How CPU fsb relates to RAM

matpohmatpoh Iowa, USA
edited November 2003 in Hardware
I am putting together a small machine for an extra system and ran into a bit of a problem. I got everything installed and ready and when I power it on the fans spin, but the machine will not post and no beeps from the case speaker. I am using 512 Crucial PC2100, have a XP2500 barton processor, and ASRock K7VM4 mb. The motherboard supports 333mhz processors.


Question....If my ram runs at 133mhz/266fsb, but the cpu runs at 166mhz/333fsb, could that be my problem?

In other machines I have you can run the cpu at a lower fsb and still get it to operate. Is this not the case with the newer barton?

I have eliminated the mb shorting out on the case. The ram tests good with memtest on another machine. There is a jumper on the mb which you choose what frequency you want the cpu to operate at 100/133/166. Same resluts with all three settings.

Any suggestions/comments.........

Comments

  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    Try clearing the CMOS. Do you have the CPU fan plugged in to the appropiate header? A lot of boards detect wheater or not there is a signal from the fan and will keep it from posting. After clearing the CMOS make sure the jumper is set to 166 because that is what the Barton needs to operate. You can also try reseating the vid card.
  • matpohmatpoh Iowa, USA
    edited November 2003
    I have cleared the CMOS a couple times, still nothing. I have the cpu fan going to a 4-pin molex connector. I do have a case fan running from the CPU header, but it seems to be working fine.

    The only thing I can think of along those lines is the case fan that is running off CPU header does not use the yellow wire, which I always thought was the rpm sensor. Maybe it doesnt think the CPU fan is spinning.

    I am going to try and get ahold of some PC2700 and see if that fixes the problem. I'm thinking that the cpu bus speed cant operate at 266mhz and the PC2100 cant run at 333mhz.

    Thanks for the suggestions
  • OlivasOlivas Phoenix
    edited November 2003
    It's a good chance that it is not booting because of the fan. Like you said if it doesn't have the third wire for the rpm sensor, then the comp doesn't know it is spinning. I try this before getting some different memory.
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    I would do both since you are trying to essentially overclock your memory at the default CPU bus speed. Yes you not only need the third wire on the CPU fan heaer but you also may need one that spins fast enough to be detected (especially on VIA based boards).
  • matpohmatpoh Iowa, USA
    edited November 2003
    Fixed.

    It was a set of plastic washers that fit between the mb and posts that go through it for hsf mounting. Once it worked with the stock hsf, I just started assembling the slk-947 step-by-step and remounting the stock heatsink after each step. Finally narrowed it down the the washers.

    Before I had any ide/floppy drives connected or even before the mb was secured into the case I cranked up the fsb to 195x11 and it posted fine. It wouldn't post at 200, but I am pretty sure my pc2100 was limiting it. I have a 0342 barton and am anxious to see if its locked or not. But thats a job for tomorrow.


    Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
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