Help: Unable to boot after upgrading hardware

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Xenocide

n00b
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Apr 1, 2004
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I'm in the process of rebuilding both of my desktop computers. I'm switching some of the parts between the two builds (memory, GPU's so far). After switching out some parts I can't get one of the PC's to boot.

After changing out the memory and GPU on my old gaming pc I was able to boot into windows. However after restarting, I was not able to get the computer to boot again. My memory is a little hazy but I believe the error displayed on the POST(?) screen . was "CMOS Checksum Failed" and a POST code 7F was displayed on my motherboard. I believe I had the option to "press DEL" to enter BIOS or "press ESC" for boot options. But neither option can be selected. I have tried using a wireless keyboard, a usb keyboard, and a PS2 keyboard and no keystrokes seem to register. At this point I figured I would try to Reset the CMOS since the error appeared to be related (which was dumb because I did it with no understanding of what it does). This did not fix the problem and I still get the 7F and "CMOS Checksum Failed" error. I have tried reverting back to the original hardware and that did not fix things.

The computer in question is:
cpu: i7 920
mobo: EVGA X58 3x SLI
ram: 2x2GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 was replaced with 4x2 G.Skill RipJaw DDR3 1600
gpu: ATI Radeon 4870 was switched out for ATI Radeon 6850 and then switched back to the 4870
hdd: 2xWD Black (probably in raid 0, but i can't say for sure)

The other computer boots up fine with its new parts.

I can provide any other information needed to diagnose the problem.
 
Yep, CMOS battery sounds like the culprit. CR2032 battery should be hitting 3.0 V.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I thought the CMOS battery might be the issue but I didn't check the battery yet since I assumed I would not have been able to get the computer to boot once if the battery was bad (and because I don't know how to check the battery). On that assumption I figured I must have screwed something up. But based on your advice, I'll find a how to article and figure out if the battery is the issue.
 
Xenocide said:
But based on your advice, I'll find a how to article and figure out if the battery is the issue.
Click to expand...
Like ir0n said, get a multimeter and check the voltage is hitting 3.0 (if you don't have one then just buy another cr2032)
 
So I replaced the CMOS battery and am still getting the same 7F error. Any other ideas what could be causing the problem and how to resolve it?
 
Try reseating the RAM.

Try with the same two sticks and slots you were using before.

Try with only 3 sticks.

2 sticks will give you dual channel mode.

3 sticks will give you triple channel mode

4 stick may give you 3 sticks at triple channel mode and 1 at single channel mode.. or not. I would check the motherboard documentation for RAM configuration options.

Could you have gotten a new CMOS battery that was DOA?
 
cyclone3d said:
Could you have gotten a new CMOS battery that was DOA?
Click to expand...

It's possible but seems unlikely. AFAIK for the issue to be the CMOS battery the first CMOS battery would have to have died at precisely the time I swapped memory and other components AND the replacement battery would have to be DOA. For both of these things to happen at the same time that I decided to tinker with the PC seems like too much of a coincidence. But I don't have a deep understanding of CMOS/BIOS/MOBO stuff, so is there something I'm missing which would explain this coincidence?

I have not tried 3 sticks yet, but I have tried:
1 stick, 2 sticks, 4 sticks, the original two sticks, different sticks. Three sticks is about all I haven't tried, considering I would have to take the RAM back out of the computer I'm currently typing on to get three matched sticks, do you think its worth a try?

If not a CMOS issue what else could it be?

Also, why can't I enter BIOS to troubleshoot the problem. I get a message to press F1 or Del to change the CMOS settings in BIOS but pressing either does nothing or causes the pc to hang
 
Just tested my original CMOS battery and the voltage I am getting is between 3 and 4 volts, so I'm guessing the battery is not the issue...

Any ideas?
 
Here is the full text of the error:

CMOS checksum error -- Defaults loaded
Warning! CPU has been changed.
Please re-enter CPU settings in the CMOS setup and remember to save before quit!

Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter SETUP
03/11/2010-132-BL-E758-8A78TEV9C-00

(this is what's displayed on the monitor at the same time the motherboard is displaying the 7F error code, also pressing DEL or F1 does nothing)
 
hm... maybe pop the chip out and chip it over for any damage, check the socket and then make sure its all reseated good. make sure all you cables are seated correctly. maybe if you have too, pull everything out of the case and try running bare minimum. board, chip, 1 stick of ram, psu and if possible onboard video.
 
I will try running bare minimum, and try taking out the cpu and reseating (as I did just remove and repaste the cpu). I don't believe my CPU/Chipset have onboard video so I think I'll have to use the GPU. I have already tried something close to bare minimum with no luck (CPU, Mobo, 2xRam which i know works on other systems, and fans + io connectors). Is it worth disconnecting all the case fans etc?
 
yes and hdd/ssd, everything you can. then if you get it going add things back one at a time.
 
So I'm still receiving the same error with just CPU/MOBO/GPU/Case Fans/front io ports/1 stick of ram. I also tried without the GPU and got the same 7f code (couldnt connect a monitor so no idea what POST showed). That is as close to bare minimum that I am willing to go right now, unless there is some reason to suspect the IO ports or the case fans are the issue (seems unlikely to me).

putting aside the issue of the checksum error. what possible explanations are there for why i can't hit DEL to enter the bios? I am using a PS/2 keyboard known to work on other systems. I don't expect the keyboard to be the issue as the POST screen freezes just after hitting DEL on the keyboard so the MOBO seems to be registering keyboard input.
 
Did you check the CPU power connecter / MB power connector?

can you take the MB out of the case and test it with minimum required parts.

can you check the CPU cooler if its not seated correctly.
 
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