new computer not posting...never a good thing.

[Drolith]

OK I"ve tried the following:
Reseating the single stick of DIMM that I have.
Reseating the Video Card.
Reseating the ATX power connector.
Using a PCI graphics card.
Clearing CMOS.
(all while having nothing but the CPU/hs,video card,Stick of memory, and mobo installed and hooked up. and of course the Power Supply)
Checked all the jumpers...I only have 2, the CMOS and the ABR buzzer jumper.
its not shorted to the case I"m using risers.

My parts I"m using at this moment:
KT400 SOYO Dragon Ultra Platinum Edition
2800+ AMD Athlon XP Barton
128mb 8x AGP Geforce FX 5200P (made by Albatron)
256mb K-Byte memory 333mhz (pc2700)
Volcano 11+ Xaser Edition
Antec True 430w
and thats all that I have hooked up at this moment.

So all thats left really is reseating the CPU I guess....I mean I can't think of anything else to try, I want another computer here so I can swap out each part and figure out what is wrong. but this one I am using is to crappy to use any of them pluss its a Pentium and I"m building an AMD.

:gd: Ok let me state what happens. I plug in the computer and the green light at the button of my SOYO KT400 Ultra Dragon Platinum Edition motherboard lights up showing it has power, then I push the power button and turn it on and ALL the fans start spinning and it see's the CD-ROM and stuff and they work but nothing on the screen (the light on the monitor is yellowish not green, like the computer is not even turned one when it is)and no beebs, and yes the Monitor is hooked up to the Video card . Then I have to hold the power button like 10 seconds or so to get it to shut down like it is freezing up! it wont let me use the reset button.

I mean if it was the Video card it would still Post, if it was memory it would beeb alot during post then problably shut down, if the processor was chipped...it wouldn't do anything I wouldn't think and if it was the mobo...then I can understand this happening.

All I can think of is either the mobo is fried (maybe due to when
I did short the mobo to the case awial back...another long story of trying to get this thing to work wont talk bout that here) or I managed to chip my cpu installing the dificult Volcano 11+ into its tight squeeze on my mobo. or the CPU was shiped DOA. :confused2

ANY HELP would be appreciated. Thx

[dicki]

welcome to the board :)

well you say you've reseated everything so the only thing i can think of immeadiatly is checking the clear cmos jumper, you'll get exactly these symptoms if this jumper is set to clear the cmos

ahhh nuts just noticed you checked it! errrmmmm. i'm stuck i'm afraid...

dicki

[mwall1382]

i had the same probs a while ago with my asus a7n8x deluxe mobo /w 2700+. i got a RMA for the mobo and when the new one arrived all was good. i dont quite understand what was wrong with the board (seems odd to me). i mean ive never seen a fried board even start to boot. 1st time 4 everything i guess lol.

P.S. Awesome boards :D

[Player0]

I've had similar problems with Soyo. Serious cold-boot issues. I went to Soyo's website, and a BIOS flash was supposed to correct the issue. Try flashing the BIOS on a dead board.

Whatever you do, stop clearing CMOS. That seemed to make things worse on my Soyo. Try holding Insert while powering up.

I would definitely reseat the CPU at this point (why not). Id remove the memory and the video card so all you have is the mobo and the CPU. Remove ALL wires except for speaker and power switch (and power). remove all the drives, any usb connectors, kb, mouse, everything.

Just a CPU, mobo, speaker, and a powerswitch. yes, you need a cooler too lol.

If you dont get any beeps liek that, holding the insert key, the next step is to remove the cmos battery and walk away for about 24 hours. reinsert it, and try again. If it still doesnt boot, gotta get an rma for it.

[Drolith]

In order for me to flash bios wouldn't the computer have to be able to boot up first..so I can have it boot from a disk in order to flash it? if its not posting it wouldn't even know a floppy is there or know what to do with it would it?

[Player0]

You cant flash bios until its booting.

