First custom PC build (Q's)

[MadSupra354]

Install the new components, including the new empty drive.

Disconnect completely the old drive, so nothing can be written to it.

Install Windows on the new drive.

After the PC is operating well, maybe the next day, reconnect your old drive and transfer your stuff to the new drive.

Then disconnect your old drive and remove it. Or better yet, reformat it and use it for a backup drive.

You don't lose your data during the install because the drive with the data isn't even connected.

Be sure your memory (RAM) will work on the new motherboard. You may need new RAM.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I've got new RAM. 8GB's I'ma showoff :devil:

 

[MadSupra354]

I've done everything and connected everything, but the system won't turn on. I know that I've done everthing right, because there is a green LED that appears on the motherboard. If I'm not using the 6950 (I can't right now) should it be out the motherboard?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You need a video card of some kind, unless you have graphics built in. I have no idea if you do.

 

[MadSupra354]

You need a video card of some kind, unless you have graphics built in. I have no idea if you do.

I have an integrated ATI 4290, and I'm going to be using that because the monitor I use it VGA but the 6950 doesn't support VGA.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

1: reset the bios by pulling battery for a half hour. If it still won't boot, go to next step.


2. Remove all cards from slots other than RAM. If it still won't boot, go to next step.


3. When you get down to just motherboard + CPU + RAM +PSU, pull the RAM entirely. The system will not start, but it should beep (you might need the speaker hooked up) or show an error code. If it doesn't beep, you're troubleshooting a problem with the power supply, motherboard or CPU. If it does beep/show a code/react, then start troubleshooting from the standpoint that some of the RAM may be bad or mis-configured.

Try one stick at a time, and go from there.

4. If it still doesn't react, pull the motherboard from the case and lay it on a non-conductive surface like cardboard or wood, next to the case (you still need the power supply, and while you don't technically need the power switch, that's easiest.) If it does boot in this configuration, there was a short in the case. Look around for loose metal and re-assemble.

 

[MadSupra354]

1: reset the bios by pulling battery for a half hour. If it still won't boot, go to next step.


2. Remove all cards from slots other than RAM. If it still won't boot, go to next step.


3. When you get down to just motherboard + CPU + RAM +PSU, pull the RAM entirely. The system will not start, but it should beep (you might need the speaker hooked up) or show an error code. If it doesn't beep, you're troubleshooting a problem with the power supply, motherboard or CPU. If it does beep/show a code/react, then start troubleshooting from the standpoint that some of the RAM may be bad or mis-configured.

Try one stick at a time, and go from there.

4. If it still doesn't react, pull the motherboard from the case and lay it on a non-conductive surface like cardboard or wood, next to the case (you still need the power supply, and while you don't technically need the power switch, that's easiest.) If it does boot in this configuration, there was a short in the case. Look around for loose metal and re-assemble.

Well, here's some things I'm unsure of.
1. The RAM is in the black slots (AM3 Mobo FYI)
2. I don't have an 8-in motherboard power connector. I just have a 4+4-pin
And I don't know what you mean by "reset the BIOS by pulling the battery" I can't access the BIOS because I can't boot

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Go to your manual or download the manual for your motherboard to see if you have the RAM in the right slots.

Do that first.



The battery is a shiny disc about 10 or 12 mm in diameter, in plain sight on the motherboard. It probably has a little latch holding it in. Remove it after you confirm you have RAM in the right spot.

Highly unlikely you need all 8 pins on that connector. You may not need any of the 8. I seriously doubt it would prevent a boot, but I'm hardly an expert on AMD stuff.

 

[MadSupra354]

Go to your manual or download the manual for your motherboard to see if you have the RAM in the right slots.

Do that first.



The battery is a shiny disc about 10 or 12 mm in diameter, in plain sight on the motherboard. It probably has a little latch holding it in. Remove it after you confirm you have RAM in the right spot.

Highly unlikely you need all 8 pins on that connector. You may not need any of the 8. I seriously doubt it would prevent a boot, but I'm hardly an expert on AMD stuff.

In my manual, it just says install on the blues or the blacks when configuring dual channel memory. And after I pull this battery out, do I wait half an hour? It will probably be way after half an hour by the time you're on

 

[bobkn]

Well, here's some things I'm unsure of.
1. The RAM is in the black slots (AM3 Mobo FYI)
2. I don't have an 8-in motherboard power connector. I just have a 4+4-pin
And I don't know what you mean by "reset the BIOS by pulling the battery" I can't access the BIOS because I can't boot

From the manual, it looks like putting the RAM pair in either the blue or black slots is acceptable. (I would have gone for the blue slots, but it's not supposed to matter.)

4+4 pin +12V CPU connector has the same function as an 8 pin. (Some power supplies include both 4 and 8 pin connectors. Yours has a single 8 pin, which can be split.)

