Eek! The Beast won't POST!

[Snarfleez]

Well, I've finally gotten all my computer parts in, and started to build my first DIY PC. Of course, I can't even pass the first POST, so I'm quite the nervous newbie right now. Here's the situation at a glance:

I just connected all the needed parts for a POST:
> Mainboard: Abit Kr7a-133 (AWARD BIOS)
> PSU: Enermax 365w PSU
> CPU: Athlon XP 1900
> RAM: 512 MB Mushkin DDR (PC2100)

I attempt to power up, and I hear an unsuccessful POST... or at least, I believe that's what I'm hearing. I am new to this, after all...
I'm getting a "long beep", about 2 seconds in duration, followed by a pause. This keeps repeating. The machine doesn't automatically power off, it just continues in this manner: long beep, pause.

Now, I was EXTREMELY careful installing the CPU, as I know AMD cores have been known to crack during the installation of a heatsink/fan. Does this "long beep" necessarily mean what I think it does? I tried discharging the CMOS with the jumper, and even tried reseating the RAM and even moving it to the second slot. I've checked the CPU, and it doesn't show any physical damage at ALL.

Can anyone please help me with this? I'm starting to sweat bullets here.

Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

[ErnieK]

Hi there Snar
The long beep could indicate that the GRAPHICS or MEMORY is not seated properly.Take them back out and re-seat them.
you dont say if you have a CPU fan fitted during your initial boot. If you do not fit one before you do any thing else. If you do not you will fry your CPU

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Ernie

[This message has been edited by ErnieK (edited 06-08-2002).]

[Fruss Tray Ted]

It sounds to me that he in fact DID put in a heat sink and fan but hasn't said whether the fan ran or not. Shouldn't it run during POST?

The other thoughts are, not setting core voltages and the likes for the particular CPU. Are the two compatible? Was heat sink grease used or was there some already on the heat sink?

Try removing all BUT the PSU, mobo, one memory card, monitor, mouse and keys. In other words disconnect CD-ROM and any other devices while trying to find why no POST.

Also go to mobo website to find the beep codes and see what that says it is.

Is an "Abit Kr7a-133 DDR pc2100 compatible?

[This message has been edited by Fruss Tray Ted (edited 06-08-2002).]

[Rick]

http://www.abit-usa.com/eng/faq/common.htm

If you find that there is no system display after the power is turned on, you may check the problem according to the number of beeps from the following table.


1 = DRAM refresh is not working.
2 = Parity circuit is not working or parity status bits are not
cleared when parity is disabled.

Your memory is Not seated correctly, or is faulty.
Is it One stick 512 or two 256 ?
Try with just one stick.
It is hard to seat these things at times.
They need to be pressed into the slot completely.

[Whyzman]

Snarfleez,

You're doing well! Personally, I like to have the video card in when cranking up for the first time. I like to be able to see the POST if things are going well!

Do you have two sticks of RAM or just one? If you have two...I would suggest just using one initially. Check your MB manual to see which slot. If you're not sure, then go with both.

As some may have already suggested, make sure that the video card and RAM are seated properly. I didn't see that you had the video in your first go round?

Oops, didn't even ask if you have onboard video!

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 06-08-2002).]

[ski]

I have the same motherboard. It's a little finicky at first, but it performs great once things are operating properly.
First, turn the power supply module's power switch to the OFF position, touch a screw on the computer case to ground yourself, remove the power cord from the power supply module, and clear CMOS with the CCMOS1 jumper on the motherbord(refer to the Abit manual for its location) by setting it on pins 2-3(discharge) for a few seconds and then setting it back to pins 1-2(normal). Try starting up again.
If that does not work, then power down and make sure the video card is securely inserted in its slot.
If still no display, then power down and install the memory in DIMM slot "4"(The slots are tight so you have to push hard to get the memory module to seat properly). I know the manual says to populate the DIMM slots starting with slot 1, but installing it in slot 4 is what worked for me(FYI, it is also recommended populate the DIMM slots from 4 to 1).
If no luck, then remove the MB, place it on a piece of cardboard, and connect just the PSM, CPU, Memory, video card, case speaker, and power start button. If this works, then check for a ground between the MB and the case(the standoffs are the usual culprits).
If still no luck, you will have to either swap out the above components or have them tested.
Once you're able to get a display, go into CMOS Setup Utility/Softmenu III Setup, and select your CPU's rated speed. Otherwise, you will continue to have problems.

