NEED HELP WITH MY DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb

[DreamerSpawn]

I put this system together FLAWLESSLY! I'm NO stranger to putting systems together. I've even got the 4 wire cable hooked up. The system first powered up but did NOTHING....no display. I shut down to double check & see if everything was setup proper. Everything is fine. I tried to boot again, and the power came on then right back off. Now, that's all it will do.

I am using Crucial RAM that is compatible with it. pc3200 512MB.

I need someone who KNOWS the 'point to point' specs on this motherboard to see if maybe the CPU isn't compatible with this board? Here are the links (and this is actually where I bought the motherboard & processor from....NewEgg):

DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL

AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail

Please, someone help. I've disconnected all the drives (cables from the motherboard too) and no go. I've reset the only jumper pin that has validity to system performance (meaning, the only other jumper pins are to turn PC speaker on..which it is..and no beeps at all) and that's the RESET CMOS (BIOS), and put it back...same problem.

Someone please help...spent the last of my money on this system, and I've got no fellow techies here locally that can help.

Tested the power supply on another system, it's good. It's a 550 Watt power supply. But since, the first time, it stayed on, with no visual on the monitor.....I wouldn't think it was the power supply.

I also made sure NO static was exposed to motherboard. The ONLY thing I can think of is either bad motherboard or CPU not compatible. This is the SECOND motherboard I've had problems with from NewEgg (and that's UNHEARD OF...newegg has the BEST rep out!) in a row..and the other was an MSI that is now discontinued. Again, please help...soon.

Time is of the essence.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

Might I add, that I am putting this system in an acrylic tower. I REALLY don't think that has anything to do with it, but I thought I would put it out here.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

Oh yes, wanted to mention that I am using the heatsink and fan that came with the processor, and it's all hooked up properly and the fan is always hooked up to power.

 

[John]

Tested the power supply on another system, it's good. It's a 550 Watt power supply.

That doesn't mean that it's a quality power supply. What's the brand name?

I'd strip out everything except the power supply, cpu, 1 stick of ram in Dimm2, and the video card. If you post fine then hook your drives up and go from there.

 

[SrGuapo]

The mobo and CPU should work fine together... Are you sure all of your components are installed and seated correctly? It is possible to get an AGP card in only half way: Make sure you cannot see any of the gold contacts. Other than that, I can't think of anything... You may want to try some other RAM/video card if possible.

Edit: Are you sure that your heatsink is seated properly with the correct amount of thermal paste? If not, it may be ovrheating and causing the mobo to auto-shutdown.

 

[gabemcg]

I have the same mobo...

when you say that the fan is "always hooked up to power" do you mean that you have it plugged directly into the powersupply? If so that would be your problem... the CPU fan Has to be plugged into the spot labled "CPU Fan" on the motherboard, or else the bios shuts the comp down.


I would also suggest disconnecting the power/reset switches from the case to the mobo... This mobo has an onboard power/reset switch. If there is a short in your case's switch or something that might cause the problem.

I've also noticed that when resetting the bios, you have to leave the jumper in the "switched" position for it to recognize the reset. I think that every time you reset the bios, the jumper position changes between pin 1-2 and 2-3... I may be wrong, but it's worth a shot...

could also be memory I suppose...

good luck

 

[DreamerSpawn]

As I'm looking at this PS, I'm sure I'm gonna be told it's a generic POS...but here is the specs of the PS:

Real PC Power (www.realpcpower.com) 550 Watt
Titanium Series Dual Fan Design

It's got LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH fan settings on it, and it's set at HIGH.

Thanks for the speedy responses guyz.

Originally posted by: John

Tested the power supply on another system, it's good. It's a 550 Watt power supply.

That doesn't mean that it's a quality power supply. What's the brand name?

I'd strip out everything except the power supply, cpu, 1 stick of ram in Dimm2, and the video card. If you post fine then hook your drives up and go from there.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

All are seated properly. The AGP even has a lock feature to where once it's in, it's locked. All contacts lined up and cannot be seen.

As for RAM, I took a stick of 512MB PC2100 ram out of another system, and same results.

I used the correct amount of thermal paste, as I know the importance of optimal contact between CPU and heatsink.

Originally posted by: SrGuapo
The mobo and CPU should work fine together... Are you sure all of your components are installed and seated correctly? It is possible to get an AGP card in only half way: Make sure you cannot see any of the gold contacts. Other than that, I can't think of anything... You may want to try some other RAM/video card if possible.

Edit: Are you sure that your heatsink is seated properly with the correct amount of thermal paste? If not, it may be ovrheating and causing the mobo to auto-shutdown.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I do have the CPU fan plugged into the proper outlet on the motherboard......I didn't clarify that.

I did just that with disconnecting all the switches and using the onboard switches....same result.

However, I don't understand what you mean by "you have to leave the jumper in the "switched" position for it to recognize the reset". I moved the jumper pin to reset BIOS, then moved it back and plugged it back in and tried agagin...same result.

Originally posted by: gabemcg
I have the same mobo...

when you say that the fan is "always hooked up to power" do you mean that you have it plugged directly into the powersupply? If so that would be your problem... the CPU fan Has to be plugged into the spot labled "CPU Fan" on the motherboard, or else the bios shuts the comp down.


