A64 Build Problems - Please Help!

[idiolect]

Hi all, pardon my noob inquiry, but I am stumped. I've just bought a retail A64/3000 processor, socket 754, a DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250Gb motherboard, and a 512mb stick of Mushkin RAM - here.

I also have a Radeon AIW 9800 Pro. This is all hooked up to a 350W Antec PSU. I assembled everything, pushed power, and the fans come on, the mobo lights up, I can hear the drives spinning, but no video signal and no startup beeps. I've disconnected everything except for the video card, and I get the same result.

Any suggestions? Maybe the PSU is underpowered? I can't RMA the motherboard to NewEgg, so if I can't get this working, I'll be out a fair chunk of cash Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I tried using a Radeon VE card in the AGP slot, same result.

 

[MaMMa]

try different ram slots. do you have power running to ur video card? try the ram in another computer?

if all these steps fail, try taking the motherboard off the tray and setting it up outside the case on ur mobo box with just ram, cpu, heatsink & fan, and ur video card.

reset the bios also

Oh yea, I read that if you have a 90nm chip then U have to update your BIOS for it to work

 

[idiolect]

I did try the different RAM slots, didn't make a noticeable difference. I don't have any video so I can't see any diagnostics, unfortunately.

The vid card does have power, the fan runs, and I tried using an older AGP card that doesn't require the power connection and got the same result.

I can try resetting the BIOS on the mobo, I don't know how I'd update it as I don't have a working system to put it in.

Thanks, I will try building it outside of the case.

 

[MaMMa]

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Njg2

read the bottom BOLDED part of that article

 

[idiolect]

I saw that... I'm not sure how to determine if my processor is one of the types described there, but I will see if I can update the BIOS and retest.

 

[Bullitt]

you dont have a 90nm proccie. You have the 130nm core with a 754 system. Just for grins, I assume you have the 4-pin (P4 power) auxiliary power connector plugged up? The amd64 systems need a tad more juice on it to work stably than the old socket A's.

If that fails, I would swap out the PSU. Is the Antec a smartpower or a truepower model? The smartpower models are kinda dinky, but if its a trupower model you should be fine.

 

[idiolect]

I do have the four pin power connector attached as well. It's an Antec SmartPower 350W, I'll be returning it and heading out to Microcenter for something a bit stronger. Thanks!

 

[Astral Abyss]

It's not your power supply if it wouldn't power on with only the video card connected, especially with an old Radeon VE.

You should check to make sure your clear CMOS jumper isn't set the wrong way.

You should also make sure your motherboard isn't shorting out due to extra case stand-offs underneath it (that's why MaMMa suggested taking it out of the case and trying to power up).

Make sure your RAM isn't in backwards and is seated all the way (sometimes we all make mistakes)

I can't really think of any other obvious reasons for it not to post at the moment.

 

[idiolect]

Hi all. Well, perhaps it *was* the power supply - I replaced the Smartpower 350W with a giant 500W PSU from Microcenter, and set it up outside of the case. Worked fine, even with the 9800 Pro!

Incidentally, Windows 98SE didn't bat an eyelash at the change - loaded new drivers from CD-ROM and booted straight to the desktop. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Bullitt]

The only reason I said the Antec smartpower's were dinky was because of the more budget-minded components used in making them to keep their costs down. They are better than a no-namer, but only slightly. The truepower models are much better.

Glad to see its working for you and you dont have to tear any more hair out.