New PC build problem (have to reset CMOS to boot)

chochoc

chochoc

chochoc

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Joined
26 Mar 2008
Posts
9
Hi,

Have just put together a new PC using parts brought from here (first time build), when powering up the
powersupply, fans, HDD, etc all come on, and the motherboard power light is on green. Also the monitor detects a signal from the DVI cable. But there is no display, just a blank black screen. I've taken the whole thing apart, put it all back together, checked all the connections, re-seated the memory in different slots. However the only way I found to get it to post (and display on the monitor) was to reset the CMOS by moving the jumper over than back on the motherboard. I can then choose from 2 options: to setup the bios, or load default values and continue.

When choosing "press F2 to load default values and continue" I was able to install Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit (which is stable when runnning and shows all the correct processor, memory etc), but when it requires a restart or turning the PC off. It goes back to no display when powering on, unless I reset the CMOS by moving the jumper again.

After reseting the CMOS, if choosing the 1st option to setup the bios, it's possible to change those settings etc, but after choosing save and quit. No display when the PC boots again.

Any ideas? I contacted Asus support about the problem but there only suggestion was to try different memory, and I don't exactly have spare DDR3 lying around :(, could it be some of the Bios settings need changing manually? or CR2032 battery replacing? I flashed the Bios to latest version using a USB memory stick, and no change.

Ugh! Help :o

System spec I've got inside the case now is:

Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme Edition QX9650 "LGA775 Yorkfield" 3.00GHz (1333FSB)
Asus P5E3 Premium/Wifi@N Intel X48 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
OCZ 4GB DDR3 PC3-10666C6 1333MHz ReaperX (2x2GB) Dual Channel DDR3 (OCZ3RPX1333EB4GK)
HIS ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 1024MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Seagate Barracuda ES.2 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000340NS)
LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Rewriter & HD-DVD ROM Serial ATA Drive - Retail
Scythe Ninja-CU Full Copper CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775)
Thermaltake ToughPower 1200W Modular Power Supply

Thanks for any help / suggestions.
 
Have you set any of the voltages on the hardware manually in the bios or have you just kept everything on auto?
 
I just left everything on auto in the bios so far. Tried it with one memory stick yesterday and no change. I'll try to set the correct voltage for the ram manually in the bios and see if that helps. Hadn't tried changing any of the voltage settings yet, as didn't think I'd need to tamper with those assuiming auto would set it correctly.
 
1.8 should be the stokc voltage i have OCZ ddr2 pc6400 and for that to boot my abit p35 the voltage as to be on 2.1 min to boot or it refuses to post, let alone boot.

2.1 volts should be were u have to set it to afaik.
 
I changed the RAM voltages in the bios, tryed quite a few 1.80, 1.84. 1.86, 1.90, 2.1. But sadly can only get to post / boot if I reset the CMOS still. I'm not sure what else to try really, any other ideas?

I don't understand why it will post / boot if I reset the CMOS and choose "press F2 to load default values and continue" but next time won't? Wouldn't it just keep those working settings for next time the PC is powered on?
 
chochoc said:
I changed the RAM voltages in the bios, tryed quite a few 1.80, 1.84. 1.86, 1.90, 2.1. But sadly can only get to post / boot if I reset the CMOS still. I'm not sure what else to try really, any other ideas?

I don't understand why it will post / boot if I reset the CMOS and choose "press F2 to load default values and continue" but next time won't? Wouldn't it just keep those working settings for next time the PC is powered on?
Click to expand...

There I was expecting you to say, "yeah it was the ram voltages" :D Easy for me to say but try replacing the battery. Also is the battery making a good clean contact?
 
Had someone round to check the PC for me today, and trying another graphics card (very old ASUS EN7200GS) does solve the problem. And it boots everytime then without needing to reset the CMOS.

But as soon as the ATI HD 3870 X2 is back in, then it won't post (just blank screen), unless the CMOS is reset. Tried another ATI HD 3870 X2 and it's the same - I don't think 2 can be faulty. After reseting the CMOS with the 3870 x2 still in, Windows boots and runs stable. But turn off or reset, then next time powering up blank screen. So strange :confused: Tryed replacing the little CR2032 battery, no change with that.