You need to yank everytrhing out and just try to get beeps at this point.

[Drolith]

ok well I"ve tried reseating the CPU still nothing, at this point I"M guessing my mobo is fried somewhere. if my case is wired to the mobo wrong will that cause it not to post? my case didn't come witha guide on what wire is possative or ground or what, so I had to wing it according to the mobo manual. I know the power button is in right cause I turn the thing on hehe and I know the speaker one is in ok because on the connecter it tells me which side is posative and negative, plus it uses only black and red wires. but the others use white, then some other color. I am pretty sure white is the ground color(or negative).

[Ruantic]

If I were you, I would save myself much frustration before it goes farther.... RMA that thing, Via pretty much screwed up with the KT400, and Soyo is probably one of the worse KT400 based boards there is... What do I base this on? My overpriced, non-overclockable, unable to run Radeon 9x00 video cards Soyo KT400 Ultra Black Edition. Its simply an Extremely poor implementation of a mediocre chipset.

Now if your NOT overclocking, and not running an ATI 8x vid card you may just find the Soyo passable.

The best thing you could do is return it. If your absolutely set on a Via based board get an Abit! If chipset isn't important then get yourself an Nforce2 based board, Abit NF7-S, Epox 8rda+, or Asus A7N8X. Those are the top 3, with Abit being #1.


As for the motherboard problem, If you haven't already, remove it completely from the case, set it up on the packing material included with the board, try getting it running completely outside the case. and follow along with Player0's advice. Be aware that my Soyo KT400 is one of the slowest posting boards I've seen. It easily takes 3-4 times as long as any other board I have to post.

Again, if at all possible return the board and grab an NForce2 board!

[Ruantic]

Originally posted by Drolith
ok well I"ve tried reseating the CPU still nothing, at this point I"M guessing my mobo is fried somewhere. if my case is wired to the mobo wrong will that cause it not to post? my case didn't come witha guide on what wire is possative or ground or what, so I had to wing it according to the mobo manual. I know the power button is in right cause I turn the thing on hehe and I know the speaker one is in ok because on the connecter it tells me which side is posative and negative, plus it uses only black and red wires. but the others use white, then some other color. I am pretty sure white is the ground color(or negative).


I think its highly unlikely that connecting the front panel connections incorrectly would permanently damage anything.

[Player0]

Drolith, sounds like this is one of the first computers you've built. Experience tells me that 9 times out of 10, when you think hardware is toast, it really isnt. Its worth some more playing before you get that RMA. you might get charged a restocking fee if the board gets back to them and it works fine.

White is USUALLY ground. Depends on the case. Yes, the wiring can cause a board not to boot once. I remember spending hours and hours trying to get a board to boot, only to find that the reset wire which was plugged in, was connected to a stuck reset switch that i needed to replace. Problems like that, from a shorting LED lead to a bad switch can cause problems. Best to take EVERYTHING out. Just try to get beeps. Dont worry about video or memory working, just try to get some error beeps.

Some boars wont beep without memory. you might want to try with and without the ram. your ram seems a bit cheap though, it may be the issue itself.

[Player0]

On that note, I was writing this before Ruan posted hehe. Depends on where you got the board, if you can return it and trade it in for an NF7, thats a good idea. I dont like Soyo boards myself.

And no, you wont damage anything by installing the case wiring backwards. The leds, or at worst the mobo, simply may not work.

