Motherboard boot problem

PCNovice

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2001
6
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Hi,
I have a KK-266 motherboard with an Antec-SX280 case and Athlon 1GHz./266 processor. I have a cheap PCI video card (Kaser) with SiS chipset. The problem is that when I power it on, the Power On Self Test does not show up on the video. In fact, there is no signal to the video. The CPU fan connected via the mobo works fine and an LED (I do not know what it means, undocumented) on the lower left corner lights up. I do not have any other stuff installed as yet (no FD, cards etc.). Somebody asked me to try the CMOS clear ( I have yet to try it). There is no beep and no other toubleshooting aid as per the mobo vendor. I tried powering up and down at least 10 times.
What hardware should I suspect? Could the mobo be partially shorted due to contact with a standoff? I am confused. What procedure should I follow to fix this. Could it be the mobo or the video card. Please help.
 

Techwhore

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2000
1,248
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It could be either your motherboard, RAM, CPU or video card... Try swapping each of those parts until you can further narrow it down... Also reseat them, it's possible that something not in all the way.
 

PCNovice

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2001
6
0
0
Since I did not hear any beeps, is it possible that the BIOS/mobo did not work. This way, can I rule out the video card?
Als, is there something like a partial short of the mobo?
 

PCNovice

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2001
6
0
0
Since I did not hear any beeps, is it possible that the BIOS/mobo did not work. This way, can I rule out the video card?
Also, is there something like a partial short of the mobo?
 
Mar 9, 2001
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Let's assume you have double checked the mobo mounting and you do not have any metal standoffs on the tray which do not directly line up with screw holes on the mobo.

Virtually anything is possible at this point. And, the very first thing you need to do is to ensure that your power supply is adequate. Actually, more than adequate would be a very good idea. In my experience, more "my computer won't boot" problems are solved by a good power supply than any other single causal factor.

Additionally, is your HSF connected to the proper connector on the mobo?

Is your memory "generic" or a respected "name brand?"

Are your BIOS settings set to "default?"

Your video card could be the culprit, but I would verify the above before finding it to be guilty.

Good luck. Continue to post your problems.




 

Techwhore

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2000
1,248
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You should really try swapping a new stick of RAM in there. I've built several AMD systems and i've learned that cheap RAM doesn't do it. You might also want to make sure your HS/F is properly attached with enough thermal paste.

Try putting the RAM in different slots too, many motherboard manufacturers say u should have it in the 1st slot if its your only stick, make sure it's in the right one...

Since CollinsCollector brought up the HS/F being connected to the right header, I'll mention that on my Abit KT7a the fan HAS to have an RPM detector, otherwise the machine won't post. This can be fixed with a simple flash of the BIOS, but no POST = no flash... If you don't know how to tell if you're fan has an RPM detector, just look for the white/yellow wire... i could be wrong on the color, but any fan with 3 wires can read RPM... I don't know anything about your board, so this probably is not the problem. I just told you that to give u an idea of how it could still be anything... You really need to swap parts out to narrow it down.

EDIT: As for the no beeps... I've had problems where I couldn't POST and heard no beeps either, but it wasn't the mobo that was the problem. Make sure the internal sound is hooked up to the right header as well.
 

PCNovice

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2001
6
0
0
Thanks TechWhore, you are right on mark. The memory stick was bad.
Thanks CollinsCollector for your advise. I tried everything that I could like CMOS clear, trying different slots for video/ram, using 100MHz FSB setting, taking mobo out of the case etc. And I gave up and took the processor out and went back to the retailer. There they checked everything separately and found that the memory was not only bad but it was the wrong one too. I had bought a very good one (Corsair PC133 Cas2 256 MB) and what I actually had was 128MB of the same. The outer plastic cover had a different label than the inner one on the chip.
I hope that my video card is OK, since I have yet to rig all it again.
Now, I have a different set of problem, that of cleaning up the processor and the phase glue on the HS/F.
Thanks