Hey,
I hope someone can help me out. I have some exp. dealing with hardware, but usually only in an upgrade type job. I decided to try my hand at building a system from components. Thought I was doing well, untill I tried to turn it on. Not much happened. It doesn't post at all. The fans all come on, case fans connected directly to PS and CPU fans connected to mobo. The power led comes on for the case which is hooked into the mobo. The light on the floppy comes on and stays on (though I hear that means that the cable is backwards) if I plug the cable in wrong. The DVD light busy light comes on and stays on (no matter how you plug the thing in). Drive doesn't seem to do much but its hard to tell... I do know if you plug it in backward the red busy light comes on and stays on though... There is no video (blank black screen) and the power button on the monitor flashes as if no connection. and not a beep to be heard.
I still have a few things left to try, but I am looking for suggestions. I have heard the most common mistake is the mixed up or backward cables, as you can probably tell, I have messed with them til I was blue in the face, no effect.
The fix I am planning to try tonight is to put the washers on the mobo, incase it happens to be touching somewhere (shorting out). Though I don't really think that is going to do much.
There is really only two things I can think of. One I am useing Asus IDE cables on a aBit mobo... Shouldn't matter, should hold standards anyway. The other thing is what I am afraid of (so it is probably it). The board that I am using is a Abit BP6. It should use PC100 Ram... Now I put in PC133 (wanted stuff that was compatible with my other machine). I was *TOLD* that the ram was backward compatible and would work in PC100 compatible boards, but it was generic ram not the good stuff. So I am thinking it might be the ram? Any insights? Suggestions? New swear words? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Anyway here are the specs if that might help:

Abit BP6 Motherboard V1.0 with NJ bios I think
2 Celeron 433's /w intel fans (not overclocked...yet)
1 128MB SDRAM GENERIC @133 (PC133)
Voodoo 3 3000 w/ tv out AGP card
SB Live Value sound card (PCI)
DLink NIC PCI
<can't remember maker> NIC/HUB PCI w/ 4 ports
16x Panasonic DVD slot drive
Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM IDE HD
Floppy ripped from dead machine...

Thats all I can think of right now... I know the monitor works that I am testing with as well. Any help would be appreciated.I hope its not the ram... that would be a hassle... hope I still have the recipt... hope they have a return policy...gulp.

K I just had a brain storm 5 min after writing the big long message. I should probably reset my BIOS (guess I have to figure out how to do thatnow...) ... The mobo is used. Was probably configured wierd with SCSI and stuff, boot order may be messed up? Just a though, could that be it...
Thanks,
Darthy

Hey DarthVain;

Several things come to mind.

Back to the basics. When building a new system, you should install only the basic components, which make it easier to troubleshoot.

No post or video identification usually means a ram or video problem. Try reseating the ram and video card - you have to make sure that they are both seated properly.

Does the motherboard support pc133 memory? What does the manual say? Is there recommedned memory? Some motherboards can be picky with memory.

Have you used the metal standoffs supplied with the motherboard or the plastic ones? Most motherboards require only the plastic ones. READ the owners manual for assistance and suggestions.

No post probably means that you will not be able to access the bios. I assume that the bios id does not come up?

Are you sure that the floopy is good? Does it work in another machine?

Follow the users guide to assure that the cables are connected correctly - for example, pin 1 corresponds to the red strip on the ide/floppy cable connections to the drives and on the motherboard.

Start with onbly essential components to boot-up - with the floopy, memory (one stick) in the first dimm slot (see the owners manual) and hard drive. If this does not work, disconnect the hard drive and try booting from a system/boot floopy.

Try clearing the cmos by following the manual directions, either by using the jumper or removing the battery for 15 minutes, putting it back in and trying to re-boot with only the essentials mentioned above.

I then refer to my more learned PC Guiders.

Yeah I got the feeling that I am gonna have to get to the basics and then add piece by piece... Got a bit ahead of myself I think.

The mobo supports pc100 mem. Thats what I think the prob my be, though I hope not... (But the said the 133 would work, I hate salemen!)

I am sure that they are seated properly (vid and mem)... Though I know some mobo are picky about what slot you put your mem in, like slot one has to be filled then 2 and 3 and so on... The manual said it doesn't matter but.... I may try putting it in slot 1, right now its in slot 3 the only reason was that it went in easier.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

I used the metal standoffs.. The case was a generic one, though it came with a 300watt ps which is why I used it. It was a bit lacking for parts, the reason why I used the metal standoffs with no washers... There were not enuff plastic nor washers... They only included 3 washers????? dumb.

no I cannot access the BIOS directly, as it doesn boot that far.

I have no idea about the floppy, it may be a dud, don't know... hope not.
Though I have another I can try just in case... (Though it is quite old, 5 years or so...)

If the washers don't work that was going to be my next try was clearing the CMOS (I believe I called it BIOS last time by mistake), using the jumpers.

I'll let you know how it goes when I do it...(either) I hope it works!
Thanks for the suggestions!
Darthy

Just a note... the manual sucks.. not detailed enuff for my taste. Particulary about specifics... I have noted that the manual nor any docs I have seen mention the non conductive washers.. (hence I thought them not important...) Not to mention nothing on troubleshooting... anyway I guess thats just a rant.

Click here (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/index.htm) for a detailed troubleshooting procedure.

Click here (http://www.pcguide.com/proc/index.htm) for a detailed assembly procedure.

Good Luck! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

Other thoughts as you troubleshoot (I realize that you may have tried some of these suggestions already). Go to the motherboard's web site and see if they have an updated manual, such as a pdf file. This may give you some answers, especially on recommended memory, troubleshooting and the like. Look at the tech. notes and frequently asked questions for your motherboard. If you do not have any other memory to try, go to the Crucial web site http://www.crucial.com

Use the memory configurator to look up memory recommended for your motherboard - see if the specific type of pc133 memory you have shows up as recommended. Either way, if ALL ELSE fails on troubleshooting and you have no other memory to try, consider buying new memory. It's pretty cheap now.

I would try the other floppy and see what happens.

ps: I went to the crucial site - pc133 is supported, but check the SPECIFIC type you have. Generic memory can be funny. I have found that sometimes it pays to buy the recommedned memory by brand - motherboards can be finicky.

I am very curious to see how you made out, as I posted a similar problem on this forum related to a Biostar motherboard. Good Luck!

What is the very LEAST that I need hooked up to the mobo to get a post...
Mobo, Video, RAM, do I need to have HD or floppy attached to simply get a post?

Absolute bare minimum...PSU, CPU, RAM, Video, attatched/installed to the MOBO, then expect a key board error. Keyboard is nice but if all you are trying to do is see if it will POST not neceessary. If you get that far the add they Keyboard...

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mjc
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Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.