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Built new computer, won't post...please help.

E

Entity

Lifer
Just finished assembling a new PC.

Mobo: MSI 845PE MAX2.
CPU: Intel 3.06ghz w/hyperthreading.
RAM: 1gb (512mb DDR333, 512mb other).
HD: 20gb Maxtor, 60gb IBM.
HS/F: Zalman CNPS7000.

All parts are known working.

Those specs should help, for the time being.

I put the PC together, and tried to boot. No post. 🙁

So I start going through things, step by step, to try to figure out what might be wrong. Maybe the RAM sticks won't work together -- mixing DDR333 and 2700, I think. So I take one out. Try again. Still no luck. Tried the RAM in the first, second, and thks of RAM.no go in each slot. Tried both sticks of RAM (both known working).

Ok, next. I removed the IDE devices. Still no boot.

I have the diagnostic LED installed, but it doesn't stay on one color. It keeps rotating back & forth between several patterns, so I can't figure out exactly what is the problem. When I remove the RAM, it stops rotating, and just stops on the "bad ram" pattern. I hope this makes some sense.

This is what the LED pattern looks like (warning: 9mb mov file)

I'll work on getting pics up, so it isn't so huge.

Please help. I'd love to know how to get this damned system running. 🙂

Rob
 
forget the LED, connect your speaker and try and tell us what it sounds like 😛

Reseat video card (2-3 times)

Try another CPU?

All parts known working, so does that mean you have another box you can swap out of?
 
Double check the power cords. You'll probably be thinking 'Gee, thanks idiot' but I've done it before. I was stumped then I realized the mobo power cord was plugged it, but not far enough, and blamo it works 🙂
 
Power Supply?
Don't know if that motherboard needs it or not, but do you have the 4pin power connector in?
 
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Double check the power cords. You'll probably be thinking 'Gee, thanks idiot' but I've done it before. I was stumped then I realized the mobo power cord was plugged it, but not far enough, and blamo it works 🙂
Click to expand...

Just checked, no luck with that one.

I'm not getting any beeps at all.

Rob
 
Originally posted by: nweaver
forget the LED, connect your speaker and try and tell us what it sounds like 😛

Reseat video card (2-3 times)

Try another CPU?

All parts known working, so does that mean you have another box you can swap out of?
Click to expand...

I don't have a box to swap out of it with me, unfortunately. I used all the parts in a different box three days ago.

mixing ddr333 and 2700???
Click to expand...
Oops. Meant 333 and 2100.

The only component that I haven't tested is the motherboard. Does this type of problem sound like it could be mobo-related?

Rob
 
I have the diagnostic LED installed, but it doesn't stay on one color. It keeps rotating back & forth between several patterns, so I can't figure out exactly what is the problem. When I remove the RAM, it stops rotating, and just stops on the "bad ram" pattern. I hope this makes some sense.
Click to expand...


Ummm... HELLO?!?!?! Look up the patterns it rotates between.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I have the diagnostic LED installed, but it doesn't stay on one color. It keeps rotating back & forth between several patterns, so I can't figure out exactly what is the problem. When I remove the RAM, it stops rotating, and just stops on the "bad ram" pattern. I hope this makes some sense.
Click to expand...


Ummm... HELLO?!?!?! Look up the patterns it rotates between.
Click to expand...

Not in the manual at all, and the webpage the manual tells you to check gets a 404. 🙁

Rob
 
Entity, it almost sounds like you're saying you removed the RAM while the system was running. I hope I'm just misinterpreting what you posted :Q

My next step would be to remove the motherboard from the case and try running it laying on cardboard, with just the bare essentials (video card, memory, CPU/heatsink/fan, keyboard). Also, is the power supply a high-quality unit? Cheapies have been known to cause trouble, even if they've got some whopper wattage rating.
 
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I just reset the CMOS, and it posted. I should've thought of that long ago.

Thanks for all the help, guys. 😀

Rob
 
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