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PC won't boot past BIOS screen

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PepperBreath

Senior member
I bought an A-Trend ATC 6130 motherboard so I can build a relatively cheap computer for my sister. After putting a CPU and video card in, I can't get it to boot past the BIOS screen. I can't get into the bios setup either. I took a picture of it in case it helps here.

Anyone have a clue what could be causing this?
 
Try these steps:
1) installing the ram one at a time (did any of the ram work with that mobo?)
2) reseating all the cables
3) any beeps?
 
1. I have two 256MB SDRAM sticks. I've switched their positions and tried each alone. It did the same thing.
2. Didn't have any drives connected as I was just testing it to see if the CPU and memory were good(both are hand-me-downs). Actually, I have two CPUs and tried both, neither worked. I did hook up an old 8GB and a CDRW and I can hear the HDD chug but it still doesn't go further than the bios.
3. Yes. The standard single beep when going into the BIOS screen. Nothing before or after.


One strange thing I have noticed, usually a keyboard's LEDs will light up briefly when a PC boots. I've tried two keyboards and never did this. Another strange thing is that I have a 300 Mhz CPU and a 333 Mhz CPU. The 300 Mhz says 450Mhz on boot up and the 333Mhz says 550Mhz. I downloaded an instruction manual for the motherboard and I unfortunately can't find any DIP switchs or Jumpers that would allow me to clock the Bus to the proper speed. I wonder if that's the problem. 🙁
 
One strange thing I have noticed, usually a keyboard's LEDs will light up briefly when a PC boots. I've tried two keyboards and never did this. Another strange thing is that I have a 300 Mhz CPU and a 333 Mhz CPU. The 300 Mhz says 450Mhz on boot up and the 333Mhz says 550Mhz.
Click to expand...

The led may only stay lit if number lock is enabled in the bios...

As for the CPU being misread i have noticed a trend here... your 2 CPU's are being misread by approx 50% on both accounts.

Are they 66mhz chips trying to run at 100mhz? (thats approx 50% higher so might explain the problem)

Failing that can you get into the bios and select the speed of the chips IE: 3x100=300mhz or 4.5x66=300 if they are 66mhz.
Or does the mobo have jumpers for this?

Have you tried to clear the CMOS and see if that helps?

 
I've searched the board for any jumpers or DIP switchs relating to the clock speed. There are none unfortunately. I can't get into the BIOS setup. It locks up as soon as it gets to the BIOS screen.

And yeah, I've tried clearing the CMOS too. A couple of times actually. Didn't do anything. 🙁

I'm just wondering if it's the board or the memory. I would assume that if it was the board, it wouldn't post at all.
 
i like the idea that your cpu's were made for a slower bus speed and are likely incompatabile with the motherboard, check the reading material on the processors and on the motherboard.
 
If you are using DDR Ram it is the wrong ram.

The board requires 168 pin SDRAM (PC100/133) or ECC EDO Ram.

Would explain why you can't get into the BIOS.
 
If you are using DDR Ram it is the wrong ram. The board requires 168 pin SDRAM (PC100/133) or ECC EDO Ram.
Click to expand...

Actually DDR wouldn't fit into an SDRAM slot. It was a typo on my part. I'm using SDRAM.

Turin:

I bought this board specifically because it supported the 66Mhz bus. It's in the tech sheet here.
 
To set the correct CPU speed to 300MHz, go to:

SW1
1=OFF
2=OFF
3=ON
4=OFF

to Clear the CMOS
(remember to unplug power cord)

JP8
(jumper)
1-2=Normal
2-3=Clear

 
To set the correct CPU speed to 300MHz, go to:

SW1
1=OFF
2=OFF
3=ON
4=OFF
Click to expand...

There are no DIP switchs on the board. The only switchable jumper is JP8 and that clears the CMOS(which I've tried a few times).

Bah...I give up. I think the motherboard is wonky. 🙁
 
There are 3 versions of that motherboard.
ATC-6130E, ATC-6130C-EJ (v2.0), ATC-6130C-EB (v1.0)

The one that does not have the DIP switch is a
Model ATC-6130C-EJ and is jumperless

You are remembering to unplug the power when clearing the CMOS, correct?
It is especially important to do if you are using an ATX PSU instead of the AT.
Let it sit for an hour unplugged.

Also, push on the BIOS chip to make sure it is firmly seated.
 
You are remembering to unplug the power when clearing the CMOS, correct?
It is especially important to do if you are using an ATX PSU instead of the AT.
Let it sit for an hour unplugged.

Also, push on the BIOS chip to make sure it is firmly seated.
Click to expand...

I had the jumper set to clear the CMOS overnight and with the motherboard unplugged from the PSU.

And I've looked over the BIOS chip and pushed on it to make sure it was seated properly. I was tempted to remove it and reseat it but I don't have the proper tools to do that.

*edit*

I really, really, think this motherboard is dead. I've tried just about everything and can't get it to work which is why I posted here; I've exhausted all my options. I was forced to buy it from an online retailer that doesn't exactly have a glowing rating but I had to buy it because they were the only retailer that still has Slot 1 motherboards. The board I received looked to be used so it's likely the board was returned and they just stuck it back on the shelf to be sold again to the next poor sap(me).

I'm sending it back and if I get another bad board, I'll just get store credit and try my luck elsewhere. 🙁
 
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