Serious problems

[new builder]

Hey Guys,

Finally got al of the parts for my new system in, and I started to build it. Put everything together and turned it on. Got nothing on the screen, and after the cd-rom drive got done blinking in startup, it started beeping through the speaker in the case. I'm running a epox 4g4a motherboard wth a intel p4 2.4ghz, a liteon cd-rom burner and a western digital 120gb hd and samsung ddr33 512mb ram. I have noooooooooooooo idea on what to do? Epox.com seems to be down which is ticking me off. This is the first time I've ever built a system. I should be able to turn it on and the bios should come up on the screen right? Any help would be great, or any links to some good site would help too.

Thanks guys!!!

:)

[david eaton]

Hi Newbuilder, and Welcome to the PC Guide Forums.

The usual advice from the experts (People who know more than me!) on these forums is to start with a miminum system, Motherboard, processor, memory and Video card. If this works then add bits one at a time.

If it doesn't then take the Mobo out of the case, and try it laying on a piece of cardboard, with the memory and graphics card, power up.

Sometimes the memory takes a lot of effort to seat correctly, as does an AGP graphics card.

What is the beep sequence? If the motherboard manual doesn't give the code, post it back here and someone will know.

Hope that helps.

David

[new builder]

Alright guys a little update. I got the beep sequence for you. When I turn on the computer, the monitor flickers like it started receiving video. The hard drive turns on, and the cpu fan starts spinning. There’s than a little bit of time where it looks like the cd-rom is done doing its thing (the light stops blinking), and than the beeping starts. It sounds like one continuous siren. The problem is that I have the 4g4a not the 4g4a+ so I don’t get the two little lcd displays to show me any error codes? I’m stuck guys, any more suggestions?

[Reid]

Originally posted by new builder
It sounds like one continuous siren.
From the Epox Knowledge Base (http://www.epox.com/html/english/support/motherboard/Knowledge.asp):

"''Why does my system PC speaker emit an alarm sounding like a police siren? ''
Location: Frequently Asked Question
Article #: 1039

SOLUTION

Many of our current products now include thermal monitoring that allows the system to monitor the system and processor temperatures. If the temperature of either the system or processor meets or exceeds the `warning temperature` as set in the CMOS setup (Chipset Features or Sensor & CPU Speed section) a police-like sound will be broadcast out of the internal PC speaker.

Under normal stress the temperatures generally are found to maintain around 30 ~ 55 degrees Celsius but may vary depending upon processor and system components."
****************************
Is the heatsink properly attached?

[new builder]

Just took the processor out and pu the heat sink back on. I'm using artic silver between the processor and heatsink. I applied as the directions state on there web site. Turned back on the pc and the same sound????

[Whyzman]

Perhaps a bit after the fact, but I thought I'd pass this little helpful tidbit on...at least for future reference. ;)

To assist in applying thermal paste to the heatsink processor contact point following the initial full coat and wipe down, form a "box" a tad bit larger than the processor using ordinary cellophane tape. Using a single edge razor blade as a "screeding" tool smooth the drop of compound you apply to fill the box.

When you pull the tape you'll be left with an even coat the thickness of the cellophane tape which is about "perfect!" :p

[new builder]

Whyzman

I'll give that a try. Should the thermal monitoring go off before the computer is on for less than 10 seconds? I did apply a very thin layer of artic silver, but maybe i need to do it better.

Thanks

[ranchdog]

Sure the Heatsink isn't 180 degrees in error?

The ZIF socket has a landing on it and the base
of the Heatsink is cut away to fit this landing.

Or... maybe the Heatsink is mounted too far forward
and riding up on the landing.

An Intel P4 will shut itself down (rather than melt
down) if it gets too hot. Built in safety factor.
This in turn shuts down the system.

Yes 10 seconds is long enough.

When things are working properly the first thing to
arrive is the POST screen.


RD.

[new builder]

Hmmmm i'll check out the heat sink. I'm strating to wonder if i just should of left on the stock thermal pad and never applied artic silver :(

[Whyzman]

I would not suspect the problem to be with substituting Arctic Silver.

I'm wondering if clearing the CMOS might be in order. If the thermistor setting is capable of being adjusted in the BIOS, perhaps something's awry and it's somehow set too low?

I would also start by checking the alignment as RD pointed out.

[new builder]

Well guys the nightmare is finally over. Thanks for all of your help along the way. It turns out that I was just using a bad piece of ram. I was trying to use a 512mb stick of Samsung ddr333 but I thought I would try to swap out the ram before anything else. Bestbuy had sticks of PYN memory on sale so i bought a 256mb stick of ddr266. Worked liked a charm and booted right up! I'm still pissed though cause the Samsung was a lot of money, and the bios even said it supported ddr333! We'll see what happens. I may stick with the ddr266 till I can get the Samsung ram replaced. Thanks again for all of your help!:D :D :D

[ranchdog]

All is well that ends well.

;)


RD.

[Whyzman]

Ah yes, the age old RAM heist...also known as a stick up! :rolleyes: