Need more help with 8k7a...

[haut]

I set my jumpers, put it in the case, connected all the wires, hooked up HDD, FDD, CD, etc. and tried to start up. On the LED it just says "FF" and the monitor won't turn on. Whats happening? I have absolutely no experience with this MB, the last time I built a computer was about a year ago with an Athlon slot A and Asus MB. Thanks for any help.
--Ryan

 

[ArchAngel777]

Any beeps? if not pull all the cards and try and boot with only the CPU+VIDEO CARD

If all goes well you will get continous beeping. If not then you might have an issue with your power supply, incorrect setup of the motherboard, or probably a bad motherboard/CPU.

 

[haut]

I just pulled out all the IDE cables and still got nothing. It just says FF on the LED. I checked the fan on the video card and it was running, as were all the other fans, so I think the video cards in all the way. I tried pulling out one of the RAM, but nothing. I just want it to display!!!! HELP!!!!!!! Thanks!
--Ryan

 

[mchammer187]

is your PSU voltage set to 110 or 115 V that was my problem and it did exact same thing
otherwise try with 1 DIMM

 

[ArchAngel777]

Ok you gotta be systematic about troubleshooting, start from the beginning then work your way up.

Take out EVERYTHING, even the video card.

If your CPU is a slot reseat it.. if it's not dont bother.......

only keep your CPU in and your LED switch for PWR SW, HD LED, etc....


Take out the motherboard power cord, and then plug it back in on the motherboard.... turn the PC on and you should get many beeps it...

If you do not get anything you have a

A. Bad Power Supply
B. Bad Motherboard
c. Bad CPU


Swap and use what you can! let me know of your status!

 

[TunaBoo]

Yah do it step by step.

FF means your system got past post and is ready to boot.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Thats a good idea for him to check the voltage... but my opinion is you better know how to have the basics correct... otherwise you have no reason or right to build a computer.

 

[haut]

I pulled out all the RAM and didnt get any beeping!!! I still got the FF thing. What could it be? I'm about to check the 110-115V thing. Hopefully thats it. How could it POST without RAM? Hope this works. Thanks for the help so far.
--Ryan

 

[ArchAngel777]

Well it can't post without ram....

got me on this one...

 

[TunaBoo]

If it is getting to FF without ram, something is shorted.


Did you unplug or put in ram, cards ANYTHING while it was on?

Is your mobo on proper brass standoffs? Take it out of the case and set it on cardboard. It could be shorting out on your case if it was not installed perfect.

 

[haut]

I used the standoffs that came with the Enlight, they're square metal things. I'm going to take it all the way off right now and set it on cardboard. Wish me luck!
--Ryan

 

[mchammer187]

is the multiplier set correctly?

if you are using athlon C 1.4=10x
1.33 =9.5x
1.2 = 9x
1.13 =8.5
1.0 = 7.5x
athlon B 1.4 = 14
1.3 = 13 etc

also make sure you bus is set right 133 for athlon C and 100 for athlon b

well off too bed hope you get it to post

 

[haut]

OMG I think I found the problem. I had a really tough time getting my HSF on (TT Volcano II) and now I just noticed that the CPU is at a slant! F*** me! Is it ruined? I'm trying as hard as I can to delicately take off the HSF but I cant budge it. Help!!!!
--Ryan

 

[ArchAngel777]

Pray that it's not.....

 

[haut]

WOOOHOOO!!! It POSTed!!! I pulled out the CPU and looked and didnt see any bent pins, so I reseated it and it still sat at a slant. Then i moved the lever a few times and it finally worked. Now I have a CMOS checksum error, but much better than before!!!!
--Ryan

 

[ArchAngel777]

Haut, please dont take this the wrong way, but did you not install that CPU correctly?

If so you REALLY need to be more carefull and have someone look over your shoulder while building your first system, we all make mistakes... but that is a mistake that is hard to miss.

If your a noob it's cool... Just live and learn from this... Hopefully the CPU is not damaged.. as long as the pins are not bent though you should be fine....

That lever you were moving is part of the (Z)ero (I)nsertion (F)orce socket... VERY VERY important to have that level up ALL the way then gently place the CPU in and close the lever.....


Good luck with the rest of your system I gotta get some shuteye!

 

[haut]

Dude, I KNOW I should have checked that CPU more carefully, but I guess I just overlooked it. I haven't done this for a year, but I'm definitely not a newbie (just an idiot). I've probably built 5 or so systems. I'm building the replacement for my old one that I built. I feel REALLY stupid, but oh well, no harm done (lets hope). I got the checksum error to go away by enabling PnP in the BIOS.
--Ryan

 

[ArchAngel777]

No your not stupid, and I hope I did not come off like you are, I just have a hard time believing of all things that would be overlooked, that the CPU was... I mean that is the most precious part.... LOL oh well man, don't feel dumb, I have done some pretty stupid stuff myself!


Take care, I am going to bed now.. I think... keep posting in these forums... it's 3:00am here...

 

[haut]

Don't worry, I dont think you came off rude at all. I myself can't believe I screwed up the most important part! The last few builds I did were Athlon slotAs, so I guess I wasnt ready for the ZIF. Oh well, at least I didnt have to blow another $130 or whatever on a CPU. Whew, I was scared for a minute there. Now I have to make a new boot disk, my old one got messed up (maybe something to do with my obsession with speakers with large magets?). Talk to you later.
--Ryan

 

[whitelight]

i had a similar problem. the system would post FF and nothing would happen. if i pressed the reset button, then the system would boot again. i traced the problem to my NIC card. guess there was some kinda irq conflict or something.

 

[ArchAngel777]

GLAD YOU GOT IT WORKING!!! You did get it working right?

Yeah I have been reading that the Netgear NICs do not work with that motherboard... strange.. but the bright side is that NICs are very cheap....