help with motherboard errors

[cdoasis]

Alright, I picked up a couple of computers at a salvage sale the other
day for $10 a piece. They had a "PIII" label on them and they were
the best ones I saw, so I picked them up.
I have a crappy old soyo motherboard with a celeron 566 in an AT case,
so I decided I would transfer my hard drives/CD drives/etc to the
newer, ATX case with more room and the PIII.
One computer has a sticker that says "Records computer: Needs to be
replaced" while the other has a small X in blue marker on it. Before
I did anything, I plugged in the one with the sticker and it powered
up, so I figured both were fine. Both of them have 200w power
supplies, no hard drives, and nothing in the PCI slots, and no memory
(RAM). I put some of my own memory in, installed my CD drives and disk
drive, put in my own sound card and ethernet card. My old computer had
a 300w power supply, and I wanted to use that just to be safe, but it
doesn’t fit in the new case. So I used the 200w anyway. It powered up
once, and I don’t remember if it beeped or not, but after that it
would not power up again. So I disconnected everything until it was
just down to the power supply and the motherboard. It gave me a 1-3-3
beep, indicating the motherboard was shot. So I figured the computer
with the blue X was shot, and the other one should be fine since it
powered up before. I put in some memory but waited to hook everything
else up just in case, then powered it up, and it gave me one long beep
and one short beep. So I took the memory back out. Then it started
giving me 1-3-3 beeps as well, and one time it gave me one long beep
and two short beeps, meaning video card error. I don’t have a video
card in there, and I don’t know if the motherboard has an onboard
video card. I’m so confused!!

 

[kony]

Alright, I picked up a couple of computers at a salvage sale the other
day for $10 a piece. They had a "PIII" label on them and they were
the best ones I saw, so I picked them up.
I have a crappy old soyo motherboard with a celeron 566 in an AT case,
so I decided I would transfer my hard drives/CD drives/etc to the
newer, ATX case with more room and the PIII.
One computer has a sticker that says "Records computer: Needs to be
replaced" while the other has a small X in blue marker on it. Before
I did anything, I plugged in the one with the sticker and it powered
up, so I figured both were fine. Both of them have 200w power
supplies, no hard drives, and nothing in the PCI slots, and no memory
(RAM). I put some of my own memory in, installed my CD drives and disk
drive, put in my own sound card and ethernet card. My old computer had
a 300w power supply, and I wanted to use that just to be safe, but it
doesn’t fit in the new case. So I used the 200w anyway. It powered up
once, and I don’t remember if it beeped or not, but after that it
would not power up again.

Did you try clearing the CMOS or replacing the battery?

So I disconnected everything until it was
just down to the power supply and the motherboard.

No video, CPU, heatsink-fan or memory? You MUST have all 4
of those to get a post on some systems. Most don't need the
fan RPM signal but some do.

It gave me a 1-3-3
beep, indicating the motherboard was shot.

Where do you get the idea that a beep code of 1-3-3
indicates "motherboard was shot"? I think this judgement is
made in error. Some boards will display a 1-3-3 code
simply because there isn't memory in them.

So I figured the computer
with the blue X was shot, and the other one should be fine since it
powered up before. I put in some memory but waited to hook everything
else up just in case, then powered it up, and it gave me one long beep
and one short beep. So I took the memory back out. Then it started
giving me 1-3-3 beeps as well, and one time it gave me one long beep
and two short beeps, meaning video card error. I don’t have a video
card in there, and I don’t know if the motherboard has an onboard
video card. I’m so confused!!

leave the aforementioned parts in.
Do the clear cmos and check battery
try the other power supply, even if it doesn't fit in the
case, set it up on a box beside the system and connect it.
Examine the motherboard for signs of failure if none of the
aforementioned, helps.

 

[BruceM]

What?... No keyboard or floppy? mmmmmmmmm
Sounds like you should get a few school mates to come around & have a go
too........
About video on board or not? Does it have a place to connect a monitor?
As you said it has no PCI cards in it then if it has a place to connect the
monitor then it sounds like onboard video to me.
I really think you do need a bit of help or read up a little before you burn
everything out.

