New Abit KT7-RAID/Athlon 900MHz unbootable at times

AC

Senior member
Nov 2, 1999
616
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ABIT KT7-RAID
Athlon TBird 900MHz
256MB RAM 100MHz

50% of the time, computer locks up after detecting cpu during POST. Does not respond to keyboard input for accessing CMOS. RAM is not detected. Tried swaping cards in and out, moved RAM to different slots.

Funky thing is that if I keep turning the computer on and off, it may decide to continue with POST.

What is the problem? Bad mobo? Bad CPU? Bad RAM? Bad PS?
I'm running out of ideas to try. Help!
 

Souka

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2000
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Try removing all unessary hardware like sound, nics, modem, HD's.

Does that help boot up? IF so, add one device and go from there.

If not, sounds like a problem I had with an old CyrixP200 system I had. Resolderd a new BIOS chip on (cheap manufacturing) and problem went away...sold the system the following month and got a p2-300 (screaming :) )
 

AC

Senior member
Nov 2, 1999
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yeah, i tried booting bare bones. it's kinda hard to pinpoint what is causing the problem since it's sporadic. i noticed that during these failed bootups, the hdd led stays lit, but the bios does not register any errors (i.e. no error messages/beeps). could it be one of the ide devices that's locking up the system? i have a dvd-rom (secondary master) and 3 hdd (the rest). any clue to what is going on?
 

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
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Check to make sure that you have the latest BIOS for that board. Also, reseat the CPU and make sure there is 100% contact between the CPU and HS/fan...though, the latter is highly unlikely, because if there wasn't good enough contact you'd have a fried thunderbird in about 20 seconds. :Q
 

KB

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 1999
5,406
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Sporadic problems are often caused by the power supply. If swapping out all unnecessary hardware hasn't worked definately try to replace the PS. Also if you are overclocking that CPU with the pencil trick, try to connect the brides again.
 

AC

Senior member
Nov 2, 1999
616
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You know what? The problem was my Back-UPS Pro's USB. I think I'm going to give APC a call about it tommorrow. I kinda overlooked everything outside the case thinking it was an internal problem. Thanks for all the replies.