Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
Hi,
Just bought a new GA-7ZXE m/b and it won't boot. I'm using a Duron 1.1 and pc100 sdram.
The first strange thing was that after I set it all up and plugged the power cord in, switched on at the socket, it started to power up before I had pressed the power button on the box (even if I disconnect the cables from the power on / reset etc, the m/b still powers up when I plug the main cable in).
The cpu fan powers on, the memory led comes on, the keyboard lights flash initially, the CD-ROM, HDD & FDD power up but the screen stays blank. There are beeps and the floppy light stays on and sounds like it is trying to be acessed (I've tried putting a boot disk in). I've reseated everything and tried a cpu and memory from another working machine but same thing, beeps and blank screen. I've tried switching the clock jumpers (100/133)but its either beeps and blank screen or blank screen with no beeps.
Please, any ideas?
Beeps are good. Set the jumpers to where you get beeps. What's happening with the power light on the monitor? Are you getting just one beep or a series of beeps? The manual for the mobo should tell you what the beep codes mean. Look up the beep codes and post back with info about the beeps you're getting.
0 
The monitor power light stays on standby but I know the monitor works, checked it on another machine and also if I disconnect the cable from the video card, the monitor displays 'no input signal' which disappears when plugged back in.
The manual dosen't mention beeps or trouble shooting.
I can't remember the exact pattern of the beeps but its someting like 2 or 3 slow beeps then pause and so repeating.
(I'm posting from work and have problems with my home ISP so it will take a little time to post back exact details)
0
Check the setup of the power and reset switches. Also, you don't say how much ram you have. If there's more than one stick, try swapping them around. I'm guessing you've got an AMI bios. Three beeps could mean a problem somewhere in the first 64k of the memory.
0
Tried various memory setups including one stick at a time in each slot and none at all.
The weird thing about the power/reset switches is that even when they are disconnected, the m/b still powers on when the psu is connected and switched on at the socket.
0
Okay, it's probably safe to rule out a memory problem. Might pay to try to rule out other hardware problems. Try removing all PCI cards and replace them one at a time. Same with HDD, Floppy and CD-Rom. Seems to me that the mobo is either getting power from another source or there is a short in the circuitry somewhere. I'll have a look on the net and see what I can find out about your mobo. Get back to you later.
0
Ok, I will try booting up with nothing attached and then add each one. I won't be able to do that until I get home and I may not be able to post results until tomorrow.
Thanks for the replys.
0
It sounds an awful lot like incorrect mobo settings to me. First, get your mobo manual out and locate your CMOS/BIOS jumper. Remove that jumper, turn the power on for 3 - 5 seconds, and then power off again. Replace the jumper exactly as it was before, in the DEFAULT postion which is normally on pins 1 and 2.
Then power up again.
Your monitor should now display stuff on the screen and you should be able to enter your bios program with the DEL, F1, or F10 keys. DEL is the most common key.Once in the bios, go to FAIL SAFE DEFAULTS, save the changes, exit the bios, and let the computer restart. You should now get a "normal" startup screen. Eventually though, you may have to get back into the bios for some fine tuning. You could also try the OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS, but try that other fail safe setting first.
Hey Intel, AMD rulez!
0
I forgot to mention that the video card is PCI. A colleague has suggested that the initial default may expect an AGP card and won't boot up without one (afterwards it can be changed in the bios). I will try an AGP card this evening and post the result.
0
here is a good beep code link if you need one as a reference (sorry with this prob. this is all I could provide)
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/index-i.htm
0
Thanks for the beep code reference. I'll have to study it all because I get various beeps depending on what is connected.
Using an AGP video card didn't change the results.
With just video card, kb & mouse connected - 3 beeps
With memory added - 8 beeps
Wth HDD added - 8 beeps
with Floppy added - singe beep
Is this pointing to a memory reading problem? If the memory sticks are ok (taken from a working machine, does that mean I've got a broken m/b?
0
You might just have incompatible memory. Nowadays, a lot of chipsets require specific memory modules, to work without a problem. The days of just "swapping out" memory from one computer to another are definitely over. Now we have to make sure that we have the required compatibility.
Hey Intel, AMD rulez!
0
Single beep is good. Now if only we can figure out why it powers up without turning it on. I've looked at the jumper settings for your board and they should be:
CLK_JP -> pins 2 and 3
STR_EN -> pins 2 and 3
USB_ON -> pins 2 and 3
Check these and post back.
