Need Advice/Help

[Tetragrammaton]

I've just ordered a new computer, and it has quickly deteriorated in its ability to run since I got it.

It started out running fine, then I couldn't get it fully booted, and now it fails the POST. I don't know what the hell is going on.

I have a warranty right now, as well as onsite service. I'd like to get it up and running as quickly as possible. I prefer NOT to send it to California (paying for shipping) for Cyberpower to fix it. I would be dealing with tech support right now (as well as asking your advice), but I can't find the damn service number that is supposed to be on the tower. If you know where this should be found, let me know. I'm inexperienced with hardware issues myself, so I'd prefer to not mess with wiring etc. myself.

Specs:
Cyberpower Gamer Ultra XLC
Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI
4 x 512 Corsair RAM
AMD X2 4800
2 x EVGA GeForce 7800 GTX
Enermax 535W PSU
Onboard Sound and Network Cards

The detailed story so far:

When I first had the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power plugged in, I booted it up and set up Windows XP Pro. A sound demo thing opened automatically, and I checked out the 3d sound demo after plugging my headphones in. It sounded fine. After doing some menial internet business (checking email, installing Firefox), I installed and ran a game, Morrowind. The game ran fine except that the voices seemed squeaky-high. Unsatisfied with this, I exited the game, unplugged my headphones, and plugged in my speakers to see if there was a difference. When I looked back at my monitor, the sound demo thing had opened up again and the computer was totally frozen. I turned off the computer and started it up. The computer stopped booting after displaying "Nvidia boot agent version .number" and "intel boot agent version .number", followed by "Media test failed. Check cable". That was it. In this state, I left my computer and went off for the weekend. Upon coming back, I decided to try booting after unplugging the speakers. This time, I could not even enter BIOS. I got nothing but beep codes. I didn't have time to count, but it seemed like one long, one short, then continual long beeps. This is the current state of the computer.

Please let me know what you think the problem could be.

 

[AMDCrazy]

I would send it in and get it fixed right. You paid for the warranty and now it seems you need to use it. If I had that much in my computer I would send it in and go from there.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Yeah, but then I'm down an extra $105 in shipping, not to mention the fact that we're looking at about 2 weeks of extra time that I'm not able to use this thing.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Open your motherboard manual and go to page 82.

If you don't have the manual, download it here:
http://www.giga-byte.com/Download/Downl.../FileList/Manual/manual_k8nxpsli_e.pdf

Then figure out which post code you are hearing and go from there. Maybe your videocard just isn't snug or a cable is loose somewhere.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

I definately get one long, one short, then continuous long. According to the manual, 1 long and one short indicates DRAM or M/B error in the AWARD BIOS. Continuous long beeps indicates DRAM error.

That seems consistnent, but I was pretty sure that the BIOS was AMI in make; I could well be wrong. AMI does not use continuous beeps or differing beep lengths.

So, if it's a DRAM failure, I can probably get new RAM shipped to me and onsite service to install it.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Did you try resetting the BIOS? How about wiggling the RAM sticks?

Welcome

 

[1sikbITCH]

You don't need onsite service to install a stick of ram, unless opening your case will void your warranty. Here is a site with pictures, if you can get past the guy talking like he's addressing 3rd graders: http://computermemoryupgrade.mysuperpc....mm_memory_upgrade_tutorial_slots.shtml

As a matter of fact, you can pull some sticks out yourself and check if any are bad right now.

Pull all the sticks but one, and reboot. If it works, put another in and reboot, and then another, until it doesn't work. Then you've either found your bad stick, or a bad dram slot on your motherboard.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Hmm... This might be trickier than I wished. The water-cooling tubes run right over the RAM DIMMs, and cables are all over the area. It will be tough, and I'm deathy afraid of screwing something up. Which I am quite capable of.

 

[necine]

Get them to do it, wuss.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Yeah, good point.

I tried switching the RAM sticks, but I'm getting the same result each time. Perhaps it is not the RAM.

I tried calling tech support, but they require a service number which is supposed to be prominantly displayed on a labeled sticker on my tower. It seems to be missing. So, in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out what else might be the problem.