major pc problem - please advise

negger

negger

negger

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Joined
27 Dec 2004
Posts
194
My spec as follows -
Shuttle SN95G5
AMD64 3500
1gb Geil
X800xt pe
Raptor 74gb

My problems started when i left my tomtom updating over the net. When i returned to my pc the case fans were all set to full and the screen blank so i turned the pc off then back on but no change. The tomtom had to be returned under warranty because the interruption of the update had corrupted it. Back to my pc, i reset the cmos, removed all components then rebuilt using the basics, tried inivdual sticks of memory etc ect.. I came here to check out the small form factor forums to see if anyone else had had similar problems and with a bit of research everything seemed to point to the bios being corrupted so the shuttle was returned under warranty.

5 weeks later i get it back, i rebuild it turn it on and again fans set to full and blank screen but this time when i press any key on the keyboard it will post to bios but doesn't get much further. i've entered bios and on some occassions it just freezes in bios setup itself. The only error message i've had is - warning cmos requires setting of cpu frequency starting in safe mode.

Any ideas ?

i've tried different multipliers for the cpu as per the error message but no luck so far - but originally the muliplier was always set to auto.

i do know that shuttle have updated my bios to the latest when i returned it to them.

cheers.
 
unplug hdds. try it

Try a different gfx card

Try 1 stick of memory

Try different memory

try another cpu if you can get ** hands on 1?
 
Ok, very odd.

First the warning your getting is just a general thing you get when reseting the cmos. It requires the bus/cpu frequency settings to be corrected. If you can make it into the bios just load fail safe settings, and save. Doesnt sound like your even making it that far though.

If that was sucessful then you can try and diagnose from the following. (as ** bios will probably be fine)
1- onboard warning noises/ or lights/ or codes. (does the mobo have them)
2- at what point it crash and how

If it reboots power off power on styleee, just as windows kicks in, then id say cpu is knackered, were you over clocking it?
If it crashes to blue screen, then its ram.
But seeing as uve tried individual sticks its unlickely to be that, what is most confusing is that it doesnt even post to bios, and the fans on full sounds like a mobo probelm.
Does it run the mem test at post? Does that pass all 1gb?

Imo i would have diagnosed a screwed mobo. But you sent it back, surely they tested it!
So if its not mobo, then what.. :confused:
 
Thanks for the input.

I've solved the problem at last but i'd have never worked it out on my own.
Apparently it's a problem that can occur with the mobo as follows - i found a workaround from another forum where some guys have had the same problem, i've replaced my ps2 keyboard with a usb and i use a powered usb hub to connect my mouse and keyboard.
But i must unplug when booting and re-connect when windows has started.

Very odd but it works great. I've even upgraded as follows and all is fine...

Shuttle SN95G5
AMD64 x2 4800 (was a64 3500)
1gb Geil
x1950 pro agp 512mb (was x800xt pe)
Raptor 74gb

One quick question if anyone's still following the thread - do you think it would be worth while upgrading the memory to 2gb... i mainly play games at 1680 x 1050 ?
 
How odd, i wouldnt be to content with having to do that all the time. Id send it back. If its still under warantee.

Of course ram will help in certain cases, but mostly only when you running lot a of processes. Games will have a limit to how much ram they need, i wouldnt imagine its 1gb, so if your not running loads behind the game then you'll be fine. It wont help gfx enough to warant it, a different gfx card would, but seeing as you have a nice one thats pointless.

More ram can never hurt if you can afford it.
 
could you have USB device under first boot in BIOS?
Just thinking that the system was trying to boot from the hub which was crashing the boot? worth a look if you havnt already looked mate :)
 
Edit -right thread ;-)

2gb will help you get into games faster - handy if you play a lot of online FPSes like me

However conventional wisdom is that it is not worth it such that you will notice it elsewhere. Though likely good for Vista future proofing.
 
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Hmm i once tore my hair apart for my motherinlaw about a simaler error....

The mobo didnt support wireless keyboards and mice.... such a simple thing yet i had tested every hardware component first!!! ARGH!!
 
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