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I need help!

R

RRedline

Junior Member
Okay, I am about ready to shoot myself in the head. I am extremely frustrated trying to get my new PC to work properly.

Specs:
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Mobo (newest BIOS)
P4 2.8c GHz
2x Crucial PC-3200 DDR in Dual Channel Mode
ATi Radeon 9500 Pro
SoundBlaster Audigy 2
WD 120GB SATA HD
Lite-On DVD-ROM (Primary Master)
Lite-On CD-RW (Primary Slave)
Thermaltake 420W PSU

I've had problems since I first turned the system on. The system keeps locking up, sometimes during POST. Usually when I turn it on, I can get into the BIOS and change the settings. Every once in a while, the system will turn off and everything in the BIOS is cleared, even the system date and time. I can't get through the installation of Windows XP or Windows 2000 before the system freezes. The mouse cursor freezes, and nothing works except to turn it off and back on.

I tried using only one stick of RAM, in each of the four slots. I've tried eliminating each of the CD-ROM drives. I removed the Audigy card. I disabled all the on-board hardware like the Sound, FireWire, USB, etc. Nothing I do seems to help. This is very frustrating because this SHOULD be a killer system. I am about ready to RMA the motherboard unless anybody has any suggestions.
 
The temps are fine. The CPU is hovering around 40 degrees C. I've got a Thermaltake Xaser III case with plenty of air flow.

I am wondering if it isn't the RAM? The RAM I got from Crucial was from the P4C800 Deluxe listing, and there wasn't a listing for P4C800-E Deluxe. I assumed that the two boards would use the same RAM. And this RAM is not listed in the recommended module listings in Asus mobo manual or on their website.
 
From your spec list, I suspect you know what you're doing as far as assembly goes, but just to be certain... the mobo's 4-pin ATX12V plug is plugged in, and the Radon 9500 Pro's got a 4-pin power plug hooked up, right?

Also check the rear of the PSU to make sure it's set to the correct voltage setting for your locale (110V or 220V).

On to the next things, then 🙂 If you haven't tried bumping up your memory voltage, go to at least 2.7 volts, maybe 2.8, and make sure you're not trying to force extra-tight timings like 2-2-2. 2.5-3-3-8 would be good there. Again, I suspect you know what you're doing, but if you need step-by-step (or if anyone else reading this does), here it is: Link to thread and later it will become an archived thread found here instead.

Beyond that, I would suggest going into the motherboard's BIOS and disabling all motherboard functions that duplicate what's on the Audigy 2 (Firewire, MIDI, gameport, and of course audio). Also park the Audigy 2 in the fourth PCI slot from the top, which shares its IRQ only with the onboard Firewire (which you will probably be wanting disabled anyway).

I've also seen people solve problems simply by swapping the Master/Slave assignments between their optical drives 😕 Couldn't hurt, anyway. Good luck RRedline, and welcome to the Forums! 🙂
 
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