Motherboard Upgrade - Problems

megalomania · 08-07-2006, 10:02 AM

Here's what I got:

Motherboard: Intel D865GLC
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9550 256mb
RAM: 4x256 MB 400mhz SDRAM
HDD: 2x 80 GB Western Digital

Here's the current state:

Mobo installed, everything plugged in. First when everything was in, it would start, but no picture.

Took out 3 of the 4 RAM sticks and the AGP card. I get picture. Some probs with the HDD's that I'm not really worried about and I'll fix later - point is I had picture, can get into BIOS, etc., it's running.

Put the AGP back in - no picture.

Put RAM back in one stick at a time with AGP out - now I'll explain this as best I can since it's kind of complicated:
1x RAM = picture
2x RAM in same group = picture
3x RAM = no picture
4x RAM = no picture
2x RAM, one in each group, matching spots = no picture
4x RAM + AGP in = no picture

2x RAM in same group gives an error when starting up but it's not vital, something about not being optimized for fastest performance. Also, in all of these cases, the computer is running - fans, lights, can hear the HDD running, can open disc drive, etc. - just no picture.

In summary: The farthest I've got is booting with 2 sticks of RAM in w/ no AGP.

That's all I can think of right now.

Now for the hypothesis:

It could be a misplaced wire which I was having trouble, but if it were, it wouldn't even get into BIOS I think - just wouldn't start.

It could be the power supply which I was going with until a friend pointed out that all that's new really is the extra HDD which I eventually unplugged anyway. Smaller mobo, same AGP card, only one extra HDD which there's no change when unplugged. The main thing that's changed is the superior RAM. How much more power would this new RAM take up compared to the old 4x128 RAM from before? Would it be enough to be too much for the power supply? Would the fans and junk all still operate if it was overloaded?

Other than that I'm stumped.

I want to exhaust all other posibilities before giving up, putting old mobo back in and waiting a few weeks to a month for a power supply.

Any help would be greatly apperciated, if there is anymore info you need..just ask!

Thanks a bunch!

**jnob** · 08-07-2006, 11:01 AM

Please list the specs of your power supply: brand, wattage, and amps on the 3.3v, 5v, & 12v lines. Each ram chip pulls approx. 10 watts so if you were close to the edge before these could definitely put you over.

megalomania · 08-07-2006, 11:23 AM

its a Power Man 300 watt.

+3.3v = 28.0A
+5v = 30.0A
-5v = 0.3A
+12v = 15.0A
-12v = 0.8A
+5Vsb = 2.0A

**jnob** · 08-07-2006, 11:55 AM

Your PSU should be replaced with a high quality brand with a minimum of 350-400W. If you plan on upgrading your video card at all, I would go with a 400-500W. This post is good reading before picking your new PSU.

A couple I would recommend at minimum: FSP 350W $30

Sparkle Power 350W $35

If you plan on upgrading:
Enermax 535W $75

Antec 550W $80

08-07-2006, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
megalomania Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP Pro	Motherboard Upgrade - Problems Here's what I got: Motherboard: Intel D865GLC Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz Video Card: ATI Radeon 9550 256mb RAM: 4x256 MB 400mhz SDRAM HDD: 2x 80 GB Western Digital Here's the current state: Mobo installed, everything plugged in. First when everything was in, it would start, but no picture. Took out 3 of the 4 RAM sticks and the AGP card. I get picture. Some probs with the HDD's that I'm not really worried about and I'll fix later - point is I had picture, can get into BIOS, etc., it's running. Put the AGP back in - no picture. Put RAM back in one stick at a time with AGP out - now I'll explain this as best I can since it's kind of complicated: 1x RAM = picture 2x RAM in same group = picture 3x RAM = no picture 4x RAM = no picture 2x RAM, one in each group, matching spots = no picture 4x RAM + AGP in = no picture 2x RAM in same group gives an error when starting up but it's not vital, something about not being optimized for fastest performance. Also, in all of these cases, the computer is running - fans, lights, can hear the HDD running, can open disc drive, etc. - just no picture. In summary: The farthest I've got is booting with 2 sticks of RAM in w/ no AGP. That's all I can think of right now. Now for the hypothesis: It could be a misplaced wire which I was having trouble, but if it were, it wouldn't even get into BIOS I think - just wouldn't start. It could be the power supply which I was going with until a friend pointed out that all that's new really is the extra HDD which I eventually unplugged anyway. Smaller mobo, same AGP card, only one extra HDD which there's no change when unplugged. The main thing that's changed is the superior RAM. How much more power would this new RAM take up compared to the old 4x128 RAM from before? Would it be enough to be too much for the power supply? Would the fans and junk all still operate if it was overloaded? Other than that I'm stumped. I want to exhaust all other posibilities before giving up, putting old mobo back in and waiting a few weeks to a month for a power supply. Any help would be greatly apperciated, if there is anymore info you need..just ask! Thanks a bunch!

08-07-2006, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
jnob TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Valley Posts: 692 OS: XP Pro, SP2 My System	Please list the specs of your power supply: brand, wattage, and amps on the 3.3v, 5v, & 12v lines. Each ram chip pulls approx. 10 watts so if you were close to the edge before these could definitely put you over. __________________ Everest Memtest86

08-07-2006, 11:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
jnob TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Valley Posts: 692 OS: XP Pro, SP2 My System	Your PSU should be replaced with a high quality brand with a minimum of 350-400W. If you plan on upgrading your video card at all, I would go with a 400-500W. This post is good reading before picking your new PSU. A couple I would recommend at minimum: FSP 350W $30 Sparkle Power 350W $35 If you plan on upgrading: Enermax 535W $75 Antec 550W $80 __________________ Everest Memtest86

08-07-2006, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
megalomania Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP Pro	its a Power Man 300 watt. +3.3v = 28.0A +5v = 30.0A -5v = 0.3A +12v = 15.0A -12v = 0.8A +5Vsb = 2.0A