Making a newly built computer work - help

funckore

I made a topic about installing Windows XP, but I think I need something else.
I just built a AMD Athlon 2400 computer with a 120gb Seagate harddrive, but now I need to turn it on. I don't know what I need to do. Do I need to format my hard drive or something? This is the first computer I've built, and i'm only 13. And it's real hard.:( Thanks.

citrixmeta

hey there!

well 1st thing, make sure the heatsink is installed properly or else you will lose your cpu


power on the pc and verify if the cdrom/hard drive/memory/cpu is detected.

once all that is set, simply pop in the windows xp cd and follow instructions.

good luck.

funckore

Thanks, but how do I verfy if they work? My monitor just says No Signal. My CD ROMs' lights work, and so does my Floppy Drive's. I think they're connected fine, but I don't know about my hard drive. And my sister's boyfriend installed the cpu for me before I ever turned the power on, and he's good with computers (I would have him help, but he's going back to colege tommorow...).
I've also tried this one thing from www.seagate.com and put it onto a CD and floppy, but it works with niether on my comp (I don't really know what it's supposed to do, format my drive or something).
I'm using a Gateway Windows XP CD. It says For Distrubution with Gateway PCs Only. Can I still use it? I could use my Windows 98 CD, then get the XP Upgrade, but I already spent alot of money so far.
Thanks

citrixmeta

No Signal??

uh oh!

make sure ur monitor is plugged in, if it is... something is up :S

check if the fan behind the power supply is spinning.


if it is, then its on and something is wrong! check the heatsink.


if the fan on the powersupply isnt spinning, then the pc is not turning on.

TheBaron

you plugged in all the headers and everything... RIIIGHT?

funckore

Yes... I think. But whenever it's on, it keeps beeping like every five seconds.

pcscustom

memory!!!!!!!!!! check that man,, sounds like it to me

Trev :sex:

funckore

I don't think it's the memory...

Mt_Goat

Is it beeping the same tone in the same pattern or the same beep repeating? If it is the same beep repeating then the memory needs to be re-seated. Here is how I would handle this no matter what:

First
Unplug the power cord, keyboard, mouse, etc and remove the side panel.

Second
a: Move the jumper to clear the CMOS (needs at least 15 seconds).

b: Then remove the RAM by pushing on the lifters on either end. Then make sure the RAM is lined up in the slot correctly but not pushed in yet, then after you are sure it is straight push it firmly until both lifters snap into the locked position (if they are real sluggish you can help them finish locking but you should not have to).

c: Then remove the video card from its slot and replace firmly.

d: Move the CMOS jumper back to the normal position and make sure the fan for CPU heat sink is plugged into the fan header marked "CPU Fan".

Third
Re-connect only the power, monitor, mouse and keyboard cables and start.

NOTE:
If this does not work repeat and when you get to the Second step disconnect the floppy and hard drive cables first then proceed the same without reconnecting any drive cables and power up to see if the board, CPU, memory and video card post by themselves.

If that still does not work get back to us here and we will see what else can be done but it does sound like the memory is not seated well.

I hope this hepls.

funckore

You were right the whole damn time. I just needed to take my memory out. It's formatting right now. Thanks.

TheBaron

sweet man, good luck with your newly working machine :-D

pcscustom

Thank You!!!! i love being right

Trev

Mt_Goat

Another satisfied customer!

funckore

Yeah. Thanks everyone. But now, my sound won't work..... It acts like I don't have my speakers plugged in. The soud card's built to the motherboard. And it's not my speakers, case I've tryed two different ones.

Mt_Goat

What board and what sound solution is on it? Are your speakers amplified of powered in any way? Are you sure you are pluging them into the correct connector? (Usually the green one) Did you install the drivers for the sound???

funckore

Everything's plugged in correct, my speakers are fine, and my drivers.... are not. I went to Add Hardware in Control Panel, to try and add my speakers, and clicked on Multimedia Audio Controller. "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)" is all it says. Is there anywhere that I can get the drivers?

Swordsman

How about you give us the exact model and revision of your motherboard? We might be able to then get you drivers for the sound chip on that board! Right now, if you go to xfx's site, there are 24 Mach 4 boards listed!! Help Us Help You!

S!

Mt_Goat

You can either use the install CD that came with the board and run the install program from there or better yet get the newer updated one from your board's site in their "Download"section". You will also need to install chipset drivers, LAN drivers (if your board has onboard networking), USB drivers, 1394 controller drivers (if board is so equiped) and anything else your board has on it. Go into your 'Device Manager" and make sure nothing has any yellow or red attention signs next to it (those are what need attention). After installing Windows XP, did you get the updates? If not then you need to do that also. Don['t forget you will need to install the appropriate drivers for your video card and anything else added on.

Swordsman just posted while I was looking for the info. He's right!

If it has any VIA chipset use these chipset drivers. These are for the chipset only and do not have anything to do with your sound, USB or NIC.