BUILDING A NEW PC

[wnterhawk]

I just put together a new PC... Something I've done so many times now that I don't even think about it. It's an AMD XP2000+ processor on an FIC AN11 motherboard with 640MB DDR memory and a GeForce Ti 4200 video card and soundblaster audigy sound card and it's AWARD BIOS

The problem is that I turn it on and I get nothing at all no video nothing except for a beep ... one long beep and then about the same amount of time with nothing and then one long beep ... It just continues. I have checked and double and triple and quadruple checked every setting on the board ...every jumper. Unfortunately my books don't have that sequence of 1 long beep and space. I have NO idea what it's trying to say is wrong.

It has been so long since I have had a problem with setting up a computer that I haven't bothered to keep up my books I guess The books with the award bios I have doesn't show that sequence.

Can anyone give me an idea of what to look for. I have disconnected everything and replaced the video sound etc. in order to find the problem ... the memory is brand new ... but since it's 2 chips I removed one then the other and it still doesn it.

baffled...OK probably just over looking a "duhhhh" but ...

 

[mainegeek]

One long beep is usually related to memory. Try removing all
memory and re-install them one at a time. Check and make sure they are not mixed as well.

 

[CapsMan]

Unfortunately it sounds like you have the wrong memory type for your board.
Try SDRAM (PC133).

CapsMan.
The Computer Unprofessional.

 

[mainegeek]

Is the cpu fan plugged in and try booting with the keyboard
and mouse disconnected.

 

[mainegeek]

I recall having this same problem on one particular system that I built. I used the same board,DDR memory, Win98SE but I used the XP1800+.{close enough)
I used a microsoft internet keyboard with it. I plugged the keyboards PS/2 connector in and all was fine. But when I had the keyboards PS/2 and USB connector in (to activated the two ports on the keyboard), I got the same long beep. I ended up just using the PS/2 connector. I remember that in the bios for "suport for usb keyboard" was set at "no support" and it was "greyed out" and no way of changing it.
The bios date was only a month old and I wasn't going to flash it. I tried just using the keyboards usb connector and it would POST fine, but no keys worked until the os loaded and when it did, it detected the other two ports on the keyboard. (Probably because there was no usb keyboard support in bios) and I think when it posted it just used the usb that was connected as a "loop back". I tried a different ms internet keyboard and got the
same results. I never did figure it out. I used the PS/2 connector and everything ran fine. I would still like to know why.

 

[wnterhawk]

Interestingly, I called the company I got the system from and they sent me to the manufaturer of the motherboard (FIC) They said the memory was correct and should be sensed automatically, however the memory shipped with the system was not "approved" by FIC and they felt ...that was the problem. They suggested that "micron" chips were approved and more reliable than the ones I have. We went thru the list that was available from that company and none were "micron" chips. Although one company called "Vision Micron" would have lead me to think they were ...they are not. So I went to Micron.com directly and amazingly their chips were less expensive than the ones shipped. Now I'm waiting for those chips to arrive and will update here when I have new info. Also I'm fighting with the original company for an RMA... they are saying they need to research why the chips don't work and see what they need to do to correct it, and then get back to me. Of course I have countered with ... I don't care what you research ...these chips don't work and I want then returned. In the mean time I have a PC that doesn't work while awaiting them to do their "research". I'll keep in touch

 

[CapsMan]

Memories,
the longer you wait the cheaper it gets, until we've run out of silicone, or whatever it is they now use!
Wnterhawk don't let it lie, the long beep is a memory problem. I'll help you in your one man mission to boycot the company.

CapsMan.
The Computer Unprofessional.

 

[wnterhawk]

Just as an update. I got the "micron" chips ...spent $140 more and got another 512MB which didn't work. It is still beeping. I recalled the seller and they agreed to replace it. After all I did have a case number from the motherboard company. BUT I had to buy the replacement and return the old one for credit in order to expedite the deal. I'm waiting for the new one ...then I'll see what happens and let you know...
thanks for the support CapsMan the seller is tigerdirect. I have since concluded that I will only buy name brand items from them when the price is right or... at least unimportant items like a USB interface or whatever since there isn't much they can do to that. I had long since stopped buying referbished items from them since you have to go backk to the manufacturer if it's faulty. But now I'm a bit leary of their "specials" too.
The company I work for has over 2000 Dells and I guess I've been spoiled. But for myself I was keeping the price down.
Oh Well!!!