My First Build

[Wozzer]

Thanks it helps people to help you.

I did fill them out. I just didn't tick ''Public'' - Doh

 

[JrRacinFan]

Try posting with a single stick of ram in the last slot closest to the 24pin power.

 

[Wozzer]

Try posting with a single stick of ram in the last slot closest to the 24pin power.

Okay - Why just the one....?

In order for me to test - I have to take the monitor off this PC. So it may take time for me to reply.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Okay - Why just the one....?

Oh and clear cmos if you havent done so already. It's a little trick that I have to do on my DFI. Whenever I try to test new settings that failed on an overclock.

 

[Thrackan]

Might be a dual-channel thing with your RAM being in the wrong sockets. Testing with one would really eliminate that.

Does your PC give you error beeps by now? If not, maybe your PC speaker connection is wrong

 

[Wozzer]

Might be a dual-channel thing with your RAM being in the wrong sockets. Testing with one would really eliminate that.

Does your PC give you error beeps by now? If not, maybe your PC speaker connection is wrong

Not sure what you mean - but i'll stick the one stick in there now.

No beeps off the motherboard. I have no PC speakers connected

 

[Wozzer]

Still nothing !!

 

[Thrackan]

Mobo Specs:
http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=proddesc&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&prod_no=1484
Beep Codes:
http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/amibeep.htm

Might be that your CPU is not supported by your current BIOS version... But the only way to know that is to put in another CPU.

Things to REALLY make sure:
1: the 4-pin plug on the topside of the mobo (behind the CPU cooler) is plugged in
2: CMOS is properly cleared (remove battery, switch jumper, wait a minute or so, plug in battery, switch jumper back)

but food awaits... I'll be back here.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Whats the bios version thats loaded onto your board?

Heres a link to the cpu support page.--http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=prodcpu2&prod_no=1484&maincat_no=1 The E7300 is supported past 7519v10 bios it seems.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Still nothing !!

Was waiting to hear this response.

Whats the bios version thats loaded onto your board?

Heres a link to the cpu support page.--http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=prodcpu2&prod_no=1484&maincat_no=1 The E7300 is supported past 7519v10 bios it seems.

From what I can see from his response to single stick attempts that it really does sound like he needs to flash a new bios.

Is ther any possibility you can find someone with a cpu thats supported in v10 of your bios?

 

[Thrackan]

Was waiting to hear this response.



From what I can see from his response to single stick attempts that it really does sound like he needs to flash a new bios.

Is ther any possibility you can find someone with a cpu thats supported in v10 of your bios?

I got one, but it's installed and I'm a country away

 

[Wozzer]

Funny you should mention updating BIOS. I was reading a review of the CPU and it says due to the CPU coming out in october, the BIOS will need updating. But how am I meant to do that, when it doesnt even load ?!

PLUS - If its not that problem, I wont be able to go back to the orginal BIOS...?

 

[mudogramx]

You could pick up a really cheap celeron as long as its lga775 to do the BIOS update. Some can be had for as little as $40 in the states. Otherwise you'll need to find someone with a lga775 cpu whos willing to loan you theirs so you can update. You can flash to an old BIOS just as easily as you can to a new one...although I'm not sure why you would want to unless it causes problems.

 

[Wozzer]

Well - I have an Intel 2140 in this PC. That should work.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Well - I have an Intel 2140 in this PC. That should work.

Try it out m8. No harm, no foul. While your in there with your AC Freezer detached you can double check all your power connections.

 

[Thrackan]

If the 2140 does work, a bios update is what you need.

Funny you should mention updating BIOS. I was reading a review of the CPU and it says due to the CPU coming out in october, the BIOS will need updating. But how am I meant to do that, when it doesnt even load ?!

PLUS - If its not that problem, I wont be able to go back to the orginal BIOS...?

Going back to the original is not necessary. It's just a program version update, only this one you have to flash onto a chip

Just get the newest version (v16) here:
http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=1484 and follow the readme file. You most likely need a bootable floppy disk besides the BIOS file and the flash utility.

If the 2140 does not work, I'd say go back to the shop.

 

[Wozzer]

How can I find out what version BIOS my motherboard is currently using....

 

[Thrackan]

Well that's kind of annoying: You'd have to put in a CPU that works, boot the thing and look at the top end of the screen while it's still POSTing.

But let me give you some good news: Your second build will most likely be far easier than this one

 

[Wozzer]

But let me give you some good news: Your second build will most likely be far easier than this one

I hope it does !

Is this the driver i'll need to download:

http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=1484

 

[Thrackan]

Yeh, the top one is the newest.
I have to say though, flashing a BIOS is a somewhat risky operation, since you update the thing that actually makes your motherboard work. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, let someone else do it.

Also, you can make sure the BIOS is the problem by testing if the board runs with your 2140. But since you need to run the board to flash the BIOS, you'll find out soon enough.

 

[Wozzer]

I've never flashed the BIOS. I don't even know what I'm doing or what it does.

If I took it to a specialist - how much do you think they'd charge?

 

[Thrackan]

I really dunno as I'm a fiddly kinda guy.. What I know I've learned by just doing it.

Recently I flashed my "barebone branded" (read: no overclocking options) BIOS to a "real" P5K-VM BIOS, but that was a sweaty adventure as you're not supposed to do this

But basic upgrade flashing shouldn't be a real problem, as long as you strictly follow procedure and don't guess anything but look it up first. You'd need to fit the 2140 though.

Basically, flashing a BIOS comes down to this:
- Get/make a bootable DOS floppy disk
- Put the flash app and the BIOS image you downloaded on the floppy disk
- Keep the readme file open for reference
- Boot up the machine you want to flash and make sure it starts from the floppy disk
- type in the correct command, refer to the readme file for that
- cross fingers and wipe off sweat

 

[Wozzer]

Fair enough - I'll try the other processor tommorow or later tonight If I have time.

I don't really fancy fiddling with the BIOS due to me having no clue what to do. I think its off to a specialist if it doesn't start working

Its a pain in the arse - I've been waiting to build this PC for 3 Weeks now !

 

[Thrackan]

You could also try and see if a friend, neighbor or colleague knows how to work this through, might save you some fair bucks.
If I was living nearby I'd pop in, but unfortunately I'm overseas...

 

[Wozzer]

You could also try and see if a friend, neighbor or colleague knows how to work this through, might save you some fair bucks.
If I was living nearby I'd pop in, but unfortunately I'm overseas...

I could always smuggle you over