 

[cdoasis]

Did you try clearing the CMOS or replacing the battery?


No video, CPU, heatsink-fan or memory? You MUST have all 4
of those to get a post on some systems. Most don't need the
fan RPM signal but some do.


Where do you get the idea that a beep code of 1-3-3
indicates "motherboard was shot"? I think this judgement is
made in error. Some boards will display a 1-3-3 code
simply because there isn't memory in them.


leave the aforementioned parts in.
Do the clear cmos and check battery
try the other power supply, even if it doesn't fit in the
case, set it up on a box beside the system and connect it.
Examine the motherboard for signs of failure if none of the
aforementioned, helps.

Did you try clearing the CMOS or replacing the battery?

How do I clear the CMOS? I don’t have an extra battery so I didn’t try
that.

No video, CPU, heatsink-fan or memory? You MUST have all 4
of those to get a post on some systems. Most don’t need the
fan RPM signal but some do.

Sorry, I meant I took everything out that I put in myself.. I worded
that all wrong. Yes, I did have a CPU and a heatsink-fan in there, but
I do not have a video card. My old computer’s video card was onboard.
I don’t know if this motherboard has one or not, I assume it does not,
and that’s what I’m currently stumped on, because I don’t have a
vidcard to test it.

Where do you get the idea that a beep code of 1-3-3
indicates "motherboard was shot"? I think this judgement is
made in error. Some boards will display a 1-3-3 code
simply because there isn’t memory in them.

I googled "beep codes" to find out what they meant, and I forget the
website, but that’s what it listed. I tried it many times. Then I
realized there was no memory in it, so I put a 128mb stick in, and it
gave me one long beep and two short beeps, which that website told me
meant "video card error."

Which brings me to where I am, without a video card.
Thanks for your advice, too.
I tried both power supplies in both motherboards, swapping them back
and forth, so I think I’ve concluded that it’s the video card. Anyone
got an extra one lying around? haha

 

[kony]

How do I clear the CMOS? I don’t have an extra battery so I didn’t try
that.

There might be (usually is) a jumper next to the battery, or
hunt down the manual and it should detail the jumper
location or possible a pair of solder pads that would be
shorted with a screwdriver tip (or similar). This jumper
should be removed/moved or the pads shorted while the AC is
disconnected from the power supply. If all else fails just
unplug the AC and remove the battery for 5-10 minutes.

Sorry, I meant I took everything out that I put in myself.. I worded
that all wrong. Yes, I did have a CPU and a heatsink-fan in there, but
I do not have a video card. My old computer’s video card was onboard.
I don’t know if this motherboard has one or not, I assume it does not,
and that’s what I’m currently stumped on, because I don’t have a
vidcard to test it.

If there is no video-out (VGA) port on the back then it does
not have integrated video, except for a few rare PCChips et
al clones that might've had the VGA connector mounted on a
slot bracket and connected to pin-headers via a ribbon
cable. There is no good reason such an implementation would
be removed from the system though, if it had been done this
way it would likely still be there. Consult the motherboard
manual, it'll detail the onboard features.

Otherwise, yes you'd need add a video card. The system
wouldn't POST at all without one, let alone getting any
output to the monitor.

I googled "beep codes" to find out what they meant, and I forget the
website, but that’s what it listed. I tried it many times. Then I
realized there was no memory in it, so I put a 128mb stick in, and it
gave me one long beep and two short beeps, which that website told me
meant "video card error."

yes, that's right

Which brings me to where I am, without a video card.
Thanks for your advice, too.
I tried both power supplies in both motherboards, swapping them back
and forth, so I think I’ve concluded that it’s the video card. Anyone
got an extra one lying around? haha

The local mom-n-pop computer shop may have some old AGP or
PCI video cards lying around- nothing to get excited about
but they might give one to you for free or $2-$10.

