Dead computer from a BIOS freeze.

[Tenyque]

Hello, having a bit of trouble with a newly built system (my first). Here's a rundown of parts:

AMD XP 1700 w/Silverado CPU fan
MSI K7T266 Pro RU (266a via)
Enermax 350w "Whisper" switching power supply
On IDE1: Western Digital hard drive, On IDE 2: CD-RW
On Mobo: 2X256mb Crucial 2100 RAM, Radeon 8500 in AGP, Creative Audigy sound card, LinkSys NIC
Also note: rheobus bay setup from kit, made with very moderate electronics experience. Rheobus powers four case fans. Rheobus powered by p/s, not mobo.
I just realised I've had WinXP Pro Install CD in the CD-RW this whole time. Never got to any semblence of reading it though.

The slightly condensed story so far:

Turned on the computer for the first time, computer booted, brought up a screen identifing a problem and an opportunity to enter the FastTrack(?) utility, complaining of no IDE Array. Skipped this to continue boot, went into BIOS (by AMI) setup.

In BIOS setup I was going through the menus, observing selections, pouring over my manual learning the features, and enabling and disabling a couple features (mouse click power on, keyboard key power on, onboard sound off, etc). While I was going through these menus I noticed that the BIOS was picking up the attributes of my hardware with no irregularities - though I didn't study too much. As I was ending my "tour" my BIOS setup froze up, the last thing I did was change the Front Side Bus setting from 100 to 133, then arrowed down the menu 4-5 options.

At the freeze, Ctrl+Alt+Del as well as my power button did not work - so I flicked the button on my power supply. Since that time I have not been able to get the system to boot up, or even power on through the motherboard.

Following threads here from other somewhat similar posts I've checked my connections, all seem secure. I "hot-wired" the power supply and got power going to the rheobus and other components, so no issues with the p/s as far as I know. Removed sound card, no change. Swapped power switch with reset switch(both seem to be identical), no change.

I'm baffled, and nowhere near enough exerience to have a clue- any suggestions please?


Thank you,
Tenyque

------------------
Do What thou Whilt shall be the Whole of the Law. - Law of Thelema, A. Crowley

[This message has been edited by Tenyque (edited 12-23-2001).]

[Whyzman]

Hello Tenyque,

Welcome to the PC Guide Forums!

Hmmm, I would read up in your manual regarding clearing the CMOS and what you would need to do. You may be best off to start with the default settings again since we don't exactly know what happened during the freeze...other than right now you're going nowhere fast.

Might want to wait and see what some of the Big Kahuna Geeks have to say.

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[ranchdog]

Have to agree with Whyzman.

Need to power down. Look for Clear CMOS Jumper (near RAID IDE port) ie: Jumper JBAT 1. Set it to Clear for awhile. Then re-set. Remove CMOS battery for awile. Have a Dew. Replace battery.

Check 100/133 Bus Speed jumper and set at 133.

The LEDS on the Mboard were probably reading: Red, Green, Red, Red. Because of the changes that were made in CMOS. Go ahead and re-seat your RAM sticks.

Now your BIOS should be cleard and re-set back to Default Settings. Best to leave things set at default until after 0/S and all drivers are installed. After your system is up and running good, then choose Optimized Settings. Leaved RAM setting at SPD.

This is a RAID style Mboard so study your manual carefully as to how to configure your choice of IDE set-up.


Power up and see if things will boot up and go thru POST.

This link may give you some insight on problems etc. http://www.msi.com.tw/forum/

BTW... That's a very nice unit you are building.

Luck.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
..........

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 12-23-2001).]

[not_fred]

Tenyque;

Be sure and download the BIOS 3.3 from the MSI site, if it isn't already loaded (depends on exactly when you bought your board). Will save you some time if you don't have to setup BIOS up twice. 3.3 fixes a couple of rather irritating bugs. I agree with ranchdog - nice setup. I've found mine (similar) to be pretty stable (in a greased-lightning sort of way).

[Tenyque]

Thanks for your responses Whyzman, ranchdog, and not_fred!

I cleared the BIOS, and still no power-on. From my reading, that left two options left - motherboard fried or a dead circuit situation was eating my power on. Before I went to totally take apart the system checking for suspicious metal to metal contacts in hope of a dead circuit, my girlfriend's parents came by and I tried the power switch for them, explaining the problems I was having. Fortunately for me, her father saw an arc - my aluminum foil type ducting I was using wasn't clearing the mobo as much as I had thought. That twas the problem, shorting the connection. Everything seems to be working fine now, fortunately didn't fry anything.

For other people's reference, another fix I tried relating to this MSI K7T266 Pro2 RU motherboard was to disable via the jumpers the Keyboard(JKBV1) and Front USB (J12), apparently those extra draws on the Power Supply are causing some problems.

Thanks again,
Tenyque

------------------
"Do What thou Whilt shall be the Whole of the Law." Law of Thelema, Aleister Crowley

[ranchdog]

Aluminum Foil. Inside the Box. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

You just took me and Fred Sanford to have "The Big One".

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Man you need to buy a Fire Extinguisher for the next one you build.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

All in jest. Seriously, I'm glad you got it hummin'.

RD

------------------
....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
..........

[Whyzman]

I know just what you mean about the aluminum foil...I keep my stocking cap lined with the stuff...and it works great! Never thought about putting some inside the case for added protection! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Tenyque,

Your Aluminum Foil ducting sounds like "grounds" for disaster. If you are concerned about air flow in the case you can use electrical tape after you have folded the excess of the cables.

There are also some high tech round cables available...not pricey...that facilitate air movement. If one of the other regulars sees this and remembers the link you will be able to check them out easily.

Would definitely be impressive for the Girl friend's parents to see such organization after the foiled attempt with the aluminum! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman



[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 12-24-2001).]

[Tenyque]

Yeah, have rounded cables in there already, the dyer ducting situation was temporary until I could empty out a couple Kleenx boxes. I swear I thought it was clearing everything.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

For refernce I picked up the rounded cable where I bought most my parts, Newegg.com. $9 a piece at time of purchase.

As for the aluminum foil cap, don't buy into what they want you to think - that a cone shaped hat is best for blocking transmissions. Square all the way.

------------------
"Do What thou Whilt shall be the Whole of the Law." Law of Thelema, Aleister Crowley