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PC Building Nightmare!
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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30. May 2004 @ 10:52 |
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This is just to troubleshoot methodically.
What if it worked miraculously with the one stick but not with the other: bingo!
You always strip everything to basics; no soundboard, modem, NIC, anything PCI: Radeon (AGP) only. If/when you get it going, you can add things back in one at a time, paying attention to shared IRQs (PnP OS set in BIOS to "no"). Do not use PCI slot #1 (next to AGP).
Sure you want dual-channel RAM, just like you want a soundboard! But let's diagnose first.
I know (makes you feel sick), it's a nightmare and makes you wish you didn't get involved, but you will sort it out and learn from it.
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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weasle.o
Newbie
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30. May 2004 @ 10:54 |
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OK, I think we can pretty much rule out temperature, next thing to check is the memory - This is evidently going to be one of those problems that is only going to be fixed by trial and error so first things first, Double check that all memory is seated properly, ie press the sticks firmly into place, and while you are doing that, check that all your expansion cards are seated fully as well. It is often the most common things which are overlooked!
(presuming you have 2 x 512MB sticks) remove each of the sticks individually and try installing Windows - If you still get restarts with either stick out, we can pretty much rule out the memory as well as the temp issue.
After carrying out this, test the power supply; If a power supply dips the voltage supplied for as little as a fraction of a second and to a low enough voltage, your computer will automatically restart. The power levels in the cables exiting the power supply should be +3.3, +5.0, -5.0, +12.0 & -12.0; these can all be measured using a voltmeter/multimeter. If you cant be bothered with all of that, try connecting up another power supply and trying again.
Its all very long winded I know, but its going to irritate you even more if you cant get the matter resolved!
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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30. May 2004 @ 12:47 |
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There has been a steady stream of BIOS updates for these motherboards, almost 1/month!
http://www.asus.com/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=P4C800&Type=Latest
There are three models of this mboard I think, make sure you get the exact, deluxe or whatever.
Get a nice win98 bootdisk (with no autoexec.bat or config.sys) and flash that sucker to v1016.
Bust all partitions out of your harddisk. Run Fdisk, do not allow FAT32. Create largest partition possible, make active. Will create 2GB FAT16 sytem partition, perfect. (You can now dual-boot XP and Linux or whatever and use NTFS from now on.) Format c: /u/s/v:SYSTEMDISK
Copy your startup files to get up and booting from C:\
Autoexec.bat and config.sys, just like 1998. CD-Rom drivers and smartdrv! Trust me. This is a professional setup that, anytime you hear about your buddy not being able to get at his boot.ini file, will make you smile.
Create i386 directory, copy i386 from CD.
Remove CD and put away, you will never need it again.
Reboot. DOS6.2 runs pretty good on a 3.2GHz eh?
Remember: the boot files are on the system partition and the system files are on the boot partition.
Winnt.exe is in c:\i386 (and it will complain if you have no smartdrv).
Windows likes unclaimed space (virgin territory).
You have 118GB for it; sweet.
Most people boot from OS CD and don't know DOS, so if you're an Old Timer don't mind this.
Tell me what BIOS your board shipped with and check that out definitely. A flurry of BIOSs indicates a lot of recent issues and I'm going to go back to Asus and look at what each one fixes specifically.
Soon you will be making music.
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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PCProd
Newbie
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31. May 2004 @ 03:41 |
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OK. Thanks.
I'm gonna remove all of the PCI cards and then start again with 1 stick of Ram.
I'll delete the partitions on the drive and re-format it again. The start with a fresh install and see how it goes.
I'll keep you posted guys.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 31. May 2004 @ 03:42
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Praetor
Moderator
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31. May 2004 @ 05:52 |
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I would reccomend you drop down to "hardcore debuggin mode" and only use the minimum of everything (and test it on other computers if possible). I.e., when you are struggling to get your computer to work -- do you really need that soundcard? No. Just install the basics: VGA, HDD, MOBO, PROC, RAM, NIC and try that: if it works, start adding stuff back :)
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PCProd
Newbie
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1. June 2004 @ 22:52 |
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Update:
I have been in contact with the tech support team at Asus. They are as confused as we are! I tried re-instaling windows again and go through with no problems and ran the windows update without a probelm at all........... but I was using only only 1 of my sticks of Ram. I had the guys at Asus on the phone at the time and we came to the conclusion that the memory controller on the motherboard must be faulty - so I'm sending the board back.
It'll take at least a week before I get the replacement, but I'll be back to keep you posted...............
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Praetor
Moderator
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2. June 2004 @ 06:07 |
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You certain its the memory controller and not the other stick of memory? :)
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PCProd
Newbie
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2. June 2004 @ 06:47 |
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Yes. Well as sure as I can be:) I have run the mem test on both sticks plenty of times and they pass every time with no errors. And this is also the second set of memory I have used. I already sent back and got the first lot replaced! That's why I beleive it's the memory controller on the mobo??!
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Praetor
Moderator
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2. June 2004 @ 06:52 |
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LOL glad you finally figured it out! :)
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PCProd
Newbie
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2. June 2004 @ 07:03 |
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Fingers crossed!
I'll keep you posted.................:)
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PCProd
Newbie
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12. June 2004 @ 12:39 |
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FINAL UPDATE
Just to let you guys know............:)
It was the mobo! I got the replacement and it installed first time with no probs at all. I also noticed that after I ran the windows update and re-booted the machine and set hyper-thread to 'on'. When the machine re-booted it automatically installed and driver for multi processing - something the previous mobo never did and after a re-start it runs perfect.
Once again thanks for all the help and input. Chat soon.
And someone back me up on the Intel side of things in the 'ultimate dream machine' thread!!
All you AMD nutters. LOL
bye..
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. June 2004 @ 12:40
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Praetor
Moderator
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12. June 2004 @ 13:36 |
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LOL glad you got it working :)
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