New motherboard, no video

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stockmoose16
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Stockmoose16

Hi,
My old MB corroded and I put in a new one. This is the first time
I've done this, but I think I connected everything correctly. The first
time I started up the computer, everything turned on, but I got no
picture on my monitor. The second time I turned it on, everything
worked fine--monitor came up, bios came up, etc. Upon a third restart,
the computer turns on, but there's no monitor. I can't seem to figure
out why. The vga card is an ATI PCI add-on. Might I have to do
something to the cmos or something? Sorry, I'm very new to this.
 
In addition to my last post, if i restart my computer enough, it
eventually beeps and then loads the bios. But a "normal" boot has no
beeps or anything. On the off chance that it does load the bios, it
says "CMOS checksum error--loading defaults." I assume the reason the
video is only coming up intermittently is b/c the bios is doing the
same. What's the problem here?
 
Hi,
My old MB corroded and I put in a new one. This is the first time
I've done this, but I think I connected everything correctly. The first
time I started up the computer, everything turned on, but I got no
picture on my monitor. The second time I turned it on, everything
worked fine--monitor came up, bios came up, etc. Upon a third restart,
the computer turns on, but there's no monitor. I can't seem to figure
out why. The vga card is an ATI PCI add-on. Might I have to do
something to the cmos or something? Sorry, I'm very new to this.
Click to expand...


Did you change any bios settings?

Jumpers?

I'd unplug from AC and clear CMOS, then plug 'er back in and
retry. If it turns on, go into the bios health/hardware
monitor page and check temps, voltages.

If it continues to exhibit this behavoir, make sure the
ps2/keyboard and USB jumpers on the board are set to 5V, not
5VSB. If you've multiple memory modules or other devices
attached, then remove everything but bare essentials- 1
memory module and the video card, CPU & heatsink fan.
ALso check that video card is lined up good in the slot, try
adjusting it a little and check that motherboard is sitting
properly aligned in the case and that you dont' have an
unneeded motherbaord standoff shorting the back of the
board.
 
how do i properly clear the cmos? Additionally, even when the computer
doesn't beep when it starts up, all the fans power up, as well as the
front LED light. So it must be getting proper power.
 
Nevermind that last post, I didn't have the ram fully flush. But I have
a new set of problems. First, the pulled the cpu out in the midst of
trying to figure out why I couldn't get anything to load and it was
burniing hot. Once I got the bios to load, it said the cpu temp was 70
degrees celsius. Additionally, I heard some alarm I've never heard of
that sort of sounds like a police siren. Will my cpu most likely be
okay, or did I fry it?

Additionally, after the bios load, my computer goes to a screen that
reads (and i'm paraphrasing) "Windows system configuration has
changed..." then I get to choose "load windows normally, safe mode,
last good known configuration, etc"...I tried choosing both start
normally and last known configuration--both with the same result. It
goes to a black screen, but never actually loads anything. Now is this
a cpu, motherboard, or ram issue? Or does windows just not like a brand
new MB w/o a clean install? My last MB corroded and was a Jetway. It's
been replaced by an ABIT. Both are socket 478, pentium 4 compatible.
 
how do i properly clear the cmos?
Click to expand...

As written, unplug AC cord from PSU, then use the clear CMOS
jumper. The manual should list it's location or look near
the battery.

Additionally, even when the computer
doesn't beep when it starts up, all the fans power up, as well as the
front LED light. So it must be getting proper power.
Click to expand...

That means it's getting power... "Proper power" has not yet
been established. The power supply could be quite
malfunctional and still power the LED and spin a fan... but
we can't conclude it yet, if you have a multimeter then take
voltage readings at the ATX connector.
 
Nevermind that last post, I didn't have the ram fully flush. But I have
a new set of problems. First, the pulled the cpu out in the midst of
trying to figure out why I couldn't get anything to load and it was
burniing hot. Once I got the bios to load, it said the cpu temp was 70
degrees celsius. Additionally, I heard some alarm I've never heard of
that sort of sounds like a police siren. Will my cpu most likely be
okay, or did I fry it?
Click to expand...

70C thats not high enough to fry it unless its been super high for a
long time. But why did it get that high? Im assuming the reading wasnt
going higher and it was fried right after you read it. Was the fan
turning? You didnt forget to plug the fan in did you? Usually boards
auto shut off when you do that nowadays. The other big culprit is you
have the heatsink poorly seated. Or you didnt put thermal grease on it
properly. Come to think of it dont Pents have thermal protection
unlike AMDs?
Additionally, after the bios load, my computer goes to a screen that
reads (and i'm paraphrasing) "Windows system configuration has
changed..." then I get to choose "load windows normally, safe mode,
last good known configuration, etc"...I tried choosing both start
normally and last known configuration--both with the same result. It
goes to a black screen, but never actually loads anything.
Click to expand...

