ECS K7SEM MB probelms

[ssn21wolf]

I am putting together a cheap pc for my accounting. I have an ECS K7SEM and Duron 700. Everything is brand new. WHen I turn on the machine, I get the bios header, CPU details and the memory test...then nothing. Cant even hit the DEL key to enter CMOS. The case is an antec with a 250W PS. Any reason why this is happening or the MB have a flaw

 

[iq80]

umm...is your keyboard plugged in?

 

[Buz2b]

Try a different (better) PS. Without more details, that would be a first "guess".

 

[ssn21wolf]

More details:

ECS K7SEM MB
AMD Duron 700
PC-100 256MB
15 GB HDD
ANtec Case with a 250W Power SUpply

When I turn it on I get: Bios Header
CPU Description: AMD 700MHz
Memory Test: reads the complete memory and then shows the 8MB Shared Video
Then it stops: Keyboard no response.....it is plugged in and works on my other systems
Thats it it does no more.
Shawn

 

[joec2780]

ECS boards have certain power requirements, check out: http://www.ocworkbench.com/articles/psu/psup1.htm
I don't think 250w is enough.

 

[Buz2b]

I tend to go along with the PS, as joec2780 and myself have mentioned, but let's talk IDE devices; how many are hooked up right now? Is the HDD (I am assuming it is hooked up) preloaded or is it a "clean" drive? Why don't you try to minimize the power requirements and see what happens. First, remove all PCI devices; sound cards, video cards (if not using integrated video), everything. Now unplug all cables from the CD drives and HDD. Remove the ATX power cable from the MB and then, using the Clear CMOS jumper (hopefully it has one), clear the CMOS. Leave it on clear for a few minutes. Then place the jumper back in the Normal position and plug back in the ATX power cable to the MB. All that should be in the system now is the CPU with HSF, the RAM (only one stick, if you have more remove it), floppy drive and video card (if applicable). Try to boot with a boot disk in the floppy drive. If it does boot, then shut down and start adding some of the components back, one-by-one and reboot a couple of times in between. I'm guessing that at some point (if it did initially boot), it will refuse to boot, thus confirming that the PS just doesn't have enough "juice" to meet the Hardware requirements. If for some reason it will not boot still, then try taking the MB out of the case and setting it on the anti-static foam it came with and try booting with minimal components then.

You might also want to look at a good quality 300 watt PS. A decent, non-pricey option would be a Sparkle 300 watt. I have used these with good success on several ECS boards.

 

[ssn21wolf]

I ahve done everything Buz wrote. The system is at the minimal power consumption. Must be the PDU, some am gonna try that after the day ends. Will let ya know what happens thanks.
Shawn

 

[Booster]

Well, with all due respect, I don't think it's a PSU issue. I used to have a Duron 700 myself, and it worked flawlessly with a 200W mATX PSU. Of course, my board wasn't an ECS, but ECS boards usually aren't any different from any average board and don't require any special high-watt PSU, especially with only a 22Watt CPU such as your Duron is.

I suggest you check your heatsink assembly first. Looks like the heatsink is in poor contact with the CPU die, it overheats and hangs. Of course, not to the point when it starts to smoke, but at least temps may be higher than normal. Reinstall the HSF, applying a good thermal paste.

Second, your RAM could be a problem. You mentioned it was a PC100 SDRAM. In BIOS, is the memory frequency set to 133Mhz (100/133)? Your RAM may be unable to hold it. Then reduce it to 100Mhz instead. Also check the CAS latency settings (set it to CAS3 unless its rated for CAS2, and everything else at default).

To sum it up, set everything at default, fail-safe levels. I think it should work once it posts.

 

[Buz2b]

"With all due respect" to Booster, ECS (in particular the 735 chipset, although this has the 730 but is same generation), are very picky about power. One needs only to recall the K7S5A board and its quirks to verify this. Not that it needs "high" wattage as much as it needs good 3.3 and 5 volt combined power and good amp ratings on the 12 and 5 volt lines. Since all PSU's are not made the same and since you are not using an ECS board, I think the fact that you were able to run a 700 Duron with a 200 watt is (if not a bit underpowered), a non-issue here.
Second, there are only two jumpers on that board; one for resetting the CMOS and the other for BIOS write protection. Since I have asked/suggested that he clear the CMOS, (which he stated he did), resetting the BIOS to failsafe (translate to 100 Mhz) then the RAM speed is not in question here.
HOWEVER, the improper installation of the HSF could be an issue here but I do not think it would go as far into the boot as it does if that were the case. Nonetheless, it is worth checking.