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General discussion

Problems with newly-built machine

Dec 17, 2004 3:59AM PST

Just built my first computer. Here's the specs: Asus K8V with Athlon 64 3000+, Seagate Barracuda 120GB SATA HDD, Mad Dog Dominator DVD/CD burner, Ultra 400Mhz 512MB memory (1 stick). No problem on first firing up and entering Setup. All Devices were detected. Fun began when I started loading WinXP. Received "Stop Error" message when I inserted Win98 CD for usual check of my qualifications. Message decoded as problem with RAM. Switched stick to another socket and also reset CMOS. Now I can't enter Setup or do anything else. At Power on or reset, it does the IDE scanning thing and still detects the HDDD, DVD/CD and floppy and then tells me "The BIOS is not installed". "Beep". Then a message "CMOS Checksum Bad" "F1 to run Setup or F2 to load default values and continue". Pressing either one does nothing. Any thoughts? Thanks
-Ron-

Discussion is locked

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Ron, Did You Install The BIOS Drivers...
Dec 17, 2004 11:57AM PST

There should have been software with the motherboard. If not, you'll need to find the correct update that goes with Windows XP.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Problems with virgin machine
Dec 17, 2004 10:21PM PST

No, I didn't. And now nothing happens when I put the CD in the machine. (any CD) The CD activity light blinks for a few seconds but it appears the CDs aren't being read. Put the Asus CD in my other computer to see what was on it and didn't find a readme file or other help. I'd like to start over but at this point am unsure how to wipe everything clean. Good news is the computer still recognizes the HDD, CD/DVD, mobo, and memory during POST.
Hope someone has some ideas. Thanks for your input.

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CMOS Checksum Bad thoughts
Dec 17, 2004 11:37PM PST

Dumb question but has to be asked....
(been their, done that more than once)
Is the keyboard in the correct port and firmly seated?

Try holding down the Insert key on boot. This is suppost to return the BIOS to "safe" settings. See:
http://www.geocities.com/amd_info/A7N8X/a7n8xcmos.htm
not your board but close enough.....

See that you moved the memory stick to another slot
but I would try another stick that you know is good.
Suggest this due to error message.

Inspect the board for crowned or leaking capactors.
Also look at the flat silver rectangles for blisters. Have been told the blisters mean nothing but every bad board I've run into had blisters.

Not much but I hope it helps....

BIll
.

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Reply to billzhills
Dec 18, 2004 8:42AM PST

Thanks for the input. The board is wireless and connected via USB. Don't have another stick to swap. Will check board as per your suggestions. Am almost ready to give up and take it to a repair facility. (oh horrors!!)