Help with MSI K7T PRO2-A

[vacancy]

Putting together Duron + K7T combo. First one.
Upon power-up, no video, all 4 LEDs red = CPU problem.
Have functioning Thermal-orb fan, never tried running w/o.

Other than the 'replace CPU' option which I don't currently
have a spare, anything else I can check (jumpers, cables, etc.)
which might result in the same symptoms?

Any gottchas regarding placement of heat sink compound / fan?
(Trying to apply only a thin layer, btw)
What purpose do those silver contact around the core serve?

Any help / ideas are appreciated.

Thanx in advance,
- Chuck

 

[L1Trauma]

Make sure no thermal compound has escaped the core... not on L1 bridges or other contacts, etc. Also make sure the HSF has a good stable seating on the CPU. Usually not a prob with the clips, but the MB could be detecting quick temp increases or short-circuits and cutting it off...

 

[Vampire]

Also, I've heard it's very easy to damage the core if you're not extremely careful installing the heatsink. If you're confortable doing so, remove the chip and examine the edges of the core (small square part with printing on it in the middle of the chip) carefully for chipping. Even a tiny imperfection can ruin the chip (althogh I've seen pictures of chips I'd swear were dead, that still work).

Also, are you trying to overclock the chip? A bad connecting job on the L1 bridges can cause problems.