System fails mid-POST then graphics go off

[luxcs]

I've been working on refurbishing a system at work. Originally it would do anything, but turned out to be the case, so its all in a new case now.

Currently will beep once, check the memory then stop. It will sit there for about 5-10 secs, then the display will switch off and go into standby. Cannot get into BIOS at all.

System is -:
Gigabyte GA-7VA m/board (new)
AthlonXP 2400+
128Mb DDR RAM
New case (inc 300W PS)
20Gb seagate HDD
8Mb PCI graphics card (new) (running as server style system, good graphics not required)

I've put in another DDR mem and same result.
I've swapped graphics card - same result.
I've swapped HDD and IDE cables - same results.
I've swapped PS to a 450W Dual Fan Q-TEc - same result.

I've ran out of ideas to try......can someone please help resolve this rather annoying problem?

 

[franklin97355]

Have you checked for heat related problems?

 

[luxcs]

Heatsink works fine as far as i can tell. Have two - one was supplied with Athlon CPU and other was bought separately - rated for AthlonXP CPUs.
Has thermal material on it.

How else would you suggest I check/deal with this if it is the problem?

 

[paparazi]

A few things to check:
1) Your front side bus is set to 133 (I believe there is a set of dip switches on this motherboard?) refer to manual.
2) That the CPU heatsink orientation is the correct way around (the recess in the heatsink base must be positioned over the cam box of the CPU socket) even the professional builder can be caught out with this one.
3) I used this motherboard a few times last year and two seperate boards burnt out +5volt pins on the main power plug to motherboard (this board doesn't have the extra power connector to spread the load) so can be surceptable when high consuming hardware is used.
This shouldn't be a problem with your setup but do make sure the plug is firmly home.
4) Set first display device to PCI (if you can enter the bios)
5) CPU fan is plugged into CPU fan header and NOT system fan header.
Martin




Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Moonspell]

does the hdd appear to keep accessing? if so then it's possibly your monitor power saving controller is shot. try it with another monitor?

 

[SirNuke]

Try moving the memory to a different slot

SirNuke

 

[BadBigBen]

Question - have you cleared the CMOS, double check all connections, make sure CPU is seated correctly (remove HS, open lever, press down with a finger on the CPU, close the lever) while heatsink is off the processor take a look at the DIE for damage, also make sure that there is not too much HS-Compound on the CPU, as mentioned before check orientation of the HS fan...

Ben

 

[luxcs]

Paparazi: HS is on correctly. Can't get into BIOS at all - won't work. CPU fan plugged in fine to CPU_FAN. FSB set fine (2 options - ON for 100Mhz, OFF for Auto).

Moonspell: HDD starts accessing but seems to freeze around same time as system. Have tried another monitor also.

SirNuke: Have tried memory in all 3 slots.

BadBigBen: Have cleared CMOS, checked all connections. CPU seated correctly. CPU looks ok. Fan correctly oriented.


Still no changes to system config or status.