If you got to windows then it works. If you just stuffed in another MB
with different controllers etc Windows needs new drivers etc.
Sometimes it can have a really really hard time adjusting to the new
setup. I frankly like to do a new install.
 
Nevermind that last post, I didn't have the ram fully flush. But I have
a new set of problems. First, the pulled the cpu out in the midst of
trying to figure out why I couldn't get anything to load and it was
burniing hot. Once I got the bios to load, it said the cpu temp was 70
degrees celsius. Additionally, I heard some alarm I've never heard of
that sort of sounds like a police siren. Will my cpu most likely be
okay, or did I fry it?
Click to expand...

It's quite likely ok, but you ought to think about why it
was so hot.
Additionally, after the bios load, my computer goes to a screen that
reads (and i'm paraphrasing) "Windows system configuration has
changed..." then I get to choose "load windows normally, safe mode,
last good known configuration, etc"...I tried choosing both start
normally and last known configuration--both with the same result. It
goes to a black screen, but never actually loads anything. Now is this
a cpu, motherboard, or ram issue? Or does windows just not like a brand
new MB w/o a clean install? My last MB corroded and was a Jetway. It's
been replaced by an ABIT. Both are socket 478, pentium 4 compatible.
Click to expand...

What is "corroded"? You're putting these in a swap or what?

If your memory was really half out of the slot I wonder if
it's ok, and/or the board. For the sake of giving it a shot
you might as well carry on as if they're fine - for the time
being.

What might you've done to result in the "windoes system
configuration has changed..."? Why not try safe mode?
That is what it's there for, no?

If all else fails, "start over".
Clear the CMOS again, recheck memory and CPU heatsink, etc,
then if windows won't even boot safe mode, boot to the
windows CD and do a repair install. We don't know what
happened to your other motherboard but you might think about
that too. Maybe power suppy is poor, causing problems? AT
least check the bios health monitor page for temps and
voltages if you dont' have a multimeter to do more accurate
testing.

Run memtest86+ to test memory+motherboard. Google will find
it.
 
Okay, I thought that I had the problem fixed of no beeps, but
everything powers on...but after letting the computer sit for a few
hours, the same problem is back. Sometimes when I turn it on, the bios
will load fine, other times, it just hangs and I can't get any video,
bios, etc. What's the deal here? I don't understand why this isn't
simple. I've plugged everything intp the mb, it should work. I have no
idea how to test a power supply. I have absolutely zero understanding
of how it works, and I'd likely break it trying to do any type of tests
on it
 
I've been testing a bunch of different things on the board to
troubleshoot with no luck, so I'm going to summarize and hope someone
can offer advice:

1. The new board is a ABIT VT6
2. After hooking up everything to the board, it would just hang (power
and fan on, but no beeps, no video, etc)
3. For some reason, it will start up just fine at random times (i.e
bios loads, asks about old windows configuration)
4. Any attempt to restart the computer and get the same outcome as #3
usually fails
5. I tried disconnecting everything but the ram, MB, and CPU--same
problem (no beeps, just hangs)
6. Tried disconnecting everything except MB and CPU--same problem
7. Tried disconnecting everything except MB--same problem
8. Disconnected CMOS battery, then reloaded it after 15 min--same
problem
9. reset cmos using jumpers--same problem

I have no idea what's wrong. I don't understand why it'll load
sometimes, and do nothing but hang other times. Could this be a ram
issue, or does removing the ram and getting the same problem rule the
ram out? Again, how do I narrow it down to a single problem? Could this
be the processor failing? If so, wouldn't it never boot up, rather than
doing so intermittently?
 
I've been testing a bunch of different things on the board to
troubleshoot with no luck, so I'm going to summarize and hope someone
can offer advice:

1. The new board is a ABIT VT6
2. After hooking up everything to the board, it would just hang (power
and fan on, but no beeps, no video, etc)
Click to expand...

Do you get that with the hard disk disconnected?
Disconnect that and see if you get a consistent text screen.
YOu usually have problems if you dont have the CPU type set -
multiplier and FSB stuff. Many times itll detect it but othertimes it
wont do it properly though there are supposed to be safe defaults.
I had a Biostart once that made me nuts. Actually ALL the MBs Ive had
recently acted wacko - no video etc and gave me a sinking kind of
feeling the first 30min -2 hours when I was setting them up.
The Biostar actually needed a bios upgrade. The others Im not sure but
they eventually settled down. But I had to manually set the FSB and
etc

If it works I doubt your processor is messed up provided it isnt
overheating like crazy. The memory - could be but unless both sticks
are screwed up it should stop when you alternate sticks.

