boot but no video * FIXED *

[Ballatician]

Hi All,

I just finished putting together my first build today after a lengthy process (i was being super careful) but with many thanks to AT members.

My specs are: Intel C2D E6750, Stock HSF
Abit IP35-E
OCZ DDR2 2x1gb (I know there are some issues with ocz ram and this mobo but read on)
xfx8400 gs (dont hate)
thermaltake 430w power supply
1 sata hd
1 sata dvd burner

All this is sitting in a cooler master 690 case.

Now when I pressed the power button for the first time, the fans started for 3 seconds and stopped. I immediately started thinking about the problems I had read about with OCZ ram and this motherboard. However, they turned themselves back on and it seemed that the computer had booted.

I was elated only to look up at my monitor and see "no signal." It is a 19in acer lcd that I used to use with an old dell through the vga cable. I had it connected via the dvi on my new build. I switched this to a vga connection and still no signal.

Everything else seems fine, is it a video card issue? Do I need any driver cd or anything when I power on? Should I change the jumper to clear CMOS and try again?

Your help will be greatly appreciated. I have to leave right now but I'll look forward to coming back and trying all your wonderful solutions all night long.

edit 1/7/08:

I'm back from out of town and have had a chance to follow some of the advice in this thread. Thank you so much AT and specifically SerpentRoyal for all your help!!

I'm still learning and enjoying this first new build but this topic has come to a close and hopefully it will be useful to others as well.

Thanks once again to everyone that helped.

 

[nishiyama]

... Now when I pressed the power button for the first time, the fans started for 3 seconds and stopped. I immediately started thinking about the problems I had read about with OCZ ram and this motherboard. However, they turned themselves back on and it seemed that the computer had booted.

There is a problem with the Abit ip35-e double booting from a cold start. It is a known issue and I have the same problem with mine.

http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=127743

It doesn't do any harm to the machine and there are some beta drivers if it bothers you too much but I would just live with it if you can. Also if the system has ever posted before, I would try flashing the bios via the WB switch and try again.

 

[Ballatician]

Sorry but how can I flash via the WB switch without any video signal? I'm about to work on the video problem now but any suggestions to make it easier are welcome...

 

[robisbell]

if you can get into the bios, you can disable the thermal settings for the mobo, so that it should boot up.

 

[blurrr]

I have also had this problem, what I did was swap GPU's and then RAM if you can't do that, then try a different PSU you could have a wattage or rail problem, if not make sure you are getting good connections on your wires, and plug everything back in. You need to make sure you're getting plenty of power in the right areas so run it barebones if you have to.

 

[Ballatician]

I can't get into the bios at all

My RAM here apparently needs 1.95-2.1 volts. I have half a mind to return this troublesome ocz ram to fry's if they let me and to buy something better.

However, I am now gonna try to run off of one 1gb stick and see if I can get into the bios to increase the voltage for ram and then try again with both sticks...hopefully this gets me somewhere.

 

[blurrr]

Once you do that please respond with results, I'm interested in figuring this problem out with you.

 

[Ballatician]

Still no post, still no video display. I do not yet wish to blame the video card so I'm trying three odd sounding solutions in the mobo manual. One involves holding "Insert" on the keyboard while powering on... other than those three possibilities I'm out of ideas.

I guess if that doesn't work I will reduce the system to only motherboard, cpu, video card, 1 stick ram.

 

[cozumel]

Originally posted by: BallaticianI guess if that doesn't work I will reduce the system to only motherboard, cpu, video card, 1 stick ram.

This is what you should do first anyhow. On any new build always test the core components first with just the RAM, CPU and GFX installed to check there is a post. If no post then you isolate the source from those components plus the PSU.

Only if you get a successful post do you continue to build your new rig.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Strip the board bare (nothing on it...very important) and put it on the shipping box. Install the CPU, GPU,mouse, keyboard, and one stick of RAM. DO NOT ADD ANY OTHER HARDWARE. Remove battery and clear CMOS for 1/2 hour. Put back these items and connect the 24/20 and 8/4 pin plugs from the PSU. Short the two power pins on the board's header to start. If you do not see anything on the screen after one minute, then shutdown PC and try the other RAM slots and the other RAM module.

Still no post? Go back to Fry's and pickup 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAMs from Crucial. Yes, just regular Crucial RAM rated for 1.8V operation.

I believe your PSU has sufficient power to run this rig. The MB appears to be okay. Only problem is the POS OCZ RAMs. Without 2.0-2.1Vdimm preset in the BIOS, you will have a very slim chance of posting.

