Built a new computer, but it's not working...

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Don't laugh, I'm so pissed about it I have to leave it for a little then come back.... If nothing else I'm bring it back where a buy the computer parts tomorrow.

Ok so heres the parts...

MSI K8N SLI Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ CPU
PC3200 512mb DDR400 2 of them
MSI NX6800GS Video card PCI-E
WD 250gig SATA 7200rpm 8mb buffer
Raidmax case black

Using some old parts like my Sony Dual layer / Dual format DVD / CD RW drive. So my problem is that when I try to install Windows XP with the F6 optional for SATA driver is works good to the Blue Screen of Death / Setup is Starting Windows on the bottom of the screen, then it just dies / stop cold.

Lost

Frank Z · February 2006

Just built a new PC for my kids (Intel P4 3.0, 500watt power supply,etc...). Had to buy a new version of XP, the copy I had was only for use with a new PC...basically bundled with my old Gateway. The new software fixed most of the strart up issues, but I'm still working a few bugs out.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Thanks for the input Frank,

The Windows XP software I'm using is a Windows XP version not a computer reinstall disk. I think it has something about the SATA disk not sure this is stuff is to new for me.

Frank Z · February 2006

Are you using 2 HD's or just 1?

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Just 1 HD SATA right now. Later will add an IDE HD also, but this is not connect now.

Mazeroth · February 2006

Joe,

Post your problem on the Anadtech forum I'm linking below. These guys know their stuff.

http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.aspx?catid=32&entercat=y

Sami · February 2006

Download memtest86 and test the memory. That would be my first step. Also, post the error message you're getting in the BSOD.

bobman1235 · February 2006

Did you try installing everything on the IDE drive, assuming you have it available.? Maybe the SATA driver is what's messing thing sup. A lot of motherboards still have issues booting with SATA.

jcaut · February 2006

I probably don't know as much about this as the guys who posted above, but, if I'm reading right, you're getting to where it says "Setup is Starting Windows" on the installation process. It still should be running from the CD at that point, right? Running some sort of system analysis, maybe? I don't think it has actually copied anything to the HD at that point. For some reason I think it sounds like a memory or configuration problem. Do you have the latest SATA drivers?

I don't know though. Just thinking/guessing.

Jason

Strong Bad · February 2006

The PC I built 4 years ago finally died on me last Wednesday. I didn't even feel like **** with building a new one. Called Dell and ordered a beefy machine. P4 3ghz dual core, 2gb RAM, dual 160 gb SATA HDs RAID 1, GeForce 6800 256mb Video, 19" Ultrasharp and the best thing....4 year gold support.

Could have built a new one for less $$$, but didn't feel like it.

John

steveinaz · February 2006

I've been building mine for 14 yrs, but like John, I'm buying pre-packaged next time; probably a Dell as well....

I just did a little maintenance on my last build (AMD Athlon XP), new fans, tore the thing apart and vacuumed dust out of it, replaced the CPU fan, searched for all new drivers and flashed the BIOS. See if I can't get at least another 2 years out it.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Thanks for all the input and the other forums to check out, I appreciate it.

For Jcaut, I have to agree at this point it's running from the CD but I believe it wrote files / drivers to HD. But now you have me thinking was it writing files / drivers to memory and now it's trying to see the SATA 250gig drive? Ok so what's odd now is that BIOS can see this drive and reports it just fine.

BrentMcGhee · February 2006

You do not need to press F6 in the begining of the windows setup. That is only if you are installing a raid driver, and from your description it does not sound like you are setting up a a raid (2 drives striped together as one i.e. 2 physical 60Gb drives become 1 logical 120Gb drive).

Try it without pressing F6 at the begining, that might be your problem. If you still run into errors you may want to check your sata controller chip setting in your bios. make sure that it is set to the right mode for your drive. With out knowing what bios you have i cant tell you exactly what your looking at there but it should be pretty self explanatory.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

For those who are buying a pre-built machine this is why I'm building one now. Had a Compaq Presario 7000 AMD 1.2 MHz (the best at that time) great machine but like everything else it was getting out dated. Couldn't put up with the system restore disk (the greatness when it was out) Windows ME puke so I brought XP $90 CD drive died ok, DVD drive died ok (it's what I'm now reusing) the 80gig drive will it was it the ground already (I need to take it out every so often to wack with the back end of a screwdriver just above the disk bearing. I brought a new IDE drive 200gig I think but wouldn't install in the computer because it has that 127gig limitation. I would have replaced the CPU but was affraid that the motherboard would fight me so that stopped me. Well in short feel that 7 years with the old one, and the upgrades I could do on this new one (some day) it's the best way.

BTW why do those pre-built machine come with all that software that **** demo versions, what there's still newbies in the world buying computers.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

BrentMcGhee wrote:

You do not need to press F6 in the begining of the windows setup. That is only if you are installing a raid driver, and from your description it does not sound like you are setting up a a raid (2 drives striped together as one i.e. 2 physical 60Gb drives become 1 logical 120Gb drive).

Try it without pressing F6 at the begining, that might be your problem. If you still run into errors you may want to check your sata controller chip setting in your bios. make sure that it is set to the right mode for your drive. With out knowing what bios you have i cant tell you exactly what your looking at there but it should be pretty self explanatory.

Sorry the same thing dies right at Setup is starting Windows.

BrentMcGhee · February 2006

you may also want to try it with only one stick of memory in at a time (alternate back and fourth one time with each stick) I have had the memory be the problem before. If still same thing, unplug the sata drive and hook up an ide drive and see if it does the same thing. By process of elimination you can probably figure out what the culprit is and then we could be of more help for yha.

Sami · February 2006

BrentMcGhee wrote:

you may also want to try it with only one stick of memory in at a time (alternate back and fourth one time with each stick) I have had the memory be the problem before.

Even if the computer works fine, it is always a good idea to run memory check. Like I said earlier, this is your first step to put into CD/DVD drive when the components have been assembled: http://www.memtest86.com/

BrentMcGhee · February 2006

Sami wrote:

Even if the computer works fine, it is always a good idea to run memory check. Like I said earlier, this is your first step to put into CD/DVD drive when the components have been assembled: http://www.memtest86.com/

Good point i forgot all about that program.

Strong Bad · February 2006

disneyjoe7 wrote:

BTW why do those pre-built machine come with all that software that **** demo versions, what there's still newbies in the world buying computers.

I'll just uninstall all the BS that comes with my new one (yes, there is alot of BS). I didn't feel like building a new one. I could have, just don't want to be bothered. Besides, I went through my companies corporate purchase plan and got a nice discounted price along with a big discount on the 4 year next day gold support.

I might rebuild my dead one and use it as a server. I can get a good price on a MOBO/CPU/RAM combo. Don't need anything extravagent for that one.

John

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Thanks guys again I feel this place is best, always helping or sending me in the right direction. I typing from this computer that I couldn't get XP on, my problem was the F6 at startup must do then install SATA HD 1 required then install SATA Raid HD 2 required in this sequence. Don't ask about the SATA Raid thing I have no F'ing clue, all I can say it worked.

I think I have a PowerSupply issue now, but I call the store because I went to store to make sure what I brought would work together. The video card says 400w needed with 20amps 12+, and the MB says it needs 450w. The case comes with a 380w, so it doesn't like to come up all the time and gives me a blank screen at times. Saga continues

Sami · February 2006

Still, whatever you do, run that memory test first. ALWAYS do that first before installing any OS on it, always!

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Will do Sami thanks, sorry for the late reply I'm still in between computers

Steve

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Sami wrote:

Still, whatever you do, run that memory test first. ALWAYS do that first before installing any OS on it, always!

Sami,

I can say it works well the Mem test 32 anyway, 1 1/2 hrs 5 passes ok 0 errors......

F_ck it It worked.

I have ordered a 500w Antec Power supply so I'm just waiting for the NewEgg shipment now. I could have gone back to the store which I purchase everything but I don't think they could have gave me a better deal on a larger PS then I got with NewEgg so they where skipped this pass.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

I installed some utilities that came with the motherboard, one is called PC alert4. Would you know / guess my PS 12+ is reported out or very very low 1.3 volts or 0 with alarms sirens the works.

Is this safe to run for a day or 2 if all seems ok when booted ok?

BTW I typed this message from it

or

not sure

bobman1235 · February 2006

Your +12 V is reporting 1.3V or 0V? Sounds like a bad monitor - there's no way anything would be working if that were an actual reading. Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

Maybe you're correct it's a bad software monitor? So Asus is a better MB to work with then my new MSI board, that sucks a little since I'll not upgrade the MB do to little F up things like that.

I'm replacing the power supply do to the power up issue I have. I get a Bios info screen then nothing, I hit the reset switch get Bios info screen then that Windows don't load last time screen do you wish to boot normal? I hit anykey then it's fine, I have 12 fans running now so yes maybe to 12v is working ok. But with above issue of Power up I believe the Video card and CPU are sucking to much power during boot up, so 380w out / 500w in. Soon I hope.

POLKOHOLIC · February 2006

check the bios readings first. more likely than not there are utilities in the bios that display temp/voltage readings and what not. that software might be buggy....also - better software is Motherboard Monitor

POLKOHOLIC · February 2006

12 fans is a bit too much....youd be better off with half as many if you get placments right and cables out of the way (old ribbon type IDE cables are bad for airflow - get rounded ones instead) 12 must be loud as hell - i use 8 right now and its noisy.

disneyjoe7 · February 2006

LOL sorry I meant 12v fans running right now just a 80mm side case fan. I will replace that 80mm with a temp controlled version with "Blue LEDs" / also on order with the powersupply is a 120mm case fan with "Blue LEDs" that I will mount in the front of case.

Hmm maybe my Second Childhood coming into play here....................

The motherboards voltage monitor reports ok, but its just Bios. I thinking that monster of video card sucks the 12v down during its welcome to life.

POLKOHOLIC · February 2006

perhaps a higher wattage power supply is needed. get a 450-500 watt ps with dual fans. it will last you a lifetime.

POLKOHOLIC · February 2006

get another video card while ur at it...if i had an sli capable motherboard id be running those new nvidia cards with 512mb ram. sweet they are. combined would be a gig of high speed ddr ram dedicated for video.

Built a new computer, but it's not working...

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