Trouble with new PC build

[Nil]

I just bought some components from Tiger Direct to assemble a new PC,
and I'm having a problem. I hope someone can give me some advice. I
bought:

- Biostar P4M800 -M7A socket 775 motherboard
- Pentium D 840 3.2 GHz DT 800FSB CPU
- 2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz CL3 RAM
- Ultra 500w Power supply

I've connected the motherboard to the power supply, keyboard, and
video, and installed the CPU and fan, and 512MB RAM. I initially
connected it also to a floppy disc drive and unformatted hard disc, but
disconnected them in order to troubleshoot. Here's what happens:

When I turn the power switch on, the CPU fan spins up, the hard disk
(if connected) spins up, the keyboard lights flash briefly, floppy
light flashes, and one of these things happens:

- the Biostar startup graphic (rolling green hills with a windmill)
appears, with the direction to press <Del> to enter setup

- the POST messages screen comes up. It correctly identifes the hard
disc (if connected) and amount of memory. The options are "Press F8 to
enable system configuration", "Press F9 to select booting device after
POST", "Press F1 to continue", and "Press DEL to enter SETUP".

- just a blank, black video screen.

At this point, the system seems hung, and the keyboard doesn't respond,
if it ever did. The power-off switch doesn't work unless I hold it in
for 5 seconds.

So, my questions are...

- I should be able to get into setup with no storage devices attached,
shouldn't I? How about with no memory installed?

- If it's a defective component, which is the most likely suspect -
motherboard, PSU, CPU, or other?


I've put together several PCs over the years, but not for a few years,
and the technology has changed quite a bit, so it's another learning
experience for me. Am I overlooking something obvious?

 

[Rod Speed]

I just bought some components from Tiger Direct to
assemble a new PC, and I'm having a problem. I hope
someone can give me some advice. I bought:

- Biostar P4M800 -M7A socket 775 motherboard
- Pentium D 840 3.2 GHz DT 800FSB CPU
- 2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz CL3 RAM
- Ultra 500w Power supply

I've connected the motherboard to the power supply, keyboard, and
video, and installed the CPU and fan, and 512MB RAM. I initially
connected it also to a floppy disc drive and unformatted hard disc,
but disconnected them in order to troubleshoot. Here's what happens:

When I turn the power switch on, the CPU fan spins up, the
hard disk (if connected) spins up, the keyboard lights flash
briefly, floppy light flashes, and one of these things happens:

- the Biostar startup graphic (rolling green hills with a windmill)
appears, with the direction to press <Del> to enter setup

- the POST messages screen comes up. It correctly identifes the hard
disc (if connected) and amount of memory. The options are "Press F8 to
enable system configuration", "Press F9 to select booting device after
POST", "Press F1 to continue", and "Press DEL to enter SETUP".

- just a blank, black video screen.

At this point, the system seems hung, and the keyboard doesn't
respond, if it ever did. The power-off switch doesn't work unless I
hold it in for 5 seconds.

So, my questions are...

- I should be able to get into setup with no storage devices attached,
shouldn't I?
Yep.

How about with no memory installed?

That should fail the POST and may or may not beep when it fails the POST.

- If it's a defective component, which is the most
likely suspect - motherboard, PSU, CPU, or other?

Most likely the motherboard when it gets as far as it does.

Try resetting the cmos with the jumper.

Can be the power supply but not that likely.

Very unlikely to be the cpu.

I've put together several PCs over the years, but not for a few years,
and the technology has changed quite a bit, so it's another learning
experience for me. Am I overlooking something obvious?

Just resetting the cmos. The variable symptoms are a worry tho.

 

[Nil]

Just resetting the cmos. The variable symptoms are a worry tho.

Well, they aren't variable any more, now it's just nothing. I got the
logo and the initial POST messages a couple of times more, but now it's
just dead. I'm pretty sure the problem is the motherboard. I did try
resetting the CMOS, but it didn't help. I'll return it tomorrow.

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.

 

[Chris Hill]

I just bought some components from Tiger Direct to assemble a new PC,
and I'm having a problem. I hope someone can give me some advice. I
bought:

- Biostar P4M800 -M7A socket 775 motherboard
- Pentium D 840 3.2 GHz DT 800FSB CPU
- 2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz CL3 RAM
- Ultra 500w Power supply

I've connected the motherboard to the power supply, keyboard, and
video, and installed the CPU and fan, and 512MB RAM. I initially
connected it also to a floppy disc drive and unformatted hard disc, but
disconnected them in order to troubleshoot. Here's what happens:

When I turn the power switch on, the CPU fan spins up, the hard disk
(if connected) spins up, the keyboard lights flash briefly, floppy
light flashes, and one of these things happens:

- the Biostar startup graphic (rolling green hills with a windmill)
appears, with the direction to press <Del> to enter setup

- the POST messages screen comes up. It correctly identifes the hard
disc (if connected) and amount of memory. The options are "Press F8 to
enable system configuration", "Press F9 to select booting device after
POST", "Press F1 to continue", and "Press DEL to enter SETUP".

- just a blank, black video screen.

At this point, the system seems hung, and the keyboard doesn't respond,
if it ever did. The power-off switch doesn't work unless I hold it in
for 5 seconds.

So, my questions are...

- I should be able to get into setup with no storage devices attached,
shouldn't I? How about with no memory installed?

- If it's a defective component, which is the most likely suspect -
motherboard, PSU, CPU, or other?

I'd try a decent name-brand psu first. It could be the mainboard, but
a garbage psu could cause similar problems.