 

[cdoasis]

On 2 Feb 2005 12:43:39 -0500, cdoasis


 >>Did you try clearing the CMOS or replacing the
battery?
 >>

There might be (usually is) a jumper next to the battery, or
hunt down the manual and it should detail the jumper
location or possible a pair of solder pads that would be
shorted with a screwdriver tip (or similar). This jumper
should be removed/moved or the pads shorted while the AC is
disconnected from the power supply. If all else fails just
unplug the AC and remove the battery for 5-10 minutes.


 >>No video, CPU, heatsink-fan or memory? You MUST have
all 4
 >>of those to get a post on some systems. Most don’t
need the
 >>fan RPM signal but some do.

If there is no video-out (VGA) port on the back then it does
not have integrated video, except for a few rare PCChips et
al clones that might've had the VGA connector mounted on a
slot bracket and connected to pin-headers via a ribbon
cable. There is no good reason such an implementation would
be removed from the system though, if it had been done this
way it would likely still be there. Consult the motherboard
manual, it'll detail the onboard features.

Otherwise, yes you'd need add a video card. The system
wouldn't POST at all without one, let alone getting any
output to the monitor.

 >>Where do you get the idea that a beep code of 1-3-3
 >>indicates "motherboard was shot"? I think this
judgement is
 >>made in error. Some boards will display a 1-3-3 code
 >>simply because there isn’t memory in them.

yes, that's right


The local mom-n-pop computer shop may have some old AGP or
PCI video cards lying around- nothing to get excited about
but they might give one to you for free or $2-$10.

What?... No keyboard or floppy? mmmmmmmmm
Sounds like you should get a few school mates to come around & have a
go too........

What are you talking about? I have more than enough keyboards and
floppy drives... I have a computer graveyard!

About video on board or not? Does it have a place to connect a monitor?
As you said it has no PCI cards in it then if it has a place to connect the
monitor then it sounds like onboard video to me.
I really think you do need a bit of help or read up a little before

you >burn everything out.

It seemed to have a monitor plug or something of the sort on the back,
but not the same plug as any of the 3 monitors I have. I installed my
own plug which easily connected to the motherboard.
And yes I have done some "reading up" on this, no I still have not
found a manual, and no I’m not going to "burn everything out."
Thanks.

There might be (usually is) a jumper next to the battery, or
hunt down the manual and it should detail the jumper
location or possible a pair of solder pads that would be
shorted with a screwdriver tip (or similar). This jumper
should be removed/moved or the pads shorted while the AC is
disconnected from the power supply. If all else fails just
unplug the AC and remove the battery for 5-10 minutes.

I noticed there’s two different jumpers on the mb. I left them as they
were because I figured they were fine, considering this is a
second-hand mb. I’ll be sure to take the battery out and clear the
CMOS though.

If there is no video-out (VGA) port on the back then it does
not have integrated video, except for a few rare PCChips et
al clones that might’ve had the VGA connector mounted on a
slot bracket and connected to pin-headers via a ribbon
cable. There is no good reason such an implementation would
be removed from the system though, if it had been done this
way it would likely still be there. Consult the motherboard
manual, it’ll detail the onboard features.

Otherwise, yes you’d need add a video card. The system
wouldn’t POST at all without one, let alone getting any
output to the monitor.

I’m not sure why it was removed either, but I just ordered an Asus
Nvidia Geforce card with 64 megs of memory today for $35... so I’ll
see what happens after I install that.

 

[kony]

What are you talking about? I have more than enough keyboards and
floppy drives... I have a computer graveyard!

You have combined two newsgroup posts, one of which was
posted by another. I am not the author of the previous
comments nor some of the following comments. I'll snip them
out and respond to what I had written. Please keep replies
in the proper form per each author.

I noticed there’s two different jumpers on the mb. I left them as they
were because I figured they were fine, considering this is a
second-hand mb. I’ll be sure to take the battery out and clear the
CMOS though.

