Won't post.

[Markymarc206]

Hello everyone,

First off I'll start by posting the specs of the computer I am trying to get working.

Dfi Nforce4 SLI-DR (not expert) skt. 939
I am not 100% sure on cpu, but when I got it to semi post it said 3500+
8800gtx
Brand new antec tp-650
2gb ddr400


Alright, quick recap on today. I wake up, and the motherboard/cpu is already installed in the case. So, I installed the PSU and I seat the gpu and install the hdd. Spent a hour or so routing the wires. Hook up all the wires, plug them all in make double and triple check them.

I put power to it, turn it on and it doesn't post. Well, it just shows me the DFI intro screen and doesn't move forward. So, I turn it off and make sure everything is plugged in. Start up same thing. Did some searching and found a help thread that suggested I do the following

Remove power from system, and psu. Remove the battery, Move the cmos jumping into clear and switch the speaker jumping into on position. I do this and leave cmos in clear for a good 45min to an hour. Also, said I must use a wired keyboard hooked to ps2 or usb-ps2 adapter. Which I did that. Said to hold down the insert key, apply power while still holding down, turn the rig on while still holding down and as soon as it beaps hit delete.

I did that, and it posted. sort of. Brought me to the first screen where it said something about cmos, F1 to continue and del for bios. My keyboard wasn't working, I couldn't hit delete. So I rebooted doing the same procedure with insert and got the NF4 logo.

This is where I am, I really hope you all can help me. I need to get this computer to the owner.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Do a minimal install outside the box with one stick of ram, CPU and, GPU. Do not connect HDD or optical drive. Make sure the one stick of ram is in the correct slot for that configuration. Make sure case connectors are properly oriented to pin one. Do not assume cable labels indicate correct orientation, look for the triangle embossed on the plug.

 

[Markymarc206]

Okay, I did this and it posted to the point where I can get into the bios. I loaded optimized and rebooted and tells me F1 to continue or delete for bios. It also says CMOS Checksum error - loaded defaults.

I am not sure what unhooking the cdrom and hdd do. But I believe my cdrom is going on, yet the hdd is brand new and so is the powersupply

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

OK, you're making progress. Either the one stick of ram you were using has problems or, the default settings in the BIOS are incorrect for your set of ram. Check the settings in the BIOS for the ram and make sure they are correctly set for your specific ram. If so, try the other stick of ram. The reason for not hooking up the HDD and optical right away is to eliminate any possibility of those peripherals causing a problem. It's a troubleshooting technique called "eliminate and consolidate." By taking the build process one step at a time, you are able to "eliminate" possible conflicts caused by multiple sources and "consolidate" your known good configuration.

 

[NesuD]

Find where you can toggle that DFI splash screen off in the bios so that you can see the actual post screen. It was stalling at something in post but the splash screen prevented you from seeing where it was stalled. Start adding things 1 at a time and see what device causes the problem. I don't think it is the RAM settings. I'm putting my money on the HDD or the Optical drive. I have seen both devices stall the post process. Is the HDD a PATA IDE drive? I had a Western Digital PATA drive that had compatibility issues with a DFI board I used back in the day. 60 Gig drive as I recall. Fix was to clip the pin 1 conductors on the cable. Also had a CD-R drive that went south and did the same thing. Follow Magnus advice and add parts 1 at a time until you identify what is causing it.