New PC built Monday, still doesn't work!

Z

ZacharyS

Gawd
Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
758
Well, it kind of does, but first things first. Specs:

X2 3800+
eVGA 7800GT
2GB Corsair XMS
A8N SLI Premium
Audigy2 ZS
250GB SATAII HDD
NEC DVD-RW
Sony Floppy
Antec 550w Truepower 2.0

Everything is at stock.

The problems:

1. Booting
My PC will boot up sometimes, sometimes it won't. I'll turn it on, everything comes on, HDD access light blinks, all LEDs and fans are on, but it never get's to the BIOS screen where I can push DEL. Sometimes I have to restart 5 times, sometimes it works on the very first try.

2. After in Windows
It will do a couple of things. Either go solid black, my monitor will just say no input, or it will just freeze and the screen will not change. However, I've noticed that everytime it does freeze, etc, the HDD access light is on and stays solid. I don't know if this points at the HDD or not, but that's just something I noticed.

Solutions I've tried:

1. 77.77 video drivers, they are the most stable so far, which at least allowd me to play CS:S for a bit.

2. 6.70 nforce chipset drivers

3. AMD drivers

4. WinXP hotfix

5. Ran memtest86 for one pass, it showed no problems.

6. Flashed GPU and mobo BIOSes.

7. Underclocked GPU (just to see if it was overheating) and it still persists

As of now, I'm baffled. I have no clue what else to do. Can someone please help me. And this is my first build, so it may be something so blatantly obvious that I missed it. I just want to get this thing running (when I did run CS:S it was godly compared to my current PC, but I noticed it was really laggy and stuff when around people firing, if that means anything).

EDIT:

Hmm, something a little different just happend. It froze, but I can still move my mouse around. I can't click on anything, but it still let's me move it around, never done that before o_O

EDIT2:

And, as these things usually happen, the mouse quit working right after I posted that ;_;
This new PC is really pissing me off :(
 
Well since the problems begin when you boot the pc (sometimes it doesnt happen) then this could be the main source of the problem. Update the BIOS again (since this is a X2 which will need one of the newer BIOS's to function correctly) and remove the audigy2zs, the dvd-rw, floppy...and turn it on to test.

if this doesn't work then go and get a replacement board because a lot of these problems could stem from a defective motherboard...such as the voltages not being maintained (for PCIe, and for startup (the motherboard not getting the power to POST and go)

...Dan
 
I've already got the latest non-beta BIOS on my mobo. Want me to re-flash it or something just to be sure?

EDIT:

Well, I did what you said (unplugged Floppy, DVD, and took out Audigy2 ZS) and it didn't work the first or second tries. It booted on the third.
 
Two Questions...

1) How do you have your PSU plugged into the motherboard right now? Did you make sure to plug in both the 20 (or perhaps 24-pin) main connector AND the +12V 4-pin connector?

2) Does the 7800GT have one of the 6-pin PSU PCI-E power cables plugged into it as well?

One Suggestion :D

When you are able to boot successfully, enter your BIOS and look for a setting called Command Rate and make sure it's set to 2T instead of 1T. You don't have to run your system this way permanently, but for now I would like you to test it at 2T as that is a much more stable setting. There seem to be so may having trouble with nForce4 chipsets and the 1T memory setting (unless you get the "right" RAM).

Let us know when you get time! Thanks.
 
Yeah, that should be the setting. Usually it's located in either DRAM Settings, or "Advanced Chipset" depending on the motherboard.

At this point I'm just about as baffled as you are. I'm grasping for straws here, but the only other thing I can think of off the top of my head is to make sure PCIe is your primary display. In other words, make sure the "Init Display" setting in the BIOS is set to PCIe and not plain old PCI.

Unfortunately, this won't do anything for your system instability though. I guess at this point I'd just like the system to turn on each and every time for you and perhaps we can go from there. :confused:
 
Yea, I already changed that setting from another topic at evga.com forums. I figured I might get some "fresh minds" coming here, but it seems to be baffling everyone. I also don't know what I should do concerning RMA (if I need to at all) because I don't what is causing the problems >_<
 
They probably already mentioned memory timimgs too huh? If not, what are they set at now? I know some boards are totally fickle about leaving the memory timings set to Auto. Perhaps setting them manually would help (i.e. 3-4-3-8, etc)?

Again, hopelessly grasping at straws :eek: :(
 
Nobody suggested that, but I have them set manually anyway because I actually suspected that problem. They are rated at 3-3-3-8, and they are set at 3-3-3-8. I also have it at 2.6v, which is what it's rated also. The RAM is supposed to be "compatible" with the mobo as well (according to documentation).

