Troubleshooting a computer build blind.
Ok, this is my first time building a system from scratch. Here's what I put together.
CP769-6 Computer Case with 400W Power Supply (Black) from http://www.xpcgear.com/powmaxcp7696.html
CHAINTECH "SK8T800" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU from http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-039&depa=0
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ from http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-484&depa=0
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 from http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21
Mad Dog Dominator DVD±R/±RW from http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1026777&CatId=89
A PCI slot Janton Geforce2 graphics card
An old PCI slot 56k modem
a 120 GB Hard Drive from my old computer running Win ME.
The Problem:
I got it all put together, checking with the amd forums for help when I had a question. The thing is, I managed to get a motherboard that didn't have an integrated video port. I thought this shouldn't be a problem because I had the Janton GeForce2, but the bios isn't detecting it and so me trying to figure out what it's doing is like a blind person trying to talk with a deaf person. Also, As soon as I turn on the computer, it starts beeping. The beeps are about 2 seconds long every 6 seconds or so.
I dearly hope this is enough info for you wonder workers to propose a solution. I'm at a loss as to what to do and I can't tell if or when it enters bios (if it gets that far). Please help.
CP769-6 Computer Case with 400W Power Supply (Black) from http://www.xpcgear.com/powmaxcp7696.html
CHAINTECH "SK8T800" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU from http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-039&depa=0
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ from http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-484&depa=0
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 from http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21
Mad Dog Dominator DVD±R/±RW from http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1026777&CatId=89
A PCI slot Janton Geforce2 graphics card
An old PCI slot 56k modem
a 120 GB Hard Drive from my old computer running Win ME.
The Problem:
I got it all put together, checking with the amd forums for help when I had a question. The thing is, I managed to get a motherboard that didn't have an integrated video port. I thought this shouldn't be a problem because I had the Janton GeForce2, but the bios isn't detecting it and so me trying to figure out what it's doing is like a blind person trying to talk with a deaf person. Also, As soon as I turn on the computer, it starts beeping. The beeps are about 2 seconds long every 6 seconds or so.
I dearly hope this is enough info for you wonder workers to propose a solution. I'm at a loss as to what to do and I can't tell if or when it enters bios (if it gets that far). Please help.
Try to press down the Graphic Adapter. Those beeps could exactly be that, misattached device to the motherboard.
Also, in BIOS, try to change the initial display type, if AGP or PCI.
If it doesn´t work, try to remove the modem!
Best Regards!
Also, in BIOS, try to change the initial display type, if AGP or PCI.
If it doesn´t work, try to remove the modem!
Best Regards!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Check if the RAM is working on any other PC ?
"1 Long Beep indicates a problem with memory in the first bank, usually an unseated memory module" http://www.pcmech.com/show/troubleshoot/14/3
The problem is definitely a problem with your ram. Make sure it is seated, swap it out with some known good ram, test it in another computer, and if those show the ram is good it may not be compatible with your computer.
The problem is definitely a problem with your ram. Make sure it is seated, swap it out with some known good ram, test it in another computer, and if those show the ram is good it may not be compatible with your computer.
What brand is the PSU (Power Supply Unit)? There are a lot of low quality PSU's out there with greatly exaggerated power specifications. And while 400W may sound like a lot, the components you are running require a lot of good clean stable power. I had a nearly identical scenario (different components but same symptoms) recently. I replaced the PSU with an Antec 480W and everything was just fine thereafter.
One pretty good rule of thumb to judge the quality/veracity of a PSU's power rating is that it should weight about 1 lb. for each 100W of power it claims... a 400W PSU should weigh about 4 pounds... maybe a bit less. The poor ones might weigh 1 lb, if that much. The best PSU's will have separate circuitry for the 5v rails and the 12v rails while most others use a shared arrangement.
One pretty good rule of thumb to judge the quality/veracity of a PSU's power rating is that it should weight about 1 lb. for each 100W of power it claims... a 400W PSU should weigh about 4 pounds... maybe a bit less. The poor ones might weigh 1 lb, if that much. The best PSU's will have separate circuitry for the 5v rails and the 12v rails while most others use a shared arrangement.
