new build locking on software build

**Cheech** · 05-24-2005, 10:28 AM

Biostar M7NCG-400 MicroATX board
Athlon XP-M 2200+ (35W)
512 MB A-Data (cheapy Newegg) memory (tested with Memtest86+, no errors)
80GB ATA100 HD (tested in an external enclosure, works normally)
220W PSU (supplied in case)
cheapy DVD-ROM

I am successfully able to boot from CD, and also boot from HD. I am able to repartition and reformat the HD as many times as I want, and also the DOS version of the XP setup works without incident (copying files over and so forth) After the DOS version is complete, and the system restarts, it will lock up anywhere from the fading in of the XP boot screen to the "Setup is now restarting" window. Sometimes it will get as far as a light blue (normal background, not BSOD) screen, where I will have USB mouse movement. I can move the mouse (there is nothing more on that screen) for about 3-4 minutes until that locks up as well, and the entire system is non-responsive. There is no HD activity when it locks. It appears when I first turn it on it will lock up earlier than when I am rebooting it.

When I was initially building it, I did not notice that one of the mobo standoffs was not keyed to a hole, and it was probably touching a trace or two. I have since put some electrical tape over the standoff, but the board was turned on a few times over the bare metal standoff. I have removed the HSF (Masscool 1U) to make sure there is no core damage, from what I can see I don't see any. I have tried the memory in all 3 slots with the same result. Currently there is nothing in the PCI slots.

Thus far I think the board's a bit screwy, but I am definitely open to suggestions and more troubleshooting advice. I

have not modded the board in any way.

//edit Following the directions in this thread, additional suggestions or flames are welcome

**Bangster** · 05-24-2005, 11:14 AM

Do you have an AGP card you can put in there? I had the same issue, with the same CPU, different RAM, and different mother board (BUT it was an nforce IGP board).

1) I had to get rid of the Mobile CPU, I didn't want to do the wire mod on the chip, and the FSB/Multiplier wasn't settable in the bios like on the Biostar. Once I got a Barton 2500+ I still had issues, I got further into the installation of XP and 2k, but not much. I played RAM roulette for awhile and after consulting this web page: http://nvidia.com/content/nForceMemo...patibility.asp I used Buffalo from Newegg and it works well. I know there are some ADATA RAM listed, I got A DATA too, but it had the wrong chips on it, not the ones listed.

Also make sure you aren't trying to run the RAM at PC3200 (400 mhz) speed if using the onboard video, it needs to be run at 333.

**Cheech** · 05-24-2005, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bangster

Do you have an AGP card you can put in there? I had the same issue, with the same CPU, different RAM, and different mother board (BUT it was an nforce IGP board).

1) I had to get rid of the Mobile CPU, I didn't want to do the wire mod on the chip, and the FSB/Multiplier wasn't settable in the bios like on the Biostar. Once I got a Barton 2500+ I still had issues, I got further into the installation of XP and 2k, but not much. I played RAM roulette for awhile and after consulting this web page: http://nvidia.com/content/nForceMemo...patibility.asp I used Buffalo from Newegg and it works well. I know there are some ADATA RAM listed, I got A DATA too, but it had the wrong chips on it, not the ones listed.

Also make sure you aren't trying to run the RAM at PC3200 (400 mhz) speed if using the onboard video, it needs to be run at 333.

I don't have a working AGP card, no. I will try the voltage/FSB/multiplier when I get home, but it's good to know about the 333/400 trick.