The only thing I can think to do now is just get my friend to bring his PC over, and I'll swap out my parts w/ his one at a time until it works. If the problems are never fixed, then this mobo is going bye bye and I'm getting something else (I really like it though ;_;).
 
You mean you had one that you RMA'd last week, or you think I should have RMA'd mine last week (like the figure of speech)?

I guess I'll go newegg.com Monday and get everything in motion...
 
ZacharyS said:
You mean you had one that you RMA'd last week, or you think I should have RMA'd mine last week (like the figure of speech)?

I guess I'll go newegg.com Monday and get everything in motion...
Click to expand...

Opps sorry, yeah you should RMA asap.
Load defaults in bios first and only use one stick of ram just for shits n giggles. ;)
 
Alright.

My plan for tomorrow is to take it all apart, start fresh, and format the HDD. Reinstall Windows and only my Chipset, mobo, and GPU drivers. I'm not applying the AMD driver or hotfix right off the bat this time, simply because I've read some stuff, and they don't always help the problem, they sometimes make it worse...

I'll try the defaults and RAM thing right now though, just for shits and giggles :D

EDIT:

And uh, any tips on taking out the CPU? Like, do I just pull the heatsink off and scrape off all of the thermal paste on the CPU and heatsink, then put some more on? If so, then I'm gonna have to go buy some becasue I used the stuff it comes with last time.
 
ZacharyS said:
Alright.

My plan for tomorrow is to take it all apart, start fresh, and format the HDD. Reinstall Windows and only my Chipset, mobo, and GPU drivers. I'm not applying the AMD driver or hotfix right off the bat this time, simply because I've read some stuff, and they don't always help the problem, they sometimes make it worse...

I'll try the defaults and RAM thing right now though, just for shits and giggles :D
Click to expand...

Yeah thats a great idea...sucks it didn't work the first time cause I know how frustrating it can be when you shell out that much money and things don't work.
 
I would strongly suspect a power supply issue, especially since it won't post properly. I would avoid flashing anything your system its too unstable. Antec is good but who knows, you could have bought a lemon. I would try posting with nothing but video, one stick of ram, and a spare power supply if you can get one.
 
could also be a intermitent power good signal, if one of the drives has a poor connection, the ps won't get a power good signal back and the computer won't do anything. again, disconnect all devices but video and ram. see how that des, then maybe add the main drive and see if you can get into windows.
 
*Couldn't Help Myself*

I formatted and re-installed Windows tonight. The only thing I did was load the chipset drivers, the video drivers, firewall, antivirus, and then I began the installation of HL:2. And, as usual, it stopped on the first disk, on a certain file. I know the CD works because I've installed it on this PC, but I find it odd that it always messes up there (I tried twice before). I'm gonna try another program...

Oh, and I've already flashed my mobo and GPU, so there isn't anything left to flash.

EDIT:

So far, after the format, it hasn't effed up a single time at POST. It's loaded up pretty quickly. I don't know if it's fixed, or if it is just behaving right now because it knows I'll throw it out the Window >_>

Anyway, I'm gonna try installing Morrowind, see if that works!

EDIT #2:

Nope, still buggy as hell. This time, I tried getting Morrowind from over the network, and before I could even hit [ctrl]+[v], it ****s up. I guess I'll get the PSU tested at the local PC shop after school Monday (he'll do it for free) and if that clears out good, it's off to Newegg this mobo goes...
 
ZacharyS said:
*Couldn't Help Myself*

I formatted and re-installed Windows tonight. The only thing I did was load the chipset drivers, the video drivers, firewall, antivirus, and then I began the installation of HL:2. And, as usual, it stopped on the first disk, on a certain file. I know the CD works because I've installed it on this PC, but I find it odd that it always messes up there (I tried twice before). I'm gonna try another program...

Oh, and I've already flashed my mobo and GPU, so there isn't anything left to flash.

EDIT:

So far, after the format, it hasn't effed up a single time at POST. It's loaded up pretty quickly. I don't know if it's fixed, or if it is just behaving right now because it knows I'll throw it out the Window >_>

Anyway, I'm gonna try installing Morrowind, see if that works!

EDIT #2:

Nope, still buggy as hell. This time, I tried getting Morrowind from over the network, and before I could even hit [ctrl]+[v], it ****s up. I guess I'll get the PSU tested at the local PC shop after school Monday (he'll do it for free) and if that clears out good, it's off to Newegg this mobo goes...
Click to expand...

