Trouble shooting new computer

tuarim · 08-20-2006, 09:06 PM

Hello all,

I recently helped a friend build his new gaming computer. As of last week though it will not boot from any form of media. I have gone through the system and all wiring are in the right spots and can not discern any visible problems. The system is running XP Home.

My friend did start having a few glitches when he hooked up a Logitech webcam, to which the system would freeze and he would have to shut down. Any help or ideas would be grateful. I know the best way is to pull each part and test in a different machine, but don't have a machine like this to test them in.

Here are the specs:
Asus mobo
AMD 4600+ with the AM2 architecture
1 Gig OCZ DDR2 memory
Nvidia 6800 with 256 RAM
500 Gig Harddrive.

Thanks a bunch.

Sean

chauffeur2 · 08-20-2006, 10:54 PM

Hi tuarim, and Welcome to TSF!

OK there could be a few reasons that you have that might cause this issue; so let's start at the beginning....I will apologise now for this post being a little long-winded.

First up, is the HDD recognized in the BIOS?

To get into the BIOS, do this.....As soon as you power up the computer, continually tap the Delete or Del key.
Once you get the BIOS screen, go into the Advanced BIOS screen and look to see if all items [ Floppy: HDD: CD-ROM] are listed.
I am presuming that they will be, because you said that this problem only started about a week ago; however, that doesn't matter for the moment.

While you are in the BIOS area, go to the Boot Sequence and check that the boot Priority Order is: 1st: Floppy 2nd: IDE/HDD 3rd: CD-ROM; if you do not have a floppy; then, the boot sequence will be 1st: CD-ROM 2nd: IDE/HDD 3rd: other.

Once you have ascertained the Boot Sequence is correct, hit F10 to Exit and Save and go OK.

Turn off the computer and double check that the HDD jumper pin is set to 'Master', and it is on the end connector of the IDE ribbon.
Also recheck that all the connections [IDE Ribbons etc.] are firmly in place.

To cover another possibility, just recheck that the RAM is firmly installed in its DIMM socket, and that the plastic clips on each end are clipped firmly into each end of the stick/s.

Now locate the Motherboard battery, and remove it for about 5 - 10 minutes; then, refit it.

Having done this, please remove the Logitech™ Webcam completely from the computer,as well as the Video Card, and only use the onboard VGA for the monitor for the moment; then, power it up.

If you receive any error messages during the boot up sequence, please give the details of the message here.

One last question for the moment..... Are all fans powering up and spinning?
That is the fans on the PSU; CPU, and Case.

Try these things and post back...It might be a fruitless excercise, but as I said at the beginning, we will eliminate the possibilities one-by-one, and these are just some of them.

tuarim · 08-21-2006, 11:23 PM

Hi,

Nothing shows on the screen so I can't get to the bios. I did the removal of the battery after checking the cables and wires. All the fans spin, as does the floppy, the dvd/cd and harddrive. Since there is no onboard video, I used the Nvidia in both of the pci-express slots (mobo is sli-ready) with no results...it's as if nothing is getting to the monitor. I was able to hook up the monitor to my laptop, so I know that works.

Sean

chauffeur2 · 08-22-2006, 11:09 PM

Hi sean,

What model ASUS motherboard is it?
It isn't a P4C800-E DLX by any chance?

Try reseating the Video card once more, and double check that you have got the monitor plugged in firmly and the retaining screws are tight.
Also which one of the small square 4 pin power plugs did you use on the board?
Was it the separate one, or the 4-pin one that 'disconnects' from its 20 pin 'mate'?
You need to use the separate one, as the other one is designed only to be use with the 24-pin motherboard ATX power supply connectors.

When you power up the machine, do you hear any 'beeps' at all?

Please post back with what eventuates.

tuarim · 08-23-2006, 01:41 PM

Hi Dave,

I tried to reseat it a couple of times, in both of the PCI-E slots (it is an sli board). No go. Also, yes, the proper for four pin power supply is in the main power. The power supply, ULTRA 550W X2-Connect Power Supply - Titanium, has a tab on the cable that plugs in with the 20 pin connector. The cpu 4 pin won't fit because of the tabs. As for beeps, there is a short beep, which is similar to other systems when it starts up.

My gut is saying that both RAM modules are bad, but that would be odd that both go out at the same time. Any ideas?

Sean

chauffeur2 · 08-23-2006, 07:57 PM

Hi Sean,

As a matter of fact, the RAM is the next elimination factor, so if you go to this link, and download the Microsoft™ Memory Tester; put it on a floppy, and run it, we will soon know if your hunch is right.

The Memtester boots from a floppy, the Microsoft™ site page will explain it all to you regarding downloading and use.

Post back with the results.

tuarim · 08-24-2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Dave,

The mobo is M2N4-SLI. I will put that memory tester on a floppy, but am unsure it will work since nothing is getting through to the monitor.

Am going back on Tuesday to try that as well as try an old PCI video card to see if that works. Will let you know. Thanks for all the advice.

Sean

tuarim · 08-31-2006, 12:17 PM

Hello Guys,

I tried adding different RAM, PCI video card and power supply, but still nothing shows up on the screen. Does anyone know if the new AMD AM2 processors have a flaw in them or so? A friend told me about a possible buffer overrun that can fry the processor, but I can not find documentation on the web about it.

