Completely Flumoxed (Computer build)

Dymetrie · 18-06-2008, 21:37

Well I have had the week off work and was going to do some fantastic computer rebuilds and upgrades.

*sigh*

First problems I came across were with upgrading my own computer. New case was fine but new HS/F can't be connected to the CPU fan header because there's a capacitor in the way. Then I find I can't install my lovely new X-Fi PCI-E x1 soundcard as the slot is too close to the exhaust from the GFX card would be blocked by the sound card. Finally after the rebuild I find that the bearings on the NB fan are now grinding and making a godawful racket so, as my PC is on 24/7, I've disabled the NB fan until the chip hits 50 degrees (this is working quite well).

Next problem was when I went round to my friend's house today to install the lovely new X1650 AGP GFX card I have bought him. It won't fit. And we're not talking I've bought the wrong thing, or that there isn't enough space... The card will physically not fit. The connector is out by about 3-4mm (hanging over the end of the slot) and there's no way I was going to try and force that thing in as it'd knacker it. So that needs to be returned and I need to see if I can get a replacement which will fit.

Now to the crux of the problem for which I am requesting assistance.

My brother's computer

A few weeks ago it failed, wouldn't boot, nothing. We narrowed down the fault to the motherboard and I managed to find a replacement to buy (it's a socket A chip so not the easiest thing in the world to find in quantity).

Everything was delivered on Monday but I sorted my computer then so Simon's had to wait until Tuesday.

Installed it all and it boots. I then find out that the FSB is jumper controlled (huh?) so in order to get the CPU actually running at the right speed I power down the system, remove the GFX card and switch the jumper. Put the GFX card back in and power back up.

No display.

I went through every test you can think of with that board to try and get it working again, but I received no error beeps and despite my best efforts, no display.

So today I went out and bought another new board and CPU to swap out for the ones which were possibly faulty.

Put it all together (this is now with a new GFX and HDD as well) and power it up.

No display.

Went round to my brother's house and got his old PSU (450watt, more than enough to power the system), wired it up and...

No display.

I now have no idea what's wrong. I have changed every damn component in the system (and have spent out over £100 in the process):

2 CPUs
2 Motherboards
2 Graphics Cards
2 PSUs
2 Hard Drives
5 different sticks of RAM

I am completely flumoxed, and due to the complete cluster**** which has been my week off, am considering retiring from PC repair completely

Anyone got any ideas?

Mark · 18-06-2008, 22:20

Please excuse me if you think I'm stating the obvious...

On the X1650, check the bracket isn't bent. I had a card that point blank refused to go in until I noticed the bottom (motherboard end) of the bracket was bent inwards. Bent it back where it belonged and all was well.

As for the other system, you say you've tried all those hardware combinations, but don't say anything about the monitor or VGA/DVI cable. Did you try swapping those and/or checking for bent pins and FOD (foreign object debris).

Dymetrie · 18-06-2008, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Please excuse me if you think I'm stating the obvious...

On the X1650, check the bracket isn't bent. I had a card that point blank refused to go in until I noticed the bottom (motherboard end) of the bracket was bent inwards. Bent it back where it belonged and all was well.

The card is completely fine other than the fact that when the i/o plate is right up against the back plate it overhangs the slot by a good 3-4mm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

As for the other system, you say you've tried all those hardware combinations, but don't say anything about the monitor or VGA/DVI cable. Did you try swapping those and/or checking for bent pins and FOD (foreign object debris).

The monitor (and cable) has been completely tested, and worked a-ok, on another system. The only thing I haven't done is tried one of my monitors on it, but I shall do this in the morning.

FOD check came up negative :s

Mark · 18-06-2008, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dymetrie

The card is completely fine other than the fact that when the i/o plate is right up against the back plate it overhangs the slot by a good 3-4mm.

Seems like a rather serious oversight there. I want to believe there's a logical explanation, except I can't think of one.

As for the no graphics, besides the monitor and checking everything is snug in the motherboard socket, I'm not sure. I don't know if there's such a beast as a socket A board with PCI-e, but if there is watch out for motherboard manufacturers doing annoying things with sockets that look like they're PCI-e x16 but aren't. It looks like the X1650 doesn't need a dedicated PSU connector so I'm ruling that one out.

Dymetrie · 18-06-2008, 22:51

The original build was an Athlon XP 3000+ with a 9800 pro (AGP), 1GB (only 2 DIMMS) of PC3200 and an ASRock board. It worked first boot then didn't work :s

I replaced it with an Athlon 64 (754) 3000+ with an x1650 (PCI-E), 1GB (only 2 Dimms... again) of PC3200 and an ECS board.

I have 3 sticks of 512MB 3200 which I have tried together and singly, as well as 2 sticks of 512MB PC2100 which I have also tried together and singly.

Power supplies I have tried are an Akasa 460watt box (which used to run my X2 system nicely) and a generic 450watt...

Hard drives have been an ancient 80GB WD (PATA) which has never had any problems and a brand new 200GB Seagate (SATA)...

Mark · 18-06-2008, 23:15

I'd take everything apart save the CPU and motherboard. Plonk the motherboard on a layer of cardboard (or anything else as long as you're sure it's not power or heat conductive), add PSU, graphics and a stick of RAM, and take it from there. Could be something as simple as the motherboard bottoming out in the case, for example.