Darn, that sucks...don't give up on the computer as a whole hehe :)
 
I know how you feel, I really do. When I had my SFF PC, I had random freezes, I was about to throw the PC out the window. However, in my case, I knew it was the motherboard that was causing the trouble (ECS RS480), boy that was one piece of shit motherboard.

Don't give up!
 
ZacharyS said:
And uh, any tips on taking out the CPU? Like, do I just pull the heatsink off and scrape off all of the thermal paste on the CPU and heatsink, then put some more on? If so, then I'm gonna have to go buy some becasue I used the stuff it comes with last time.
Click to expand...

Help?
 
Yeah, that's all you do. Just take some rubbing alcohol and some q-tips and remove all the thermal paste from both the heatsink and processor. For stubborn thermal paste I find that lighter fluid or carburetor cleaner works well too, but if you use that, make sure to go over it once more with alcohol to clean off that left-over substance. Then, as you did before, re-apply it to the cpu only (a small BB type application) and put the heatsink on. You'll only find a 2-5C difference in temperature from the best thermal paste to the worst brand, so pick whatever you'd like. If you can find some Arctic Silver at a good price, then get some, otherwise Shin Etsu or even generic would be ok. (I'm sure some will disagree, but MaximumPC and several other online review sites have shown it doesn't make that much difference :D.

For some good instructions that can be universally applied, check this link:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
 
Sounds like bad memory.

Have you tried with either one chip by istelf? Have you tried underclocking the memory?
 
BTW: On this build I had one bad dimm, then a month later the motherboard died.
On the second last build before this one, the motherboard died as well.
It's hard to get good aftermarket parts.
 
BBA said:
Sounds like bad memory.

Have you tried with either one chip by istelf? Have you tried underclocking the memory?
Click to expand...

In his first test he said he ran memtest with no errors.
I'd say its motherboard or PSU, imho more likely the motherboard.
 
Well, what really stumps me is that it's only unstable in Windows though. Like memtest ran for over an hour with no problems, but before I could even transfer a file over network in Windows, it locked up. Like I said, I'm getting the PSU tested tomorrow and if that checks out ok, then I'm RMAing the mobo. If the problem persists after that, you guys will probably be hearing from me again :D
 
What exactly is the v core? And I might as well, my PSU didn't get tested today. I went to the guys shop, and he wasn't there. The sign said open, but no cars and door was locked...

It's almost as if God doesn't want me to get this thing built or something :rolleyes:

Well, I hope that v core or whatever it is helps. And what do I need to test my PSU myself? Just a multimeter will do? My dad my have one at his shop if that's all I need...

EDIT:

Wait, did you have problems with your mobo like me and that fixed it? I just noticed you have the same mobo and proc as me :eek:

EDIT #2:

http://infinity-stuff.com/uploader/files/3/P1010016.JPG

As you can see, I can not raise my Vcore voltage at all :confused:
 
This sounds like an awful piss-off, man.

It could be the PS or RAM as others have suggested. For the ram I'd suggest you use Prime95 to fully test the ram. I wont put any new machine into service at the office until it'll run a Prime95 Torture Test (Blend method) for 24 hours. If it is your ram you wont have to wait that long, though. Bad ram will usually make Prime95 crap out in under 30 mins. In my experience Prime95 will sometimes catch things that memtest86 misses.

You mentioned this was your first build ... so I hope you dont take any offense in my asking :), but are you certain all of your components and connectors are well-seated? The kind of problems you're having with the POST are the sort of things I've seen from our supplier if something isnt quite connected or if a component has come loose in transit. I've seen both video cards and RAM that will _occasionally_ post if they're mostly connected, but often wont. Complete with random crashing and screwups.

HTH. Best of luck, Zach.

-AI
 
Oh, I very rarely take offense to anything :D

But I'm pretty sure it's all connected, since I've redone it three times now. Is Prime95 windows or DOS based? If it's windows, I'll give it a shot, but I don't know if it's stable enough to run it long enough :rolleyes:
 
Prime95 is Windows based. It'll tell you on screen if there's a problem, too, it wont just seize up or go BSOD on you... so you should be able to differentiate between the random crashing you're having and Prime95 finding an issue.

-AI
 
Alright, I just went to options/torture test and it's doing 4000 Lucas Lehmer or something. Should I just let it run until tomorrow morning (if it actually lasts that long).

Holy crap, that thing is using 1.4GB of RAM o_O

Oh, and I set affinity to just one CPU, because it said that would be better or something.
 
