HELP: trouble with first self-built computer

[alpha six]

Hello all,

This is my first ever attempt at building my own computer. I've
connected everything together and ran into a few minor problems which
I fixed. Now, it boots up, temps of components seem to be within
specs. I've been able to go into the BIOS and set-up everything. So, I
go to install Windows XP off of the cd. My CD-ROM is set to boot
first. and as it starts, it seems to be alright. I hear the cd spin
and get a message (looks like DOS with black background) that Windows
is checking my hardware configurations... and it looks like it is...
then, BLAM. the screen gets all jumbled looking and blocky with
different colors. From my guess, it looks like the Windows set up
screen is there, but somehow the video signal is all jumbled up? If I
leave it like this for a couple minutes, the screen seems to shift
between different jumbled blockiness, then my computer hangs... and I
can't even shut it off with the power button, so I have to pull the
plug. If I power it on again afterwards, it boots up and I'm able to
get into BIOS with no problem. It tries to boot from the CD-rom again.
Can anyone PLEASE help me figure out what's wrong? Is there a problem
with my video card? Thanks in advance for your help. Just in case it
helps, here's my systems' make-up:

Athlon 64 3200+ CPU
DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250Gb Mobo
2x512MB OCZ EL series Memory
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro Video card
Seagate Barracuda 160GB SATA Hard Drive
Lite On CR-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
NEC 3500A 16x DVD Burner
Antec 480W True Blue Power Supply
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Tower case

THANKS,
-Worried Newbie

 

[Dave C.]

Hello all,

This is my first ever attempt at building my own computer. I've
connected everything together and ran into a few minor problems which
I fixed. Now, it boots up, temps of components seem to be within
specs. I've been able to go into the BIOS and set-up everything. So, I
go to install Windows XP off of the cd. My CD-ROM is set to boot
first. and as it starts, it seems to be alright. I hear the cd spin
and get a message (looks like DOS with black background) that Windows
is checking my hardware configurations... and it looks like it is...
then, BLAM. the screen gets all jumbled looking and blocky with
different colors. From my guess, it looks like the Windows set up
screen is there, but somehow the video signal is all jumbled up? If I
leave it like this for a couple minutes, the screen seems to shift
between different jumbled blockiness, then my computer hangs... and I
can't even shut it off with the power button, so I have to pull the
plug. If I power it on again afterwards, it boots up and I'm able to
get into BIOS with no problem. It tries to boot from the CD-rom again.
Can anyone PLEASE help me figure out what's wrong? Is there a problem
with my video card? Thanks in advance for your help. Just in case it
helps, here's my systems' make-up:

Athlon 64 3200+ CPU
DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250Gb Mobo
2x512MB OCZ EL series Memory
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro Video card
Seagate Barracuda 160GB SATA Hard Drive
Lite On CR-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
NEC 3500A 16x DVD Burner
Antec 480W True Blue Power Supply
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Tower case

THANKS,
-Worried Newbie

Two things to check. First, did you remember to plug a hard drive type
power cable into your video card? If so, power down and unplug the
computer. Remove and firmly re-seat the video card. -Dave

 

[JAD]

I know not when the OP was,

I believe that would be a memory problem. Speed setting out of wack or
improper memory type or not positioned in the slots properly.

 

[Matt]

Hello all,

This is my first ever attempt at building my own computer. I've
connected everything together and ran into a few minor problems which
I fixed. Now, it boots up, temps of components seem to be within
specs. I've been able to go into the BIOS and set-up everything. So, I
go to install Windows XP off of the cd. My CD-ROM is set to boot
first. and as it starts, it seems to be alright. I hear the cd spin
and get a message (looks like DOS with black background) that Windows
is checking my hardware configurations... and it looks like it is...
then, BLAM. the screen gets all jumbled looking and blocky with
different colors.

I am not an expert, but I would:
0) Double check your installation (eg check for an unused metal
motherboard standoff shorting the mobo, check your cables and jumpers,
check your heatsink).
1) Configure it with just one optical drive at a time.
2) Go into the BIOS and load BIOS defaults (either failsafe or
optimal). Set it to boot from optical drive.
3) Try again to install the OS.
4) If the problem remains, go to www.memtest86.com and test your RAM.
5) If the memory checks okay, ask somebody who knows more than me.

 

[Tinman]

I had this problem with my Radeon card. After about a year it started doing
this on post, it sounds like you have or bought a bad card. If you can get
your hands on another video card to test in this system you could verify
this. I had a nightmare getting a working card back from ATI they sent me 3
"referbished" replacement cards, over a 3month period, all of which did the
same thing. I finally went out and just bought a new Radeon 9800 pro card
from the store and it worked perfectly.

-Tinman

 

[Anon]

Hello all,

This is my first ever attempt at building my own computer. I've
connected everything together and ran into a few minor problems which
I fixed. Now, it boots up, temps of components seem to be within
specs. I've been able to go into the BIOS and set-up everything. So, I
go to install Windows XP off of the cd. My CD-ROM is set to boot
first. and as it starts, it seems to be alright. I hear the cd spin
and get a message (looks like DOS with black background) that Windows
is checking my hardware configurations... and it looks like it is...
then, BLAM. the screen gets all jumbled looking and blocky with
different colors. From my guess, it looks like the Windows set up
screen is there, but somehow the video signal is all jumbled up? If I
leave it like this for a couple minutes, the screen seems to shift
between different jumbled blockiness, then my computer hangs... and I
can't even shut it off with the power button, so I have to pull the
plug. If I power it on again afterwards, it boots up and I'm able to
get into BIOS with no problem. It tries to boot from the CD-rom again.
Can anyone PLEASE help me figure out what's wrong? Is there a problem
with my video card? Thanks in advance for your help. Just in case it
helps, here's my systems' make-up:

Athlon 64 3200+ CPU
DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250Gb Mobo
2x512MB OCZ EL series Memory
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro Video card
Seagate Barracuda 160GB SATA Hard Drive
Lite On CR-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
NEC 3500A 16x DVD Burner
Antec 480W True Blue Power Supply
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Tower case

THANKS,
-Worried Newbie

you've got some top of the range components there.
Get some cheap ones too, incase things screw up.

Try replacing the video card with a cheap one, to see if the vcideo
card is causing the screwup.
Try replacing the monitor. (have a cheap monitor lying around, borrow
one).
(could the the VGA cable - which is often fixed into the monitor at on
end- which is messed up)

it's easy to diagnose this stuff. just replace suspect components with
working components and see if it still screws up or if it works.
That method works every time.
The other version of the method would be put suspect components in a
working computer and see if the computer still works.
i.e. change componentse or change computer!

 

[Ruel Smith]

you've got some top of the range components there.
Get some cheap ones too, incase things screw up.

Try replacing the video card with a cheap one, to see if the vcideo
card is causing the screwup.
Try replacing the monitor. (have a cheap monitor lying around, borrow
one).
(could the the VGA cable - which is often fixed into the monitor at on
end- which is messed up)

it's easy to diagnose this stuff. just replace suspect components with
working components and see if it still screws up or if it works.
That method works every time.
The other version of the method would be put suspect components in a
working computer and see if the computer still works.
i.e. change componentse or change computer!

Sounds like ACPI, maybe? Try turning off ACPI in the BIOS, then try
installing XP. If that doesn't do it, try turning of Local APIC.

 

[Anon]

Sounds like ACPI, maybe? Try turning off ACPI in the BIOS, then try
installing XP. If that doesn't do it, try turning of Local APIC.

would that cause him blotchy vga?
he could have a few problems so I agree about turning off acpi

i think he should get a POST card too. i've heard good things about
them, not just their price.