mitchellm44
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New Box - dead in an hour - help!?
I bought parts for a new computer last week. I built two others last winter.
This time, I bought cheaper parts but a 3.2 P4 800FSB CPU.
The motherboard instructions were confusing, and I did put the CPU fan wire on the wrong place at first.
It would not do anything. I rechecked the wiring, fixed the incorrect CPU fan wire and I got video signal.
Then I went ahead and installed the hard drive and installed Windows XP pro.
I installed Service pack 2.
I was installing the DVD software and then..
The lights seemed to blink, I heard a crackle, and the computer stopped.
The computer had only been running for an hour. It was plugged in via an APC battery backup/surge protector (no storms occurring).
I went to bed hoping it was an automatic shutdown with CPU overhead
(I noted that there was only 1 fan in the case and there was space to attach more).
Well -this morning, it is not booting at all. no lights -fans- nothing.
I tried to use a static-charge wrist band the entire time while putting this box together.
I am not much of a hardware guy, I do not know how to use any tools to measure voltage - but would be willing to learn.
I feel like I just burned more than a "couple of hundred bucks" - I need some good advice on where to go from here.
-- I have another box that I may have killed in the process too - but that will be a differnet post after I get this machine going.
What do I do to determine what is working and what is dead.
Case: MGE SOHO H2 400W powersupply
Motherboard: ECS ELITEGROUP 848-P A
Video ATI 9200SE 128MB
DVD writer Sony
HD: Seagate ATA/100 200GB
Pentium 4 3.2 800 FSB
Corsair memory.
I figure the DVD and HD would be good (I am hoping the memory is good - I moved that from the other computer as it is good memory)
The Motherboard, Video, Processor, Memory and Power supply are what I need to determine.
This time, I bought cheaper parts but a 3.2 P4 800FSB CPU.
The motherboard instructions were confusing, and I did put the CPU fan wire on the wrong place at first.
It would not do anything. I rechecked the wiring, fixed the incorrect CPU fan wire and I got video signal.
Then I went ahead and installed the hard drive and installed Windows XP pro.
I installed Service pack 2.
I was installing the DVD software and then..
The lights seemed to blink, I heard a crackle, and the computer stopped.
The computer had only been running for an hour. It was plugged in via an APC battery backup/surge protector (no storms occurring).
I went to bed hoping it was an automatic shutdown with CPU overhead
(I noted that there was only 1 fan in the case and there was space to attach more).
Well -this morning, it is not booting at all. no lights -fans- nothing.
I tried to use a static-charge wrist band the entire time while putting this box together.
I am not much of a hardware guy, I do not know how to use any tools to measure voltage - but would be willing to learn.
I feel like I just burned more than a "couple of hundred bucks" - I need some good advice on where to go from here.
-- I have another box that I may have killed in the process too - but that will be a differnet post after I get this machine going.
What do I do to determine what is working and what is dead.
Case: MGE SOHO H2 400W powersupply
Motherboard: ECS ELITEGROUP 848-P A
Video ATI 9200SE 128MB
DVD writer Sony
HD: Seagate ATA/100 200GB
Pentium 4 3.2 800 FSB
Corsair memory.
I figure the DVD and HD would be good (I am hoping the memory is good - I moved that from the other computer as it is good memory)
The Motherboard, Video, Processor, Memory and Power supply are what I need to determine.
Probably a bad power supply. Most cases that come with power supplies will install a cheap one to say "PS included". I would buy a reputible name brand PS like Antec, Enermax, etc. The ones that conme with the cases are built very cheap.
ASKER
I had a thought like this, and yet how would I be able to tell if it is bad or not?
Simple, try another power supply, if that one works then ur old one is bad.
Easiest way is to install another power supply that you know to be good.
Here's a link.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/faqpowersupply.html#2
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/faqpowersupply.html#2
ASKER
The link has some good info. The Other computer that I mentioned in the post (which is now not sending out video)
does have a power supply from Antec, and the lights and fans function there.
Can I just run the cables accross from the other computer?
does have a power supply from Antec, and the lights and fans function there.
Can I just run the cables accross from the other computer?
I would physically swap out the PS. I wouldn't run PS cables from one machine to the other.
I've done worse (in the name of laziness) than running cables across computers but I would not recommend it
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No. I looked for something like a lifter -- there were only some very stange gold pins that would have gone right throught the motherboard pins.
I attached it without lifters. --- did I short out the board?
I attached it without lifters. --- did I short out the board?
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ASKER
I had that thought, from having built my other machines --- with better instructions..
but these pins would have gone through the hold for the screws -- which seemed useless - and hence strange.
