buliding computer problems

[Skookem]

Hi there,
im putting toger a 2.8 p4 800mz fsb on a ecs 661fx-m mb. now i put everything all together and nothing works. i tested the memory in another and it works. what happens is the system turns on, the fans spin, the heatsink is blowing, the psu is working. but no video to my monitor. i have the onboard video and i bought a geforce 5200fx. now i figure the geforce is worthless without first turning off the onboard video so what do i do? any solutions?

 

[mechBgon]

If you plug the monitor into the onboard video's jack, does the video come on? If so, restart the system, enter the BIOS by pressing the Del key at the POST screen, and then find the place in the BIOS where you can tell it to use the add-in AGP card instead of the onboard video. Then save the settings and exit, and plug the monitor into the FX5200's VGA port.

I know that with many motherboards, they will automatically switch to an add-in video card if there is one present, but I also know of at least one or two models where they will not, so do try this. Good luck!

(If you need help finding the setting in the BIOS, let me know)

 

[jfunk]

There could be a lot of things causing your problem. Basically, your system is not Posting. This is probably due to a short or a hardware component failure.

Disconnect everything except the CPU & RAM (including HD, CD, etc...). See if the system will boot to BIOS then. If it does, reconnect your other devices one at a time.

If it does not, try the RAM in a different slot and check to make sure your CPU is seated properly. If possible, check the CPU on another board.

If you still have a problem, you could be shorting out on the case somewhere. Try removing the board from the case and just setting it on something non-conductive like a wooden board or something and powering it up on there.

Most common cause of a short to the case is an unused mounting post left under the board that is touching the underside somewhere.

Also, is this a new case or are you replacing parts in an old one? Is the power supply sufficient for your new hardware?

j

 

[Fern]

All the above is very good advice. Two other quick things before you have to resort to removing the mobo from the case: 1 Long time pc professionals swear that a common cause of this is an incorrectly inserted IDE cable. So, take 'em loose and see if it will post. 2. Check the CMOS discharge/clear jumper to make sure it wasn't shipped to you in the wrong (clear or discharge) position. Very rare, but sometimes does happen.

EDIT: I assume the amber light is on (of the monitor). Is that correct? Also, do you hear any beeps when you turn the system on? I've added this cuz his statement could be interpreted to mean that it is posting, just no video, like if the monitor wasn't plugged in.

 

[Delorian]

I had an ECS K7AMA board with my old 1800+ and it's DDR slots shorted somehow, I was putting a new Creative Labs CD-Drive in to test the drive's funtionality before installing it in a clients PC and when I powered up the board a small pop and sizzle along with a burning plastic smell occurred and byebye ddr slot. The ram that was in there at the time tested fine in another machine as well as PC100 and PC133 worked in the non-ddr slots on the ECS board, but for some reason ddr would not work after that. ECS tech support was horrid with it too. Anyhow I suggest testing out different RAM slots or different types of RAM as I've heard ECS has had thier share of problems with RAM compatibility.

 

[Skookem]

okay right now the whole setup is in an antec p160 with some generic 400psu. i tried a 420watt one too but no results. i did everything suggested, i tested the cpu in another board. i swapped memory with the memory in my computer, i disconnected everyhting and ran only the psu, mb, cpu, ram, and still nothing. i tried removing the mb out of the case and putting it on a noconductiive surface,. i checked the cmos clear and its set right, i switched ram spots, ive basically done everthing possible expect throw it againts a wall, what next? thanks for your guy's help btw.

 

[huesmann]

How far can you throw it?

 

[Delorian]

If your board has jumpers or DIP switches, I'd suggest to check those again, maybe download the latest user guide on the board to try and determine if any more were covered than the ones in the manual that came with the board. If you can, try a different monitor on this setup or the same monitor on a different rig. Also try to use the vid card in another rig, this way the card and monitor can be eliminated, If all else fails I think it'd be best to contact ECS or RMA the board, sorry bout your luck.

Concrete walls seem to have healing powers, GO FOR IT!

 

[mechBgon]

Did you get the square 4-pin ATX12V power connector plugged in? If the board takes one, it probably won't work without it.