Be sure to PLUG it out when you change mem sticks and other things.
Dont just turn it off from the front panel. And make sure everything
is seated properly and of course theres all that static electricity
hype - dont touch anything without touching some metal first and
handle it at the edges etc.
 
I get the hang and no beeps with or w.o the hd connected...

As for your comment "YOu usually have problems if you dont have the CPU
type set -
multiplier and FSB stuff," what does that mean? Does CPU type set refer
to the way it sits in the socket?

Also, I only have one stick of ram (512mb), so i have no way of testing
it. But, as i said, i took the ram out and ran the computer with only a
processor and mb and still got no beeps (not even a warning beep that
ram is missing).
 
It just occurred to me that you were referring to setting up the cpu
type in the bios, but I can't do that since I can't get a consistent
start up text.
 
It just occurred to me that you were referring to setting up the cpu
type in the bios, but I can't do that since I can't get a consistent
start up text.
Click to expand...

All you need is one good startup. When it starts up keep hitting the
DEL key as you probably know and then itll go into the bios setup
screen. I assume you were in it once and saw the temps there?

If it shows any vid at all , and you can get into the screen then you
should have no problems once you are in the screens. A lot of times I
need to clear the cmos several times and keep that jumper on the clear
cmos setting a while and then put it back. Ive even taken the battery
out for a while. I get kookiness cause of humidity where Im at.
Various contacts act a bit squirrely. But it eventually starts
stabilizing.
 
I've been testing a bunch of different things on the board to
troubleshoot with no luck, so I'm going to summarize and hope someone
can offer advice:

1. The new board is a ABIT VT6
Click to expand...


Check for failed capacitors. Abits of that era were prone
to this problem. Vented tops swelling, liquid reside on top
or bottom. Particularly around the CPUs and power
regulation circuitry.
2. After hooking up everything to the board, it would just hang (power
and fan on, but no beeps, no video, etc)
3. For some reason, it will start up just fine at random times (i.e
bios loads, asks about old windows configuration)
Click to expand...

If you can set a lower FSB speed, try that. Could be the
board first posts at lowest possible speeds but then tries
the higher speeds that have trouble. That would tend to
suggest memory, power, or capacitors... failing a bios bug
or settings problem, but you'e sure you've been resetting
the CMOS, right? You see that the settings have changed or
at least the system clock has?

Also try another battery, and/or test the voltage on the
present battery.

4. Any attempt to restart the computer and get the same outcome as #3
usually fails
5. I tried disconnecting everything but the ram, MB, and CPU--same
problem (no beeps, just hangs)
6. Tried disconnecting everything except MB and CPU--same problem
7. Tried disconnecting everything except MB--same problem
8. Disconnected CMOS battery, then reloaded it after 15 min--same
problem
9. reset cmos using jumpers--same problem

I have no idea what's wrong. I don't understand why it'll load
sometimes, and do nothing but hang other times. Could this be a ram
issue, or does removing the ram and getting the same problem rule the
ram out?
Click to expand...

Well you can try different memory, but it certainly won't
POST without some memory installed. Ideally it'd beep. Who
knows though, perhaps having memory partially inserted has
damaged the contacts on the memory or the slot. Examine
both with strong light and magnifying glass.
Again, how do I narrow it down to a single problem? Could this
be the processor failing? If so, wouldn't it never boot up, rather than
doing so intermittently?
Click to expand...

Right, it's not likely to be the CPU.
 
In regards to your comment about the CMOS, I have no way of proving
that it's been reset, since I can't even get to the bios. The computer
just immediately hangs upon startup. You said it wouldn't POST without
ram, but won't it at least beep if there's no ram?
 
In regards to your comment about the CMOS, I have no way of proving
that it's been reset, since I can't even get to the bios. The computer
just immediately hangs upon startup. You said it wouldn't POST without
ram, but won't it at least beep if there's no ram?
Click to expand...

A system that's working properly except for the ram being
removed, should beep.

If you have an old, low powered PCI video card you might try
that instead. Disconnect all nonessential parts and leave
them disconnected. Video, CPU, heatsink/fan, and one memory
module should be tried with all other parts disconnected,
including keyboard and mouse. If no luck, remove board from
case and retry it. If you have another power supply, try
that too. Recheck jumpers on the board (if present).
 
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