 

[Ballatician]

Thanks SR for your suggestions.

I tried this last night, same exact method with each ram module being tried individually in each of the 4 slots, clearing CMOS each time. I already sent the UPC for rebate but I'm gonna go talk to them this afternoon and see if I can exchange it for some worthwhile RAM. There is another UPC sticker on the plastic that was on the same exact place as the one I cut out so maybe they won't even care.

These OCZ's have ruined my last couple days so as you suggested I will be looking for some 1.8V Crucial, hopefully that fixes everything.

 

[cozumel]

If you have a friend / work colleague / high school buddy or whoever who can lend you just 1 stick of DDR2 for an hour or so you should be able to POST and enter the BIOS so you can up the RAM voltage and keep the OCZ. It seems a shame to buy more RAM when you have new OCZ there already.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Ballatician
Thanks SR for your suggestions.

I tried this last night, same exact method with each ram module being tried individually in each of the 4 slots, clearing CMOS each time. I already sent the UPC for rebate but I'm gonna go talk to them this afternoon and see if I can exchange it for some worthwhile RAM. There is another UPC sticker on the plastic that was on the same exact place as the one I cut out so maybe they won't even care.

These OCZ's have ruined my last couple days so as you suggested I will be looking for some 1.8V Crucial, hopefully that fixes everything.

Chat with the store manager. Some can be very flexible if you have the store receipt. Worst case, they will deduct the price of the rebate to make sure that you don't double dip. I think you'll be okay if you exchange these for 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 Crucial RAMs.

Post back with your result.

 

[Ballatician]

So I stopped by Fry's and managed to get store credit for the OCZ RAM, the whole reason I bought it in the first place was that the guy in components assured me it would work with this motherboard. The person in components this time couldn't check specs for any of the RAM (they dont have internet in the store?!) but when I mentioned Crucial he printed me an invoice for These and also for These Patriot ones.

The Crucial - 69.99, Patriot - 64.99

Back at my computer I checked the voltages for the aforementioned RAM and as you can see they both require 2.2V. I am planning on stopping again at Fry's on my way home, do you have any suggestion for 1.8V RAM that they might have in stock?

I have looked at their website and came across the following possibilities although I need to check if my local store carries any of them.

A-Data - Seems like a good price for 4gb!
Corsair - 2.1V, good price after MIR
Patriot 4gb but 2.0V
Corsair 1.9V
4Gb Corsair - nice except designed for 64bit systems mine will be 32bit after i install xp and upgrade to vista ultimate 32

I'll be going there in about an hour so please let me know!!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Ballatician
So I stopped by Fry's and managed to get store credit for the OCZ RAM, the whole reason I bought it in the first place was that the guy in components assured me it would work with this motherboard. The person in components this time couldn't check specs for any of the RAM (they dont have internet in the store?!) but when I mentioned Crucial he printed me an invoice for These and also for These Patriot ones.

The Crucial - 69.99, Patriot - 64.99

Back at my computer I checked the voltages for the aforementioned RAM and as you can see they both require 2.2V. I am planning on stopping again at Fry's on my way home, do you have any suggestion for 1.8V RAM that they might have in stock?

I have looked at their website and came across the following possibilities although I need to check if my local store carries any of them.

A-Data - Seems like a good price for 4gb!
Corsair - 2.1V, good price after MIR
Patriot 4gb but 2.0V
Corsair 1.9V
4Gb Corsair - nice except designed for 64bit systems mine will be 32bit after i install xp and upgrade to vista ultimate 32

I'll be going there in about an hour so please let me know!!

I'm not too keen on the Crucial B! I have seen a lot of plain 1.8V DDR2 800 Crucial modules. Fry's should have some that resemble these modules...

http://shop3.outpost.com/produ...sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://shop3.outpost.com/produ...sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820148061

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820148143

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820148071

 

[Ballatician]

What about the ADATA at the top of the list?

Also, I'm guessing a heat spreader is not really necessary.

 

[Ballatician]

I picked up the 2x1gb kit you recommended, it's better than just buying two of the other 1gb sticks, correct? That was the cheaper option but I thought the 2x1 would be better.

I'm still interested in knowing if anyone has experience with the A-Data ram, i would have to order it online and wait til next week and figure out if my store credit can be used online.

Tonight, I'm gonna try with the new crucial 2x1gb kit you linked to.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Ballatician
I picked up the 2x1gb kit you recommended, it's better than just buying two of the other 1gb sticks, correct? That was the cheaper option but I thought the 2x1 would be better.

