m2n-e mobo with geforce 8800 gts 512mb

[JustinB]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and have a couple of questions. I just put together a computer using older (but new) parts and my monitor doesn't receive a signal from my graphics card. I have an older monitor that only has a VGA input and I am using a DVI to VGA adapter that has all of the pins on the DVI side. I have been told by others that all of this stuff will work together:

Asus m2n-e mobo
AMD athlon II x4 640 processor
4MB 800Mhz DDR2 RAM
Sparkle 8800gts 512mb graphics card

All of this stuff was brand new out of the box when I put it together. When I start it up all of the right lights come on but I don't hear any beeps at all and nothing happens on the monitor. When I turn the monitor off and back on it just says no signal and goes back to sleep. I know other ppl have used this board with this card and made it work. Do I just need to flash the bios before anything will work? If so, how do I do that without video?

Thanks in advance

 

[cusideabelincoln]

This doesn't necessarily mean a video card problem.

The symptoms you described could be caused by an outdated BIOS, not compatible with your CPU.

Also I think the next likely cause is RAM that isn't compatible with the motherboard. Or if you want to look at it differently, the motherboard (or even BIOS version) is picky about the RAM you have.

Since the M2N-E is an older chipset and came out way before the Athlon 640, is the BIOS fully updated?

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NFlvt10av3F7ayQ9

Also do you know if the video card works?

 

[JustinB]

No, the bios is not updated. This processor is in the list on the Asus website along with the bios needed in order for it to work.

These are all new parts. None of them, including the graphics card, have been installed in anything before.

I have downloaded the most recent bios for this setup as well as all of the drivers that I need. I cannot do anything without video. How do I update the bios without a signal to the monitor?

Also, if the RAM was not compatible with anything else wouldn't it at least beep at me?

Thanks

 

[cusideabelincoln]

It might beep if the RAM is faulty or bad, but not necessarily if it was incompatible. I've experienced this first hand.

Anyway, most likely that board is probably running an older BIOS that is not compatible with the Athlon 640. You would have to buy an older Athlon chip, stick it in the board to boot, then update the BIOS, and then put your Athlon 640 in. You should be able to find a used socket AM2 Athlon (like 3500+, 3200+, 3800+) for cheap, or if you're lucky maybe you can borrow one. Or take it to a local computer shop and have them update the BIOS, as they could have older chips around. Otherwise you'll simply have to get a new board, and preferably you would get something with a chipset like an AMD 760G, 785G, 780G, etc.

 

[nenforcer]

Try it with only a single stick of memory as well and see if thats an easy fix.

 

[JustinB]

Thank you for the responses.

I'll try these things along with a couple other ideas I came across. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[JustinB]

Well, it's down to finding an old cpu that will fit the AM2 socket. I'm going to call a couple small shops around town to see if they have an old used one laying around that still works.

If I can't find one does anybody know where to get one cheap?

 

[spaceman]

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