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I have just reset my CMOS in order to fix an issue with my graphics card by removing the battery for several minutes. After putting it back in and turning on my computer, it was evident that it had indeed been reset. HOWEVER, consquently, my AGP setting is now set at a max of 2X by default settings of the CMOS. When I access BIOS in order to change it back to the original 4X and save the changes, I can no longer turn on my computer.
The power supply itself does turn on, but it seems that the motherboard does not power-up at all as the monitor is not displaying anything.
Strangely enough, this issue also occurs when I simply try to change the system time or when setting the Master/Slave settings for my IDE drivers....
The computer works fine if I don't touch any of the settings, but I'd at least like to be able to change my AGP speed back to 4X...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
No beeps..That's what struck me as odd initially, as it always signals that the computer is "turning on" ...I'll have to check on the "primary video" part though.
But nevertheless, it seeems that the computer encounters the issue regardless of what options I select.
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Well, I have an option called "Unit Display First", which choices of PCI and AGP. It is currently set at PCI, but the PC does not boot when I change it to AGP.
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There could be a number of things causing this. First I would suggest you set the date and time correctly in the BIOS. Resetting CMOS to defaults generally results in enabling all the onboard hardware. If you also have add in cards this causes the system to reallocate the resources (IRQ). If you don't use a feature, set that feature to DISABLE. Verify all IDE channels are set to Auto. Be sure the CPU, FSB, etc. are set correctly. Usually this will be done automatically but you should verify that these settings are as they should be. Set the first display properly. If you have a setting for plug and play aware OS, enable it. There should be a setting called "reset configuration data". This setting is normally disabled. Enable for one boot cycle. It should default back to disable after one boot. This will allow the release of all resources to allow the system to reallocate them. Finally, consider whatever issue you had with your graphics card to be the cause of your current problem. Clearing the CMOS should have no effect on graphics card performance, other than the first display issue, which should simply slow down the boot time in a single display system.
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1st of all, what graphics issue can be fixed by resetting the BIOS?
2nd, you say, "it seems that the motherboard does not power-up at all as the monitor is not displaying anything"...but then you go on to say, "the computer works fine if I don't touch any of the settings".
Your post is confusing. What exactly are you asking?
Try resetting the BIOS again. Make sure to unplug the power cord before pulling the battery. You don't have to wait for several minutes, just pull the battery, count to 10, replace it, plug in the power cord & bootup...go directly into the BIOS & run through EVERY single setting, save the changes, then try to bootup normally
Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz
512MB PC3200
Asus Ti4800SE 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro
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jam- Let me correct myself..When I turn on the computer, there are NO beeps, which I assumed was because of the motherboard. I changed the system time just now, and ONLY the system time. And of course, the computer does not boot.
OtheHill- I will try all of the steps that you mentioned, but as I said before. Virtually no matter what setting I change within CMOS (the menu after pressing DEL on the keyboard during the boot process), and when I save the changes, the problem continues. Changing the system time itself results this..
ALSO, I must add that I tried doing this with 2 different video cards, and the problem persists with both.
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Originally, I was having an issue with what I assumed was my graphics card. Very frequently, and at random instances, my monitor started displaying compltely distroted and colorful screens, as you would see on a TV tuned in to a channel taht doesn't exist....I assumed that it WAS the graphics card's fault, and it was recommended that I reset my CMOS...Therefore, I did, but now I cannot change any options within there, including the system time, and the 4X AGP speed, which is the biggest concern for me.
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How are you attempting to make chenges when in the BIOS screens? Read the information on the screens to see how to move around and change items. Some of the keys used, Pg up/dn, enter, tab, esc, arrow keys. All spaces need to be filled in the time and date boxes. Use 20:00 for 8 PM for example.
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No, I have set the time properly...Then, when I try to save it, whether by directly pressing F10 (save) or by returning to the main menu and going to Save and Quit, the computer does not beep when turned on, and the monitor's indicator light remains orange, as opposed to green when it is receiving a working signal....
I have absolutely no clue what the problem is..If simply setting the system time corrupts it, then I just can't think of a reasonable explanation.
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You may have an issue with WinXP activation. Try saving and then hit del again to cycle back into the BIOS and see if things are carrect. Then try booting to a bootable CD or floppy to see if that works.
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SUCCESS!!- well, not exactly...
I followed the steps you previously mentioned, particularly to enable the "reset configuration data" feature, and the computer boots up after changing the whatever options I needed..BUT, I am still back to my original issue.
.. the distortion screens are still appearing. They appear mostly during gaming, especially during the 3DMark2003 tests that I run to test my benchmarks. In fact, I can't finish the CPU tests properly without this occuring. If the computer is simply set onto the desktop without any running applications, this does not seem to occur.
..so much thanks to all of you for helping me fix this issue at least.
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This sounds like either a overheating of the card or a driver problem. If you used two different cards you may have a mishmash of driver reminents loaded. Read how to clean out those things at the manufacturers site or the driver instructions. also, chcek the card for loose HS or maybe fan not operating. If you go back to the BIOS screens you may find a setting to allocate IRQ for AGP. If it is there enable and then ues the reset configuration data again. You may have a IRQ conflict. It doesn't really sound like that though.
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Well, the only options remotely close to that were:
-Assign IRQ for VGA
-Assign IRQ for USB
..Both of those were enabled. There was nothing like this for AGP, however.The fan on the card seems to be functioning well, and my system temperatures are:
47 C/116 F
28 C/82 F...So I'm not certain whether this is an overheating issue..
By the way, I'd just like to thank you and everyone else for taking your time to help me with this issue. I greatly appreciate this.
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Okay, I have just disabled that option. I will run a couple of tests and will return with results shortly.
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I also doubt that this is a drivers-related issue, as the card that was previously installed had also been a Nvidia. Therefore, the two had virtually the same set of drivers installed.
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Go to device manager and look at the listing for display adapter. Double click the line and then double click properties. Post back what it says there.
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For "device status":
This device is working properly.
If you are having problems with this device, click Troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter.
For "conflicting device list":
This device is working properly.If you are having problems with this device, click Troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter.
...besides that, I couldn't find any other info to copy and paste. Is there something specific other than this that you wanted me to post?
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On the "Driver" tab, this is what is shown:
Driver Provider: NVIDIA
Driver Date: 2/24/2005
Driver Version: 7.1.8.4
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publ
Then of course, on the bottom it gives me tabs for "Driver Details", which simply displays a short list of the driver files, but nothing more.
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Well, we come back to the overheating possibility. One other thing you could try is to update the driver. If you have an old card the latest drivers aren't necessarily the best. Try monitoring the system temps. If it is getting hot inside the case that could be the issue.
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That tip gave me an idea. I had come to the conclusion that my current BIOS might need an update with this new hardware. And while viewing the page for my motherboard, I had discovered that the site was actually offering a BIOS update in "fix a GeForce 4 Ti 4x00 issue with Windows XP"...pretty strange, huh?
http://www.abit-usa.com/downloads/bios/bios_revision.php?categories=1&model=91
I will, therefore, try to install this update and see if it does, in fact, fix my issue.
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That is a legitimate reason to update the BIOS. I recommend performing the update by using a floppy disk. Going through Windows just adds more things that can go wrong IMO. Be sure to use the recommended flash program and verify the bin file is for your exact MB version.
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Well I had just upgraded my BIOS to the newest version through the method you suggested, reset CMOS as recommended by the instructions of the BIOS, and ran a test of 3DMark2003...And of course, several minutes into it the "screen" returned.
I have tried several different sets of drivers already to no avail, and the fan on the card works fine. The system temperature itself seems to be okay as well..
So I guess there just is no hope for this...
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The GART (AGP) driver could be an issue. I suggest you go to nNidia site and look for anything on that. I know that ATI cards want thier own version installed.
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I can't seem to find the GART drivers as a stand-alone set, that is, without the nForce motherboard drivers. So I obviously can't install those since I have a board manufactured by ABIT.
I do, however, have THEIR latest AGP drivers installed.
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I am unsure of the GART driver with Gforce cards. I think they want thier GART driver, not an ABIT one. I can't say this with any certainty though. That is about the only thing I can think of that might be an issue. I assume you have DX9? Back when AGP was in the 2X stage I had a VIA chipset MBoard. At that time it was recommended you not use the AGP driver from VIA. I think generally the GART driver directly from the graphics card folks should perform better than the one in Winxp. The only other thing I could recommend is for you to run a memory test on your RAM.
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