I was wondering if some one could help me out with the following queries.
I am fairly new to this sort of thing.
Home built computer. I am having various problems with it, but these are the electrical (?) ones

Motherboard: Gygabyte “GA-71Xe4”
Processor: AMD Athlone 8ooMhz
Memory: 320MB of 133mhz

1. I switch of the computer in the normal way. (start/shutdown/shutdown) Open case up and the following happens. When I insert a new expansion card (eg. Any internal card) into a PCI slot, and before I can fully insert the card, (Press firmly home) the computer starts up by its self. Should this happen? The shop I bought all my components from says this is normal.

2. Intermittently I get no power when I try to turn my computer on. To rectify this I usually have to disconnect all electrical cables from motherboard before I can get the computer started. Memory has been replaced, as has the power unit (300w). This can happen from a cold boot or after working with computer, then switching of in the correct way (start/shutdown) and trying to start up again. (not by pressing re-start)

3. I discovered yesterday that when I connected an external modem to the computer, (switched off, (start/shutdown) but still connected to the mains) (connected the phone cable and the com port cable) and then inserted the electrical adapter to the wall socket the computer started all by its self. (See question 1)

4. There has also been a couple of times that the computer has started when the switch on the back of the power unit has been tuned on. (When it was switched off here prior to re-inserting the power cables to PSU) This happened in the shop when I first took the computer back and I was told that this was normal. But I cannot understand how this switch can over-ride the main off/on switch on the front of the tower

The shop I bought the parts from is anything but helpful and I have already had a couple of disagreements with him. Before going back to see him I would like to know the answer to the above. This way I will at least be able to say what should happen and what shouldn’t happen.



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Ernie

Your computer is most like an ATX form-factor, one of the "benefits" of the ATX style is that it can be turned on by software commands or hardware signals from outside sources.

That said, what you are experiencing is not "normal".

1. Whenever you are installing a new component the computer should be fully powered down and unplugged from the mains.

2. You should check in your BIOS setup to see if things like wake on LAN, wake on ring, or wake on xxxx are enabled...if they are most likely you should disable them. Also check and see if the power button is configured to on/off or some other setting (like standby). if it is some other setting put it at on/off.

3. You probably should also disable Power Management in BIOS and in Windows (control panel -> Power Management) making sure that under the advanced tab it says "When I press the power button on my computer: shutdown" and that it is set to "always on" and "never" and "never" on the first page.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

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

Thanks MJC.
If possible could you also answer the following?
I ran 3D Mark 2001 (Sysmark) benchtest and it showed that my mem is 66Mhz. I have installed the following
2 x 128MB 0f 133mhz
1 x 64MB of 133mhz
Giving a toral of 320MB of 133 ram. Why did 3D mark say it was only 66mhz? does this mean that one (or more) of the chips is not 133.
Once again thanks for your previous reply and thanks in advance for this.

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Ernie

First of all, I must respectfully but strongly disagree with one thing MJC has stated. When performing internal work on your machine, leave it plugged in, but off. Unplugging it removes the ground and leaves everything unprotected from electrostatic discharge.

Your slow memory benchmark, I would be inclined to believe, is the result of a misplaced jumper or BIOS setting.

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He thrusts his fists against the posts but still insists he sees the ghosts.

Dog...there are several theories going around as to what the best ESD precautions may be...I have heard that there are wrist strap-to-electrical outlets that provide the best grounding protection...SO the debate rambles on...I personally unplug completely and remain vigil in occasionally touching an un-painted, metal surface to keep the ESD down...BUT let's hve a look at one of the Pros in the business has to say...

WARNING FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT
Before starting to work on the computer, perform the following steps in the sequence listed:

Touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis, such as the power supply, before touching anything inside the computer.

Turn off the computer and all peripherals.

Disconnect the computer, peripherals, and power supplies from their electrical outlets, unless you are installing or removing a hot-pluggable component (a cooling fan, power supply, or expansion card).

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

Never place conductive objects such as tools, metal pens, or screws inside the system.


This excerpt from http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/sdiam/en/sm/remove.htm

Seems to me the arguement is still cloudy as expansion cards are actually mentioned...although my advice remains consistent with MJC.

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Tango down!

Simple fact is on an ATX power supply there is never really an "OFF" unless it is unplugged...OK...yawning, I see your point, how about this as an edit:

Plug your computer into a power strip and turn off the power strip, this will preserve the grounding path...


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

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




[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 06-20-2001).]

Your slow memory benchmark, I would be inclined to believe, is the result of a misplaced jumper or BIOS setting.

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Thanks guys. I like a good and lively discussion
Firstly, I use a wrist strap attached to the case (unpainted section).

Secondly, MJC, I have followed your instructions, but I have a third setting "Turn off Hard disk" What should this be set at? Never or timed?

Thirdly, Yawningdog, My motherboard is a Gygabyte "GA-71XE4" version 1.1 and the BIOS is "American Megatrands" version 62710. What Jumper would I look for? or, firstly, (and safer?) which BIOS setting would I check?

Fourthly, Bassvax, yes there is a wrist strap that attaches in some way to the electrical supply outlet, but I use the type that attaches to an ordinary metal surface as I do not fancy wiring myself directly to the wall socket. I also keep touching bare metal as I am working inside the computer.
Once again guys, thanks.



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Ernie