I'm still interested in knowing if anyone has experience with the A-Data ram, i would have to order it online and wait til next week and figure out if my store credit can be used online.

Tonight, I'm gonna try with the new crucial 2x1gb kit you linked to.

Don't forget to pull power from PSU, remove battery, and clear CMOS before you boot. This will restore the board back to default configuration. Good luck.

 

[Ballatician]

First try, no luck. I'm gonna try again and if still nothing start the whole one ram module at a time in each slot.

btw this is outside of the case, only the motherboard, cpu, vid card and ram with power connected.

Edit (2 min later) : just cleared CMOS again and tried and finally posted so the saga continues

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Ballatician
I picked up the 2x1gb kit you recommended, it's better than just buying two of the other 1gb sticks, correct? That was the cheaper option but I thought the 2x1 would be better.

I'm still interested in knowing if anyone has experience with the A-Data ram, i would have to order it online and wait til next week and figure out if my store credit can be used online.

Tonight, I'm gonna try with the new crucial 2x1gb kit you linked to.

Don't forget to pull power from PSU, remove battery, and clear CMOS before you boot. This will restore the board back to default configuration. Good luck.

So I've gotten as far as installing xp. I haven't connected internet yet and the only thing I tried after was to install drivers from the abit cd. I installed the intel chipset and realtek audio drivers, restarted and now everytime I get to windows, my usb mouse won't work...

Should I not have installed the drivers or is there anyway I can undo it? I even tried a ps/2 to usb converter but the mouse wouldn't work. If I'm playing around in the BIOS the light is on and everything but when Windows loads the light on the mouse goes off... any ideas?

It's making it really hard to do anything

edit: reinstalling windows, it was this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921411

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Ballatician

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Ballatician
I picked up the 2x1gb kit you recommended, it's better than just buying two of the other 1gb sticks, correct? That was the cheaper option but I thought the 2x1 would be better.

I'm still interested in knowing if anyone has experience with the A-Data ram, i would have to order it online and wait til next week and figure out if my store credit can be used online.

Tonight, I'm gonna try with the new crucial 2x1gb kit you linked to.

Don't forget to pull power from PSU, remove battery, and clear CMOS before you boot. This will restore the board back to default configuration. Good luck.

So I've gotten as far as installing xp. I haven't connected internet yet and the only thing I tried after was to install drivers from the abit cd. I installed the intel chipset and realtek audio drivers, restarted and now everytime I get to windows, my usb mouse won't work...

Should I not have installed the drivers or is there anyway I can undo it? I even tried a ps/2 to usb converter but the mouse wouldn't work. If I'm playing around in the BIOS the light is on and everything but when Windows loads the light on the mouse goes off... any ideas?

It's making it really hard to do anything

edit: reinstalling windows, it was this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921411

OK...be sure to pull the power from the PSU and wait till the RED LED goes off before you clear CMOS. So we now have RAMs that will post.

After you've clean installed windows, load the intel chipset driver from the Abit CD. It's best that you use a P/S 2 mouse cause the installation of the chipset driver will temporarity wipe out the USB port.

If you don't have a P/S 2 mouse, then rebooting and removing all the USB drivers from Device Manager will reload the proper drivers at the next reboot. Always install one item at a time and reboot after each installation. Start out with Intel chipset. Reboot. Sound. Reboot. LAN. Reboot. You can also download the latest drivers from the web.

 

[Ballatician]

I was thinking to maybe install windows xp and all its updates completely before the chipset driver?

I selected to delete the old windows xp when reinstalling it but my hard drive capacity is like 2gb shorter than before so im confused, should I reformat the hard drive from windows and then do a clean install?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Do not patch windows. I've seen a lot of funky stuffs after patching. You can patch it after you've loaded the chipset, sound, and LAN drivers. Be sure to image the OS prior to patching.

Zero fill the HDD to wipe out all data. Clean install windows. Make an image file of this installation for future restoration. Now install the Intel chipset driver. Works fine with XP SP1 and SP2.

 

[Ballatician]

I did a clean install of Winxp, thats as far as i am right now, just been really busy. I'll do the chipset, sound and lan drivers from the cd as you say and use a USB mouse from then on as I update winxp.
Thanks for your help so far, I'll be out of town for a week so I will be continuing in this endeavor when I get back.

 

[Err0r404]

good job, can u edit the title with "FIXED:" in it, if you don't mind.
Sincerely