New Shuttle PC doesn't POST

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2006 at 01:48

Okies, the set-up is as follows:

- Shuttle XPC SD31P
- P4 945 (3.4 GHz, dual-core, 4 MB cache)
- GeIL 2 x 1 GB PC5300 (667 MHz, dual-channel)

The system was put together according to the manual, along with a PS/2 mouse, keyboard and a flat screen, all from OcUK. I have ordered drives as well, but the problem happens with or without the drives attached.

The computer is stuck on the "Pentium D" splash screen, although my keyboard will acknowledge the toggling of CAPS, NUM LOCK and SCROLL LOCK. If I press TAB, I can see the Phoenix logo and the actual POST checks. The processor is registered OK (3.4 GHz, 200 x 17) and the memory is also fine, at 2088960 K. I can see "Press DEL to enter SETUP , ESC to skip memory test". However, I cannot press DEL to enter the BIOS setup. Also, I can no longer toggle CAPS etc.

I have tried different keyboards, on USB and PS/2.

Do you have any ideas?

Thanks.

P.S. There are no Morse Code beeps, but I think that you only hear those if there is no screen output.

Virdi · 14 Sep 2006 at 06:53

Have you tried clearing the BIOS?

Pop the little battery out and stick it back in again after around 10 Seconds.....

You then might also want to try different Ram..

One last thing - You may need a BIOS update in order to run that CPU... Have you got any older chips that you could try..?

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2006 at 07:59

Thanks for the suggestions, Virdi.

I have taken the CMOS battery out for a minute but to no avail.

As for updating the BIOS, without it POSTing, I am not able to get it into DOS. Flashing the BIOS requires a DOS session.

The memory is DDR2, and it's the first time that I have brought DDR2, so I don't have any other memory to try out.

Interestingly, I have discovered that I can enter the BIOS on every 2nd time I reset the computer. I can list any drives that I have installed (i.e. WD Raptor + LG DVD-RAM), I can see that the CPU temp stays at around 42 degrees C. I can enable and disable integrated peripherals. So, it's all familar until I get to the frequency/voltage control. In here, it says that my memory is running at 667 MHz @ 5-5-5 latency and 15 precharge dealy. This is actually in accordance to my Shuttle manu, but the writing on the side of the memory chips says 665 MHz @ 4-4-4 latency. This wasn't made very clear when I was ordering the equipment from here. I just understood that the Shuttle needed PC5300 667 MHz memory, and away I go. Would this mismatch ever cause this type of problem?

I am considering calling OcUK support and see if they will let me courier (via Citylink) the complete computer back so that I can get a diagnosis. Do you think that they'll allow this? I am willing to pay the Citylink charge.

My knowledge on computers is pretty good, because I have built a Shuttle from OcUK before.

Virdi · 14 Sep 2006 at 08:51

Is there any option in the Bios / Memory options to 'Enable SPD'.?

This means that the Shuttle will basically use the default settings of the actual memory.

You're at the stage now where you need other components to test and eliminate etc...

..but yes - Call OCUK Support first.

Pawnless Endgame · 14 Sep 2006 at 11:32

Thanks for your advice, Virdi.

To let you know what I have done -

I have ensured that SPD was turned on in the frequency/voltage menu, within the BIOS.

I contacted OcUK support and verified that the memory I chose was right for the Shuttle, and that the CPU is fine. We have diagnosed it as a motherboard fault. I was then referred to the OcUK Shuttle line (actually called Entagroup). Upon sending them an RMA request to [email protected], I should be able to get a pick-up arranged as soon as tomorrow.