance).

If the RAM is bad or not seated properly, the system also wouldn't boot.<span id='postcolor'>

Yes, but most current mobo's will look to the AGP slot second if there is no PCI video detected.

I pointed him to beep codes because they will usually tell you what is wrong (ie No Ram or Video Card not properly seated)

Red gave the best advice, I think for overall troubleshooting the problem.

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

OK so here's an update on my situtation

I fixed the display problem. I had accidently activated some security device. I fixed it and it works.

But now its freezing on the PCI and IRQ settings list. Won't go any further.

For some reason even when my floppy drive is not attached my computer says I have one...

Any ideas?

[BoonieRat 0]

Did you manage to find the BIOS jumper?. till you've reset the BIOS you'll probly get nowhere...

Is there a Load Conservative/safe BIOS option in your BIOS setup screen?. Have you got a Plug'n'Play' setting?. or do you have it set to configure IRQ's through BIOS?. set it to plug and play if possible.

Is the hard drive formatted?. or is has it got all the old stuff from your last PC still on it?.

Are you sure it ihas detected a floppy or is it just tring to detect it?.

Can you list what you have in the PC at this time?.Hard drive?. soundcard? Graphics,ect...

PS. nice system ...

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

Yes I already reset the BIOS, and I am getting 1 beep which is supposed to mean everything is loading fine.

It's a brand new hard drive.

I am assuming it's detected it because it tells me I have one.

Right now I've reconnected everything.

I need it to get to read my Windows CD so it can install.

UPDATE:

I enable Plug'n'play OS and now it gets one message further on boot. It says after the IRQ settings and PCI list "Update ESCD Successfully"

[Warin 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Have you got a Plug'n'Play' setting?. or do you have it set to configure IRQ's through BIOS?. set it to plug and play if possible.

<span id='postcolor'>

I've found setting it to plug and play OS can be a bit of a nightmare.  With a factory set BIOS and a modern non ISA mobo, you generally can leave things at factory defaults for PCI/IRQ routing with Plug and Play OS set to 'no' and it works well.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">For some reason even when my floppy drive is not attached my computer says I have one...

<span id='postcolor'>

How comfortable are you in the BIOS?  You can turn off floppy drives in the general settings area. You may also need to set it to boot from the CD ROM, which is also done in the BIOS.  Sounds like you are getting there and it's all good Keep us posted.

[EveronVetsAgainstTheWar 1]

Disabled everything but the CD rom, windows is now installing...

lets hope for no freezes...

[BoonieRat 0]

WOOT!! ...

Sounds like there is/was an IRQ conflict going on there. if you know what you're doing in the BIOS: assign IRQ for each periphial seperatly. if not when windows is loaded it should assign them for you through 'plug and play'. or tell you what is conflicting with what. my guess is the Graphics and whatever you have in the PCI slot that shares with AGP.(its the second slot from bottom on my Iwill KA266-R, but its different for all mobos) what have you got in your PCI slots?. sound?. modem?.

Luck Dude!. its worth the hassles to learn about PC's a bit deeper ...