First Build, Problems Already.

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
This is my first computer build, my setup is as following: Epox 8RDA+, AXP2500+, 512MB Crucial PC2700, WD 80GB SE, Antec LanBoy, Saphire ATI Radeon 9100. I have everything already plugged in where it's supposed to be but when I try to power on the system nothing happens even the fans on the power supply don't spin. The outlet is getting power. On the motherboard all of the LEDs and switches are plugged so the label is facing the processor. Any replies are greatly appreciated.
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
your grounding out. take it outta the case in power it on outside of it, then make sure all of the stops (rubber things) are on correctly, and your not grounding into the case (search grounding, and you will see the exact problem many times)

MIKE
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
I didn't get any stops, all I got was the brass colored screws that screw onto the case and can hold the screws that hold it to the motherboard, should I have gotten some rubber stops?
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
Forget about rubber stops. You may have put too many brass standoffs into the motherboard tray and one of them is shorting out on the bottom of the motherboard. There should be standoffs where there is a hole for a mounting screw. nourd's advice is sound, though. Remove the motherboard from the computer, place it on a non-conductive surface (anti-static bag or even a magazine) and plug in the video card, RAM and keyboard. See if it POSTs.
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
i cant say what you should have, and what you shouldnt have gotten, w/ that case as i dont have it.

MIKE
 

Steven the Leech

Golden Member
Oct 16, 1999
1,443
0
71
Remove the motherboard from the computer, place it on a non-conductive surface (anti-static bag or even a magazine) and plug in the video card, RAM and keyboard. See if it POSTs.

And check all connections, plug in only what is necessary to get the board running et al power switch.
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
just took the motherboard out of the case it start fine but now I get an error code 26, if you look from the ide channels toward the i/o panel. according to the manual it something about overclocking. I took out the jumper for the fsb so it would change to 100/133 instead of 133/166. I just have video, ram, hd, cpu connected. for the epox board I have I used 10 standoffs the mount the motherboard, all that were available. thank you
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
Reseated the memory in dimm 1. according to the manual the post code 26h is caused by an overclock problem, and the solution is clear cmos or press insert key to power on the system. the clear the cmos do i just place the jumper in the clear cmos for a couple of minutes then place it back or do i place it on clear cmos and start the computer, then shutdown and place the jumper on the normal position? thanks
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
Unplug the cord from the power supply. Move the "clear CMOS" jumper. Wait a couple of minutes. Replace the jumper in its original position. Plug in the cord to the power supply. See if it POSTs.

One other thing, most ATX boards only have 9 holes for mounting screws. You stated that you have 10 standoffs in your case. Find out which one of them does not have a screw hole above it and remove it. When you reinstall your motherboard you should not have any standoffs beneath it that do not get a screw.
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
the mother board has 10 holes for standoffs and i put 10 under those 10 holes, i've been researching on other forums and found that some have had the same problem it's usually caused by a radeon card on an epox board, went to a cousins house and grabbed a tnt card and works fine, will install windows and try the video card again if it still doesn't work then I will have to rma the video card.
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
I was finally able to boot up the computer with the radeon 9100, had to use a tnt vanta in order to boot up and install windows, then I reset the bios to nominal? (not sure exact name) settings, and then changed some settings int the bios after this I was able to boot into windows and not receive the post code 26h, but now I get the post code FFh, not sure what this means. I think the video card works fine since I plugged it into the 800MHz system i got the tnt vanta. I'm thinking of RMA the motherboard but i'm not sure if it's the motherboard or the video card that is causing the problem. i'm open to any suggestions, thank you.
 

chocoruacal

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,197
0
0
Originally posted by: salvorhardin
the mother board has 10 holes for standoffs and i put 10 under those 10 holes, i've been researching on other forums and found that some have had the same problem it's usually caused by a radeon card on an epox board, went to a cousins house and grabbed a tnt card and works fine, will install windows and try the video card again if it still doesn't work then I will have to rma the video card.

ATI cards do not have problems on the 8RDA+. I've used several without incident. However, Crucial RAM has been known to wreak havoc on all the nForce2 boards, and is not recommended for them. With the Vanta in, run Memtest86 off a bootable floppy and see if you get any errors.
 

WarCon

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
3,920
0
0
Isn't FF what it is supposed to end up after it runs through POST? My Epox (4g4a+) ended on FF when it was done posting.

I think thats normal.
 

Arcanedeath

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2000
2,822
1
76
FF on epox boards means the bios has handed off operation of the PC to the OS and everything in theory should be working correctly
 

Lyfer

Diamond Member
May 28, 2003
5,842
2
81
Originally posted by: Steven the Leech
Remove the motherboard from the computer, place it on a non-conductive surface (anti-static bag or even a magazine) and plug in the video card, RAM and keyboard. See if it POSTs.

And check all connections, plug in only what is necessary to get the board running et al power switch.

This is the way you should build a computer. Always make sure it post before you install it into the chassis.
 

salvorhardin

Senior member
Jan 30, 2003
390
38
91
It seems to be working i'm going to reset the Bios if it doesn't work then i'll have to rma the board, I don't think it's the memory since it's detected fine and the bios changes that I had to do where all related to the graphics card and turning off all of the onboard stuff. will get memtest86? to check memory. thanks.