New Build Problem

[Mighty Boosh]

Hi all,

Welcome to my first post on this forum

Anyway, about a week ago I built a new system for home use. I tend to have a lot of things going on all at once so I decided to build something with a bit of oomph so to speak.

Below is a list of whats gone inside of the box.........


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-645-3-1-Qu...item45f95cbe49

Here is the info on the mainboard itself

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/...t.php?S_ID=497

Here's the optical drive that installed (two of these are actually installed)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SONY-OPTIA...item33679982d6

Here's the floppy drive

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-3-5-Inter...item35b2c43fe3

Also have one of these installed, couple of 120mm fans connected to it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-25-Multifunc...item3a5ebb3517

And lastly I have a SATA hot swap HDD bay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/StarTech-5-25-...item3cb883bcf0

Everything powers up OK but I cant seem to get the system to install an OS, in this case XP Home.

What happens is this, the machine fires up and goes through POST no problem. System beep at the end of POST signals that all is well. At this point with a new build I would expect it to tell me that no OS can be found and give me the option to do so. Trouble is this isnt what happens. From POST it goes to another screen called Hardware Monitor. I'll put up a picture of this screen for reference.



Once this appears, its as far as it gets. It just hangs period!

I have tried all manner of disc settings and priorities without effect. At this moment in time I have the BIOS set to optimal default with the DVD drive set as disc one in boot order. In the DVD drive I have my OEM copy of XP Home. You would expect the loading process to begin after POST but not so.

I think I have given you just about everything but if I have missed anything out just say and i'll get the info.

Many thanks, Chris

[BraveSoul]

hello Chris, cheers to the first post :0)
here is a few on the fly ideas
have you tried disabling floppy drive,,,,,, disabling boot order devices except the dvd drvie,, does the disk spin up? maybe there is an option in bios to disable hardware monitor post screen ,,, double check hdd and dvd data/power connectors
no more ideas for now

[JrRacinFan]

It's a boot order issue. Try bringing up the built-in boot menu for the board and boot to dvd drive. I think it's F11 possibly F12.

[Widjaja]

Since you have already set the BIOS to boot from the DVD drive in BIOS setup

A few possible issues.

The DVD Drive ca not read the disc so either the drive has a problem, the SATA cable is faulty or the CD itself has a scratch.

But usually when this happens the screen does not stay blank, it will come up with another message asking you to boot from a bootable blah blah blah...can't remember the exact message.

[Mighty Boosh]

Hi everyone and thanks for all of your suggestions. Looks like I picked a good group

Anyway, still no change this end but to answer your suggestions.......

@ Bravesoul.

Originally Posted by BraveSoul

hello Chris, cheers to the first post :0)
here is a few on the fly ideas
have you tried disabling floppy drive,,,,,, disabling boot order devices except the dvd drvie,, does the disk spin up? maybe there is an option in bios to disable hardware monitor post screen ,,, double check hdd and dvd data/power connectors
no more ideas for now

I have tried disabling all devices apart from my DVD drive. I have even disconnected the second DVD drive as I have two installed. The remaining DVD drive connected does fire up so I am sure that the drive is in good order.

On the subject of disabling POST in BIOS. This isn't possible although I can change to quick boot this doesn't really help.

Leads/cables, not paid too much attention to these other than to check that they are connected properly. Could well be worth trying another SATA cable.?

Will do this and check back with you.

@ JrRacinFan

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

It's a boot order issue. Try bringing up the built-in boot menu for the board and boot to dvd drive. I think it's F11 possibly F12.

Didnt know this was possible, will certainly look at doing this if I can. Until now I have just been setting boot order in BIOS.

@ Widjaja

Originally Posted by Widjaja

Since you have already set the BIOS to boot from the DVD drive in BIOS setup

A few possible issues.

The DVD Drive ca not read the disc so either the drive has a problem, the SATA cable is faulty or the CD itself has a scratch.

But usually when this happens the screen does not stay blank, it will come up with another message asking you to boot from a bootable blah blah blah...can't remember the exact message.

I know the XP disc is good. I used it the other day to do a repair install on my daughters PC. As for the health of the drive, I thought this was a possible and have tried two more DVD drives. The other new one thats installed and also took one of the drives from this machine that I am using now. It works 100% both read and write so its not that either.

Any more info just say. I could provide more pictures of the BIOS screens if it helps?

Cheers people!

Chris

[Widjaja]

Try a different SATA cable with the DVD drive and/or switch the DVD drive to another SATA port.

When I installed a new DVD drive a while back, I noticed a strange problem was occurring.
Although the symptoms are not the same as yours, my system would boot to windows, but after the DVD drive was used, the system would start to hang every five or 15 seconds for 5 seconds.
The thing was the DVD drive was not showing any signs of activity but the HDD light was continually going.

Removed the DVD and no issues, plug it back in again and the issue happens.
I know the DVD drive is good so I replaced the SATA cable.
Problem solved.

So even the connection from a peripheral to the board can cause some strange and annoying issues with other hardware.

[Stevicus]

Its a good idea to check those little gold fingers in the sata cable itself and in the back of the dvd drive, they are so easy to bend by accident.

A torch a pin and a magnifying glass are what you need to straighten them as well as a steady hand.

[Mighty Boosh]

Who'd have thought it. After trying so many different things, options & settings, drives etc. A new SATA cable provided the solution!

Feeling both pleased and yet slightly stoopid all at once!!!

A big thanks to all who helped with their suggestions!

[BraveSoul]

nice find,, haven't had this problem yet,,,taking mental note :0)