ASKER
Wow, thanks for the resounding response!
Well, I tried disconnecting the non-essentials and removing 1 ram stick and it booted with visual and no repeating beeps. However, I tried running off of both ram sticks, and no video and beeps are back. It will run with one ram stick in either slot 1 or 2, but not both. Is this a motherboard defect? The motherboard manual says it's rated to 2GB Ram so I wouldn't expect it to chicken out at 1GB.
It has a few other problems that I'll work on ironing out and save for a differant post if I need to. At least I can see what it's doing. I'd just like it to run off of both sticks of ram. Any ideas on this?
Well, I tried disconnecting the non-essentials and removing 1 ram stick and it booted with visual and no repeating beeps. However, I tried running off of both ram sticks, and no video and beeps are back. It will run with one ram stick in either slot 1 or 2, but not both. Is this a motherboard defect? The motherboard manual says it's rated to 2GB Ram so I wouldn't expect it to chicken out at 1GB.
It has a few other problems that I'll work on ironing out and save for a differant post if I need to. At least I can see what it's doing. I'd just like it to run off of both sticks of ram. Any ideas on this?
Possibly but probably not. Don't rule out the PSU as being inadequate. RAM is a big consumer of power (from the +5v rail, I think). You're using DDR which uses less than the older PC100/PC133 stuff but it is still quite power hungry. If it isn't too difficult, you should at least remove it and take note of its weight. You might think I'm "pulling your leg", but I'm not... just do a short research on PSU's thru Google. If you hit some of the "overclocker" sites you will see what I mean. And you don't have to be overclocking your cpu to have this problem. Good PSU's require good components and quality transformers capable of delivering unwavering power in multiple voltages are HEAVY.
On the otherhand, there have been motherboards that were noted for having problems running 2 sticks of ram at same time... the ECS K7S5A (and its variants) comes to mind. I don't know much about Chaintech so can't comment on their boards specifically.
On the otherhand, there have been motherboards that were noted for having problems running 2 sticks of ram at same time... the ECS K7S5A (and its variants) comes to mind. I don't know much about Chaintech so can't comment on their boards specifically.
Did you check RAM compatibility before buying?? Please post the correct part number.
See here : http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Chaintech%2B&mfr=Chaintech&cat=RAM&model=SK8T800&submit=Go
The Crucial System Scanner
The Crucial System Scanner automatically detects your computer's information and gives you the details you need to purchase a compatible upgrade. To run the Crucial System Scanner, you need Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or higher. The Crucial System Scanner will load a small tool (appropriately 77KB, which will take about 15 seconds to download on a dial-up connection) on your computer that will scan your computer's hardware, then show you a page with important information that will help you to select the right memory upgrade for your computer.
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/
See here : http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Chaintech%2B&mfr=Chaintech&cat=RAM&model=SK8T800&submit=Go
The Crucial System Scanner
The Crucial System Scanner automatically detects your computer's information and gives you the details you need to purchase a compatible upgrade. To run the Crucial System Scanner, you need Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or higher. The Crucial System Scanner will load a small tool (appropriately 77KB, which will take about 15 seconds to download on a dial-up connection) on your computer that will scan your computer's hardware, then show you a page with important information that will help you to select the right memory upgrade for your computer.
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/
ASKER
The ram I bought is here: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21
The specs check out though the numbers aren't on the list. the markings on the ram chips say:
VALUESELECT
VS32M8-5 PS1300449
The specs check out though the numbers aren't on the list. the markings on the ram chips say:
VALUESELECT
VS32M8-5 PS1300449
ASKER
I unscrewed the PSU and didn't bother weighing it; It didn't feel like it was even 1lb. I'll see how little I can run it on to test if it can run on both ram chips.
To clarify: both sticks of RAM work one at a time in either slot, but not together?
Try resetting the bios settings to default and see if that works.