I can undo and start over, but am thinking I really messed up on this one. and fried the motherboard. Yes?
but these pins would have gone through the hold for the screws -- which seemed useless - and hence strange.
I can undo and start over, but am thinking I really messed up on this one. and fried the motherboard. Yes?
If your motherboard is resting directly on the case without any lifters then you probably did short the motherboard and possibly more. Start over and replace things one by one to see what still works.
I would still try the other power supply and see if the mb works. If it doesn't then you fried the mb. Return it if you can and get a new one. Also what type is the memory? Is it DDR400?
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I agree. I tried ECS and returned the board because i had nothing but problems with it. Stay with Abit, Asus, Tyan or Soyo. You can find lots of information about motherboards by going to www.motherboards.com.
ASKER
Yes the Memory is DDR400 --- I tried PC3200 a 512 stick I had thought to use, but it did not seem to work - so I pulled the DDR400 Corsair from the other box.
Good point on the parts - expensive lesson in being penny wise and pound foolish.
I tried to pull the 2.8 Pentium from my other box to try to build this, and that is when the video seemed to stop working - I was not bootiing that box often and could not say if it was dead before.. I thought that by attempting to remove the processor I may have bent that motherboard and it stopped sending video.
Sounds like I have some work to do before I can say what is the right answer here.
This dialog has made my membership cost worh it - again.
Thank you. I will get back with more responses tommorow.
Good point on the parts - expensive lesson in being penny wise and pound foolish.
I tried to pull the 2.8 Pentium from my other box to try to build this, and that is when the video seemed to stop working - I was not bootiing that box often and could not say if it was dead before.. I thought that by attempting to remove the processor I may have bent that motherboard and it stopped sending video.
Sounds like I have some work to do before I can say what is the right answer here.
This dialog has made my membership cost worh it - again.
Thank you. I will get back with more responses tommorow.
If one of these "pins" or stand-offs was in a posistion that did not have a hole in the motherboard and had contacted the motherboard circutry, I would remove the pins that are not aligned with any of the MB screw holes and reinstall the mother board with a good power supply. Then see if it fires up. It's worth a shot. It doesn't cost anything but your time.
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The Motherboard was in conact with the case.
The Video is AGP in both boxes.
I would think it optimistic that the motherboard survived from the crackle I heard - It sounds like a multi trip to the computer store weekend.
One piece at a time - and probably replace each with good parts.
The Video is AGP in both boxes.
I would think it optimistic that the motherboard survived from the crackle I heard - It sounds like a multi trip to the computer store weekend.
One piece at a time - and probably replace each with good parts.
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ASKER
Due to other issues, I have not been able to get a new motherboard and attempt a rebuild.
I hope that my time will allow for an attempt over the Sept 18-19 weekend.
In taking the advice of buying good parts I am thinking of
ABIT IC7 motherboard
Reason:
I have used them before
The memory capacity of 3G, Firewire, Lan, SATA, USB 2.0
I am somewhat dreading pulling out the processor ...
I hope that my time will allow for an attempt over the Sept 18-19 weekend.
In taking the advice of buying good parts I am thinking of
ABIT IC7 motherboard
Reason:
I have used them before
The memory capacity of 3G, Firewire, Lan, SATA, USB 2.0
I am somewhat dreading pulling out the processor ...
>>I am somewhat dreading pulling out the processor ...
why is that?
why is that?
<In taking the advice of buying good parts I am thinking of
ABIT IC7 motherboard>
ABIT IC7, I do have one for sell.
ABIT IC7 motherboard>
ABIT IC7, I do have one for sell.
ASKER
I am dreading the processor removal, as it is when I tried to do that, the video stopped sending from that box.
I find that the standard coupling that is used on the Pentium processor is a tough part to remove.
I am afraid that I will break the darn thing and will need to buy a cooling fan.
I feel that I need to have a store return policy on my purchases.
Anyone know of links that deal with how to remove the Pentium Coupler?
I find that the standard coupling that is used on the Pentium processor is a tough part to remove.
I am afraid that I will break the darn thing and will need to buy a cooling fan.
I feel that I need to have a store return policy on my purchases.
Anyone know of links that deal with how to remove the Pentium Coupler?
Are you talking about the bracket that holds the fan. The CPU is held in by the ZIF socket. Removing the CPU from this socket is realitivly effortless. Some of the fan setups I have seen are a bit of a pain though.
If it looks really bad, take the mainboard with fan and chip still attached to your local pc hardware place, and have them do it - small places are better than chains IMHO, but even PCWorld should be able to do it. Should be minimal cost!
Also, once you've got the entire board out of the system, it may be easier than when it was inside the case.
