problem with nForce2 board

[GZDynastar]

I just purchased this board (MSI K7N2G) from newegg with:

AMD XP +1700
512mb DDR333

and some other odds and ends. I am a somewhat experienced computer builder, but this thing is driving me nuts. After done building it with 350w power supply, 30gig HD, and a 52x, it basically starts up when it wants. Sometimes it starts and other times it just sits there, fans going but no video. I want the onboard VGA as the primary display, but I threw in a GeForce2 Ultra to see if the AGP slot works, still nothing. I swapped out the RAM and put 2 256mb DDR333 sticks in, it booted up, I restarted and the screen went black again. I disconected EVERYTHING except the RAM, power and VGA. It boots up and runs (but since the HD is new, I have to partition, format and install XP) everytime it restarts, it goes black. Man, I'm gonna throw it out the window. When it did boot, i got into BIOS and everything is running okay, I switched it to 133FSB, and it didnt help a bit. I have no idea what is going on. I dont want to send it back to newegg yet. So if you could help, that would be wonderful. All night i just sit here and hit the power button, sometimes it turns on but most of the time the fans kick in but no display.

**Long story short** Damn comp turns on when it wants to...

peace
Tyler

 

[mechBgon]

What brand/model of 350W power suppy? edit: what brand/model of RAM and other parts too, while we're at it.

 

[GZDynastar]

um, the power supply is a TigerPro (cheap one came with the case) and the RAM is SIMPLETECH. (booooo)

we had to go with cheap parts with this comp because my buddy couldnt afford high end components such as an enermax power supply or corsair/mushkin ram. he just wants a machine to do mild gaming and homework for school. suggestions bud?

 

[nick1985]

i suggest a different PSU

 

[mechBgon]

I suggest testing with a quality-brand power supply for starters, here's a good suggestiong for you: Enlight 420W, $46 shipped Welcome to the Forums, by the way

 

[GZDynastar]

so you guys think the power supply is the problem.. okay, that makes sense. just need money

thanks for welcoming me to the forums, you guys are literally comp gods, this is where i learned about newegg and what to buy etc. thanks for your help.

peace

 

[Snoop]

First, remove all pci cards (if any), next clear the cmos (either by jumper or remove the mb battery for a couple minutes, then go into bios and pick bios default settings.
If that does not work, I would try to find another powersupply and hooking it up to test it out.
If a new ps is needed, Here is a really good 300 watt which I know for a fact (used it on multiple nforce 2 boards, and with multiple 120mm fan, 4 hdd, 2300mhz xp, 193 fsb) will power work well and its only 24 dollars.

 

[mechBgon]

One other thing to do while in the BIOS: set the RAM to run at 100% of FSB speed, so it runs in sync with the CPU's FSB. This results in the best overall system performance, even though the RAM is not running as fast as it could. Good luck!

 

[GZDynastar]

yeah, there are no cards in the PCI slots, just a 52x, HD, floppy and thats it. no AGP cards or PCI cards installed.

 

[Snoop]

Originally posted by: GZDynastar
yeah, there are no cards in the PCI slots, just a 52x, HD, floppy and thats it. no AGP cards or PCI cards installed.

Did you try clearing the cmos, and setting bios setup defaults?
also, double check you have harddrive set to master on end of cable, and floppy cable is not upside down. Both of these will cause anomolous problems like this ( i know from experiance )

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Have you eliminated the monitor cable as the problem?

 

[GZDynastar]

the monitor is brand new right out of the box (also from newegg) and yes, i did clear cmos with the jumper. right now it is currently loading XP and it seems to work best when i have a 256mb stick in the 2nd DIMM slot and a 256mb in the 3rd DIMM slot. that 3rd slot is for utilizing the dual channel 400, but it seems to work and it boots up 2 out of every 5 times when i hit the power switch.

 

[TimeKeeper]

MSI a bit picky w/ the RAM. (I am using k7n2g-ilsr)
Chances are if you have both RAM on slot 1 and slot 2, your PC will run fine.

Here is what MSI got little problem.

When you start your pc w/ default setting, it may have no screen. DON'T turn if off, press "reset button" on your case.
It will self adjusting to adopt new setting.
Then it will work fine.
HOWEVER, if you ever disconnect the power cord, it may behave like that again.
Meaning........if your power cord is connected all the time, you will NOT have this problem next time.

 

[Curley]

I don't know if your board has AGP voltage tweaks, but if you do, give is a boost. Have heard of your problem and Nforce2 boards. I didn't wait to see if I was going to have the problem and as soon as I has video and a bios, I gave the AGP slot more voltage.

Good Luck

 

[GZDynastar]

well, got XP installed, but it still only boots when it wants to. i think we will get another power supply first, then if that doesnt work im going to send it back and see if another MSI mobo will work.

if i hit the reset button the screen will stay black, its almost pure luck if the thing starts up. booo, thanks for your help fellas.

 

[Snoop]

if you loaded xp, have you checked the MSI site for a bios update?

 

[Brian48]

Had the same, exact problem with my second A7N8X. It's the board. RMA it back to newegg.

 

[McCarthy]

RMA it, get a VIA board.

Can't believe I bought into hype again, but alas, I did. First time was with Enermax, now with nforce2. Won't recognize WD400BB drives (I have one), gameport won't work on a Santa Cruz (I have one) and board didn't come with gameport braket. Took just as long to install it's drivers as 4-in-1's and I don't see any advantage other than on someone else's benchmark page.

Dissatisfied buyer? Yes. About ready to go back to my KT133A and I don't even have any of the numerous nforce2 memory problems.


--Mc

 

[Woodie]

I have intermittent issues w/ reboot and no video. (new MSI K7N2G-ILSR from Newegg).

I don't have a reset button hooked up, but I'll try and do that trick. From the lockups I've gotten, and the procedure for getting it to boot again, I think it may be a temperature or a voltage issue. If I shut off the power at the PSU, wait a bit (10-20 sec or a bit longer), then turn the PSU back on, then hit the power switch, it'll usually boot.

It *will* boot every time if I reset the bios (using the jumper), but of course that's a real PITA.

 

[Grminalac]

What type of memory do you have, there are issues with Nforce2 boards and some types of emmeory that will give exactly the problems described. ASUS has a bios fix for this problem, but you will need other memory to get it to boot if thats the case.

 

[Gage8]

I would definately try to update the bios if you already have xp installed. Even if you don't you can still get it from another pc hooked to the net.
If you do RMA the mobo may i suggest the Asus Nforce2. I have had it with absolutely no problems with the latest bios.

cheers

 

[Whitedog]

you guys are literally comp gods

Uuuuh, yea.

After you've been here a while, you may find a different word to use other than gods

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Grminalac
What type of memory do you have, there are issues with Nforce2 boards and some types of emmeory that will give exactly the problems described. ASUS has a bios fix for this problem, but you will need other memory to get it to boot if thats the case.

I was going to ask about his RAM as well. Are the MSI boards having the same problems as the Epox/Abit/ASUS models?

 

[Woodie]

To my knowledge, MSI was having the same issues w/ RAM as the other nForce2 based boards. However, IIRC the issues were specific to certain 256MB sticks of Crucial 2700.

 

[Ionizer86]

This PSU looks very cheap. Get a few extras, maybe