[sptw]

Well, maybe the problems can be the wires, maybe not.Let's try this Drolith, please:

It seems a Bios issue.Sometimes this little guide can do the job.Most BIOS manufacturers (Award, Phoenix, and AMI) include an option known as Boot Block protection.The Boot Block can load the most basic BIOS functions for the simple I/O operation of ISA video, floppy drive transfers, and keyboard input. Luckily these features are all that is generally required to rebuild the entire working BIOS.To recover an AWARD BIOS you will need to create a floppy diskette with a working BIOS file in .BIN format, an AWARD flash utility and an AUTOEXEC.BAT file.AWARD BIOS will not automatically restore the BIOS information to the SYSTEM BLOCK for this reason you will need to add the commands necessary to flash the BIOS to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.The system will run the AUTOEXE.BAT file at startup, which will in turn flash the BIOS. This is fairly easy. Here are the steps you need to take.Your mobo use an AWARD bios, then try to do this:

- Create a bootable floppy disk. If you use Windows 95, 98 or DOS, this can be done by going to the DOS prompt and typing the command. (Be sure to insert a disk first) :
FORMAT A: /S
The /S switch specifies that the system files should be copied to the diskette to make it bootable. If you are using Windows ME, Windows NT or Windows 2000 or Windows XP then you can not use the /S switch with the FORMAT command.If you are unable to create a bootable diskette because of the operating system you are using then you may download a bootable diskette image from the BootDisk.com web site at http://www.bootdisk.com

- Get the latest K7VX4_2AA7 Bios Revision Rom (http://www.soyousa.com/downloads/filedesc.php?id=2042) file and extract the .bin file and the flash utility to the floppy disk. (Advise for other users: this Bios rom and the AWDFlash.exe are for KT400 SOYO Dragon Ultra Platinum Edition mobo only, for other brands, get it on the manufacturer's site)

- Use a text editor or the "edit" command at the DOS prompt to create a text file named ‘AUTOEXEC.BAT’ and save it on the floppy disk. Make sure that the file name is AUTOEXEC and that the extension is .BAT (nothing else). If you create this file from within Windows using a program such as NOTEPAD, you may need to change the file extension from .TXT to .BAT

- With the text editor add the following commands to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the floppy disk and then save the changes.
@ECHO OFF
@AWDFLASH BIOSFILE.BIN /sn/py/cc

The ‘/py’ switch will cause the flash utility to automatically reprogram the BIOS without any user intervention, The '/cc' switch will clear CMOS data after programing and '/sn' switch means no original bios backup.Be sure to change the ‘AWDFLASH’ to the name of the flash utility that you are using and change the ‘BIOSFILE.BIN’ to the name of the BIOS ROM file you are using.

- Insert the diskette you created into the floppy drive A: on the system that you need to restore the BIOS on. Turn on the system. The computer should startup, read the floppy disk, run the commands in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and restore the BIOS.

I hope this help you.

[Player0]

sptw, unfortunately he can't get it running to the point of flashing the BIOS.

If you have a spare mobo, and a spare compatible EEPROM, yuo can always hot flash a new bios on to the EEProm and put this on the SOYO.

Ive done it, its worked in the past (had a KR7A that borkde its own bios a couple times) but its not for begginers.

[sptw]

sptw, unfortunately he can't get it running to the point of flashing the BIOS.

Well, i'm a little confused here Tom, Drolith said in his first post that he pushed the power button and turn it on and ALL the fans start spinning and it see's the CD-ROM and stuff and they work but nothing on the screen, then if the bios can see the cd-rom, probably can see the floopy too.Maybe i'm wrong.

If you have a spare mobo, and a spare compatible EEPROM, yuo can always hot flash a new bios on to the EEProm and put this on the SOYO.

yeah, it use to works, but have to agree with you, it's not for begginers.

[Drolith]

sptw I didn't mean the bios saw the cd-rom (when I had it in) I mean it got power from the power supply and would open...which really doesn't mean anything when it comes to my problem other than the connect from powersupply to it works...anywho, ya the memory I got is a cheap version and I didn't know much bout memory brand names when I got it. I'm going to get some Crusial pc3200 soon. So the memory Might be the problem.

I ordered the board from tigerdirect...again when I new nothing..I currently order my parts from newegg. like my processor and heatsink and such.

and yes this is my first computer to build...2nd time to try to get it to work..first time messed up the processor, I learned from that and moved on. Now it wont turn on...and I'm running out of options. Just so yall know this is the first time for all these parts to be used.

