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Mini HTPC Build Issues - Help Appreciated

B

BigRod

n00b
Joined
Jun 2, 2004
Messages
50
Hello,

It's been a long time since I've posted here, but I'm hoping some kind soul will be able to help me troubleshoot a problem I'm having with an HTPC build I'm doing. I've built quite a few systems in the past, but it's been a while, so I'm not a n00b, but I am rusty.

First, my system relevant specs:
Case - Antec ISK 300-150 (150W PSU)
Motherboard - Asrock A75M-ITX
Processor - AMD A6-3500
Memory - Corsair Vengance Low Profile DDR3 1866 MHz (2x4 GB)
Main HDD - 64 GB Crucial m4 SSD

Now that I have everything hooked up, the system powers on, fans spin and power LED lights, and the TV I have it hooked up to via HDMI does respond in the form of the screen going from greyish to deep black (and doing the opposite when I shut the system off), but no BIOS screen comes up at all. I've tried the following troubleshooting steps with no luck:

- Tried each stick of memory individually, in both slots, and together.
- Cleared CMOS and pulled battery
- Tried with and without the SSD connected

There are a few things that I'm wondering about specifically:

1. I don't have a keyboard hooked up to it at the moment (I don't have one on hand). That wouldn't be an issue, would it?
2. The case doesn't have a speaker built into it (that I can find anyhow). Could that be an issue?
3. Could connecting via HDMI be the issue?

I plan to rule out 1 and 3 at least when I can find a keyboard and VGA monitor to borrow, but I feel like there must just be something stupid I'm missing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
BigRod said:
1. I don't have a keyboard hooked up to it at the moment (I don't have one on hand). That wouldn't be an issue, would it?
2. The case doesn't have a speaker built into it (that I can find anyhow). Could that be an issue?
3. Could connecting via HDMI be the issue?

I plan to rule out 1 and 3 at least when I can find a keyboard and VGA monitor to borrow, but I feel like there must just be something stupid I'm missing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

1. could be. some system will not post without a kb.

2. no, but you will not hear any bois beeps if there is an error.

3. maybe.

assuming everything is connected correctly, i would guess it is the kb.
 
tricky0502 said:
1. could be. some system will not post without a kb.

2. no, but you will not hear any bois beeps if there is an error.

3. maybe.

assuming everything is connected correctly, i would guess it is the kb.
Click to expand...

Cool, I will give that a try first tomorrow morning. I need to figure out some way to rig up a speaker too.
 
I would try using the DVI output to a small monitor before I did anything else. Make sure it's a low resolution.

See if you can get into Bios that way. If so, you should be fine. I'd also lower the RAM to 1600Mhz initially.
 
akg102 said:
I would try using the DVI output to a small monitor before I did anything else. Make sure it's a low resolution.

See if you can get into Bios that way. If so, you should be fine. I'd also lower the RAM to 1600Mhz initially.
Click to expand...

Definitely in the right direction. Use the VGA port during setup. Also, if the PSU in that case has the aux12v power cable, be sure to plug that in to make sure the processor is getting enough power. I had a similar issue with my A8 last night, because I forgot to plug that cable into the board. it would pretend to power up, but then crap out. Is your A6 a 100W or a 65W?

Also, important to note, if you do get the bios splash screen to come up but it hangs, try unplugging everything but the KB & monitor. Mine won't go past the splash screen if any flash drives, hard drives, or even my G13 plugged in. there's probably a bios setting I need to fix, but I'll figure that out later.
 
It's a 65W proc. I had originally forgotten to plug in the 12V cable, and it wouldn't even pretend to work like it is now. I know it's definitely sending some signal via HDMI, because the TV doesn't go into auto power-down mode when the PC is running.

Going to try hooking it up to VGA and swapping some memory this evening or tomorrow.
 
redivulpis said:
Definitely in the right direction. Use the VGA port during setup. Also, if the PSU in that case has the aux12v power cable, be sure to plug that in to make sure the processor is getting enough power. I had a similar issue with my A8 last night, because I forgot to plug that cable into the board. it would pretend to power up, but then crap out. Is your A6 a 100W or a 65W?

Also, important to note, if you do get the bios splash screen to come up but it hangs, try unplugging everything but the KB & monitor. Mine won't go past the splash screen if any flash drives, hard drives, or even my G13 plugged in. there's probably a bios setting I need to fix, but I'll figure that out later.
Click to expand...

LOL.....I didn't even check if the motherboard had DVI.

Yeah, VGA is the path you should take, considering that's your only other option. :p
 
Have not yet hooked up different memory or VGA, but had a case speaker overnighted and wanted to post some additional info in case there are more ideas:

With the memory connected, the speaker does not beep at all. Without any memory, I get three long beeps, so the speaker and associated motherboard header definitely work.
 
Turned out to just not like booting up with HDMI only the first time around. Hooked it to a VGA monitor, setup everything and I'm good to go now. Thanks to all for your help.
 
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