0
When you plug the computer in next time, try switching it off at the switch, then switching back on at the switch. See if you can get into the bios and set to auto detect the HDD.
0
Already set by default:
STR_EN -> pins 2 and 3
USB_ON -> pins 2 and 3CLK_JP -> pins 1 and 2 set:
This position produces the single beep and the floppy drive light stays on and sounds like its being accessed. Screen stays blank.CLK_JP -> pins 2 and 3 set:
No beeps, blank screen, no apparent access to floppy and the kb lights don't even come at power on.Switching the machine off/on at plug dosen't make any difference. I never get to the bios.
I've tried the following sdram mem sticks, all with the same result:
32Mb pc100 OKI
64Mb pc100 Siemens
128Mb (speed unknown probably 66) SEC
128Mb (speed unknown probably 66) Hyundai
0
With regards to the powering on without switching the machine on, Its been suggested that it might be a feature of the m/b. In the event of a power failure, when the power is restored the machine will automatically power on without someone having to be there to switch it back on.
The manual refers to a bios setting 'System after AC back'. I reckon thats what it is.
0
The manual says that the m/b "Supports only 3.3V SDRAM DIMM".
How do I know if my sdram is 3.3v or something else?
0
I missed this post by Leembo:
"It sounds an awful lot like incorrect mobo settings to me. First, get your mobo manual out and locate your CMOS/BIOS jumper....."
There isn't a cmos/bios jumper on the board. Nothing mentioned in the manual and any jumpers that I can see are accounted for.
I did remove the battery and replace it which should be the same as resetting the cmos but no effect (ie I never get as far as the bios loading).
0
Sometimes you might need to leave the battery out overnight for the cmos to reset. Maybe you can give this a try. I'm running out of ideas here. I'll keep looking for answers though, I don't like to lose...lol.
0
I took the battery out last night and will check later.
I haven't tried the F8 key but the keyboard dosen't come alive anyway. The lights flash at power on but after that pressing caps/num/scroll lock dosen't light them. I'll give it a go anyway and post later.
0
Still no luck, I must have a duff m/b. Short of going out an buying loads of different brands of mem sticks, what else is left to try?
0
It's got me completely baffled. Looks like the mobo is faulty. Hope you kept the receipt. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
0
Just to complete this, it was indeed a faulty m/b. I got it replaced and everything now ok. Thanks for the replies.
0
I have a GA-7ZXE motherboard and I'll have to say that it is one huge piece of crap. I have never in my life had as many problems and headaches as I've had with this board. I've had the cheapest SIS board on my processor before the Gigabyte and it never gave me any problems, until it died. This board is VERY picky about what kind of ram that you use. All and all I'd say sell your crappy board on E-bay and get a new one(non-Gigabyte). Thank god I'm about to get a new set-up. Sorry there is no advice in here, just a b*tch session but its just my POV.
0
This board doesen't act right with the morgan core just like all them other cheap ones. I really hate it. I'm scrapping a good duron 1200 becasue none of my boards work with it. My ga 7zxe worked for a few months after a bios update but you have to put in a slower duron around 800mhz First. Then you have to update the bios before it'll function with the morgan core. I know it's a real pain in the ass.
0
You seem to be having the same problems I started out, when I was putting my system toghether. I had everything hooked up correctly (processor, ram, floppy, cd-rom, agp vidcard, hdd, and network card). I would turn on the system and get nothing, except one to multiple beeps. I proceeded to disconnect one thing at a time, still nothing.
Once I had removed all components, I took out the entire mo/bo and made sure all screw posts were securely fastened to the case. Then secured the mo/bo to those, using all the holes. (I've heard a mo/bo not properly grounded will not boot, but may still get power i.e. beeps) Once the mo/bo was in, I reconnected everything back up. Hooked up a monitor, plugged 'er in, and it WORKED!
As for the floppy, the light shouldn't stay on, it should light up for only a few moments, before shutting off, if lighting up at all. I suggest checking the cable connection. Pin 1 (the red line), should be the opposite of what your HDD is.
Hope maybe my situation with this mo/bo helps you!
Specs:
1200mhz Duron
512mb pc-133 sdram
32mb AGP
20Gb HDD
56X CD-ROM
Windows 98SE
0
I have just spent 6 hours trying to make a GA-ZE7 motherboard work.....I still haven't gotten a single beep! Any Suggestions? I've tried everything mentioned in the above postings.
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
