new pc setup randomly wont boot

[Kneebs]

a couple of weeks ago, i bought a new chip, mobo, and 512mb DDR 400 memory, and all went pretty much ok apart from a slight memory problem, which i'll come to later..

Today I bought a new case, but in between swapping things over, I took out the chip, so I could try my brothers chip in my mobo, 'cos his chip isn't being detected as what it should be.

Before re-installing my chip, I got rid of the remains of the thermal transfer pad from the bottom of my heatsink, and on went some thermal transfer paste...

Now, when I re-connected everything back up, the pc randomly doesn't boot - if reset it or switch it off and back on, sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn't.

The motherboard has a diagnostic LED connected, which when it doesn't boot, lights 1 and 2 are on, which according to the manual, means "processor damaged or is not installed correctly - the paste won't of dried yet - could this be causing something on the chip to 'short', or could my chip be knackered ?

I've disconnected everything but my main HD, and the only card in it is the graphics card, and I've tried re-seating everything.....

Its a MSI K7N2 delta mobo, with an athlon xp 2800+

BTW, when it does actually boot, everything works fine.

My memory problem is that its a branded DDR 512mb 400 clock speed, but when in the bios, the FSB / DRAM ratio memory is set to auto, its detected correctly, but the pc crashes after a few minutes (at the most !). The only way i can get a stable pc is by changing the ratio to 'By SPD', and after a reboot, it shows as running at 333 - is this because the memory speed can only be as quick as the FSB speed of the processor (xp2800+ = 333) ?

Cheers peeps...
Mick

[Bifta]

You can run the memory at 400mhz but there'd be little point as you rightly said, the FSB speed of the processor is only 333mhz so you'd see no benefit. Heat sink compound shouldn't cause you any problems as it's non conductive (electrically), if your PC does boot occasionally I'd say that the processor should be ok, it might possibly be a problem with the memory, or perhaps an FSB jumper on the motherboard that needs setting to 166mhz (most would normally come set at 133). If you set the memory and CPU FSB to 166mhz, will it boot ok every time?

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by Bifta

You can run the memory at 400mhz but there'd be little point as you rightly said, the FSB speed of the processor is only 333mhz so you'd see no benefit. Heat sink compound shouldn't cause you any problems as it's non conductive (electrically), if your PC does boot occasionally I'd say that the processor should be ok, it might possibly be a problem with the memory, or perhaps an FSB jumper on the motherboard that needs setting to 166mhz (most would normally come set at 133). If you set the memory and CPU FSB to 166mhz, will it boot ok every time?

Thanks for the reply - of the two CPU FSB jumpers on the board, one is set to user mode (default) 133, rather than safe mode (100), and the other is set to 133/166, rather than 100. In the bios, the CPU FSB is set to 166, and the memory is set to auto - and is detected as running at 333. With these settings, its still the same, although when powering the system on, if it doesn't boot, resetting it, rather than turning it off and back on, seems to work ok....

[Bifta]

I don't know if this helps

http://www.techspot.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=7385

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by Bifta

I don't know if this helps

http://www.techspot.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=7385

Cheers, but not really - the chip, mobo & memory have worked fine in my other case. I've tried clearing the CMOS, incase there was a setting I'd altered and not changed back, but this hasn't solved it. hmmmmmmpf !

I think I'll try the PSU from my original case, just for daftness..failling that, I might try to re-flash the bios.....

[Sociable]

Could be as simple as needing to re-seat the CPU and Mem Sticks as with all the moving around and having had the sockets exposed could have led to a small amount of dust dirt or even thermal compond sometimes falling into the socket breaking the contact.

The random nature of the problem sometimes can be down to a problem like this which also has links to the slight movement in all connections due to heat build up. One sign of this would be if the system tends to boot up more easily after a longer time powered down or even when the reverse is true as leaving to cool down too much can also shift the contacts just enough to make a difference.

Just one more idea to add to the mix.

EDIT:

Carefully remove the items and very very carefuly check for obvious signs of bad contacts. I use a mini vac to clear any dust but often the process of inserting and removing a few times is sufficient to re-clean the contacts enough anyway.

[Kneebs]

ummmmm, are voltages different for P4s, as opposed to athlon XP's - With my old PSU connected, it booted fine, every time. I've switched back to the new one, which I've just noticed has a 'For Pentium IV's' sticker on it, and the symptoms have returned.......argh !

[Sociable]

LMAO Yup that could certainly be the problem.

You need to double check the specs for the Mobo and the CPU and make sure they are actually compatable just cos it "fits" doesn't mean its designed to be used together.

Good time to try resorting to the manuals.

Dam that's twice in month I have suggested that I better head to bed I must be falling ill. LOL

[Bifta]

Shouldn't make any difference, have you tried your new PSU in another machine? Perhaps it's just faulty (which I'm sure to your relief is a lot cheaper than forking out for another 2800)

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by Bifta

Shouldn't make any difference, have you tried your new PSU in another machine? Perhaps it's just faulty (which I'm sure to your relief is a lot cheaper than forking out for another 2800)

Thats what I thought....I'll try taking the psu over my brothers tonight...

Ya know the main reason for getting the new case......?

'cos my old psu wasn't upto the task.....its only a 230W, i was thinkin of just getting a new psu, but thought i'd go for a case aswell...

[Stuartbe]

Originally Posted by Kneebs

a couple of weeks ago, i bought a new chip, mobo, and 512mb DDR 400 memory, and all went pretty much ok apart from a slight memory problem, which i'll come to later..

Today I bought a new case, but in between swapping things over, I took out the chip, so I could try my brothers chip in my mobo, 'cos his chip isn't being detected as what it should be.

Before re-installing my chip, I got rid of the remains of the thermal transfer pad from the bottom of my heatsink, and on went some thermal transfer paste...

Now, when I re-connected everything back up, the pc randomly doesn't boot - if reset it or switch it off and back on, sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn't.

The motherboard has a diagnostic LED connected, which when it doesn't boot, lights 1 and 2 are on, which according to the manual, means "processor damaged or is not installed correctly - the paste won't of dried yet - could this be causing something on the chip to 'short', or could my chip be knackered ?

I've disconnected everything but my main HD, and the only card in it is the graphics card, and I've tried re-seating everything.....

Its a MSI K7N2 delta mobo, with an athlon xp 2800+

BTW, when it does actually boot, everything works fine.

My memory problem is that its a branded DDR 512mb 400 clock speed, but when in the bios, the FSB / DRAM ratio memory is set to auto, its detected correctly, but the pc crashes after a few minutes (at the most !). The only way i can get a stable pc is by changing the ratio to 'By SPD', and after a reboot, it shows as running at 333 - is this because the memory speed can only be as quick as the FSB speed of the processor (xp2800+ = 333) ?

Cheers peeps...
Mick

First you need (as stated above) to ensure that your psu is up to the job. If you have other power hungry devices in the system your problem may well be psu related.

I would check the ram that you are using. This board is very picky about the ram that you are using. Do you have the latest bios version for the board as this can resolve timing isues with memory. I switched from generic ram to decent branded memory 2 years ago and I am glad I did.

HTH

[basa]

Check very carefully that no part of your mobo is touching the new case chassis, paying particular attention to the fixing screws and spacers.

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by basa

Check very carefully that no part of your mobo is touching the new case chassis, paying particular attention to the fixing screws and spacers.

It boots fine with his old power supply in.