Your Advice Required Please: ASUS P4T-E P4 New System Problem

[Stef Nado]

I have just completed assembling a new multimedia system, which includes an ASUS P4T-E Motherboard.

The following components are attached to this motherboard:

Case: Antec SX1040B, which comes with an ATX12V Power Supply
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.0A Ghz
Memory: 2 x 256 MB PC800 RIMMs
Video Card: ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon 8500 DV
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer

Hard Disk: Maxtor 7200 RPM 60 GB
(Set as Master, connected to the Primary Connector, at the end of the 40-Pin, 80-Conductor IDE Ribbon Cable)

Floppy Drive: Samsung SFD-321 B

DVD-ROM: Pioneer DVD-116
CD-RW: Plextor PlexWriter 24/10/40A
(CD-RW set as Master, DVD-ROM set as Slave; both connected to the Secondary IDE port)

Operating System: I will install Windows XP Professionalm when the system works!

PROBLEM:
I followed very closely the instructions in the Quick Setup Guide, but was not successful in getting the system going. Note that I want to use the JumperFree Mode, as set from the factory. When I turned the Power Supply's switch on, the case fan (connected directly to the Power Supply) and CPU fan went on for a few seconds, and stopped. Then, when I pushed the front panel power button, both the Power and IDE LED lit. The CD-RW LED went on and the DVD-ROM's LED was blinking. Nothing displayed on the monitor. No Beep was heard, although I could hear continuous ticks coming from the beeper I think. I could not turn the system off from the front panel switch. I triple-checked all connections, and tried again: same thing. I tried to open the tray of both the DVD-ROM and CD-RW. They would open half of the way and close rapidly. Thinking there must be a conflict somewhere, I disconnected all devices, sound card and RIIMS, except for the video card. Just faint ticks were heard, no video...

I could not even enter the BIOS setup by pressing <Delete> during startup.

Questions: (1)What's causing this? and (2)Should I connect the Intel Heatsink Fan to the CPU_FAN Connector or to the MAIN_FAN Connector?

[bassvax]

First..dont run that system unless the CPU fan runs...you will fry that processor in no time flat. CPU_FAN Connector is the correct connect for that HSF.

Sounds like a short on the mobo or an inadequate power supply. Check to ensure that power supply is rated for P4. Then check the mounting of the mobo to the stand-offs....also check the area around the I/O shield plate (where all the mobo connectors expose themselves to the back of the case) for anything suspicious.

You will need at least one stick of RAM to boot...

I just built another system using an Asus mobo...I always check each and every jumper and dip switch before attempting a boot..just to make sure it is set for JEN Jumper-Free. Check to see of there is a jumper to switch from one type of CPU to another...my mobo is for AMD processors and I have a jumper to go between the Athlon types and the XP type.

In true jumper-free mode you shouldn't have to set jumpers for voltages.

Are you using a boot floppy to boot up the system?

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[BigBlue66]

I assume you have the extra 12volt lead connected correctly?

I thought RDRAM had to be installed in pairs, Bassvax?

One other thing I would double-triple check is the case wires going to the front panel switch. Go by the silk screening on the board itself, not the manual. Sometimes they can be too completely different schematics.

Good luck.

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[Stef Nado]

Originally posted by bassvax:
First..dont run that system unless the CPU fan runs...you will fry that processor in no time flat. CPU_FAN Connector is the correct connect for that HSF.

Sounds like a short on the mobo or an inadequate power supply. Check to ensure that power supply is rated for P4. Then check the mounting of the mobo to the stand-offs....also check the area around the I/O shield plate (where all the mobo connectors expose themselves to the back of the case) for anything suspicious.

You will need at least one stick of RAM to boot...

I just built another system using an Asus mobo...I always check each and every jumper and dip switch before attempting a boot..just to make sure it is set for JEN Jumper-Free. Check to see of there is a jumper to switch from one type of CPU to another...my mobo is for AMD processors and I have a jumper to go between the Athlon types and the XP type.

In true jumper-free mode you shouldn't have to set jumpers for voltages.

Are you using a boot floppy to boot up the system?



Thanks for the tips, but I have already done these tasks. The CPU fan works fine. No, I am not using booting from a floppy.

SN

[hiredgoonz]

Make sure your video card is seated all the way...even if you think it is, pull it out and plug it in again...make sure it isn't coming out of the slot at all when you put the retaining screw in...

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