First build help :/

finalcloud

finalcloud

finalcloud

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Joined
12 Dec 2009
Posts
167
So all my parts arrived and I put it together following the guide on here. Everything seemed fine. I try turning it on and installing windows 7 and notice it's VERY slow, the dvd-rw seems to stop spinning and I have to wait for minutes before the next section of the installation comes up. So I get to the part where you have to choose which HDD to install to, And I get the error 0x80300024. Now whenever I try it no HDDs are detected at all :confused: I tried to put my old IDE HDD in with windows xp on and that won't boot into windows either :confused:

Help anyone :/

Edit: Oh and in the bios it says my cpu is AMD Unknown (I have a phenom II x2 550)
 
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Anyone? Really wanna get this sorted today... I'm on here using an Ubuntu cd at the moment.

Edit: I should add that my HDD doesn't show up in ubuntu either
 
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As stated above, make a full list of all your core components - makes and models.

In the mean time, if possible, make a bootable memtest disk and run a quick test on your memory - just a couple of passes for now.

It also looks like you will have to flash your BIOS so that it will recognise your CPU (not uncommon) - but for now you could reset the CMOS and load optimised defaults. Then manually set the correct voltages for your memroy and CPU (optional) - so you at least know that there getting the correct juice. (It's probable that they're getting enough voltages but it's worth checking - this wont be required once the MB has the an upto date BIOS and recognises your CPU)
 
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Ok I have

XFX 4890 1gb version

AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550 3.10GHz Black Edition (Socket AM3) - Retail + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game

OCZ StealthXStream 600w Ready Power Supply

Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3P nForce 520LE (Socket AM3/AM2+) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD502HJ)

4 x 1gb OCZ ddr2 800mhz ram

Akasa Rev.4 Zen Case - Black

I updated the bios and now it displays my correct cpu and I ran memtest from the Ubuntu cd and got no errors.

Edit: How do I clear the CMOS? I see 2 pins on my mobo with CLR_CMOS next to them but I guess I need a jumper to put on them??
 
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finalcloud said:
Edit: How do I clear the CMOS? I see 2 pins on my mobo with CLR_CMOS next to them but I guess I need a jumper to put on them??
Click to expand...

Make sure your computer is unplugged and then you can either use a jumper to cover both pins or just touch the two pins (at the same time) with the end of a screw driver for a few seconds (just be very careful - steady hand required and *make* sure the power is off at the wall/unplugged).

You should always clear the CMOS as a matter of course after a BIOS flash.

Also, memtest is best run from a bootable ISO rather than through an OS - but it can wait for now while you check for any improvemnets now the BIOS is up to date.

Good luck.
 
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Try another socket - looking at the pic of your mobo they appear to be in banks of 2 so there's a *slim* chance that both sockets on the one bank are corrupt.

If the DVD drive is a SATA version - try that cable.

Could you confirm if you reset the CMOS and loaded optimised defaults or similar?
 
It only has 2 SATA slots (SATA2_0 and SATA2_1) where I can plug it in, there's a SATA2_2 and SATA2_3 written on the mobo but nowhere to plug anything in :confused:

I reset the CMOS and loaded optimized defaults then manually upped the RAM voltage by 0.30.

Edit: My DVD-RW is IDE.
 
finalcloud said:
It only has 2 SATA slots (SATA2_0 and SATA2_1) where I can plug it in, there's a SATA2_2 and SATA2_3 written on the mobo but nowhere to plug anything in :confused:
Click to expand...

My bad - i must have had the wrong image from the quick Google i did for your MB. I've since gone to the Gigabyte site - and yes you only have 2 SATA sockets.

Additional - and don't take offence - as it's easy to miss when doing a build - have you connected the power lead to the HDD and if so are you positive it's in properly?

It's probbaly worth disconnecting and reconnecting the power connector and the SATA connector - just incase there is some post manufacturing residue stopping a good contact (look at the contacts on the MB and the drive contacts itself for any residue)

It’s easy to overlook the obvious sometimes when troubleshooting new builds.
 
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Yep I tried 3 different sata connectors from the psu. This is so confusing, why would it show up at first but not anymore, and why won't xp boot from an IDE HDD :mad:
 
Have you tried your old IDE drive since the BIOS update and CMOS reset - and if you have is it recognised within the BIOS?

If it is recognised - for test purposes test to see if Win 7 will intsall.

If the above works it's not looking too good for the SATA HDD - but it could still be the SATA cable or MB - you will need to get hold of another cable just to rule that out.
 
Additional: With regards to the SATA problem you can’t really do any more for now.

Because it’s a new MB you can’t definitively say that it's the HDD at fault -as the MB could equally be at fault. (Plus you need to try a couple more SATA cables as some HDDs can be fussy.)

Ideally, to identify which is the faulty component, you need to try a known working SATA drive in the MB and if it works then the HDD will increasingly look like it was a DOA and vice versa (but don’t forget to try out different SATA cables first.)

Also, recheck for post production residue on the HDD SATA and power contacts – as this can be hard to see sometimes, especially in artificial light – and it can hinder the cable from making proper contact.

Again good luck with it - logging off for a bit as i've finally finished my work for the night and need food.

EDIT: Does the SATA drive spin up?
 
Well i installed Windows 7 on the IDE HDD and it took about an hour, and it takes over 5 minutes to start windows every time....

I don't know if it spins up, I'll check.
 
I think it does spin up yes (quite hard to tell over the roar of the 4890)

I disabled the Sata controller in the bios and now I boot into Windows 7 in 30-45 seconds where as with it enabled it takes 5 minutes. Also when I'm in the bios it doesn't take an age to do anything anymore. Also the Gigabyte splash screen stays there for like 30 seconds or more with the Sata controller enabled and only about 5 seconds when disabled. Reckon the mobo could be the culprit?
 
Ok so we know that it appears to be an issue with the SATA Controller or the Hard Drive..


If you disconnect the SATA HDD but enable the controller does the system act fast and normal or slow?
 
gamesaregood said:
Ok so we know that it appears to be an issue with the SATA Controller or the Hard Drive..


If you disconnect the SATA HDD but enable the controller does the system act fast and normal or slow?
Click to expand...

Haha well that's confused me again, I thought the Sata controller was to blame but I just unplugged the HDD and enabled the Sata controller and it's fast and normal

Edit: Btw off topic but I'm very impressed with the performance! I figured because it was a gaming pc built on a smallish budget that it would be mediocre but it's lightning fast compared to my old p4 2.4ghz, radeon 9800se, 1.5gb ram pc :D Even with everything on very high, 8x aa and at 1440x900 (monitors max res) the Crysis demo is smooth.
 
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