Thanks,

Sean

08-20-2006, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
tuarim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Trouble shooting new computer Hello all, I recently helped a friend build his new gaming computer. As of last week though it will not boot from any form of media. I have gone through the system and all wiring are in the right spots and can not discern any visible problems. The system is running XP Home. My friend did start having a few glitches when he hooked up a Logitech webcam, to which the system would freeze and he would have to shut down. Any help or ideas would be grateful. I know the best way is to pull each part and test in a different machine, but don't have a machine like this to test them in. Here are the specs: Asus mobo AMD 4600+ with the AM2 architecture 1 Gig OCZ DDR2 memory Nvidia 6800 with 256 RAM 500 Gig Harddrive. Thanks a bunch. Sean

08-20-2006, 10:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi tuarim, and Welcome to TSF! OK there could be a few reasons that you have that might cause this issue; so let's start at the beginning....I will apologise now for this post being a little long-winded. First up, is the HDD recognized in the BIOS? To get into the BIOS, do this.....As soon as you power up the computer, continually tap the Delete or Del key. Once you get the BIOS screen, go into the Advanced BIOS screen and look to see if all items [ Floppy: HDD: CD-ROM] are listed. I am presuming that they will be, because you said that this problem only started about a week ago; however, that doesn't matter for the moment. While you are in the BIOS area, go to the Boot Sequence and check that the boot Priority Order is: 1st: Floppy 2nd: IDE/HDD 3rd: CD-ROM; if you do not have a floppy; then, the boot sequence will be 1st: CD-ROM 2nd: IDE/HDD 3rd: other. Once you have ascertained the Boot Sequence is correct, hit F10 to Exit and Save and go OK. Turn off the computer and double check that the HDD jumper pin is set to 'Master', and it is on the end connector of the IDE ribbon. Also recheck that all the connections [IDE Ribbons etc.] are firmly in place. To cover another possibility, just recheck that the RAM is firmly installed in its DIMM socket, and that the plastic clips on each end are clipped firmly into each end of the stick/s. Now locate the Motherboard battery, and remove it for about 5 - 10 minutes; then, refit it. Having done this, please remove the Logitech™ Webcam completely from the computer,as well as the Video Card, and only use the onboard VGA for the monitor for the moment; then, power it up. If you receive any error messages during the boot up sequence, please give the details of the message here. One last question for the moment..... Are all fans powering up and spinning? That is the fans on the PSU; CPU, and Case. Try these things and post back...It might be a fruitless excercise, but as I said at the beginning, we will eliminate the possibilities one-by-one, and these are just some of them. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!! Last edited by chauffeur2; 08-20-2006 at 10:58 PM.

08-22-2006, 11:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi sean, What model ASUS motherboard is it? It isn't a P4C800-E DLX by any chance? Try reseating the Video card once more, and double check that you have got the monitor plugged in firmly and the retaining screws are tight. Also which one of the small square 4 pin power plugs did you use on the board? Was it the separate one, or the 4-pin one that 'disconnects' from its 20 pin 'mate'? You need to use the separate one, as the other one is designed only to be use with the 24-pin motherboard ATX power supply connectors. When you power up the machine, do you hear any 'beeps' at all? Please post back with what eventuates. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!! Last edited by chauffeur2; 08-22-2006 at 11:12 PM.

08-23-2006, 07:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hi Sean, As a matter of fact, the RAM is the next elimination factor, so if you go to this link, and download the Microsoft™ Memory Tester; put it on a floppy, and run it, we will soon know if your hunch is right. The Memtester boots from a floppy, the Microsoft™ site page will explain it all to you regarding downloading and use. Post back with the results. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

08-21-2006, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
tuarim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Hi, Nothing shows on the screen so I can't get to the bios. I did the removal of the battery after checking the cables and wires. All the fans spin, as does the floppy, the dvd/cd and harddrive. Since there is no onboard video, I used the Nvidia in both of the pci-express slots (mobo is sli-ready) with no results...it's as if nothing is getting to the monitor. I was able to hook up the monitor to my laptop, so I know that works. Sean

08-23-2006, 01:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
tuarim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Hi Dave, I tried to reseat it a couple of times, in both of the PCI-E slots (it is an sli board). No go. Also, yes, the proper for four pin power supply is in the main power. The power supply, ULTRA 550W X2-Connect Power Supply - Titanium, has a tab on the cable that plugs in with the 20 pin connector. The cpu 4 pin won't fit because of the tabs. As for beeps, there is a short beep, which is similar to other systems when it starts up. My gut is saying that both RAM modules are bad, but that would be odd that both go out at the same time. Any ideas? Sean

08-24-2006, 10:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
tuarim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Hi Dave, The mobo is M2N4-SLI. I will put that memory tester on a floppy, but am unsure it will work since nothing is getting through to the monitor. Am going back on Tuesday to try that as well as try an old PCI video card to see if that works. Will let you know. Thanks for all the advice. Sean

08-31-2006, 12:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
tuarim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Hello Guys, I tried adding different RAM, PCI video card and power supply, but still nothing shows up on the screen. Does anyone know if the new AMD AM2 processors have a flaw in them or so? A friend told me about a possible buffer overrun that can fry the processor, but I can not find documentation on the web about it. Thanks, Sean