Forums - Computer music & technology
Subject: Woe is me - building my own PC
Original Message 1/24 26-Apr-01 @ 10:49 AM - Woe is me - building my own PC
So last night I tried to assemble the whole thing. I've been working with computers for yonks, but can't sort this out. Firstly, there were no instructions with the case, so all assembly had to be done by trial and error. Anyway, I connected everything - ATI Video and Voodoo 2 (will be replaced soon with GeForce), DVD, Cd-Writer, disks, memory processor - and nothing happens. When I connect the monitor it seems to power on for a second, then goes back into power-save mode.
I tried removing everything except the processor, memory and video, but still get no beeps, video, or any noticeable activity. The hard disks work as I've re-connected my old computer, as do the video boards, so it's gotta be either the system board/memory/processor or it's something I'm doing wrong. The system board is getting power as the chipset fan turns, and the LED's on the case come on, but that's all I get. The poxy fucking thing just doesn't want to boot or post or anything!
Anyone experience anything similar? I've been told to check that the system board is not touching the case, so will give that a go tonight but I don't think it's that.
Cheers,
Si.
Message 2/24 26-Apr-01 @ 11:22 AM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
i also dont know that board, does it auto set the cpu speed etc?
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Message 3/24 26-Apr-01 @ 11:54 AM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
Well, they came with these little mounting catches that plug into the case and the board, and the screws come with these little red circular things (not metal), but I'm not sure what these are needed for - possibly making sure the system board doesn't create a circuit with the case?
As for the system board - it uses a Soft-Menu BIOS thing (jumperless), but I don't even get a chance to get in there.
Si.
Message 4/24 26-Apr-01 @ 01:16 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
Message 5/24 26-Apr-01 @ 01:23 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
Message 6/24 26-Apr-01 @ 02:33 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
-Craig
Message 7/24 26-Apr-01 @ 04:28 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
After about an hours worth of fiddling I managed to seat it correctly and the whole thing booted as far as the bios (see below).
Sorry about the story but a bit of background might help you spot some similarities.
Other than that the power supply could be faulty.
Also if you have ata100 connectors AND normal IDE leads supplied make sure you use the correct leads in the correct ide slot, not sure of the implications but it caused me a headache - this caused mine to fail during the bios check.
What size power supply is it? 300watts is recommended for athlons, but you should be able to boot with just basic cards etc with a 250watt one (mine is).
The little rec circular things are risers and intended for the use you mentioned.
Also check the mboard manual to see if there is a bios reset jumper, if there is pull it off and replace it then try to boot. There might still be one even with a jumperless bios.
Is your ram seated correctly, and if you have an agp card make sure it is seated all the way, some have retainers on the bottom ( a piece of plastic that pulls off) if this isn't there the card can be moved slightly.
unplug the drive for now as you don't need it connected to get the pc to post.
can't think of anything else I've come accross.
Message 8/24 26-Apr-01 @ 05:19 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
I'm gonna check out the risers, and make sure that the system board is installed properly.
antskony - what do you mean by putting the motherboard on newspaper?
I think the problem could be what Jasper has described, so I'm off home now to try it out. I've since installed 2000 on one of the hard disks so at least there's something to boot to if I can get it working.
Thanks for the help folks,
Si.
Message 9/24 26-Apr-01 @ 06:52 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
in the mboard manual, it'll tell you if there is a set number of beeps for different problems.. 2 beeps for no ram-3 beeps for no cpu etc. no nothing means no mboard life. at worst dig a hole in the garden, and give it a decent burial.
Message 10/24 26-Apr-01 @ 07:30 PM - RE: Woe is me - building my own PC
Fixed it pretty easily by bending the bay slightly.
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