Dymetrie · 18-06-2008, 23:17

Tried that this morning with the original replacements.

There was absolutely no change

Oh and this is the case I've been using for years with 3 different builds....

Mark · 18-06-2008, 23:21

Texas Chainsaw Massacre it is then.

Dymetrie · 19-06-2008, 07:50

Now tested with another monitor (the one which is there ->) and still nothing.

*waits for Huddy to read this and have a theory*

Fayshun · 19-06-2008, 08:26

Take it round Feeks and shout "PULL"

18-06-2008, 21:37	#1
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Completely Flumoxed (Computer build) Well I have had the week off work and was going to do some fantastic computer rebuilds and upgrades. sigh First problems I came across were with upgrading my own computer. New case was fine but new HS/F can't be connected to the CPU fan header because there's a capacitor in the way. Then I find I can't install my lovely new X-Fi PCI-E x1 soundcard as the slot is too close to the exhaust from the GFX card would be blocked by the sound card. Finally after the rebuild I find that the bearings on the NB fan are now grinding and making a godawful racket so, as my PC is on 24/7, I've disabled the NB fan until the chip hits 50 degrees (this is working quite well). Next problem was when I went round to my friend's house today to install the lovely new X1650 AGP GFX card I have bought him. It won't fit. And we're not talking I've bought the wrong thing, or that there isn't enough space... The card will physically not fit. The connector is out by about 3-4mm (hanging over the end of the slot) and there's no way I was going to try and force that thing in as it'd knacker it. So that needs to be returned and I need to see if I can get a replacement which will fit. Now to the crux of the problem for which I am requesting assistance. My brother's computer A few weeks ago it failed, wouldn't boot, nothing. We narrowed down the fault to the motherboard and I managed to find a replacement to buy (it's a socket A chip so not the easiest thing in the world to find in quantity). Everything was delivered on Monday but I sorted my computer then so Simon's had to wait until Tuesday. Installed it all and it boots. I then find out that the FSB is jumper controlled (huh?) so in order to get the CPU actually running at the right speed I power down the system, remove the GFX card and switch the jumper. Put the GFX card back in and power back up. No display. I went through every test you can think of with that board to try and get it working again, but I received no error beeps and despite my best efforts, no display. So today I went out and bought another new board and CPU to swap out for the ones which were possibly faulty. Put it all together (this is now with a new GFX and HDD as well) and power it up. No display. Went round to my brother's house and got his old PSU (450watt, more than enough to power the system), wired it up and... No display. I now have no idea what's wrong. I have changed every damn component in the system (and have spent out over £100 in the process): 2 CPUs 2 Motherboards 2 Graphics Cards 2 PSUs 2 Hard Drives 5 different sticks of RAM I am completely flumoxed, and due to the complete cluster**** which has been my week off, am considering retiring from PC repair completely Anyone got any ideas? __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet.... Last edited by Dymetrie; 18-06-2008 at 21:40.

18-06-2008, 22:20	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Please excuse me if you think I'm stating the obvious... On the X1650, check the bracket isn't bent. I had a card that point blank refused to go in until I noticed the bottom (motherboard end) of the bracket was bent inwards. Bent it back where it belonged and all was well. As for the other system, you say you've tried all those hardware combinations, but don't say anything about the monitor or VGA/DVI cable. Did you try swapping those and/or checking for bent pins and FOD (foreign object debris). Last edited by Mark; 18-06-2008 at 22:22.

18-06-2008, 22:51	#5
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	The original build was an Athlon XP 3000+ with a 9800 pro (AGP), 1GB (only 2 DIMMS) of PC3200 and an ASRock board. It worked first boot then didn't work :s I replaced it with an Athlon 64 (754) 3000+ with an x1650 (PCI-E), 1GB (only 2 Dimms... again) of PC3200 and an ECS board. I have 3 sticks of 512MB 3200 which I have tried together and singly, as well as 2 sticks of 512MB PC2100 which I have also tried together and singly. Power supplies I have tried are an Akasa 460watt box (which used to run my X2 system nicely) and a generic 450watt... Hard drives have been an ancient 80GB WD (PATA) which has never had any problems and a brand new 200GB Seagate (SATA)... __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

18-06-2008, 23:17	#7
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Tried that this morning with the original replacements. There was absolutely no change Oh and this is the case I've been using for years with 3 different builds.... __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

19-06-2008, 07:50	#9
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	update Now tested with another monitor (the one which is there ->) and still nothing. waits for Huddy to read this and have a theory __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

18-06-2008, 23:15	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I'd take everything apart save the CPU and motherboard. Plonk the motherboard on a layer of cardboard (or anything else as long as you're sure it's not power or heat conductive), add PSU, graphics and a stick of RAM, and take it from there. Could be something as simple as the motherboard bottoming out in the case, for example.

18-06-2008, 23:21	#8
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Texas Chainsaw Massacre it is then.

19-06-2008, 08:26	#10
Fayshun Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Adrift in the Orca Posts: 6,845	Take it round Feeks and shout "PULL" __________________ We must move forward not backward, upwards not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling...