Hi all,

I have a very annoying problem...
This is the deal

I changed the memory frequency from 133 to 166 in the BIOS, restarted and nothing happens.
The PC doesnt start the usual POST process, and does not start the BIOS.

There are no beeps and no signal is sent to the monitor.

I have tried it with no peripherals connected (No HD, floppy or memory) to see if it would give a beep code, but still no joy.

I wanted to download a BIOS update to get round this, but obviously if the PC doesnt go through the POST its difficult!!

I've also tried tried resetting CMOS using the jumpers on the Motherboard and have also tried removing the battery for about 10 mins.

Does anyone have a clue?
FYI its an Epox motherboard with nVidia graphics card on board.

Does anyone think it'd be woth trying a different video card?

Any help is much appreciated.

Tom

G'day,

Did you try changing it back to 133?
If so, did it work?

regards and seasons greetings,
Elric

Hey mate,

I cant get back into the BIOS to change it back to 133.
Thats my problem as the PC will not start.
It all turns on fine, processor fan starts, the CD and HD lights are activated etc etc but there is nothing on the monitor, as if its not plugged in..

Any ideas???

thanks for the quick reply.

tom

Clear the CMOS using the jumper on the motherboard. Do that while the cpmputer is unplugged.

Hi mate,

Yeah i tried clearing the CMOS data using both the jumpers and by physically removing the battery.

Its a nasty little one this huh?!

Any other ideas people??

tom

G'day,

Yes, bit of a puzzler this. If you just changed the RAM FSB speed in the BIOS, I don't think you will have damaged anything else. Obviously, your efforts to change the settings back have not reset the system to default values (which would have been your intention).
This leads me to think that either:
The CMOS is not being cleared correctly, or the values have changed permanently (ie Flash memory).
You have removed the battery- which should have reset the CMOS memory.
Try doing this again, but leaving it out for a bit longer (and using the jumper as OtheHill suggested); maybe a whole day and try again.
Good luck and seasons greetings,
Elric

Not too nasty unless it's physical damage :p

Hopefully it isn't, but if you took out the battery and let it sit and it still didn't boot something is wrong. Try waiting after you boot to see if you hear HD activity or if you hear the windows starting sound. That would be bad as your video card is probably damaged...

Other than that try taking out the memory and checking it for any damage. It should have cleared the CMOS if you removed the battery though so somethings not right...

I have another identical motherboard, and have just tested the peripherals on that and it boots fine, so i know the HD, CD's and processor is OK.

So its something on the motherboard.
Are there any ways i can flash the BIOS or anything like that?
I'll take the battery out of the board for a day and see what happens.

I tested to see if the windows sound etc comes on and it doesnt.
You can hear the HD spinning when you power on, and the CD lights flash on as normal.

It just seems to fail just before the usual BIOS screen would come on. I would normally just download an update from Epox (the motherboard manufacturer) and go from there but i cant get to the POST so im a bit screwed!!

Any more ideas?
Thanks all for the help so far.
tom

You obviously clocked it too high & are paying the consequences. You have to clear CMOS...it's possible that you're not waiting long enough for the EEPROM to discharge...make sure you remove the power cord, then pull the CMOS battery or use the ClearCMOS jumper...wait several minutes before replacing the battery.

It looks that way.
Schoolboy error eh!!!

I'll try leaving the battery out for ages to clear the CMOS, but I have a feeling it wont work as i've already cleared it using the jumpers countless times.

It should just revert back to factory settings after you do this, right??

If it doesnt work after that would you helpful people have any other suggestions!?

t

as jam said, make sure you remove the power cord - it's important.
Good Luck
raincheck

Also, try derpessing the start button and reset button, while the jumper is in the clear position.

Hi all,

OK, humour me here... I think i might've missed something!!...

I turn the PC off
Remove from wall socket
Change jumper from <DEFAULT> to <CLEAR CMOS>
Plug PC back in
Turn PC on
Turn PC off again
Remove from wall socket
Change Jumper back to <DEFAULT>
Turn PC on

...and hope it boots?!!

No, you don't start the machine with the jumper in the clear position. Shutdown, if powersupply has an on/off switch, set to off, if not remove plug from wall. Move jumper to clear position, depress start button and reset button on case. Move jumper back to run, reconnect power, Boot.

OK, so its important to depress the power / reset switch to clear the CMOS??

Before i was just moving the jumper, then waiting 5 seconds and moving it back

Like I said, pull the power cord, remove the battery or use the ClearCMOS jumper...wait several minutes, then replace the battery, plug in the power, & try to boot. I never heard of hitting the power or reset switch while the jumper's in place, but it can't hurt. But trying to power up with the jumper in the CLEAR position is probably not a good thing.

Hi again,

OK, tried to clear the CMOS, took the battery out for about an hour, and tried the jumpers, but still the same problem.

Would you say its a motherboard prob? and if so, how do i diagnose??

cheers all
tom

Just a point of clarification. Are you absolutely positive that you are changing the proper jumpers to clear the CMOS and that they are in the proper position for clear and run. I know of at least one instance where a MB manufacturer printed the manuals incorrectly to reflect the correct jumpers but incorrect positions. If the CMOS is getting reset, I fear that you have damaged something. You stated that you have an identical system and tested the periphials. I would suggest you test the processor in the other system. If the processor tests good, memory, video card, harddrive, all test good then something on the motherboard is bad. You have tried booting this system without any cables to drives connected, just video card, processor/w HSfan, and memory. If the system won't post then, after you have verified the vid card memory and CPU are good, then its time for a new MB.

I agree with the above post.

I'd just start taking out pieces and checking for physical damage. Usually you can see what's wrong if you look hard enough, but not always...

G'day,

Might be a bit of confusion here. The CMOS backup battery would be in parallel with the power supply to the CMOS chip. The advice from the previous posts about toggling the power switch with the jumper in the closed position would be to make sure that there was no voltage on the chip.
Still try my method with the PC completely renoved from the mains.
That is no mains power, no battery and the jumper in the discharge position.
Allow time to discharge. Put jumper back in the normal (run) position and power up.
Also remember, for this purpose the fact that the drives spin and fans run is only indicative that the PSU is working and nothing else.
Try this and get back to us.
regards and seasons greetings,
Elric