New computer component failure.

Tiesiaan · 10-15-2007, 09:36 PM

Ok so my brother decided to order components for a new computer...unfortunately he failed to ask me and ended up with a medley of components. Currently the monitors we plug in (they work) have continued to think nothing is plugged in (both graphics cards, which work). Graphics issues are usually the fault of either graphics card or RAM, and since changing the card has no effect...I will change the RAM to Gskill (works in my comp w/ same mobo, but thought I might ask here what you guys thought just in case its not the RAM.

His mobo P6N Platinum (1500 rec) is the one I also bought, so at least he picked up a good deal on that...but he ordered Patriot RAM 2gig (1gx2) that runs at 2.0V rather than at the 1.8V-2.0V that the Gskill RAM runs at.

EDIT: Official site puts the limit at 1.8V for board...

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...& cat2_no=170

Brother feeling awkward.

evilsofa · 10-15-2007, 09:50 PM

So you're getting a black screen when you turn it on?

Hold down the shift key while you boot up. If that doesn't help, try booting up with other keys like F2, F8 or DEL - whichever key is supposed to bring up the BIOS for that motherboard.

rabb1t · 10-16-2007, 01:35 AM

More details? Full specs?

You mention "monitors" and "both graphics cards", but have you tried a single graphics card and a single monitor? Are you sure the monitors should work? If you can eliminate the monitors (you know one works) then try one GPU at a time you may find one works and one doesn't. (You imply this, but I'm not tottaly sure.)

If the monitor works and if the graphics card works, you should be able to at least get to the bios, or get some beeps or something.

Did you check the SLI switch is set to the right side? You did put it in the PCIe slot closest to the CPU, yes?

More details pls. k thx bye.

evilsofa · 10-16-2007, 09:16 AM

The way I understood it, rabb1t, is that he's got two computers - his and his friend's. He verified that the monitor and the graphics card on his friend's computer worked by trying them in his own computer.

Looking at his edit, if the motherboard will only run RAM at 1.8v, and the RAM requires 2.0v, then that would probably be the problem. Newegg has a filter that lets you shop for RAM by the voltage it requires; I always suggest filtering by 1.8v to avoid problems like this.

Malosar · 10-16-2007, 09:36 AM

Usually the RAM will still post at 1.8v, you just start getting issues and errors when running it at its rated speed. Even Corsair 2.2v RAM will run at 1.8v. All motherboards default to 1.8v.

rabb1t · 10-16-2007, 02:46 PM

If that's the case, my guess would be that's a DOA motherboard or an incompatible ram type. There should be some indicator lights showing it has power and it's ready to go, and as Mal mentioned, it should at least post and try to run if it's got ram that needs/wants higher voltage.

I've only heard a few conditions where the boards won't post at all (such as the Evga 680i boards running with 4 ram when they haven't gotten the bios update first.)

evilsofa · 10-16-2007, 07:31 PM

Since they have the same motherboard, he could test his own RAM in his friend's computer. If it still won't boot, then I'd have to conclude it's the motherboard, with a slim chance of the PSU screwing things up.

Are both of the power cords plugged into the friend's motherboard correctly?

Tiesiaan · 10-17-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilsofa

Since they have the same motherboard, he could test his own RAM in his friend's computer. If it still won't boot, then I'd have to conclude it's the motherboard, with a slim chance of the PSU screwing things up.

Are both of the power cords plugged into the friend's motherboard correctly?

He already ordered the new RAm yesterday, figures for him not waiting...anyway. Basically I have some suspicions of the mobo being toast, however since I know the RAM he is now getting will work for mobo for sure...Ill stick to hoping that is the issue. Ill be going over the connections for power and such when it arrives...I want his computer to get up and running soon, I am using his parts to set up another computer lol.

The PSU should be fine, was running his old board. A thing that gets me though, the card you get with the four error indicator lights does not fully light up when comp starts...only half lit at best...mnaybe a power issue with connections to mobo, but I am pretty sure power supply is good and connections work. Time for more repair work, lol.