Odd DFI LanParty 250GB Problem

[jliger99]

I just switched from an Intel 2.8c to the LanParty w/ 3200+. When I first installed the board, it would boot and then freeze after about 45 seconds. After many different options, I found out that when I plugged the CPU fan (Zalman CNPS7000B-CU) into the 2nd fan jumper, rather than the CPU fan jumper, the problem went away, and I was able to do a clean install of Windows XP.

So far so good. I had no trouble installing anything, and the computer was working great. Then I shut it down for a while.

When I rebooted, the computer gave me one long beep, and then went into Windows; however, my screen remained black. After being puzzled by this, I discovered that the video card (ATI 9800 AIW) needed to be re-seated. after that it worked great again. I shut down the computer again for the night, and when I turned it on in the morning, guess what happened: One long beep, bootup, monitor remains black.

After re-seating the video card again, the machine works fine.

Is there any reason why I would have to re-seat the video card EVERY time I shut down the computer?

My specs:
DFI LanParty 250GB
AMD64 3200+
ATI 9800 AIW
Audigy2 ZS
Two hard drives (NO RAID)
DVD Drive
DVD Writer

 

[tc17]

That is weird. I know I had problems when I first installed my board, WindowsXP wouldn't let me finish the install. I ended up having to raise my DDR voltage to 2.8v, then everything ran fine... I wasn't even overclocking at the time.

Does your computer pass memtest?

 

[mechBgon]

Is there any reason why I would have to re-seat the video card EVERY time I shut down the computer?

If the video card is coming unseated repeatedly, then I'll dare to ask this: is the motherboard mounted on standoffs as it ought to be? Because if it weren't, then the motherboard will sit lower and the card might have a hard time staying plugged in... plus the obvious problem of the underside of the board shorting on the case, of course

If that isn't the problem, look at the AGP slot, does it have one of those retaining clips at the end to keep the card secured? Is anything tugging hard on the monitor cable and thus the video card? Got a kitten, perhaps? Rrrowr, must... climb... monitor cable! or master will be angry! :Q

 

[jliger99]

Well, this morning, the same thing happened again. This time, however, I used my son's Geforce 4200, and it booted right up.

Unfortunately, this means that the LanParty and the 9800 AIW do not play well together. As my computer is used as a TIVO, I am going to have to find another combination of TV Tuner/video card that DO work together. The biggest dissapointment is that when we watch TV on the system, we often use the Thru-view window, and no other tuner (non-ATI, that is) does that.

*sigh*

 

[o1die]

You may need a stronger power supply to power up the ati card. What ps are you using?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: jliger99
The biggest dissapointment is that when we watch TV on the system, we often use the Thru-view window, and no other tuner (non-ATI, that is) does that.

How about getting a PCI TV Wonder? That's made by ATI and has similar features to the AIW cards except for not being a video card. Then, you can use whatever video card you want.

 

[teddy07x]

Originally posted by: tc17
That is weird. I know I had problems when I first installed my board, WindowsXP wouldn't let me finish the install. I ended up having to raise my DDR voltage to 2.8v, then everything ran fine... I wasn't even overclocking at the time.

Does your computer pass memtest?

Bad mem chips!

 

[jliger99]

Originally posted by: o1die
You may need a stronger power supply to power up the ati card. What ps are you using?

Antec 550w True550


...and my memory passes memtest with no errors.

I will say that I can restart the computer to my hearts content, and I will have no problem at all. It's ONLY when I try to do a cold boot that it freaks out (ans when I try a 3D game).

Thanks for the responses so far!

 

[jliger99]

Well, here's an update:

I tried two things: I upped the video card voltage to 1.8 ( I read somewhere that it helps), and I made sure that the power connector going to the AIW wasn't connected to anything else.

The machine actually re-started without incident! This is the first time this has happened! Of course, it wasn't off all night long, so tomorrow morning will be the big test.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!

 

[GamesMasta]

i just got done building my pc w/ the same board and i had a problem w/ my ZALMAN CNPS7000A-AlCu. when plugging in the fan wire into the CPU fan jumper with the box thing to control the speed, the fan would stop spinning after the bios would load. after removing the fan control speed unit box(black with a black knob) thing, the problem went away. perhaps u were plugging the fan into the board w/ the speed control box unit thing? try removing it?

 

[jliger99]

Originally posted by: GamesMasta
i just got done building my pc w/ the same board and i had a problem w/ my ZALMAN CNPS7000A-AlCu. when plugging in the fan wire into the CPU fan jumper with the box thing to control the speed, the fan would stop spinning after the bios would load. after removing the fan control speed unit box(black with a black knob) thing, the problem went away. perhaps u were plugging the fan into the board w/ the speed control box unit thing? try removing it?

I actually tried it without the box first, then with, and finally without again.

Thanks for the thought, though!

 

[Shimmishim]

hmm... 1.8 volts is a bit much to give....

i never give more than 1.5 to 1.6...

 

[CraigRT]

heh, that is odd.. you might also want to try cleaning the contacts on the videocard with some alcohol... just to see if that helps.