The system should read the correct RAM settings from the chips themselves, or you may have to tweak them yourself.
Not too familiar with the Chaintech, but it may need to be set / unset for dual channel RAM operation?
The link you provided was for 2 X 512 M sticks = 1 G total, but does not explain why only one will work at a time
You should download and install their latest bios update and drivers too from:
http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/Download/dl_desc.asp?DCSNo=4&PISNo=247
good luck
Earl
Try resetting the bios settings to default and see if that works.
The system should read the correct RAM settings from the chips themselves, or you may have to tweak them yourself.
Not too familiar with the Chaintech, but it may need to be set / unset for dual channel RAM operation?
The link you provided was for 2 X 512 M sticks = 1 G total, but does not explain why only one will work at a time
You should download and install their latest bios update and drivers too from:
http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/Download/dl_desc.asp?DCSNo=4&PISNo=247
good luck
Earl
ASKER
I didn't see an option for dual channel ram in the bios and restoring defaults (optimum or fail-safe) doesn't seem to make a differance.
I started another forum post at asktheramguy.com here:
http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=162964#post162964
He said that WinME only supports 512MB of ram, though I think the problem is a little lower in the software/hardware hierarchy than that. Also, I tried running off of both ram sticks again and one of the sticks now only runs in slot 2, and it will sometimes actually boot with both chips (though it may not boot or freezes on the black screen upon entering windows when it does). Very anoiying. I think I'll try installing and booting to Mandrake or Storm on my secondary HD to see what problems remain there. Maybe everything's just an OS problem (that would be nice), but some of it doesn't seem like it so far.
I started another forum post at asktheramguy.com here:
http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=162964#post162964
He said that WinME only supports 512MB of ram, though I think the problem is a little lower in the software/hardware hierarchy than that. Also, I tried running off of both ram sticks again and one of the sticks now only runs in slot 2, and it will sometimes actually boot with both chips (though it may not boot or freezes on the black screen upon entering windows when it does). Very anoiying. I think I'll try installing and booting to Mandrake or Storm on my secondary HD to see what problems remain there. Maybe everything's just an OS problem (that would be nice), but some of it doesn't seem like it so far.
Oh, so it boots past POST and fails at the OS?
And you loaded Win ME?
Isn't it stressful enough to build a machine in the holiday period? :D
Well it's worth trying different RAM chips
Good luck
And you loaded Win ME?
Isn't it stressful enough to build a machine in the holiday period? :D
Well it's worth trying different RAM chips
Good luck
ASKER
Ya, WinME was on the HD I transfered into it. After New Years I'll look for and install WinXP. The troublesome second ram stick now refuses to work at all. I sent off a RMA request to Corsair (the ram manufacturer) to try exchanging the ram for a good set.
Do you get any joy from the other RAM stick?
i.e. does it past POST?
Can you boot to the hard disk?
Since the hard disk has come from another machine, you only can boot in safe mode and probably only safe command prompt mode. The ME configuration will be set up for another lot of hardware and you'll be lucky to get it to go far into the GUI.
How far along can you get?
i.e. does it past POST?
Can you boot to the hard disk?
Since the hard disk has come from another machine, you only can boot in safe mode and probably only safe command prompt mode. The ME configuration will be set up for another lot of hardware and you'll be lucky to get it to go far into the GUI.
How far along can you get?
ASKER
In the kit there are 2 ram. One I'm running off now, the other throughs the beep error immediately without video (bad ram, bad ram!) The only problems that are noticed are a lot of system instability and some device drivers not cooperating (the optical drives and the scanner). I've another post that I started to work through those. This one's geared towards the ram error. The first evident problem. I think we've isolated the problem, I'll post here if the solution doesn't work. Thank you greatly for all your help.
To conclude, it runs with the one but not with the other?? BAD RAM
Take out all the add-on cards. Boot with 1 Ram stick, (or swap it)VGa card, 1 disk, kbd and mouse.. This should get you to a screen . From there on we can work further.
Wipe your old drive clean and format it, in most cases it will not run on different hardware.