My first Desktop Build...EVER

[lgv212]

I went out and bought a VGA cable, and connected it...it still didn't display anything. I used a DMS to Vga adapter and connected directly to the graphics card and now it works perfectly. I'm currently installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

My current dilemma is that I only have one stick of 4gb ram in right now. What do I have to do to get the other stick to work? I read somewhere that it initially only worked with one stick, then something needed to be done in the BIOS (some setting changes) then installing the other 4gb RAM would work.

Anyone know what I have to do?

 

[mfenn]

Aha. So I took out one of the RAM sticks and it the memok light went away, and the computer beeped. My next question...do I have to use VGA the first time?

Any of the display outputs from the GPU should work, provided that your monitor has the appropriate input.

 

[mfenn]

My current dilemma is that I only have one stick of 4gb ram in right now. What do I have to do to get the other stick to work? I read somewhere that it initially only worked with one stick, then something needed to be done in the BIOS (some setting changes) then installing the other 4gb RAM would work.

Anyone know what I have to do?

Try swapping the DIMMs to see if the other one works at all. If not, you need to RMA it. If it does work, refer to your mobo manual and make sure that you are populating the slots in the correct order.

 

[mfenn]

How would I reset the bios if I have no video output?

There is a Clear CMOS jumper or switch on the board itself.

 

[mnewsham]

Any of the display outputs from the GPU should work, provided that your monitor has the appropriate input.

Using 6xxx series cards on 3 different builds I have had problems getting the monitor to work on the first boot using DVI and HDMI. Once I ended up using a spare GT 220 and VGA then loading windows 7, downloading the latest AMD drivers and reinstalling the GPU, that did it. No idea what the problem was. Maybe it doesnt like anything but VGA?

 

[mfenn]

Using 6xxx series cards on 3 different builds I have had problems getting the monitor to work on the first boot using DVI and HDMI. Once I ended up using a spare GT 220 and VGA then loading windows 7, downloading the latest AMD drivers and reinstalling the GPU, that did it. No idea what the problem was. Maybe it doesnt like anything but VGA?

DVI worked great on my 6950 2GB first time, every time.

 

[lgv212]

Using 6xxx series cards on 3 different builds I have had problems getting the monitor to work on the first boot using DVI and HDMI. Once I ended up using a spare GT 220 and VGA then loading windows 7, downloading the latest AMD drivers and reinstalling the GPU, that did it. No idea what the problem was. Maybe it doesnt like anything but VGA?

It turns out the problem with the first time boot was that only vga would work. I bought avga cable at Walmart, did the installation and returned the cable afterwards, since I'm only
using hdmi.

The problem with RAM was that one of the RAM sticks was faulty out of the box. I got a replacement and now all 8 gigs work fine.

The computer is running amazingly! I've played Battlefield 3, Skyrim and Crysis 2, all on ultra settings without a hiccup, which surprises me because I haven't overclocked anything, and I thought I was settling for less with my components. Total cost was less than $800 and I couldn't be happier!

 

[mfenn]

Glad you got through the initial difficulties and are having fun with the build!