lagli

I have 2 identical computers to build, and I am running into the same problem on both. I have ASUS A7S8X-MX mb, AMD Sempron 2300 cpu & 512mb DDR ram. Upon trying to boot the systems up, they start up (to the point where I hear the first beep), then immediately shut down. HELP!!! I have been building computers for several years now & have never run into this situation before. I'm so frustrated I could just cry. I have to have these up & running BEFORE 7/11/05, as they are for my bosses at work. PS...I have tried to use different cpu's, that didnt help at all. I have also tried different power supplies, also didnt make a differnece....PLEASE HELP!!

Tumbleweed36

Hi,

There may be a couple of things you need to look at besides what you already have. I am not familar with that particular motherboard, but do build other ones that are similar.

First of all, if the 512K is two sticks of memory, take one out and try it. Be sure to check your manual if you do this, because some of the newer boards require one stick to be in Dimm2, instead of Dimm1.

Second, if that does not help, start with only one stick of Ram, the CPU and Heatsink/fan plugged into the motherboard, the video card, the monitor, the power supply connected, the 12volt square molex plug connected, the on/off switch connected and NOTHING ELSE. That means, no drives, no pci cards, no wires except what was listed. If it comes up, then add something like one drive, etc....you get the picture.

Are you able to jump it into the BIOS setup menu?????????, or will it not go that far?

If that does not help take it out of the case and place the motherboard on a piece of cardboard or non-conductive surface and try it like above. That should eliminate any shorts.

lagli

I have only one stick of memory in there, and it doesnt seem to matter which slot i put it in. I currently have one stick of Ram installed, the CPU and Heatsink/fan plugged into the motherboard, the power supply connected, the on/off switch connected. It does not ever get to the screen

dai

have you put the thermal paste on correctly,check here
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm
check the heatsink is seated properly

linderman

Lagli:

remove mobo from case / then bench run outside the case / connect only cpu & cpu fan (must have cpu fan or it wont fire up) video card, one stick of memory (check mobo manual for slot location of single stick memory) connect PSU (power supply unit) and jumper (paper clip)the case switch on the mobo (the pins on mobo that on & off buttone go to)

as soon as this goes to bios screen / you know it was a mobo ground problem (very frequent) and you will need to either incorporate plastic standoffs into your build or isolation washers (plastic washers or fiber washers)

let us know how you progress


regards

joe

lagli

I took one of them completely apart & re-assembled it outside of the case while it was lying on an anti-static sheet. The same thing is still happening. And yes, I have the silver thermal paste applied correctly. Anyone have any other suggestions?

dai

are you using a large enough power supply

lagli

I believe so, I have a 12 volt - 430 watt PS installed

linderman

what brand of power supply ????

Some posters have tried reusing dell or HP PSU's only to find out they are wired differently than standard atx psu / please give us some specs on your psu.

this really sounds like a voltage problem / cables and or pins / any signs of heat on the one you are bench testing (remove power pin mobo plug ~ inspect for signs of heat) ????? does the cpu fan spin ?????
do you have an older PCI slot video card you can try ?????
was told by one poster that the mobo hew was trying to fire up - had a clip that held in the video card !!!! didnt see it until many tries at start-up / as soon as he clipped in vid card it fired / have you tried resetting cmos ??????
check to be sure cmos pins are set to the opposite of the "clear cmos setting" sometimes they ship in the cleared postition by accident ??????

is it a version 2.0 complaint psu ????????


regards

joe

dai

it would want to be a quality supply not generic

whodat

hello. is the ram you are using an approved make, size and speed from asus?

lagli

the same thing is happening with both. One was supplied with the case, it is: a JustPC Power Supply model: JPC-425-12V (430W MAX). The other is one I had in an existing running computer, it is: Dynex model: DX-PS400W fan controlled ATX 12V Power Supply. I currently have one stick of Ram installed (kingston 512MB 266mhz DDR PC2100), the CPU and Heatsink/fan plugged into the motherboard, the power supply connected, the speaker & the on/off switch connected. I have also tried both an AMD Sempron 2300 and an AMD Duron 1800. I am really at a loss here.

linderman

does the cpu fan spin????

have you tried other video cards (preferably pci slot vid card)

do you get bios beeps when you dont have any ram installed / it should beep for missing ram ?????

any burnt pins on either the psu mobo connector or mobo power connector ??

are the cmos jumpers set correctly ???>????? not in clear cmos setting
trying resetting setting cmos / you may have a setting in there it cant deal with ???

I wish I had faith in your PSU's ????? sorry :(

regards

joe

lagli

all the fans spin. And yes the system beeps...momentarily, then shuts down. This motherboad has onboard video and considering it never boots up to any usable point, I have not tried installing any other video card. Both PS's & MB's look to be fine. The CMOS pins are set correctly, and I have tried to reset it as well. And the PS's both work in other systems, so they seem to be fine.

whodat

hello
there has to be a common denominator here
now the chances of 2 bad boards, 2 bad psu's....i doubt it

the ram is the same on both machines?
is it an approved module?

linderman

What WHODAT is telling you may very well be the solution to your problem

look in your mobo manual / see if there is a QVL list (qualified vendor list) if your ram is not on the list / then the mobo maker has not tested the stick model for compatibility with your mobo / sometimes maybe even most of the time ???? the non-listed sticks will work but many times they will not work on the mobo. If you wish to verify this / read thru the posts on the "who has a working P4C800-E" there is a poster in there that worked for days trying to fire up his system only to find out a memory model swap cured the problem.

You may be able to contact the manufacturer and swap the ones you have for modules that will work in your board / this problem is common as hell !!! why do you think the memory companies have all spent the money to have a web page designed and deployed for "compatabilty chart"

thats why i always suggest posters buy memory from OCZ or crucial or micron they will do what they have to do to keep swapping stick with you until you get one that works


regards

joe