Help with home built PC

[ascott83]

I have just built myself a PC, and it simply doesn't work. I have used all new components, all from reputable sources and well known manufacturers but still have my old hard disk installed. It has windows 98 as the OS. When I turn the computer on, everything seems to come to life but the screen stays blank and doesn't come off standby. I have added a VGA card as part of my upgrade and am worried that the system is just not recognising this. its a 64mb ATI radeon 9000. However there is no way of getting the screen to work without this as there are not other VGA ports on the m/b. Any ideas? is this card the problem? or is there something im missing? Any help much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[guerilla7]

With the power off and all connections removed, try to remove your new AGP card and then re-insert it. Make sure it is properly inserted to the motherboard. Also check your monitor cable, from the back of the monitor all the way to the vga connector. If you still can work it out, try to go back to the shop where you purchased the video card. Im pretty much sure they will be glad to assist you. You can do it.

 

[Zepper]

Boilerplate-01:
. Most frequent causes of failure to boot:
1- RAM, CPU or AGP video card not seated properly, or a bent pin.
2- Drive data cable on upside down or only on half the pins or shifted . a pin or two (usually Floppy or Zip drives).
3- CMOS needs to be cleared (AC power must usually be disconnected or . attempt to clear CMOS may fail) Unless your mobo does not use a power-off CMOS clear - check your mobo manual for specific info.
.bh.
4- On some new mobos there is a CPU protection feature (esp. on Athlon/Socket A mobos) that will not allow the system to start if there is no fan (or a fan without a working speed sensor wire) connected to the fan power connector on the mobo (specifically marked "CPU Fan"). If you tried to start your machine without a fan properly connected, you have to attach a proper and working fan and clear the CMOS before it will boot.
.bh.

 

[DurocShark]

Above, plus: Does your motherboard have onboard video? If so, you may have to boot into BIOS with the onboard vid and change a setting allowing you to use a diff vid card.

 

[boomerang]

And once you overcome this hurdle, you will have problems getting this system to boot off of a previous installation of Win98. That install has all the drivers for your old hardware.

It will be a chore to get it going. It may even be impossible.

 

[Mitzi]

Originally posted by: boomerang
And once you overcome this hurdle, you will have problems getting this system to boot off of a previous installation of Win98. That install has all the drivers for your old hardware.

It will be a chore to get it going. It may even be impossible.

Nah, Win98 is pretty tolerant to hardware changes, I would've thought it should be okay however a fresh install would certainly be a better solution.

 

[ascott83]

Thanks very much for your help everyone, i will try all these options out.