Starting to think it must be the motherboard? I'll get back onto ASUS and see if they can come up with any suggestions. Thanks to everyone that posted to help so far, hope this can get sorted :).
 
chochoc said:
Had someone round to check the PC for me today, and trying another graphics card (very old ASUS EN7200GS) does solve the problem. And it boots everytime then without needing to reset the CMOS.

But as soon as the ATI HD 3870 X2 is back in, then it won't post (just blank screen), unless the CMOS is reset. Tried another ATI HD 3870 X2 and it's the same - I don't think 2 can be faulty. After reseting the CMOS with the 3870 x2 still in, Windows boots and runs stable. But turn off or reset, then next time powering up blank screen. So strange :confused: Tryed replacing the little CR2032 battery, no change with that.

Starting to think it must be the motherboard? I'll get back onto ASUS and see if they can come up with any suggestions. Thanks to everyone that posted to help so far, hope this can get sorted :).
Click to expand...

Have a read of this might be interesting;) http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=175785
 
Just to say hope you get it sorted, had a billion problems with the X2 and know how frustrating it can be mate. GL with it.
 
So its the graphics card then ? You have proved this by swopping it out with an older card ..Its a conflict with the mobo/g card .. thought about getting a different card same sorta spec ?
 
All working fine now after disabling the Asus Express Gate feature in the Bios:

Knowledge Base
AMD Customer Care Site Map > Radeon Support - PC > Radeon HD 3870 X2 > Knowledge base > Installation >
737-31811: Radeon™ HD3870 X2 series: The computer boots up with a black screen if an ATI Radeon™ HD3870 X2 series is installed into a system with ASUS P5E3 Deluxe motherboard before disabling the Express Gate feature in the CMOS

The information in this article applies to the following configuration(s):

* ASUS P5E3 Deluxe System
* Radeon™ HD3870 X2 series
* Windows Vista 32-bit Edition
* Windows Vista 64-bit Edition
* Windows XP Professional
* Windows XP Home Edition
* Windows XP Media Center Edition
* Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Symptoms:

The computer boots up with a black screen if an ATI Radeon™ HD3870 X2 series is installed into a system with ASUS P5E3 Deluxe motherboard before disabling the Express Gate feature in the CMOS

Solution:

To workaround this compatibility issue, either the feature needs to be disabled in the CMOS setup before installing an ATI Radeon™ HD3870 X2 card or, if this is not an option and only an R680 card is available, the following sequence will allow the user to disable the feature and give full functional capability for the R680.

Workaround with R680 Installed

1) Clearing the CMOS [ this temporarily disables the Express Gate feature ] :

* Remove CMOS battery on the motherboard and wait for 2 minutes before replacing the battery.
* Power the system.

2) Setting up Date and Time:

* When the system boots up the following message will appear at the bottom of the screen: “Please enter Setup to recover BIOS setting” “F1 to run setup”
* Press F1 to enter Setup
* In the Setup / BIOS Setup Utility:
o In the tab labeled “ Main” set the appropriate system date and time.
o Press F1 to obtain general help on how to change the system date and time.
o Move over to the tab labeled “Exit” using the -> (directional left) button
o Go down to the option “load setup defaults”, using the directional down key and press ENTER.
+ A message asking to “Load Setup Defaults” will appear with the OK option highlighted. Press ENTER.
o Press F10 to Save the settings and exit
+ A message asking “Save configuration changes and exit now” will appear with the OK option highlighted. Press ENTER.
o The system will now restart.

3) Disabling Express Gate:

* As the system is beginning to start up again press the DELETE to start the Setup/ BIOS Setup Utility again.

o Using the left/right directional keys move over to the "Tools" tab.
o Using the down directional key, choose “Asus Express Gate [Enabled]”
o Press enter to pull up an option menu. Once in the menu, using the directional keys to choose “Disabled” and press Enter.
o Press F10 and then Enter



4) The system will now restart and boot into your operating system.
Click to expand...
 
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