Way out of my league...

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 11:34 AM

Hi all!
Lots of different problems here. I would really appreciate it if I could get some help restoring/rebuilding this system.
I've been rebuilding computers for many years now and, most of the time, I can figure things out. But, this time, I'm a little stumped. I've acquired a beautiful case with a nice mobo in it, but the mobo has so many ports and fittings that I'm having trouble getting it to drive all the cards and periphs. The previous owner experienced severe overheating problems and spent (I suspect) quite a bit of time, money, and effort installing a multitude of additional fans to cool the system (including a 3-fan bank in one of the CDROM slots). I feel it's a problem with the mobo itself and have pared the system down quite a bit by removing a lot of the power draw from the mobo and also put in a new power supply (350W). (It was a 250W trying to run 8+ USB2.0 ports, 5 firewire ports, and lots of other stuff that I ripped out in a fit of creative passion...)
The mobo is a GIGABYTE GA-7VAXP Ultra (link: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...ProductID=1595)
I tried downloading the PDF manual but all the links are dead.
I did get everything going with Win2K on a spare HD, but when I try to use the XP install disk, at the confirmation screen, I totally lose signal to the PS2 ports (mouse and kybd). The ports work fine in DOS and in the BIOS screens, but something in the XP install process removes PS2 port support. Any ideas about this?
I'd really like to see a pin diagram on this board so I know where what goes.
Here's the other thing. The front of the case adds support for 2 USB 2.0 ports, one firewire, and an aux microphone+earphone(stereo) output bundle. The pigtail is nicely marked, but the mobo is not. Where do I plug these into?
Anyway, Lots and lots of different challenges with this system. Can anyone help walk me through this rebuild. I would be most appreciative if that were so...
Thanks soooooo much!
-Andy

Stu_computer · 08-25-2008, 11:48 AM

go here for manual http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...l&FileID=15578

then when your at that page right click one of the download links and save target as...

btw,

Quote:

It was a 250W trying to run 8+ USB2.0 ports, 5 firewire ports, and lots of other stuff

not suprised there was heat issue, should been 600w or better.

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 11:54 AM

That's a meta-file. Not a d.l. link...

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 01:02 PM

okay. I got the PDF file.
æ

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 01:05 PM

I am still wondering why, during XP install, I lose PS2 support for mouse and keyboard...
-Andy

Call-Collin · 08-25-2008, 01:11 PM

Mobo Drivers?

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 02:10 PM

How do I install/update BIOS drivers without kybd support? (It's a standard MS-DOS 101 keyboard (Gateway))----I don't think it should need driver updates...)

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 02:14 PM

post deleted

Houndog777 · 08-25-2008, 02:16 PM

Hi,
A 350W PSU? A bit weak, no?
Have you tried installing the XP with minimal components and the BIOS as near it's defaults as possible?
(Minimum=PSU, Monitor, CPU, RAM, Video, single HDD, CD/DVD and Keyboard & Mouse. Nothing else at all, including extra fans.)
Then, once XP installs, add one component at a time.

AquariusFX · 08-25-2008, 02:29 PM

could it be that some other hardware hung up then it cause kb/mouse to not responding?
Have you try load default bios configuration and run setup again?

If using ide hdd, check the cable make sure there is no nick and tear on it.

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 02:38 PM

Yeah, weird thing. When I load my Win98SE bootdisk, it enables all support needed, but when I try to install XP, the second it goes to the auth screen for XP install (e.g. "Press Enter to install XP, Esc to exit) there is a quick refresh of display and, apparently, other functions, and I lose PS2 port support.
I've replaced all ribbons.
Can't replace BIOS without keyboard support. Can you?
-Andy

andyenglish · 08-25-2008, 02:54 PM

(Monitor is an IBM E74)

Stu_computer · 08-25-2008, 04:13 PM

umm, just do one thing at a time.

1. take xp cd out of drive and put in a drawer (preferably in another room) and leave it there for now.

2. read mobo manual for instructions on flashing bios (has nothing to do with xp).

