Just built a computer -- but I only get a BIOS beep code

[doodler85]

Hey guys,

I just built a system tonight and unfortunately it's not working yet. I've built one system in the past (twice) and it's been ok, so I'm just partially a n00b at this. Here's the problem: when I power on, I get no display and just a BIOS beep code. It goes long-short-short (the last two are very short). I read in several places that this is probably a video card issue. Does it sound like it?

One thing that I noticed when assembling this computer is that my video card doesn't really snap into place. If the screws and case-fastening-thingies didn't hold it in place it'd wiggle around without much effort. I've never had to deal with a PCI-E card before so is it expected to snap or just fasten in via the case?

Also, since this is a double-decker card i'm thinking that the case might not be made to deal with it. Do you think so?

Other things I think could be possible problems are the case connections (audio, led, hdd, usb, etc) because the case manual was very brief and didn't show what goes where. I guessed based off of the motherboard, except I have green/white wires that were unlabeled, so I plugged them into the HD area. Also, is it possible that I'm receiving an error because I may have switched the pos/neg contacts for the case stuff?

I also reseated the CPU a few times trying to figure out how the fasteners worked, and switched the thermal compound to Silver 5. I hope I put enough on there, but I imagine if it was a heating issue it wouldn't be at Post.

Thanks so much! I'll get you pics or anything else you need to help figure this out.

Here's the system below:

--------

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600

2x ---------
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ

2x (RAID 0) -----
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

ZALMAN 9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

 

[Cutthroat]

One thing that I noticed when assembling this computer is that my video card doesn't really snap into place. If the screws and case-fastening-thingies didn't hold it in place it'd wiggle around without much effort. I've never had to deal with a PCI-E card before so is it expected to snap or just fasten in via the case?

Didn't even need to read past that. Your PCI-E card should definatly click into place and not move around in it's socket at all, as a matter of fact they tend to be difficult to remove.

 

[mamrey]

I agree make sure the card is full i. remember on the 880GTS the metal ending has to fit in the space between the motherboard and case like all the other metal slots.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I third the notion that it is in fact your video card, there is nothing with your case that "cant handle" it, unless of course its bent and preventing the card from going all the way in

 

[Hacka]

remove the card and try to onboard video

that tells you its your pci-e card. If its not fitting onto the motherboard correctly then maybe you are missing a screw underneath your motherboard and your mobo is sinking?

 

[doodler85]

I tried removing the motherboard and temporarily propping it up on cardboard blocks... still no luck with the video card.

I did notice another thing -- there's no jumper on my Clear CMOS prongs. Could that be it too? Or would it at least post an error message if it was that?

Thanks again!

 

[Hacka]

if it boots without that jumper its fine. i had that before too... is your case very cheap and does it easily bend?

 

[doodler85]

By the way this MOBO doesn't have onboard video. I was going to try that but ... realized it wasn't there. Haha.

it's not VERY cheap, but it can bend. What're you suggesting? I'm thinking of asking around work for a spare PCI-E card to at least isolate whether or not it truly is the GFX Card that's the problem.

 

[Hacka]

you could either try to get a good connection with the motherboard or go get a pci $5 card from a local pc shop.

 

[doodler85]

Yeah, I'm going to ask around. Could you think of any other things I may have screwed up to cause this to happen?