I would also suggest disconnecting the power/reset switches from the case to the mobo... This mobo has an onboard power/reset switch. If there is a short in your case's switch or something that might cause the problem.

I've also noticed that when resetting the bios, you have to leave the jumper in the "switched" position for it to recognize the reset. I think that every time you reset the bios, the jumper position changes between pin 1-2 and 2-3... I may be wrong, but it's worth a shot...

could also be memory I suppose...

good luck

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I am currently going to pick up another video card from a Bro to test that out. Maybe I'll have luck there. I'll be back in about 30 mins, so any further advice would be WELL appreciated.

 

[Bozo Galora]

This is strange, that DFI is prob one of the solidest mobo you can buy
NOTHING at all would point to something very basic like CPU or mobo or a short

I would take mobo out and set it on book next to case with CPU and RAM only and try it.

 

[SKORPI0]

Did you connect the +12V power plug from the PSU to the mobo?

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I'm gonna try that...just in case one of the mounts is causing a ground out or something. I will say that I used all 9 mounts that the tower has available. Thanks fer that advice. SOMETHING is preventing it from firing up.

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
This is strange, that DFI is prob one of the solidest mobo you can buy
NOTHING at all would point to something very basic like CPU or mobo or a short

I would take mobo out and set it on book next to case with CPU and RAM only and try it.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I connected both the main plug to the motherboard as well as the 4 pin plug (for CPU Power). This is just a mystery...and I've got a 'man vs machine complex'. This is BS, cause I KNOW DFI is a solid board....and the CPU is just as solid.

Originally posted by: SKORPI0
Did you connect the +12V power plug from the PSU to the mobo?

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I'm gonna go, right now, and try my OWN video card....if that doesn't work, I'm gonna try Bozo Galora's suggestion and take the motherboard off the pegs, and try it that way.

I can't thank you guyz enough for the help.

 

[alteredNate]

check out www.dfi-street.com - it's nothing but tech support for DFI boards, and mostly the NF3.

I have this board too, it works great, however I am having soem weird reboot problems. good luck.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

You MAY be right. I hooked up the ONLY power supply that has the 4 pin CPU plug on it, but it was only 250 watts. THEN the power came on....fans and such....no video. I am hoping that the reason it didn't come on is not enough power. I mean, C'Mon, it's an Athlon 64....250 watts is hardly enough to power it. This is a step UP. NOW, I'm going to take the 400 Watt out of my system, which has the 4 pin CPU plug that I KNOW works....as my AMD Athlon XP 1700 takes it (Chaintech motherboard). If it's the power supply, I'll be HAPPY AS CAN BE!!!!

Thanks again goes to all who have been trying to help.

Originally posted by: John

Tested the power supply on another system, it's good. It's a 550 Watt power supply.

That doesn't mean that it's a quality power supply. What's the brand name?

I'd strip out everything except the power supply, cpu, 1 stick of ram in Dimm2, and the video card. If you post fine then hook your drives up and go from there.

 

[DreamerSpawn]

I'm going to take the power supply out of my system now and try it in the athlon 64. Cross yer fingers guys.

 

[Ike0069]

did it work?

 

[DreamerSpawn]

Unfortunately, no. I've tried EVERYTHING. I used 3 different AGP video cards, 2 different PCI video cards, 3 power supplies and nada. I guess everyone is entitled to their....glitched product every once in a while. I have time to RMA it, so I'm going to do so. I was SO looking forward to playing with the DFI system. I'll just have to be patient.

Originally posted by: Ike0069
did it work?

 

[DreamerSpawn]

What it will now do is fire up and nothing. No video, no post, no nothing. Power is there, just nothing to follow.

 

[Gloryfieldzi]

I think you need to learn to use the EDIT BUTTON. makes it so much easier to sort through.

Try your cpu on another mobo and see if that works. Then you'll know if it's ur mobo problem

 

[TomKazansky]

check ur jumpers

 

[gabemcg]

When I say "leave the jumper in the switched position" I mean that once you switch it to reset the bios, don't switch it back

 

[DreamerSpawn]

My bad. Just not in the right frame of mind right now. Building this system for my Brother and this is letting him down.

I WOULD test it on another system, but I don't know ANYONE here lodally that has an AMD Athlon 64 setup. My personal one is an AMD Athlon XP 1700+.

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Originally posted by: gloryfieldzi
I think you need to learn to use the EDIT BUTTON. makes it so much easier to sort through.

Try your cpu on another mobo and see if that works. Then you'll know if it's ur mobo problem

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There are NO jumpers on this system except to activate PC Speaker, which already is, and CMOS RESET. Everything else is BIOS adjusted, and since I can't even get a post, I can't do anything like that.

Originally posted by: infestedgh0st
check ur jumpers

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I tried that too. No go.

Originally posted by: gabemcg
When I say "leave the jumper in the switched position" I mean that once you switch it to reset the bios, don't switch it back

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That more like it gloryfieldzi? Yer kinda new, ey? I think you'll grow to LOVE this forum. I'm hooked on this place and so is everyone I know.