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Intel Motherboard Guru Needed ASAP

I got a couple of questions. I ordered the D865GBFL (Or at least thought I did from Newegg, but the board says 865GBF/865PERC and Intel doesn't even list an 865GBFL on their site). Here is my configuration: I am running an Intel P4 1.6 400FSB Processor. I have 1 512MB Stick of Kingston DDR333 in DIMM 0 On Channel A (Closest to the Processor). The processor is a known good. Can't say that about the RAM. I Have two HDD's on the Primary IDE set as Master and Slave and A DVD ROM and CDRW on IDE 2 Set as Master and Slave. The Board was an OEM board so I got no manual for it, just an insert. I can find nowhere to connect the front speaker to hear any POST beeps and when I power the system up I get nothing. Fans spin up...CPU and Rear Chassis, HDD and Power Lights illuminate but I get no video signal to the monitor. Since I have no speaker I can't even begin to try to troubleshoot the problem.

So, I need someone to help me figure out where the front speaker connects to so I can troubleshoot why this board is not posting, Or do the post beeps come from the rear audio connectors? Is this board strictly dual channel? Do I have to have another stick of RAM in the B Channel slot 0? bigguy44 said he has used Intel boards for 2 years and they are rock solid. If this is my first experience I don't think I will be using them.

Does someone have a pdf of a manual for this board they can e-mail me or a link to d/l one? I couldn't even find one on Intel's site to d/l and their support leaves a lot to be desired.

Snowguy

Look here.
ftp://download.intel.com/design/motherbd/bf/C3263401.pdf
Page 140
The speaker is mounted on the mother board.
Make sure the power supply is set for the corect voltage.
Or try a known working unit also you may want to strip it down to the minimum hardware to POST.

Snowguy

If that is not the correct document try this one.
ftp://download.intel.com/design/motherbd/rc/C3263901.pdf
Page 128.
The speaker is mounted on the mother board.

valekhawke

ASKER

Well, if that being the case I get no beeps whatsoever.

valekhawke

ASKER

By the way, forgive me for being rude...thank you for the links snowguy.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Snowguy

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valekhawke

ASKER

Okay, I need a moderators help here. Thanks to Snowguy providing me with a link to d/l the manual for the motherboard, I have - I believe I have solved the problem. I was using a stick of PC2700 DDR and according to the manual, if I am using a 400 FSB processor - which I am - then it says I can only use PC2100 / DDR266. So that would probably explain why I was getting nothing (However I still think I should have gotten some kind of BIOS Beep Code). My quandry is that while Snowguy did not directly answer my question or solve my problem, he enabled me to find the answer myself which means I solved the problem myself. You see where this is going? Which answer should I accept and should I give him all the points (which I don't mind at all)?

Snowguy

You may want to leave the Q open intel you know for sure it is the PC2700 DDR causing the problem. Other Experts may have some other ideas
If you remove the ram do you get a beep error?

As for getting a refund or whatever you decide you will need to ask a 0 point Q in Community Support for help on this.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/

What's the right grade to give?
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/help.jsp#hi73

Callandor

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Intel%2B+Motherboards&mfr=Intel&cat=RAM&model=D865GBF&submit=Go

lists PC2700 RAM as being compatible with an Intel D865GBF motherboard. I also strongly doubt the general premise that putting faster-rated RAM in a motherboard will not work, because I use PC4000 RAM in one of my systems that is rated for PC3200.

Since these parts are new, how do you know if either works at all to begin with? DOA is still a phenomenon observed in the electronics industry.

valekhawke

ASKER

You are absolutely right Callandor, it does support PC2700 DDR - For 533 and 800 FSB Speeds, only PC2100 for 400FSB Speeds. Here is the copy/paste from the manual that Snowguy posted in his first reply to me. Page 22...

Table 5. Supported System Bus Frequency and Memory Speed Combinations
To use this type of DIMM… The processor's system bus frequency must be…
DDR400 800 MHz
DDR333 (Note) 800 or 533 MHz
DDR266 800, 533, or 400 MHz
Note: When using an 800 MHz system bus frequency processor, DDR333 memory is clocked at 320 MHz. This
minimizes system latencies to optimize system throughput.

I think I will follow Snowguy's suggestion though and leave the Q open until I get the correct RAM installed and see if that indeed is my culprit.

Thanks so much for all the input everyone.

valekhawke

ASKER

Okay, I am going to award the points to Snowguy. After I was able to obtain a known good stick of RAM I still got no POST Beep. Leaving only the processor and Power Supply. I put the processor in another board with the same power supply and the system POSTED immediately. I have RMA'd the motherboard and am waiting for the refund now. I'll stick with Asus boards. Bottom Line is it was the board that was dead from the factory.