For more help, post some info here on the cooler type, and we'll see what we can do!
Also, once you've got the entire board out of the system, it may be easier than when it was inside the case.
For more help, post some info here on the cooler type, and we'll see what we can do!
ASKER
I guess that I meant the CPU Fan housing - it is the one that comes with the Pentium - that sits on top of the CPU after putting the CPU in the ZIF socket.
I tried to pull the CPU Fan housing off of the motherboard that now is not sending video.
From what I have read here, I am thinking that my pull could have damaged that motherboard with the stress,
and I am going to be replacing two motherboards..
I finally have a day that I can focus on getting this done (buying the parts today).
I will have to remove the fan from the fried board at least, and will look at doing this outside of the case.
I tried to pull the CPU Fan housing off of the motherboard that now is not sending video.
From what I have read here, I am thinking that my pull could have damaged that motherboard with the stress,
and I am going to be replacing two motherboards..
I finally have a day that I can focus on getting this done (buying the parts today).
I will have to remove the fan from the fried board at least, and will look at doing this outside of the case.
ASKER
Well, I went and bought both a new power supply, and a new motherboard.(Antec 350Watt and ABIT IC7 MAX 3)
I also bought some Thermal Compound to re-attach the processor.
I used every "lifter" that had come with the case.
I tested the video with video cards from both boxes with the New Motherboard and both worked
The first boot ,after an inital "post" beep, an alternating beeping sound started.
Let it run and do some things and it shutdown - within a few mintues (always with the alternating beep sound continuous).
I read a while ago that "alternating beep sound" can be bad memory seating. I reseated the memory a few times.
This fixed that same sound on a different box with the same motherboard this year. That box, if I ignored the beep for a while,
would just stop beeping... this new box just shuts down.
I was not able to move one arm of the Standard Pentium Fan into the locked down position.
I tried multiple times, and finally the arm snapped off.
I tried to swap out the Corsair XMS300 400Mhz memory that had been in the box when it "fried".
I put in some OZC PC3200 memory -
But the beeping sound started again.
The sound is reminiscent of the Sirens in Europe on emergency vehicles. If that helps.
Can a subject on the xchange be open too long? do I need to close this and open a new one?
I also bought some Thermal Compound to re-attach the processor.
I used every "lifter" that had come with the case.
I tested the video with video cards from both boxes with the New Motherboard and both worked
The first boot ,after an inital "post" beep, an alternating beeping sound started.
Let it run and do some things and it shutdown - within a few mintues (always with the alternating beep sound continuous).
I read a while ago that "alternating beep sound" can be bad memory seating. I reseated the memory a few times.
This fixed that same sound on a different box with the same motherboard this year. That box, if I ignored the beep for a while,
would just stop beeping... this new box just shuts down.
I was not able to move one arm of the Standard Pentium Fan into the locked down position.
I tried multiple times, and finally the arm snapped off.
I tried to swap out the Corsair XMS300 400Mhz memory that had been in the box when it "fried".
I put in some OZC PC3200 memory -
But the beeping sound started again.
The sound is reminiscent of the Sirens in Europe on emergency vehicles. If that helps.
Can a subject on the xchange be open too long? do I need to close this and open a new one?
If you were unable to move the arm for the CPU fan into the locked position then the fan was not seated correctly on the CPU. I do know that on older boards the varying sound like you described was usually related to an overheating problem. You having said that the board started the sound right after the initial post beep, I can't see that being heat related. P4 CPUs will usually throttle down when the temp gets to much. Normally they do not burn out from excesive heat. They would just shut down. But since you changed the memory I would have to say the problem might be in the CPU.
Did you count the beeps? Were they long then short beeps? If you count the beeps they are a code as to what the mb is telling you is wrong. You can find out what mb beeps mean by accessing these websites. Try Experts first.
http://www.sysopt.com/biosbmc.html
or here
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20856489/Check-on-Motherboard-Beeps-ALL-MOBOS-HERE.html
http://www.sysopt.com/biosbmc.html
or here
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20856489/Check-on-Motherboard-Beeps-ALL-MOBOS-HERE.html
How long will it run before it shuts down? If it does run for a few minutes without proper contact between the CPU and Fan this would cause the system to shut down. Especially if it is a Prescott core CPU, which you sound like you have. These tend to run realitivly hot.
ASKER
I awarded the points on this, and opened a new topic which may have had a successful answer.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21138967/Alternating-Beeping-shutdown-under-5-minutes.html
Thank you!!
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21138967/Alternating-Beeping-shutdown-under-5-minutes.html
Thank you!!
are you sure you have the heatsink on the correct direction.