Enlight 300w enough for k7s5a?

[mboy]

2nd mobo I am trying. Problem with HD. Upon boot I get "HDD Error" press F1 to resume. Can not Fdsik or anything. HAte this enlight case (computer for friend). Is PS too weak? Only running it with 1 HD, 1 flop, 1 CD-R, XP1600.

I am thinking it could be the metal standoffs and may replace with left over brass from my Antecs.

HD is a WD 40gb ATA 100 brand new. ALso tested with brand new maxtor 20GB ATA 100.

This is driving me nuts, already swapped PS with a second identical Enlight and swapped the k7s5a for another brand new and giving me same error so it isnt the board.

 

[Buz2b]

First the easy part. The PS that comes with the case is "ok" for the xp1600+, but it is on the limit of it's capacity according to this page from AMD's recommended PS list. But that is most likely not your problem. If you are trying to FDISK then you need to get into the BIOS (before the system detects the IDE components) and change your boot order to make the floppy boot first. Then use a boot disk to do the functions. The next thing would be the cable. Either it is installed incorrectly or bad. Then recheck the jumpers on the HDD itself and make sure you are in the right (primary) IDE plug.
Anyway, that is what I "see" from your post. More info might help, like exactly what is happening at exactly what time in the boot process, etc.

 

[CoDerEd]

You have to make BIOS sees the HD first before you can FDISK the disk
If it's still has the HDD ERROR than the BIOS didn't see the HD yet.
Since you try two HD with same error than it's not a HD problem, try install
the HD on another system or try another cable. I don't think PSU is the problem
since it's only running one HD, floppy and a CDR.
True that ECS K7S5A is verry snsitive about the PSU but alleast it should be able to
pass the BIOS setup.


just my $.02

 

[tenoc]

Have used two of these mobos on the same psu. Both were quite happy with it.

As the others mentioned,what's happening with the BIOS recognition process?

 

[mboy]

The bios will recognize the Hd, either in auto detect upon startup or detect in biosd itself. I boot from floppy with win 98 boot disk, then go to fdisk and it says no fixed disk present. This is the 5th k7s5a system I am building. I will try replacing the cable in the AM.
Also, after it posts, right before it goes into boot screen with IRQ's etc, it says HDD error, press F1 to resume. Hmm!

 

[Buz2b]

<< after it posts, right before it goes into boot screen with IRQ's etc, it says HDD error, press F1 to resume. Hmm! >>

This is usually either a cable or configuration error such as the jumpers on the drive; nothing more. When you switch the cable take another look at the jumper. Try setting it for "single drive" if that is available or simply "Master", but take a hard look at the jumper. Even use another jumper if you have one in your stash of "stuff". Also make sure the power cable is firmly attached.

 

[MrDudeMan]

300w is more than enough

i have run xp processors on 250w psu...i hate the hype everyone makes about having a great PSU...its all the same


sorry im venting, but that pushes my buttons for some reason, all PSU's work unless its really low power and you have a ton of things on it

 

[Buz2b]

<< all PSU's work unless its really low >>

Duhh! Not all PS's "work". Different boards have different power usage, just as cpu's do too. A T-Bird 1.4 draws more power than say an XP1700+. Depending upon a boards usage of capacitors and their chipsets, the power requirements can be substantially different. Sure, you might get a board to "run" with a 250 watt PS, but to what end? Add a second HD and you're screwed! Talk about pushing buttons. People making statements about something they obviously know nothing about "pushes" mine. End Rant!