[Snarfleez]

To answer all these questions:
* I haven't connected the Video card at all. Just wanted to check that the mobo/CPU is operating.
* Yes, the heatsink/fan was on the CPU. I removed it, checked the CPU, and it looks fine. I've reseated the heatsink, and yes, it's on properly.
* All fans ran: heatsink, case fans, and PSU fan.
* I've checked the websites already for the error codes. I'm a "RTFM" kinda guy. The Kr7a-133 is compatible with all parts mentioned. I checked it out before buying it, of course. The PC2100 RAM and the AMD 1900+ are compatible.

Whyzman:
Thanks for the encouragement. I've got one stick of 512MB Mushkin PC2100 DDR. There's no onboard video; I wouldn't want it. The video card isn't in yet. Like I said, I wanted to test the mobo/CPU before adding all the extras.

Ski:
already tried discharging the CMOS. I'll check into the rest of your suggestions, and let you know what happens.

[Rick]

You don’t have an on board video .
You don’t have the video card installed
And you wonder why the system is sending out a Beep?
Try NO VIDEO error
It is a requirement

[joea64]

If you don't even have the video card installed, I really don't see how you're going to get much useful information from the POST beyond the fact that it beeps to tell you that your system is missing its video. For my own part, I would _always_ make sure that the video card is installed and properly seated before running any kind of diagnostic. I'm hard of hearing so the POST beeps are really not much use to me, therefore, I _need_ to see what the system is doing when it starts up. Maybe things will change once somebody figures out how to make a chip with a recorded voice that will tell you what the results of the POST are, but until then, install that video card!

-Joe-

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Alternate email: joea64@yahoo.com

[Paleo Pete]

Yep, you're doing pretty well, and the bare bones method you're trying is always best. You do need video at all times though.

When initially setting up, the bare minimum required to boot is: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card. I always plug in a keyboard too, I usually want to check BIOS settings first thing, and sometimes need to get to BIOS to set CPU configuration.

The one repeating long beep you describe sounds like it could be a no video beep, add the video card and try it again. If you get one beep telling you "it's happy", shut down and add one thing at a time, starting with floppy drive.

Good luck!

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[Snarfleez]

Well, I installed the video card, no POST... same beep.
I moved the RAM to slot 4, and discharged the CMOS AGAIN. Still no luck.
Back to sweating bullets. This is really starting to suck.

[This message has been edited by Snarfleez (edited 06-09-2002).]

[ski]

Did you try placing the MB on a piece of cardboard?

[Slashco]

I've been having almost the same problem, except mine doesn't even beep. The power LED and fans come on, and nothing else happens. I took the entire system apart piece by piece, put the mobo on the box it came in and just connected the essentials (CPU, RAM, HD, video card) - still nothing.

I don't think the HD is at fault, because if that was the only problem I think I'd still get some kind of 'disk error' displayed.

I don't think it's the RAM either since the BIOS does beep or give a message when the memory is bad.

That leaves the CPU and motherboard... and I'm stumped. If you manage to get yours working, I'll welcome any ideas http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[ski]

If the cardboard did not work, and everything is firmly installed in the slots, then the only way to determine the cause of the problem is to either swap out or have the components tested.

[Snarfleez]

Huzzah!!

Well, don't ask why, but it runs now. I reseated the RAM in slot 1 for the thousandth time. I swear, I had to have done that about 20 times. I pressed hard, so it snapped into place, I also tried seating it softly, and pulling it into place with the clips. Nothing worked. But this last time, it worked! POSTed successfully!

Oddly enough, the last reseating wasn't a firm one, as most suggested. I pushed it in firmly but without TOO much pressure, and used the clips to pull the RAMstick into place. Don't ask why it worked, it just did.

Thanks to everyone who helped out. (even rick, who was a bit hard on the newbie. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif) You guys have been more helpful than I could have possibly asked for. Thanks so much!

slashco: You said your motherboard will power on, but doesn't beep... have you hooked it up to the PC speaker?

[This message has been edited by Snarfleez (edited 06-10-2002).]

[Slashco]

Originally posted by Snarfleez:
slashco: You said your motherboard will power on, but doesn't beep... have you hooked it up to the PC speaker?

[This message has been edited by Snarfleez (edited 06-10-2002).]

Good to hear you've found a solution. And yes, everything is hooked up properly and I know the speaker works because it worked before... I don't think it's the RAM in my case, oh well... we'll see.

[Slashco]

Think I've tracked down the problem in my case, apparently the new videocard fried the motherboard, even though it was supposed to be 2X/4X compatible... which means new mobo & processor *sigh*...