Wish I had a computer that could handle all this hardware and would switch out but I can't. so I might end up taking this somewhere it can be switched out. maybe...depends if they are going to charge me like $100 to switch out a few parts and show me whats broke...if anything is.

[Ruantic]

What part of the country/world are you in? possibly one of the members here are somewhere in your neighborhood? I'm in Phoenix AZ, be happy to help if i were anywhere near you....


Worth mention, my soyo board doesn't care at all what memory is in it.... from cheapie generic 2100, up to High end OCZ and Corsair.....

If you do RMA to Tiger and they'll allow you to do it, get THIS BOARD LINKED HERE (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=A458-2005) creme of the Socket A crop!

[sptw]

sptw I didn't mean the bios saw the cd-rom (when I had it in) I mean it got power from the power supply and would open...which really doesn't mean anything when it comes to my problem other than the connect from powersupply to it works...

Ok, it clear for me now.Well.... i can't see no other thing to help you on it, unless to wish you good luck to solve it.

[Synthohol]

this has happened to me before, turn the ide cable around unless its keyed one way, or unplug the hdd altogether, unless i missed it you never even mentioned you had one.
worth a shot!;)

[Drolith]

Ok welp I"ve reseated everything reseatable...checked all 2 of the jumbers...took the mobo out put it on its plastic raping it came with and powered it up from there...used nothing but the cpu and mobo and cpu/mobo/memory and cpu/mobo/memory/vid card. Put all the front panel connecters in everyway.tried different video card...all I can do now is swap out cpu/motherboard/memory with someone elses...but I dont' know anyone who has anything compatable with what I got...so I guess I can take it to this local computer store and see if they will do that part for me. and charge me up the ass for it to prolly. THx for yall your help guys..but I think I'm out of options other than RMA ing a part. Somethign was shipped dead. mobo or CPU.

last thign I"m goign to try is hook like everything..cd-rom floppy video keyboard mouse everything up and see what it does then. hehe I've got nothing better to do. so thats all I know to do.

People THE COMPUTER WILL POST WITHOUT HARDDRIVE...if harddrive was connected wrong it would post and either tell you that there isn't oen or freeze durring bios check or something after POST. thats what POST does it looks for those devices well Bios anyway.

[Synthohol]

Originally posted by Drolith
People THE COMPUTER WILL POST WITHOUT HARDDRIVE...if harddrive was connected wrong it would post and either tell you that there isn't oen or freeze durring bios check or something after POST. thats what POST does it looks for those devices well Bios anyway.
I apologize if i offend you, but I STRONGLY dissagree, a backwards connected HDD CAN exhibit the exact symptoms you describe.
if i had a digi movie camera i would turn around to the PC on my other workbench and show you the same thing that happened to me last week. the ide cable was in the unkeyed m/b slot an i put it backwards and it did just what yours does.
I would never make that up as it was experienced, not GUESSED!
one of my favorite phrases is K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid. what have you got to lose??

P.S. I wasnt going to say this but i feel overly compelled, I have been building computers for 16 years...and you???

[WackyComputer]

If the computer will post without a harddrive, that would lead me to believe that Synth is right on the money.

And if the problem isn't caused by the ide cable then maybe it's the harddrive itself.

BTW: Are you sure you have the speaker wired the correct way?
Some beeps would help.:)

[Synthohol]

mine didnt make a peep with the cable backwards, all fans, lights came on but no sounds, post or anything good... til i turned it around! all good now:)
Wacky, thanx for the confidence points!!;)

[Drolith]

welp *puts out the flame*. :P, um didn't mean to come out so strongly when stupid me thought harddrives had nothing to do with post. then again some mobo's prolly dont' need the HD.but I mean you know how frustrating it can get...and I was in the middle of breaking down..still am anyway. I"ll give it a whirl I mean I"ve tried everything else...even sit here and took the damn motherboard out of the case..knowing it wasn't shorted to the case but did it anyway of course didn't do anything new. so why not I"ll hook the harddrive up and see what happens. maybe the soyo board needs the harddrive hoooked up to boot..doesn't say anything about it but why not!