3. gather appropriate files needed to flash bios
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...ProductID=1595 select bios version F7
(hint: scroll down this time)

4. flash bios.

vIrUs_32 · 08-26-2008, 02:15 AM

use @bios to flash

08-25-2008, 11:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Way out of my league... Hi all! Lots of different problems here. I would really appreciate it if I could get some help restoring/rebuilding this system. I've been rebuilding computers for many years now and, most of the time, I can figure things out. But, this time, I'm a little stumped. I've acquired a beautiful case with a nice mobo in it, but the mobo has so many ports and fittings that I'm having trouble getting it to drive all the cards and periphs. The previous owner experienced severe overheating problems and spent (I suspect) quite a bit of time, money, and effort installing a multitude of additional fans to cool the system (including a 3-fan bank in one of the CDROM slots). I feel it's a problem with the mobo itself and have pared the system down quite a bit by removing a lot of the power draw from the mobo and also put in a new power supply (350W). (It was a 250W trying to run 8+ USB2.0 ports, 5 firewire ports, and lots of other stuff that I ripped out in a fit of creative passion...) The mobo is a GIGABYTE GA-7VAXP Ultra (link: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...ProductID=1595) I tried downloading the PDF manual but all the links are dead. I did get everything going with Win2K on a spare HD, but when I try to use the XP install disk, at the confirmation screen, I totally lose signal to the PS2 ports (mouse and kybd). The ports work fine in DOS and in the BIOS screens, but something in the XP install process removes PS2 port support. Any ideas about this? I'd really like to see a pin diagram on this board so I know where what goes. Here's the other thing. The front of the case adds support for 2 USB 2.0 ports, one firewire, and an aux microphone+earphone(stereo) output bundle. The pigtail is nicely marked, but the mobo is not. Where do I plug these into? Anyway, Lots and lots of different challenges with this system. Can anyone help walk me through this rebuild. I would be most appreciative if that were so... Thanks soooooo much! -Andy __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... That's a meta-file. Not a d.l. link... __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... okay. I got the PDF file. æ __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 01:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... I am still wondering why, during XP install, I lose PS2 support for mouse and keyboard... -Andy __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 01:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Call-Collin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 57 OS: WinXP SP3 My System	Re: Way out of my league... Mobo Drivers? __________________ *CompTIA A+, MCP, MCDST*

08-25-2008, 02:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... How do I install/update BIOS drivers without kybd support? (It's a standard MS-DOS 101 keyboard (Gateway))----I don't think it should need driver updates...) __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 02:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... post deleted __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE... Last edited by andyenglish; 08-25-2008 at 02:16 PM.

08-25-2008, 02:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Houndog777 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 2,683 OS: XPpro sp3 My System	Re: Way out of my league... Hi, A 350W PSU? A bit weak, no? Have you tried installing the XP with minimal components and the BIOS as near it's defaults as possible? (Minimum=PSU, Monitor, CPU, RAM, Video, single HDD, CD/DVD and Keyboard & Mouse. Nothing else at all, including extra fans.) Then, once XP installs, add one component at a time.

08-25-2008, 02:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquariusFX Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 148 OS: XP SP3 / Vista SP1 My System	Re: Way out of my league... could it be that some other hardware hung up then it cause kb/mouse to not responding? Have you try load default bios configuration and run setup again? If using ide hdd, check the cable make sure there is no nick and tear on it.

08-25-2008, 02:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... Yeah, weird thing. When I load my Win98SE bootdisk, it enables all support needed, but when I try to install XP, the second it goes to the auth screen for XP install (e.g. "Press Enter to install XP, Esc to exit) there is a quick refresh of display and, apparently, other functions, and I lose PS2 port support. I've replaced all ribbons. Can't replace BIOS without keyboard support. Can you? -Andy __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 02:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
andyenglish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 176 OS: Sinclair 1000, Workbench 1.3 (emul); IIe & Leopard; Win9x, ME, XPproSP2; WinCE2K3; GBA & DS.	Re: Way out of my league... (Monitor is an IBM E74) __________________ SMASH HEAD ON KEYBOARD TO CONTINUE...

08-25-2008, 04:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Stu_computer Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,279 OS: Windows	Re: Way out of my league... umm, just do one thing at a time. 1. take xp cd out of drive and put in a drawer (preferably in another room) and leave it there for now. 2. read mobo manual for instructions on flashing bios (has nothing to do with xp). 3. gather appropriate files needed to flash bios http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/M...ProductID=1595 select bios version F7 (hint: scroll down this time) 4. flash bios.

08-26-2008, 02:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
vIrUs_32 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: washington state Posts: 160 OS: windows xp home sp3 My System	Re: Way out of my league... use @bios to flash __________________ <~~~~~~Teh virus is in teH house!