If you can get it to run windows stably for a few moments, might try installing something like Motherboard Monitor 5 and take a peek at what voltages your PSU is outputting. Quick way to find out if there's a serious problem there.

Another thing to consider...I tried running my new rig on an old Maxtor HDD when I first built it just to make sure everything was connected properly and run prime95 for a bit. It wasn't usually at POST but I did get a lot of lockups because my HDD was overheating very quickly and there was an odd clicking noise each time it happened. Try pointing a large fan into your case and see if it makes any difference at all. If it is an overheating issue with any of your components this is an easy test compared to RMA'ing a component and waiting for it to be returned.
 
Guys, this is very weird. I guess I just installed something wrong the first time around. I completely redid everything this time (except for CPU), I mean I took everything out, and then put it all back in (with some very good cable management, just because I felt like doing it, so much better airflow). I just got done playing NFS:MW maxed out, installing HL:2 right now, and it's been on since around 4, and that's including while running Prime95 and stuff :D

I don't know what was wrong, and I don't know if it's fixed completely now, but this is the longest its every stayed on (with me actually doing stuff)!

Gawd, i r so happyz right now!
 
memory errors ftw

i dont know how memtest is supposed to find errors, but I ran it and it didnt produce anything and my comp was still jacked up and i was confused as u are

i even had that same thing happen where the entire screen freezes yet you can move the mouse around (just not click anything or interact with windows at all)

loosen the timings, or move the memory to the other two slots

as was mentioned earlier, set it to auto

whoops just saw u fixed it, congrats :)
 
Yea, I was wondering what that post was about :D

I hope it's really fixed and isn't just playing a joke on me, the little devil!

(NFS:MW is absolutely gorgeous!)
 
Oh, you have no idea what a relief it is to know that I don't have to deal with RMAing or over the phone tech or anything. I _hate_ doing that stuff :rolleyes:

And all of my games are just drop dead gorgeous. NFS:MW, HL:2, Planeshift (free MMORPG, I reccomend!).

I plan on getting WoW pretty soon as well! Hmm, maybe F.E.A.R. Any good games reccomended (don't care what type, I love all types).
 
I guess I spoke to soon :(

It works for 2 days, and then I get a ****ing black screen. :confused:

OMG, I don't know what to do. I never did get my PSU checked (like I said earlier, he wasn't there), so I guess I'll try again tomorrow, and then send the mobo back, since my RAM survived memtest and prime95.

After all of that happiness, it ****ing breaks again. :mad:

EDIT:

Well, I guess it was only actually a day, but still. It worked fine for HL:2 and NFS:MW and stuff all night last night, and then I turn it on today and play after school before work. Then I get home from work and it's messed up again. I just don't understand what the problem is. It can't be overheating or nothing, or else it would have done it last night and not within 5 minutes of my turning it on now. I doubt it's the GPU or proc, since they seemed to last. I guess all that's left is the PSU and mobo. *sigh*

EDIT #2:

I don't get this thing. It works. It doesn't work. It works, it doesn't work. After having it on since the last black screen (around 2 and half hours ago), it hasn't effed up yet. I even ran 3DMark06 (got 4043 3D Marks, BTW >_>).

Seriously, this problem is now deemed _completely random_! I see absolutely no systematic formula, considering it runs fine at complete load, but sometimes it will screw up while just sitting there. So it isn't just load that screws it up, there is some other factor at play here :confused:
 
Another small update.

I ran it overnight last night after playing HL:2 and NFS:MW, and it ran Prime95 all the way through the night. I mean, all the way through the night. I woke up, checked it, and then decided it was stable. Get home from school, load up MW, and I start playing. Then I'm like, hey, I'm gonna hook my 360 controller up. So I exit out, install the 360 stuff (including XBCD 360 version). I get it all installed, I open the program, and it freezes o_O

So, then I though maybe it was just because I needed to set XBCD to only use 1 CPU. Well, I havne't got a chance to do that yet. I opened it once more, loaded up some settings, and when I was about to set affinity, it froze. So I though, maybe I should do it quicker. This time, it started checking disks for efficiency (because of the bad reboot), and when Windows was loading, it just went blank. Nothing on the monitor. Waited for 5 minutes, nothing happened.

What's the deal, that let's it run _ALL_ night, and then I try to play a game witht he 360 controller and it can't even handle getting the program set up o_O

And I still couldn't get the freaking PSU tested, I'll have to try again tomorrow...
 
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