Removing the CMOS battery is one way to clear the CMOS settings. The other way is to use the the Clear RTC jumper. (See p. 2-21 of your manual.) The normal way to do it:

Turn off the PSU. If it has no switch, unplug it.
Hold down the PC's power button to reduce any residual charge.
Move the jumper to the clear position for 5-10 seconds.
Move it back.
Restore the power.

Note that the green LED on the MB just shows that power is being applied to the board. It's not very useful as a diagnostic.

 

[DocBrown]

Here is a typical C-Mos battery on a MB

 

[MadSupra354]

Well, here's some things I'm unsure of.
1. The RAM is in the black slots (AM3 Mobo FYI)
2. I don't have an 8-in motherboard power connector. I just have a 4+4-pin
And I don't know what you mean by "reset the BIOS by pulling the battery" I can't access the BIOS because I can't boot

From the manual, it looks like putting the RAM pair in either the blue or black slots is acceptable. (I would have gone for the blue slots, but it's not supposed to matter.)

4+4 pin +12V CPU connector has the same function as an 8 pin. (Some power supplies include both 4 and 8 pin connectors. Yours has a single 8 pin, which can be split.)

Removing the CMOS battery is one way to clear the CMOS settings. The other way is to use the the Clear RTC jumper. (See p. 2-21 of your manual.) The normal way to do it:

Turn off the PSU. If it has no switch, unplug it.
Hold down the PC's power button to reduce any residual charge.
Move the jumper to the clear position for 5-10 seconds.
Move it back.
Restore the power.

Note that the green LED on the MB just shows that power is being applied to the board. It's not very useful as a diagnostic.

Once I remove this battery, should I leave it out? My motherboard has a technology called 'MemOK' but I think it asks not to boot with that on for the first time. Just saying incase I should use it...

 

[DocBrown]

Leave it out for 15 to 30 mins, with the main AC power cord dis-connected from the wall AC socket. This will re-set the BIOs to the default settings. Then put the C-Mos battery back in place correctly, Plug in the AC power cord. Try to turn computer ON. What happens ?

 

[MadSupra354]

Leave it out for 15 to 30 mins, with the main AC power cord dis-connected from the wall AC socket. This will re-set the BIOs to the default settings. Then put the C-Mos battery back in place correctly, Plug in the AC power cord. Try to turn computer ON. What happens ?

Would it still work if I left it plugged it, but left the power supply off? *Edit*
Tried it and it didn't work, I'll try again, this time I'll disconnect the main AC power.

 

[DocBrown]

Leave it out for 15 to 30 mins, with the main AC power cord dis-connected from the wall AC socket. This will re-set the BIOs to the default settings. Then put the C-Mos battery back in place correctly, Plug in the AC power cord. Try to turn computer ON. What happens ?

Would it still work if I left it plugged it, but left the power supply off?

No, Power supply has to be dis-connected from the House electrical AC source during the 15 to 30 minute interval, for a good BIOSs reset.

 

[MadSupra354]

Leave it out for 15 to 30 mins, with the main AC power cord dis-connected from the wall AC socket. This will re-set the BIOs to the default settings. Then put the C-Mos battery back in place correctly, Plug in the AC power cord. Try to turn computer ON. What happens ?

Would it still work if I left it plugged it, but left the power supply off?

No, Power supply has to be dis-connected from the House electrical AC source during the 15 to 30 minute interval, for a good BIOSs reset.

One thing I have to mention: My RAM isn't on the supported RAM list, it says it can support 8GB's of Corsair but it's 4 x 2GB modules. Though I read on this other forum that this guy was able to work his 8GB G.skill memory that the motherboard said it didn't support.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Try no RAM at all and tell us what happens. CMOS battery in after having been out for a half hour.

Do you get any beeping?

Do you get anything at all to display on your monitor?

 

[DocBrown]

Do you have the CPU inserted correctly with the little triangle on the corner of the CPU matching the correct corner on the MB socket ?

 

[MadSupra354]

Do you have the CPU inserted correctly with the little triangle on the corner of the CPU matching the correct corner on the MB socket ?

Yes, I've done that. And I've waited exactly 30 minutes, then put the battery in, and plugged in PSU in, but it didn't turn on What should I do now?

 

[DocBrown]

Re-seat your 20/24 pin ATX power supply connector to the MB. Check for the proper connection of the Power ON/OFF switch wire to the correct MB header pins.

Sometimes I have reversed the Power switch with the reset switch

 

[MadSupra354]

Re-seat your 20/24 pin ATX power supply connector to the MB. Check for the proper connection of the Power ON/OFF switch wire to the correct MB header pins.

Sometimes I have reversed the Power switch with the reset switch

That's my problem right there :roflmao: Well, I really hope it is. Anyway, I haven't connected my power, USB ect. I'm really sorry if I wasted your time xD I just hope I don't run into any other problems. Again I'm sorry, but I'm new to this stuff