Intel mobo D875PBZ not working with 800Mhz fsb proc out of box -- how to update BIOS?

[GrandSpleen]

Recently a friend of mine bought some parts and assembled a new computer. Here are the specs:

Intel D875PBZ mobo
1 gig RAM (I'm lacking on more detailed specs here, I'll post them when I get them)
DVD +/- rw
Floppy drive...
80Gb hard drive (seagate)
Geforce FX 5200 256MB RAM (BFG Asylum)
processor-- uncertain. P4, pretty sure not an extreme edition. unsure of GHz

I don't have the system specs in front of me, and they're not available to me at the moment. I'm going to have to post them tomorrow when I go over to his place and can get more detailed info. Sorry about that.

Anyway, here's the problem. The computer has been assembled. When my friend turns on the power switch on the back of the computer, the system powers up (that is, he does not need to hit the power switch on the front). The fans start working. Problem is 1) there's nothing displaying on the monitor, and 2) the system (i.e. fans) can't be shut off without turning the switch on the back off. The power switch on the front is ineffective.

What could be causing this? He checked the monitor, and it does work. So the system isn't actually booting up. Power goes on (whether we want it to or not), and then it sits at a black screen.

I've put a couple of systems together myself, and I haven't encountered an error like this before. I'm certainly no expert. I've gotten some help from these forums in the past so I was hoping someone could point us in the right direction. I realize that any one of a hundred things could cause that black screen -- I'm just hoping someone knows something about this strange power behavior (why no response from the front power switch?). Like I said, once I get more system specs tomorrow I'll check back here and post them.

Thanks!
GrandSpleen

 

[OneClone]

try this:

make sure the CPU is seated properly.
make sure RAM is seated properly.
make sure the motherboard can suport the CPU that you chose.

I have started computers in the past just power on an just the fans start... nothing else... this was due to having either no CPU (not seated correctly), or no RAM(or not seated properly) , or a motherboard that cant support the faster CPUs on the market... or a combo of all three.

hope this helps.

/CLONE

 

[HermDogg]

Check and make sure ALL PSU cables are hooked up correctly (ATX12V, heatsink to MOBO, etc).. Did he use spacers to put MOBO on? Silly question, but it's been known to happen.

 

[andre1000]

IT should behave properly with regards to the power up/down. check the plugs to the headers on the mobo where the reset, hd light, power light,etc go. Make sure they are connected and observe polarity where applicable. + is red. This is mostly for the LED's and
does not matter for the switches. Make sure that if you have ° ° ° ° headers like that to plug on to that you pick the right ones
and don't miss it by one pin. I have had a computer turnon and off with only the power switch. Can't remember why.

Seems like it was the wiring like I said. Can you hit the reset button and it restarts/reboots?

Are there any beeps? The mobo manual or the internet should have the beep code. IS there a numerical readout on the motherboard?
That might indicate a failure code.

I think ONE BEEP means it's good. Anything else you'll have to decipher from the book or motherboard manufacturer online or
check newsgroups for google.

email meif you want. I'm new andnot sure how to get email notices for replys to the forum.

ajajaj at rediffmail dot com

andre

 

[GrandSpleen]

Thanks all so far.

We've got the power working properly, but now we are having the old "fans power on but nothing boots up" problem. I'm a novice at this, but I know that having an incorrect bus setting can cause this effect. The proc and mobo are compatible -- right now I'm trying to find the bus setting we should be using. However, I can't locate the switch / jumper on the motherboard to change this setting! Somewhat poorly documented. I hope i'm not looking for the wrong thing.
-GS

 

[GrandSpleen]

UPDATE:

Ok... I think we may have located the problem. I read this:

Summary: The d875pbz doesnt work with 800Mhz fsb processors out of the box, it requires a bios flash update to work correctly. If you dont have a spare 533 fsb proc though, you wont be able to boot to the bios flash floppy. At the time of this posting, intel does not offer technical support for the board, beyond whats in the online documentation. They do not respond, even with a 'we dont support this board' to emailed technical issues, and phone support (even the per-incident charge support) is not available. Due to its failure to perform as advertised out of the box, and the unreasonable measures needed to get it to perform as advertised, I would hold off on purchasing this board until it is more fully tested.


The processor we have is a 3Ghz proc which requires 800Mhz fsb. We do not have any spare intel processors that will work with this board. So let me ask: How can I update the BIOS? Should the mobo boot to BIOS even without a processor? If I remove the proc entirely, can I get to BIOS and update it that way?

Or is there any other advice someone could offer me?
Thanks a million...
GS

 

[mechBgon]

Is the new processor a Prescott? Because if so, there are some 875PBZ's that absolutely can NOT run it. More info at Intel's site.

If it is a Prescott, and the board has the necessary PCB revision and just needs a BIOS udpate, then you are gonna be buying a cheap Celeron so you can do your BIOS update.

 

[GrandSpleen]

Ugh... I was looking at that page earlier, and I guess I misread it. I thought it was saying that I needed the BIOS revision IF the mobo was not one of those revisions. He's got C26680-205. So what you're saying is that even with the BIOS update, the board will not support his proc?

Ugh. Well, looks like he's going to be getting either a different motherboard or a different processor.

Thanks guys,
GS

 

[mechBgon]

I believe the difference in the board revisions is that the Prescott-compatible models have different voltage regulation circuitry that is Prescott-compatible. Are you saying it's definitely a Prescott CPU?

If it's not a Prescott, you might also run through my list o' no-POST causes (top link there). But if so, then yeah, it's time to swap out either the board or CPU. Maybe you could email Intel and explain the situation and they might decide to swap you boards in the interest of good customer relations? Never know...

 

[GrandSpleen]

It is a Prescott. I'll counsel my friend to write Intel. After all, he told me that he matched this processor and motherboard by using some interactive service provided by Intel themselves. I haven't been able to find that service myself, and he can't remember where it was (so maybe it was another company). But the guide to building a gaming computer on this page does recommend THAT mobo and mentions (although does not recommend) a 3 ghz processor. Regardless, it certainly couldn't hurt to write them.

Thanks,
GS

 

[GrandSpleen]

Hey, could anyone suggest a good mobo match if he were to keep the same RAM and cpu?

That's:

2 sticks of 512 Kingston DDR400 RAM
and
3ghz intel pentium 4 (prescott) proc.

...Looks like he needs to replace a part. Thanks!
GS

 

[LTC8K6]

Once you get that straightened out, rap him on the knuckles with a ruler for that video card!

See if he can exchange the board for one of the same model that will support the Prescott? Talk to the folks he bought the parts from and explain the situation. Or exchange the CPU for a Northwood?