GreenBaron

I just bought a new P4P800-E Deluxe along with 1GB DDR400 Kingston Value Ram (2x512Mb kit) and i'm having trouble getting it to work...

First question: CPU is 1.8GHz Williamette P4 so i'm using a 266MHz FSB proc. with 400MHz RAM. I assumed this wouldn't be a problem (planned to upgrade to an 800MHz Northwood at some point later) - bad assumption?

Assuming that is OK. When I plug CPU in alone, I get a vocal post of "No memory found" along with some beeps (1 long, 2 short). However, when I plug the memory in (filling both blue slots), I get no vocal post and no beeps (and no video if a videocard is plugged in) - so i'm stumped!

Second question: Any ideas as to if this is a CPU/memory mismatch issue, a memory issue or if something else is afoot?

Thanks.

clintfan

Not sure I can offer many solutions, maybe just some data points that hopefully will eliminate some possible causes...

Near as I can tell, the "Willamette" processor (not Williamette btw) was the codename given to the 180nm technology Pentium 4's. The 130nm technology is certainly the Northwood (which I've got), and Prescott went to 90nm. A Northwood CPU would be the best choice for this mobo model.

In the 1.8 GHz CPU class, it appears there were only 2 models of P4 processors:

• 1.80A GHz 400 MHz 0.13 micron (Northwood)
• 1.80 GHz 400 MHz 0.18 micron (Willamette)

Now, according to the Asus CPU support matrix tool for Socket 478 processors, both of these should work on your P4P800-E, even with the base BIOS. That's not to promise that they really tested it, but at least it is on the list.

Do keep in mind these CPU's have a 400MHz FSB, not the usual 800. Your mobo's i865PE Northbridge chip does support 400, in addition to 533 and 800, and any setup required for that should automatically be handled through the BIOS, assuming the BIOS tuning is set for auto. Your 1.8Ghz CPU shouldn't have the 266MHz FSB you described, not unless I'm missing something at the Intel site, or unless they've pruned some older data over time. And the i865PE datasheet makes no mention of 266 (for the FSB), so if indeed your CPU is FSB 266, you may have answered your own compatibility question.



Those are the correct memory slots to use. In terms of beeps, it sounds like your mobo is correctly detecting the presence of memory.

My guess is you're using a PS/2 keyboard and a PS/2 mouse, right? Because if so, zero beeps is normal. In the absence of errors, these mobos will beep once per USB device enumerated at bootup. They don't issue the traditional single beep at completion of POST. No attached USB devices would mean no beeps.



Getting no video is a very common problem, and tough to diagnose since there are so many possible causes. It could be a memory/CPU issue, however I'm inclined to look at other things first.


Why not start by telling us what video card, and what power supply & wattage you're using. Make sure the supply is ATX12V compliant, and that you've attached the extra 4-pin square ATX12V connector to the mobo; the jack is on the mobo, behind the LAN port. If the video card has an extra power attachment port on it, make sure that's connected to one of the wide 4-pin power taps, not the floppy power taps which are smaller. Check your monitor to make sure it's functional. And make sure you've connected the CPU fan.

-clintfan

GreenBaron

Thanks for the feedback.

Your right, my post was in error - apologies. The processor has a 400MHz FSB, not a 266MHz FSB. I was getting confused with the RAM... although I'm using DDR400 RAM, I should be using DDR266 RAM.

I was expecting the DDR400 RAM modules to still work, however, looking at the spec for Intels own 865 based boards I can see that a 400MHz bus speed *must* be paired with DDR266 modules (also mentioned in the Asus manual - duh) - almost certainly my problem. I would have still expected the board to post though!!

I deliberately went for the P4P800-E board because of its support for my old 1.8GHz proc. but, due to future upgrade path, I opted for DDR400 RAM. At this point, I can buy new DDR266 RAM or a new Northwood proc. Seems silly to spend money on slower RAM so i'll go for the faster processer. Will post how that goes.

For completion of information: I've verified that the power cables are connected correctly, including the additionnal 4-pin connector. The video card used to test the system was an old PCI based Voodoo3 card (also tried with no video card). The power supply is an old Antec (wattage not labelled, I also tried with a newer antec 400W PSU) - also a cause for concern from what i've read. I am using PS-2 keyboard/mouse combo so there are no USB devices connected.

Thanks.

GreenBaron

Turned out I had the mouse cord plugged into the keyboard and vice-versa. Apparently, this causes the P4P800-E Deluxe board to not POST. Kinda lame IMO, but, I have a bootable machine now so i'm happy.

Thanks for the help.

GB