They probably were fine, at least for the original memory
and CPU. Use of different CPU or memory with lower spec'd
bus speed could require changing jumpers. If the machine
had had a problem and a technician (or non-technician) had
moved jumpers trying to troubleshoot but then not replaced
them to their original positions, again you might need
adjust jumpers. On older equipement it can be handy to have
a spare CPU available that is at the top of it's generation
and thus would support faster board settings in addition to
slower settings. For example a K6-2 533 for testing a
socket 7 board with unknown jumper settings such that no
jumper is exceeding the CPU's capable speed (but voltage is
still an important issue to beware of). A PIII with 133MHz
FSB for socket 370, and likewise or a PII w/100MHz FSB for a
slot 1 board of early chipsets (that didn't support 100MHz
FSB). Even so, the main thing is to remember where the
jumpers were, and if unsure about the function do not chance
severely overvolting the CPU.

I’m not sure why it was removed either, but I just ordered an Asus
Nvidia Geforce card with 64 megs of memory today for $35... so I’ll
see what happens after I install that.

It was removed because it was reused or someone wanted it,
whatever the reason... boxes are often stripped of a few
parts before being abandoned, moreso by technicians and
admins than by the typical consumer with similar old systems
being thrown out.

 

[cdoasis]

On 2 Feb 2005 18:14:50 -0500, cdoasis


 >>What?... No keyboard or floppy? mmmmmmmmm
 >>Sounds like you should get a few school mates to come
around & have a
 >>go too........

You have combined two newsgroup posts, one of which was
posted by another. I am not the author of the previous
comments nor some of the following comments. I'll snip them
out and respond to what I had written. Please keep replies
in the proper form per each author.


<snip>

&nbsp;>>There might be (usually is) a jumper next to the
battery, or
&nbsp;>>hunt down the manual and it should detail the jumper
&nbsp;>>location or possible a pair of solder pads that would
be
&nbsp;>>shorted with a screwdriver tip (or similar). This
jumper
&nbsp;>>should be removed/moved or the pads shorted while the
AC is
&nbsp;>>disconnected from the power supply. If all else fails
just
&nbsp;>>unplug the AC and remove the battery for 5-10 minutes.


They probably were fine, at least for the original memory
and CPU. Use of different CPU or memory with lower spec'd
bus speed could require changing jumpers. If the machine
had had a problem and a technician (or non-technician) had
moved jumpers trying to troubleshoot but then not replaced
them to their original positions, again you might need
adjust jumpers. On older equipement it can be handy to have
a spare CPU available that is at the top of it's generation
and thus would support faster board settings in addition to
slower settings. For example a K6-2 533 for testing a
socket 7 board with unknown jumper settings such that no
jumper is exceeding the CPU's capable speed (but voltage is
still an important issue to beware of). A PIII with 133MHz
FSB for socket 370, and likewise or a PII w/100MHz FSB for a
slot 1 board of early chipsets (that didn't support 100MHz
FSB). Even so, the main thing is to remember where the
jumpers were, and if unsure about the function do not chance
severely overvolting the CPU.


&nbsp;>>If there is no video-out (VGA) port on the back then
it does
&nbsp;>>not have integrated video, except for a few rare
PCChips et
&nbsp;>>al clones that might’ve had the VGA connector mounted
on a
&nbsp;>>slot bracket and connected to pin-headers via a ribbon

&nbsp;>>cable. There is no good reason such an implementation
would
&nbsp;>>be removed from the system though, if it had been done
this
&nbsp;>>way it would likely still be there. Consult the
motherboard
&nbsp;>>manual, it’ll detail the onboard features.
&nbsp;>>Otherwise, yes you’d need add a video card. The system

&nbsp;>>wouldn’t POST at all without one, let alone getting
any
&nbsp;>>output to the monitor.

It was removed because it was reused or someone wanted it,
whatever the reason... boxes are often stripped of a few
parts before being abandoned, moreso by technicians and
admins than by the typical consumer with similar old systems
being thrown out.

Sorry about the replies. I don’t know how to respond with the previous
person’s text... I’m just not familiar with this forum.
But yeah... once I get a video card I’ll see what happens.

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