Massive computer problems

Alexstarfire

Senior member
Jul 25, 2004
385
1
76
When I recently installed water cooling into my old computer I thought it would be helpful to me since I should be able to overclock more and worry about temps a lot less. Instead it has turned out to be the biggest pain in the @$$ to date. It first started when my computer froze, no biggie, right? I restart and it seems to be working just fine except I don't have any video and it's not actually doing anything. First thought be the video card, but the PNY 6800 GT I have has been tested several times in my old Dell Deminsion 4100 to be working just fine.

So, I started off buying parts, everything I could think of that might be the problem. None of them have proving to be of any use. So far I have enough parts to build a new computer. Since I couldn't get my old computer working I decided that I would use all the new working parts to build a new one, but guess what? IT HAS THE SAME $%#^ PROBLEM AS MY OLD COMPUTER.

Here are the parts in both of the computers, only the necessary components are listed:

Old Computer
Mobo: Asus K8N
CPU: Athlon 64 3200+ NewCastle
RAM: 2x512MB Samsung PC3200, TCCC chips
PSU: Antec TruePower 430w
Video Card: PNY 6800 GT

New Computer
Mobo: ECS K8M800-M2
CPU: Athlon 64 3200+ NewCastle, different chip
RAM: 512MB Corsair PC3200
PSU: Antec TruePower 430w, same one
Video Card: PNY 6800 GT, same one

I know the videocard works, but the PSU I'm not sure about. I assume that it works since I bought it less than a week ago, litereally, and based on the fact that I have another PSU that worked on my old computer, when it was working, and it does the same thing.

Maybe one of you fine people could give me a lead to go on as I have tried aboslutely everything I can think of, except for one thing. I plan to reflash my video card with the original BIOS, but I need to wait till my friend gets home so I can get the proper materials to do so as I don't have a computer that I can do that with. BTW, I am typing this on a Mac.

HELP ME PLEASE. THANKS.
 

NiKeFiDO

Diamond Member
May 21, 2004
3,901
1
76
water leak? all 24 pins connected to PSU? If its a 20-pin, do you have two molex connectors going into the one vid card? (read sticky on needing 24-pin PSU, top of gen hardware list)

edit: nm, its AGP not pci-e, my question doesnt matter.
 

imported_michaelpatrick33

Platinum Member
Jun 19, 2004
2,364
0
0
Can you get into the bios at all? Are there any harware beep codes? Have you reseting the cmos in case something got FUBARed? I just need a baseline of what exactly is occuring (or not). If this is redundant I am sorry. Have you tried the video card in a friend's or another independent system to determine if the card is bad?

Why are you flashing the video card? Did you flash the bios to a new bios or a modded bios? How soon will you friend be home?
 

DerelictDev

Senior member
Feb 19, 2005
358
0
0
I had an issue once that the motherboard was too securely fasned to the case and im guessing the metal and circuitry was somehow touching each other. Thats probably not your problem, but hey you never know. First thing i would do is, make sure any jumper settings are in default positions, take out all other cards (pci) except for the video card. Reset the bios to default with either using the jumper or taking out the battery for a minute or so and reinstering it. Try booting it up again.

Ques - Are you using the same monitor for both? If so if its a crt make sure the cable in the back is tightly inserted or wiggle it around and see if anything happens.
 

Bozo Galora

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 1999
7,271
0
0
This is a bit unclear
You had a working PC and added watercool setup - then it never worked again?
Are you still watercooling - on original or both?
Which watercool unit?
Have you tried without watercooling?
Have you checked for leaks onto mobo?
Are you actually using plain water or one of those colored liquids?
Copper HS block actually seated on heat spreader?
Does the water pump run off the PSU or wall current?
 

Alexstarfire

Senior member
Jul 25, 2004
385
1
76
I can't get anywhere and there are no beep codes. It's like it's working but not showing anything. I have air cooling for the new computer and water cooling for the old one. The new computer is also not in a case, it's just by itself. I haven't tried another video card because this one works. I have a modded BIOS on it at the moment, but I don't see why it would work on my pentium and not on my AMD. I haven't changed any jumpers on either motherboard and I have already tried resetting the BIOS, but I have also tried a new motherboard. The water cooling setup doesn't leak at all. I use the same monitor for both, but it's tested to work, just like the card.

I can only assume it's the video card since that's the only common component that has a possibility to be incompatible. I figured having the original BIOS just might work. I am also waiting till tomorrow to go to my friend's since he didn't call me back tonight.
 

Alexstarfire

Senior member
Jul 25, 2004
385
1
76
Well, I'm getting a working AGP from a friend today. Hopefully that can shed the light on some stuff. Not quite sure what I'm going to do if my video card is the problem though. That thing wasn'te even in my case when I was having problems with my water cooling, so I don't see how that could've gotten messed up. Anyways, anythign to get my computer working at this point.