Iwill KK266-R v1.2 + Tbird 800 - can't get it to POST

[Randskey]

Okay, finally I was able to get all parts together for what I expected to be a fairly decent gaming rig (compared to my K6-3). After much reading (mostly in the AT forums) and with an eye on a restricted budget, I've decided to build a system based on the Iwill and Tbird 800. I bought most of the stuff here in the AT forums or based on the info gathered here (and of course in other sites, too) at AT. I bought the vid card, MoBo, and CPU from fellow AT'ers.

I don't consider myself an expert but I have built and upgraded PC's ranging from 486's, classic Pentiums and K6's - kinda a little (and expensive) hobby that I enjoy.

So here's the deal:

I put the parts together - was very careful in the installation of the Taisol CGK752 HSF , got the Iwill on easily because of the removable tray on the brand new 300W Enermax Q case, set the jumpers on the Mobo, installed the RAM and attached all the cables to the appropriate ports.

Turned the power on and all the fans start turning - including the fan on the Geforce DDR card (man, this thing is quieter than the K6-3 rig I have). The drives are spinning, I see the LED lights on switch, and floppy. But that's about it - not even a VGA signal. The RAM is well seated (a pair of PNY 64 MB PC133's with infineon chips) - the CPU and fan are well in place - the AGP card is in the slot - the power supply is brand new - I had everything on default (100Mhz X 8) - I tried using a PCI vid card and cleared the CMOS and still the same results - so what gives?

Dang - I hope it's not the MoBo (was assured it was in working order and flashed to the latest BIOS) or the chip (same story - no DOA guarantee from the previous owner).

Oh yes - I tried putting a PC66 SDRAM on the 3rd DIMM slot and I started getting these long single beeps from the MoBo.

Any hints or advise will be greatly appreciated - sooner of course would be better for either return or RMA purposes (if DOA).

Thanks!:disgust:

 

[Softballslug]

Remove everything that is attached to the motherboard, except for the video and ram. Clear the bios. Some have a switch or jumper, while others you can simply remove the battery and unplug it for a few minutes will do the trick. Now try to get it to post. If that doesn't work, change the video card. Since you get beeping on the Pc66 ram, it is recognizing that at least.
After you get that to post add one component at a time until your up and running..

 

[Randskey]

That's all I had in the system when I tried to boot up - all I had was a floppy, 20GB WD, and a CD-ROM + the AGP vid card. Reviewed similar posts as well as the Iwill forum on AMDMB and also did the following:

1) took the MoBo off the tray and reseated the RAM (it's snug and locked)
2) placed non-conductive "washers" between the mobo and brass stands as well as between the screws and the mobo.
3) disconnected the fans except for the CPU fan connector
4) took the lithium battery off to really clear the CMOS
5) reinstalled and made sure AGP card was also snug in the slot

Same result - no boot, no post - LED's are on (including a small green light by the SPDIF part), hard drives are spinning, floppy LED stays on, CPU fan's blowing but still no POST.

I have a sinking feeling about this . . . either it's the RAM (brand new so I still doubt it), a bad used MoBo, or a dud used CPU. How does one rule another out? If you have a dead CPU, will it still warm up?

Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

 

[SemperFi]

Is your power supply on AMD approved list at their site? Also try to clear the CMOS.

 

[Randskey]

Thanks for the response.

1) Clear the CMOS - DONE.
2) Check the PS - DONE - it's a brand new Enermax 300W EG301P-VB PS that came with their new QX series of cases. A bunch of AT'ers have tried this case out (see "Cases and Cooling" forum and do a search on Enermax) and have had good results with their AMD systems.

Flipped the switch and still no POST.

Incidentally, I reviewed an earlier thread re: Iwill Mobo's with the No-POST issue and it was resolved with the identification of bad RAM. Anyone use a PNY PC133 SDRAM chip on their T-Bird or Duron systems successfully?

Thanks, again!

EDIT:
Incidentally, there is a similar thread posted in the Iwill section of the AMDMB forums entitled "Iwill KK266 & GeForce Hard boot problems"

(link: http://www.amdmb.com/vb/showthread.php?s=9e88994c1d52806f7aa587f32074848c&threadid=39069

- some interesting info there and it seems like there are possible compatibility issues with older GeForce DDR cards and Iwill boards.

 

[Randskey]

Well, here's what I've done since the last post following responses from here and advise from Iwill fans at the AMDMB forums:

I replaced the the DDR card with a PCI card (Guillemot MaxiGamer Cougar TNT2 M64 32MB SGRAM). Still no beep, no POST, no vid signal. I even "downgraded" from my 17" Trinitron to a regular 14" SVGA monitor.

I combined the above with the other proposed solutions (turn the PC on, switch it off and restart in 10 min, move the RAM stick to the different DIMM slots, etc) and it's still a no go.

I've just purchased a Duron (only $39) to see if maybe it is a CPU issue.

I guess the only thing left is the MoBo since I think I've effectively ruled out all probable culprits.

Any thoughts? I wouldn't be surprised to hear or see "RMA" in any replies.

Thanks for all the advise - if there's anything I missed or have not tried, let me know.


BTW - I STILL WANT AN IWILL KK266 BOARD despite this experience.
:frown: