IC7 Booting problem

BoogleBoogle
edited February 2005 in Hardware
I have an Abit IC7 that seems to be having some trouble booting. I've followed all of the steps to clear the cmos (including disconnecting power and battery), but every time I turn it on nothing displays... The monitor I had it hooked up to seemed to do something (unlike my 21" that just ignored it), but it still remained black.

There is also a red LED under the bios that fires on when I try to start it, along with a few beeps. I'm not familiar what's normal as I've not had it running in a functional state yet.

I have the CPU, A stick of 512 ram in it, and a video card (radeon 9000 pro)... Along with a hd, do I need a floppy and cd drive in it to fire it up or something??? I can't help but feel I must have missed something, I'd like to get into the bios and be sure all is fine as soon as I can, before I spend more money centered around these parts.....

Comments

  • KojiKoji
    edited February 2005
    That really sounds like something is either not plugged in correctly/all the way or something is bad. Beeps are usually warnings that something is wrong (besides the usual 1 beep of a computer starting) I'd look up your board and see what these beeps mean. Many times it's used as a code in case you can't get any video cues.

    Really this problem reminds me of when I hadn't pushed in my video card all the way. I'd really check to make sure you have the back end in all the way as it can sometimes stick out a bit without you realizing it.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    ... I typed out a decent sized post only to lose it because of a missing cookie... argh....

    Anyways, to put everything in short:


    A site I was looking at told me one long beep followed by 2 short beeps is most often a video or motherboard issue. Under their "motherboard issues" was listed being certain of full RAM banks.

    Cutting to the chase: Can anyone a little more experienced help me out on checking if the IC7 requires 2 sticks of ram to run?

    I bought the board, CPU, and RAM from the same person at once, but since he isn't a professional retailer details like that can get lost (if it's implied that it should work with 1 stick or otherwise). The manual is poorly worded and I suspect english wasn't their first language. They make it sound like 2 sticks are only required to increase performance, without explicitly explaining whether or not 1 stick will work.


    I'm really crossing my fingers in the hope that it's just hungry for another stick and not something like a cooked CPU.


    Anyways, I don't really want to buy another stick yet, in the chance that it's the motherboard and I decide to get something that doesn't support it. So if someone could clue me in, I'll be sure to sign over my first born whenever they come around.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Is the CPU heatsink fan starting? Is the hard drive spinning up ('whir' and click sound)? I'll see if I can find my IC7 manual for an explanation of the light and also for RAM placement in the sockets.

    OK, I'm remembering now. My IC7 is so stable that I've not had to mess with anything in months, except for checking all the components' connections after moving my household.

    DRAM. Yes, you can run with only one stick. Try different sockets. It may be that only two of the sockets are for single stick operation.

    Motherboard indicator LEDs. The red light means that the motherboard is receiving current from the power supply unit. Green light means the CMOS is communicating with motherboard components.

    You may have an electrical short somewhere. If moving the DRAM stick does not fix anything, you should remove the motherboard from the computer, place on a static free surface, and connect it to your PSU. Before connecting, unplug the PSU/computer from the power source (wall socket or power strip). On the motherboard, only have mounted your DRAM, the CPU, and of course the CPU heatsink/fan. If the CPU fan spins LED lights, your CPU is probably in good shape, and you've just experienced a short between the motherboard and the case. (I don't remember if the green LED will light or not if the video card is not attached or is out of order.)

    Oh yeah - before you go through all of this. Reseat your video card. Also clean the contacts on the card. You can do that with acetone, a pencil erasor, or denatured alcohol.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    When the PSU is plugged in and switched on it has a yellowish/green light, when I turn it on a red LED also comes on (followed by one long and two short beeps).

    The hard drive did try and spin I recall when I first tried to hook it up several days ago.

    I've reseated the video card a few times, and tried 2 different cards with essentially the same effect.

    The memory I've tried in every slot except for 4. The book says use 1&3, or 2&4.... I tried 1 first, then 2, then 3, getting nothing but the same results.

    What is "Denatured alcohol"? I only have 70% Isopropyl at the moment. I guess a pencil eraser should be easy enough to find.


    Also worth noting, the lights display as mentioned above (green/yellowish on when PSU is plugged in and switch on, and red comes on when I press the power button), and the CPU fan does come on (as well as the video card fan).

    What is a good "static free surface"? A Countertop? I really would kick myself if it were the case, it is in fact a very cheap case (even the reset button broke when I took off the face to examine for modding). I thought since I was going to mod it beyond recognition, with a welder and everything, that I could just buy cheap and it would work ok. Perhaps I was wrong. I have never had the money to build a computer before now, so I'm probably off to a good start at making mistakes.


    Anyways, I've heard very good things about the IC7, I don't blame the board, just my own incompetence.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    Just noting, the eraser unsurprisingly did nothing, the card hasn't really been handled or rubbed on anything that I know of (other than the bag and slot).

    I'll wait on the whole naked board thing until I get an "ok" or example of a good common surface for me to work on.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    It sounds to me like your CPU is good. I tried downloading the manual from Abit-USA to no avail. Their support site can be like the English translation in their manuals - not reliable. I love Abit boards and have used them for both Intel and AMD builds; but sometimes their manuals have things exactly backwards - literally.

    I may have given you erroneous information on indicator LEDs - I just don't remember. Don't rag on yourself for not getting everything hopping right away. It's not imcompetence, rather, it's called learning. It's the price we pay sometimes for having the courage to do things ourselves. The satisfaction when it works is worth the temporary frustration.

    Static free. The original motherboard anti-static bag is perfect. You should also be OK using the a table top; but no table cloth or metal topped table. The motherboard box would also work. Avoid standing on carpet, especially if the humidity is low in your house.

    Once you get that motherboard up and running, you should really enjoy it. I'm not a big Intel fan, but this IC7/P4 Northwood combination has been outstanding, completely reliable, and silky smooth. OH, I should mention all those attributes are there with my CPU overclocked to 3.5 GHz, running 24/7.

    What PSU do you have?

    Also, did you ensure that the CMOS jumper is in the 'run' position, and not the 'reset' position?
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    The CMOS jumper is indeed in its normal position.

    I got a new case today, even if the case isn't the problem, I owe the poor thing a decent home.

    The PSU is a 500W by "Ultra", not sure how seedy they are exactly, I suppose I could dish out some more cash for a new one if necessary.


    I will get down to the kitchen and try out the board without a case in a bit, but I'm wondering about this new case I have.

    It's an Antec CS400, plenty large and heavy case, with a door and "locks". I've tried placing my new CD-RW in it but don't see any real way to affix it to these sides. There are big holes (thumb sized or so) that sit slightly below half-way on the bottom edge of the drive. I know this isn't a very good description, I'll get some pictures taken as soon as I can though. Anyways, if anyone knows how I mount these drives I'd appreciate the help.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Concerning the CPU, memory, video card, and motherboard: have you observed these components working in another system? Question is asked only for troubleshooting purposes.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    Ok, naked motherboard with CPU and RAM gives identical results.... what now?
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    Only the video card is reasonably certain to not be the problem. I tried the card in this computer in it before I got the newer card, same result.

    When the CPU is removed it does nothing at all, when the RAM is removed of course it gives several continuous beeps.

    I'm starting to wonder about either the CPU or the board itself.

    I may have missed some connection, once I get everything out of the kitchen I'll list the connections made and see what you think.


    EDIT: Also worth noting, is that the PSU doesn't seem to be the problem... I tried the PSU that came with the case and saw no difference.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    It would appear that so far, your troubleshooting is good. I am inclined at this stage to point the finger at the motherboard.

    Power connections:

    What model is the video card. Does it require a four-pin molex power connector? If so, has it been connected.

    Do you have both the large and small motherboard power leads from the power supply connected to the board?
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    The video card (at the moment) is an ATI Radeon 9000 Pro. I don't see any other power connectors on it.

    There are two power connectors on the board (Listed as ATXPWR1 and ATX12V1) both were connected securely.

    What else is necessary to be connected for it to function? I know I had planned to list what I had connected, but now that I've disconnected everything I'm bound to forget stuff.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    It sounds to me like you had all the necessary power connections in place. Without my manual, I can't give too much more specific troubleshooting steps. I'm trying to remember if the IC7 has a jumper to set for DRAM speed. Check your manual.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    No jumpers that I can find, only controlled in bios. I've clear the CMOS, and held insert while starting up with no effect.



    EDIT: This may work, take a look ftp://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/fae/ic7-g_eng_v101.pdf
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    I've tried since yesterday to download the manual, but the Abit-USA site seems to have molasses in its downloads server.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    I'll see tomorrow about uploading the pdf I have for IC7-G (though this mobo has no mention of "G" anywhere). Uploading bloated PDFs on dialup isn't my idea of fun, but if it must be done it will be done.

    For now anyways I need to crash, thanks for all of the help so far.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    I've gotten a new HD and CD-RW. After hooking them both up in my new case, they both spin up (indicated by the Case HD LED, and the light on the CD-RW drive).

    Not sure what this is an indication of, but I thought I'd just mention it.

    I'm uploading the pdf of the manual I have now, but it may take a while.


    I've sent you the URL for the PDF in a pm.

    If anyone else wants it please tell me, I don't want to kill this guy's bandwidth by posting it publicly.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    I've tried several times to download the manual - each time I only get the introductory page.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    hmm, if my URL doesn't work I'm not sure of any other way to get it to you.

    Going on the assumption there are no jumpers for the RAM, what now?
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    At this point, all I can think of is a tough process - test all your components in some else's computer. If they all work, it either means your motherboard is bad or the CMOS chip is corrupted/bad.
  • BoogleBoogle
    edited February 2005
    I don't have school monday, but tuesday I may head over the the CT dept. of the school and see if anyone there would be able to help me out on testing.
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