I E-Mailed SOYO listing all the things I have tried and what didn't work...I'm just worried that they will E-Mail me saying to try what I have already tried, That the guy answering my E-Mail is some person who only knows how to open E-Mails and read in a little book or file of what to do if so and so happens then reply. anyway off to hook up the harddrive and other crap...still have to screw the motherboard back into the case I got lazy and took a break. :P

I'll report back with the same thing I have been forawial now I"m sure...(has ran out of hope)if for some miracle or wierd act of god that this works I will drive down to were you live and kiss you. :kiss1:

[Ruantic]

To be honest I've had literally hundreds of computers, and built the majority, out of all of them I've only had one dead one, it was an Abit BH6, a capacitor failed on it. Now I've had quite a few I thought were dead, but one way or another they always seemed to come back to life.

My most recent was a Soltek KT333 Socket A board, it actually had symtoms almost identical to yours. I pretty much thought it was dead..... What I did was removed the Battery, and let it sit on a shelf. Was getting ready to toss it, and gave it a last chance try out... It worked fine.... If all else fails and your going to RMA, yank all the power to it, and pull the battery, leave it sit over night, and try again the next day.


Good Luck, Unfortunately its a really frustrating experience, If i were in your shoes that board would be in tiny pieces all over my floor....

[Player0]

Hehe, ive had hd connectors backwards before, ive had some WEIRD things happen because of that, including the video card failing at random times.

Yeah, Ive seen boards just start working too. Sounds like youve covered most of the bases. At this point, I think its safe if you just send the board back.

It however, could be the CPU as well. If you damaged the CPU somehow...you might get the same symptoms. Its a tough call to decide which one is really dead without swapping parts around. But as a newbie, you probably dont have a lot of access to that, so I'd bring in someone else.

[Synthohol]

i really hope you get it going, not so much for the kiss, but the victorious feeling you get from bringing the dead back to life!
can you try all the componants in another PC? for process of elimination?
here's rooting for yah!:beerm8s:

[Drolith]

well the harddrive thing didn't work :(. I guess I'll go ahead and yank the ol battery let it sit and see what happens. I wish I had someone who had a decent enouph computer to run these parts...don't think I know anyone with a board that can even handle DDR memory let alone 2800+ AMD processor. so if the battery doesn't work then I"ll see if that local computer store has the parts to swap out and see if we can find what is wrong with this puppy.

OH YA I FORGOT A DETAIL!! about when I tried to turn my computer on with everything...the keyboard lights would flash on the second I plug it in then back off *tried both PS2 ports* not sure what that means but I think the mouse was the same, not sure forgot to look its USB though...the monitor might do the same to...

[Drolith]

...awial back when I tried this I accedently shorted the mobo to the case at one point...fixed that then found out the cpu was broke but anyway, could shorting the mobo to your case (forgot risers) cause any problems?

[Ruantic]

Originally posted by Drolith
...awial back when I tried this I accedently shorted the mobo to the case at one point...fixed that then found out the cpu was broke but anyway, could shorting the mobo to your case (forgot risers) cause any problems?


Yeah it is possible you could have damaged it.

[Synthohol]

i once put a riser where there was no hole in the mb and thought it was dead too, fortunatly the asus was more forgiving.
at this point RMA seems to be the way to go if the battery thing does not work for ya.
Indeed sorry for your misfortune:(
remember, experience is recognising a mistake when you make it again.

[Player0]

Ive seem poorly installed motherboards spark and sizzle on cases *cough* gabe *cough* but...it miraculously booted again.