Where's all the experts?

[jdesan]

While this forum seems to have quite a few people with extensive computer knowledge I find it interesting to note which problems get the most attention. My post of a few days ago about my Gigabyte GA 6CXC-1 M/B ( or any board ) not posting was not uncommon, but I've only gotten one response. Not that I desverve or demand, it's just odd that stuff like "floppy won't work, light stays on:" get's ton's of responses. My point is that I know most of you have some ideas about my issue and I would be very grateful for some direction on solving the problem. Basicaly this board wouldn't post in a new case. I moved the board to another and now it starts on the second try. Meanwhile, another board in the new case has no problems. So, it isn't PS, Proc., memory, or any of that. I think this is actually a setting or something unique about this board. This board has the i820 chipset with MTH and...... maybe that may be the key. But, basically, it runs well once it's up. Currently, I start it and it hangs. Apparently no vid signal. Shutdown and restart and all is well. What the heck could do this? OK, that's enough, I'll answer any questions about the setup but I'm hoping you guys find this interesting and we all can learn from it.

Thanks, and sorry if you don't like the tone of this. It's not intentionally wriiten that way. Jdesan

[Reid]

I saw that you posted a problem yesterday, but don't recall seeing others recently. Looking at it, if everything (except the power supply) was moved to a new case, then that makes me think the old power supply is suspect. I'm also wondering if the memory might be marginal, or the BIOS settings need to be tweaked to see if that helps. I don't have a link for BIOS setting recommendations handy.

Granted, I'm not an expert. I have just posted here many times. I have built five systems and have learned some things from hands-on, but most of my answers come from using search engines and doing the research for someone else. Checking google.com and searching newsgroups on deja.com are valuable resources.

I have also noted that some of the some of the people who regularly answer posts have been absent recently and the number of questions coming in has increased. I like to help, but I'm feeling a little bit of burnout myself, and I don't post nearly as often as others.

It is great when a few people actually respond back to let us know what worked, but many are never heard from again, so we do not get feedback to know if we helped.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends load Windows ME

[mjc]

What kind of video card are you using (or is it on-board video)?

What else is hooked up to the motherboard?

What is the rating of the power supply (both)?


Also have you checked for a BIOS update?
Try here:
Gigabyte.com (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/support/intel820.htm)

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mjc

[Rick]

I'd be more than happy to help.
However I make it a habit to avoid answering questions about hardware I have never used.
Gigabyte happens to one of those M/B that I have never used.

I will suggest that you go into setup and use the (Default setup settings) The first screen should have an F key to press to load the defaults.
Then save and reboot.

If that doesn't work.
Check for Video Snoop. Make sure it is disabled.
Check your video card doc's and see if it requires an IRQ . If so make sure that is set.

Again. I have never used the Gigabyte M/B so these are just basic ideas to look at.

[jdesan]

Thanks guys for the responses. I was maybe a bit frustrated and that may have shown in my previos post. Anyway, I think this board is just bad in some way. While it does POST and allow BIOS entry etc. in the second case/PS there is still something wrong and I don't think it's any BIOS setting. I have switch all parts that are known to work so I don't think it's hardware. I don't think there's a BIOS update but I will look again. As I said, Gigabyte quit making this board after Intel posted their notice about the MTH hub. One PS is 250W another 200W. The current one is 200W and it at least boots the second try. It looks like I'm just not going to get it to work properly. The more I try changing BIOS settings the slower the system runs, even when they're put back to default or original setting.

If I ever figure it out, I'll post. I'm kind of hard headed though and I think I'm going to continue to try and figure this out.

[Paleo Pete]

I saw your other post, just looked at it again, and didn't reply because I didn't have any great ideas, it seemed you had already checked everything I could think of, and I spend enough time on here already without posting an answer of some kind to every question, even if it's "I don't have a clue."

But I didn't have a clue, so I couldn't help. I wondered why no other responses appeared, but Reid made a very good point in his post above, some of the people who are regulars here have been absent recently, perhaps taking a bit of a break, and some of us may be a bit burned out, as Reid has said he is. I can see why, he's been trying to do as much as he can lately, and I know from experience it can be taxing.

I don't blame you for feeling left out, but please consider our situations too. I for one leave here with my head buzzing every day, 27 unanswered questions chasing each other around in my befuddled brain...you can only do so much...

But thanks for being patient, stay tuned, maybe we'll be able to get to the bottom of this problem sometime.

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If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[mjc]

I checked the Gigabyte site again and there is a BIOS dated MAy 2000 for the GA6CXC-1. Also after checking a couple places it seems some Gigabyte boards have compatiblity issues with certain AGP video cards. I haven't found any specifics just that a PCI card seems to work while an AGP card won't.

As to why something like "floppy won't work, light always on" gets tons of responses is that it is an easy one and alot of the people that have been helped here also tend to respond to similar problems as their own. If I seem to be getting a little defensive is that I've looked at alot of other forums and I think that here has the friendliest, most courteous, and most helpful group of any of them. You may want to take a look at a few of the posts in the "After Hours" section some for a few good laughs and others to get a good look at the people who make up this site. (help to relieve the frustration of working with something that refuses to work right) We, who post here regularly, tend to want to give the best posible advice we can so sometimes it takes a while to respond, because individually each of us has our own areas of expertise but collectively we cover quite alot of ground, so if someone who happens to "know" your problem area hasn't been around in a few days then the rest of have to research that problem plus all the others we post to and voluntarily answer questions here.

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mjc

[jdesan]

Good news! I went searching for new BIOS for the GA 6CXC-1 and there had only been one. It didn't appear top be much of an update as the fixes were,

1. Update CPU micorcode(CPUID=683) PATCHID 000C
2. Change Menu item to simple Menu

But, I had nothing to lose so I flashed it and low and behold it started POSTING and does so each and every time. So thanks to MJC for the suggestion and to all who offered some. I kinda think there was more to this update than just those two items. Either that, or something was amiss with the original. There are now selections there that weren't before and also some that are no longer there. Anyway, It looks like I should be OK. The ONLY problem I have now is that the HD LED won't work. If I connect it one way, it stays lit. If I turn it, it doesn't work at all. This is nothing much I know, but still bugs me. I can see the LED under the drive blinking and also, the HD LED pins were putting out a signal on the few occasions I booted using another case. Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know how it turned out. One quick question, during boot up I see a message " checking NVRAM... OK " is this the same as " updating ESCD " I see this weather I make a change or not. Before the flash there was a setting ( yes-no ) to clear NVRAM.

Thanks again!

[mjc]

Your welcome, and like I said sometimes we're not ignoring folks we're just off "researching". I usually spend a little time each day looking around on manufacturers websites looking at items that I might want in the future...so I stumble across all sorts of goodies.

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mjc

[sea69]

just wanted to add to reply to intitial post.

I think its safe to say, that for most of us here all of this is a 'Learning Experience'. We attempt to help and learn from each other.

I personally would prefer to not reply to a question at all unless Im relatively certain that I have a valid/correct answer. As was pointed out, alot of times we can give LINKS to where a specific question will be answered, other times we can directly answer the question here. As Im typing this I myself am waiting for some help on a topic I have posted,((operating systems)) so I know how long it seems to take for an answer..lol But here's what I do: In the meantime, I am searching for myself to find the answers.. and also I replied to a few other's questions here.. thats what I do.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

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"re-inventing the hammer.. why I oughtta..."

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 01-22-2001).]