Motherboard woes

[TorterraEndor]

I recently put in a new motherboard( http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=ALiveNF6G-VSTA&s=AM2 ) into a different PC, as well as an AMD Sepron 3200+ processor. Plus a measly 512 RAM. Hooked up HD and everything else. Turn it on, nothing loads. Fan on CPU is spinning, HD is doing whatever it is HDs do, but Windows won't even start to load.

Can get into more details upon request.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TorterraEndor on 2007-04-19 18:28 ]</font>

[VioletSkye]

What type of RAM?

[TorterraEndor]

DDRII, I'm not dumb http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

Though I didn't point that out, heh.

[VioletSkye]

Do you have the jumper set to Clear CMOS or Default?

[TorterraEndor]

Default. Though I'm not knowledgeable enough on computers to know what that does.

[VioletSkye]

If it's on Default, then you're good to go. In the Bios, does it recognize your harddrive? And is it set as a bootable device? Also if LAN is set as bootable before harddrive that will cause Windows to not load sometimes.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-19 18:37 ]</font>

[TorterraEndor]

I can't even get to the bios, whenever I hit the power switch it'll just do nothing and display nothing on the monitor. Which I guess I shoulda said was the problem all along ;x

[VioletSkye]

Double check the offset screws and make sure you didn't overlook one when attaching the mobo to the case. Is the PSU a 20 or 24 pin? (You can use a 24 pin on a 20 pin mobo connector and vice-versa but I'm just curious.) Also double check the 4 pin connector (12V) and make sure it was attached facing the right way. The PSU worked fine on the other mobo correct?

Some possible issues:
Even though the "type" of RAM may be supported, it may not like the brand (which does happen.) Take the RAM out and try starting up.
Mobo is DOA and needs to be replaced.

Also try reseating the CPU. (This may be a dumb question but the CPU is AM2 right? lol)


I just got done building a pc for a customer using a mobo with similar specs http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-19 18:53 ]</font>

[TorterraEndor]

The PSU is a 20 pin and it worked in the old one, yeah. And the 4 pin only goes in one way

Yeah the CPU is Am2 http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif I would doubt the motherboard died though. Before I bought it the store tested it out and it worked, and this was just earlier today and I can't imagine I did something to kill it.

[TorterraEndor]

D'oh, two screws weren't in >_> Dunno how I missed the holes. But does that make a difference?

[VioletSkye]

Yeah the pinset for both power connectors should only allow it to go in one way.

So you checked the offset screws, and the board (Micro ATX) is supported by your case (as in it has the correct offset screw alignments for your mobo?) You reseated the CPU?

What is the brand and type of RAM?
Also was the board up and running at the store you bought it from?

[VioletSkye]

On 2007-04-19 19:08, TorterraEndor wrote:
D'oh, two screws weren't in >_> Dunno how I missed the holes. But does that make a difference?


Makes all the difference in the world. If the offset screws are not properly aligned and screwed to the motherboard, it will not boot.

[TorterraEndor]

Well...then problem solved....I suck hard http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

Does it make a difference if the mobo is screwed right onto the case? The old one had these things that screwed into the cases screwholes that elevated it a bit, but the old mobo also had two less holes, so I can't use these.

[VioletSkye]

On 2007-04-19 19:19, TorterraEndor wrote:
Well...then problem solved....I suck hard http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

Does it make a difference if the mobo is screwed right onto the case? The old one had these things that screwed into the cases screwholes that elevated it a bit, but the old mobo also had two less holes, so I can't use these.


You want to use the offset screws (the ones used to elevate the mobo from the case.) The shop you bought the mobo from should have a few extras laying around. I'd check there to see if they could spare two for you.

If you screw it straight to the case you can ruin it depending on the case and mobo.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-19 19:33 ]</font>

[TorterraEndor]

Found two in my super old comp, thanks for all the help http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[VioletSkye]

no problem. hope it boots for you once you get it properly secured to the case http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

That's a fairly common mistake which is why I asked as soon as you mentioned it wouldn't even boot into the BIOS lol.

[TorterraEndor]

I think I'm just gonna have to take it into the place I bought it and see whats up. Still doesn't boot and the screws are in tight.

Edit: Reading up elsewhere, it could be the PSU not giving it enough juice, it is a pretty old one and this is a newer motherboard.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TorterraEndor on 2007-04-19 20:26 ]</font>

[McLaughlin]

Maybe you shocked the motherboard? I only say this because my friend was changing Hard Drives and carried one across a wool shag carpet, then worked on his PC. On the carpet. >_> The old HD was toast.

The last time I tried to meddle with my PC I couldn't even get the case off, so I'm afraid I can't be of much help beyond the blooper suggestion.

Good luck.

[VioletSkye]

On 2007-04-19 20:08, TorterraEndor wrote:
I think I'm just gonna have to take it into the place I bought it and see whats up. Still doesn't boot and the screws are in tight.

Edit: Reading up elsewhere, it could be the PSU not giving it enough juice, it is a pretty old one and this is a newer motherboard.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TorterraEndor on 2007-04-19 20:26 ]</font>

What is the wattage? Are you running dedicated graphics/sound cards? How many optical drives? It's possible that it doesn't have enough to power the system but it should at least powerup the new motherboard even if the PSU is older. It certainly wouldn't hurt trying a newer PSU though http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Just out of curiousity, was the older pc a brand name machine (Dell, Gateway, HP etc?) Many older systems (not just dell) used a proprietary pinset on the motherboard and thusly, used power supplies that had the same pinsert. The thing is, the proprietary hardware would still "fit" into a standard components (meaning that you could plug the PSU into a standard ATX mobo or vice versa you could plug a standard ATX PSU into the proprietary mobo.) The downside is, it was highly possible to fry your mobo doing that.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-19 21:15 ]</font>

[TorterraEndor]

I'll look up the PSUs specs(some other time, going to bed now), but I doubt its it.

Its not a brand name, though. I actually bought it off a friend whos in the computer business. He bought it off some hotel and upgraded it. Not like it matters much.

Like I said I'll try phoning and bringing it in tomorrow. If I did fry it, it has a warranty so I'll be ok http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif