Build a computer help!

I am making a custom computer. The motherboard I purchased is ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM
I bought one stick of DDR2 1GB & one stick of DDR2 2GB. I have a Seagate 160 GB hard drive. Video card 512 MB EAH 4350 SILENT. Basic Optical drive and a Intel Pentium Processor E5400 OR LGA 775. I went ahead and assembled the computer.
First thing I did was install basically everything to the motherboard first. Then I used the motherboard push pins to mount the motherboard then I screwed it to the chassis.
I hooked up everything correctly or so I thought. I think I need help with the power supply wiring it to the system, optical drives etc… For example, I have a black IDE cable one end inserted into the motherboard and now the back of the Seagate Hard drive does not have a IDE cable connector. Also, I installed the process or without using any of this Freeze thermal glue (I wasn’t sure if it was necessary) if so, let me know. I turned on the system and I seen ASUS splash screen then it gave an error and said the system will shutdown in 15 seconds. I tried to write down the error code but know I cannot even get an image on the screen. All help is greatly appreciated. Later, ps; if you need pictures just let me know.

Hi CN22,

I am moving this thread to "Hardware" as that is where we usually put computer build and computer components items. You will possibly get a better response from our hardware gurus with it here.


EDIT:

OK that's done, now to the subject.

1. Shutdown.

This is most likely because the processor is overheating and the system is shutting down to protect it. You MUST use thermal paste if your heatsink does not have a thermal pad. If it does have a thermal pad, please remember to peel off the protective plastic sheet before installing it.

2. Power Supply

This should not be a problem. There is one long plug that plugs into the motherboard. There is only one slot that it fits and one way to insert it.

Now, you are building Intel, and I haven't done that for nearly 10 years, but there may be another uniquely shaped plug coming out of the PSU which has a matching socket on the MoBo? I think that this powers the CPU. The other connectors are 4 pin Molex, which have a unique shape so you cannot fit them incorrectly without a large hammer :D

These power your optical drives and hard drives.

There may also be one or two small, flat, white 4-pin connectors? these are to power your 3.5" and 5.25" floppy drives.

As you are getting it to shut down on you, I guess you must have gotten the PSU connections right? There may be one or two apparently "spare" plugs coming out of the PSU................. not sure, but they may be for RAID and/or SCSI controllers? Just cable tie them out of the way.

3. Hard Drive

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I have a black IDE cable one end inserted into the motherboard and now the back of the Seagate Hard drive does not have a IDE cable connector.

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That is because it is a SATA drive not PATA (IDE) :D The motherboard had better support SATA, or you will need another drive! I think it will, as PATA are becoming rarer and rarer these days. I have laid in my stockpile :cool:

All the SATA connectors I have seen are black. The data link has two wires (transparent red sleeving) and the power has the traditional red, black, black, yellow wires.

The connectors to the HDD and Mobo are "L" shaped and have an idiot proof configuration like this: ¬

The data plug is 0.5" and the power one 9/10ths of an inch...... so you would need a very big hammer.......:lildevil: You should find something on the MoBo and from the PSU to match ;)

Chill out man; unless you have a better set of hammers than me, you cannot get it wrong :)

Let us know if you have any more problems. And tell me the model number of the Seagate drive...... I just picked up a "strategic reserve" of two 160GB barracudas (IDE/PATA).............shame we live so far apart, or I would have swapped you one.

Cheers, and have a good weekend!

http://www.digitgeek.com/how-to-asse...nd-build-a-pc/

:)

The power supply already came installed into the case. I have wires that says: PLED (+) PLED (-) RESET BLUE AND WHITE CABLE, and about 4 other cables that come from the case it's self (power button) also when I push the power button in the computer will not shut off. I have to flip the little switch in the back to turn it off. However, now I cannot even get any screen to come up. Maybe if I took pictures of the wires maybe it would help. Thanks gor the replies guys. PS; I will have to double check on the processor since I didn't use any thermal paste. Also, from the back of the cdrom drive it has a SATA connection but on the motherboard there is a place for like for of them. I have the main hdd in the first one and the optical drive in sata 2

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Originally Posted by Computernerd22

The power supply already came installed into the case. I have wires that says: PLED (+) PLED (-) RESET BLUE AND WHITE CABLE, and about 4 other cables that come from the case it's self (power button)

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Open the motherboard booklet and it should have a diagram that will tell you were each wire goes into & which way they face. ;)

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Originally Posted by Computernerd22

also when I push the power button in the computer will not shut off. I have to flip the little switch in the back to turn it off. However, now I cannot even get any screen to come up. Maybe if I took pictures of the wires maybe it would help. Thanks gor the replies guys. PS; I will have to double check on the processor since I didn't use any thermal paste.

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Remove the heatsink covering the CPU and apply a small amount of thermal paste then re-apply the heatsink.

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Originally Posted by Computernerd22

Also, from the back of the cdrom drive it has a SATA connection but on the motherboard there is a place for like for of them. I have the main hdd in the first one and the optical drive in sata 2

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There are 4 sata ports on the motherboard? Connect the devices, then open up the BIOS and change the boot order and detection to suit as needed, the mother board booklet will have clearer info. ;)

The power button issue will resolve once you have connected the little wires onto the correct pin, you obviously have them connected onto the wrong pins.

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I have wires that says: PLED (+) PLED (-) RESET BLUE AND WHITE CABLE

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The first two operate the lights (LEDs) for the main power switch which should glow one colour for standby and another for power on.

The "reset" operates the smaller reset button on the front of the box. This is sometimes called the "hot reboot" or "restart" button. In the Windows shutdown menu, these are the equivalent of the red and green buttons, although these are physically controlling the power supply rather than programatically controlling the OS.

Go into your BIOS and look at the power management options. Disable all the crap relating to "snooze", "standby", "hibernate" or whatever.......it will only bring you grief in the long run, and on a desktop machine is about as useful as **** on a boar ;) I think that we are all old enough to know how to switch a computer off when we are not using it? :D

You may also find options for what happens when you press the main power button (set this to on/off, "turn the machine off" or whatever they call it) The other button should be set to "restart"

Now all you have to do is get the little connectors attached to the right pins on the MoBo, and THE RIGHT WAY ROUND! If something isn't working, try it facing the other way.....in my experience they will all have the writing facing the same way, depending on the particular MoBo.

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I have the main hdd in the first one and the optical drive in sata 2

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Try it in #3 or #4

Does your floptical drive only have a SATA connection?

To get power to the HDD from the PSU, you may need MOLEX to SATA connection cable. Over here these cost £0.70, they will be cheaper in the USA.

CPU:

The heatsink should have come with a cardboard or thick paper template which you align to the heatsink base and apply the paste in an even, thin, coating. Otherwise just coat all of it :)

Apply about as much as 0.5 of a grain of shortgrain rice (stuff you make puddings with) evenly to the top of the processor(s) chips which should stand up slightly from the body of the processor unit. Then reassemble and you should be good to go.

REMEMBER you can have too much thermal paste as well as too little!

Make sure the CPU fan is spinning...........it usually is a 3 or 4 pin connection on the MoBo. I think you have gotten this right already, as your system seems to be shutting down due to processor overheating?

Yes if you are sill having problems, some pictures might be useful.

Good Luck!

I just applied this thermal paste compound called Freeze. I placed it on the back of the process or that already looked like it had an area for it. Anyways, the cables that are connected to the Power Button on the front of the computer I have; These are the cables running from the case.

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1. H.D.D. Lead Red/white color wire
2. +P LED GREEN WIRE
3. -P LEAD WHITE WIRE
POWERSW ORANGE/WHITE WIRE
RESET SW B.UE/WHITE WIRE

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I think this might be where my issue is. However, the fans run very quietly and good the system powers right on I insert the P5G41M Series disk and nothing sitting at a black sreen but the system powers on but will not shut off unless you it the switch in the back.

This will be a great system once I can get it up and working. I read the ASUS motherboard manual so #1 for knowledge # 2 knowing how to do it. I am just having an issue with the ASUS motherboard book explaining the how the connections go the chassis that powers on the system other tha that this system is hooked up correctly. All help is greatly appreciated and thank you guys for the replies.


PS; I can not get any image to display on my screen. I had the ASUS screen come up once and the error message saying the system will shutdown in 15 seconds (this was before I APLLIED THE THERMAL PASTE) but now I can not even get into any screen. I used the VGA cable to the back of the motherboard I also used the vga cable connector to the back of the video card and still no image, I know the monitor works because I can hook up my Dell and it pops right up.

OK

1. H.D.D. Lead Red/white color wire
2. +P LED GREEN WIRE
3. -P LED WHITE WIRE
POWER SW ORANGE/WHITE WIRE
RESET SW BLUE/WHITE WIRE

1. I guess you mean HDD LED?

This is the little light that flickers when the HDD is sending/receiving data

2. & 3. These operate your power status lights

The other two operate the actual switching on/off of main power and the Reset button. You must have these connected to the correct pins on the MoBo and the right way round

If you have checked that they are attached to the correct pins, try reversing the connector so the writing faces the other way.

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PS; I can not get any image to display on my screen. I had the ASUS screen come up once and the error message saying the system will shutdown in 15 seconds (this was before I APPLIED THE THERMAL PASTE) but now I can not even get into any screen. I used the VGA cable to the back of the motherboard I also used the vga cable connector to the back of the video card and still no image, I know the monitor works because I can hook up my Dell and it pops right up.

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Go into BIOS setup and see if onboard VGA is selected/enabled. Try setting it to the alternative or disabling it, depending on how your BIOS handles it, then try connecting via the video card.

I have known cases where if you have both a card and an onboard chipset, nothing will work unless you disable or deselect the onboard chipset, or uninstall the video card.

If that doesn't work, try physically removing the videocard and enabling onboard VGA, then try that connection.

:)

Please let us know how you get on.

When you have problems like this there is only one thing to do ...
Start from scratch!
Disconnect everything and start over. And I mean everything!

When adding or changing anything, unplug the computer!

Check your motherboard mounting. Most cases will have little stamped labels on the post holes for the type motherboard you are using. Make sure you ONLY use the ones labeled for your motherboard type. Having extra posts under the board could fry it. Since you said you used pushpins, they should be only in holes on the board OTHER then the six screw holes listed in the manual. Use screws in these holes for proper grounding, but do not over tighten.

Find the CLRTC jumper on the motherboard. Clear the CMOS by moving the jumper, then replace.
( page 1-22 of the manual? )

Hopefully you did not fry the chip.
Was this a boxed set of processor/ heat sink fan? If so, the fan probably had paste on it already.
( when you took it apart to put that freeze stuff on it, did it have something that looked like label glue on it? That would probably be the factory paste. If it did, did you remove it all before putting on the freeze stuff? Rubbing alcohol works well for removing it.)
If it was perfectly clean you may have fried the chip.
Remember when putting on this paste, a very thin layer is all you need ... do not put too much on!

Be careful installing the heat sink/fan. It must be seated properly. Your motherboard manual shows you how to tighten it down properly. Do not proceed until you are sure it is level and properly seated. Make sure you plug the fan into the correct motherboard cpu/fan pins. Use the diagram in the motherboard manual.

Plug in one memory module ( maybe the 1 gig ) into the memory slot closest to the cpu.
Did you check the Qualified Vendor list to make sure it was compatible? ( a list is in your MB manual )

Plug in the 24 pin EATXPWR and the 4 pin ATX 12v plugs into the board. ( This board requires a minimum 400 watt power supply ... does it meet that? )

Did the case come with an on-board speaker built into the case? If so, find and connect it now. This will help you hear beep codes if it has any.

Your case came with wires for power, etc. Your board is labeled a little differently. Plug in these wires:
+P LED -> PLED+
-P LED -> PLED-
POWER SW ORANGE/WHITE WIRE -> PWR
RESET SW B.UE/WHITE WIRE -> Reset

Again, use the diagram in MB manual to find location. ( possibly page 1-30 )
Verify the location on motherboard ( I use magnifying glass to see these ) Sometimes the pin layout in the manual is a little different then on the board.

Do not plug anything else in. You should have no add-in cards, video or otherwise connected to anything. No hard drives, nothing else.

Hook up a keyboard and monitor ( use on-board video )

Connect plug to power supply and turn on, see what happens. Make sure the LED on motherboard lights, and count any beeps you hear ( if you have case speaker. )

Let us know what happens.
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the six screw holes listed in the manual. Use screws in these holes for proper grounding, but do not over tighten.

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You wouldn't happen to have some small orange washers left over from the assembly would you?

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Find the CLRTC jumper on the motherboard. Clear the CMOS by moving the jumper, then replace.
( page 1-22 of the manual? )

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Good idea, particularly as you got a MoBo warning to begin with .............. it may need resetting?

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Was this a boxed set of processor/ heat sink fan? If so, the fan probably had paste on it already.

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That is what I described earlier as a thermal pad/patch. With one of those you should not need thermal paste, but YOU DO HAVE TO REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE LAYER FIRST!!!

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Did the case come with an on-board speaker built into the case? If so, find and connect it now. This will help you hear beep codes if it has any.

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Otherwise attach a couple of PC speakers via the pale green jack-plug socket and turn them on before booting ............. they will give you the BIOS beep codes where there is no case or onboard speaker. ;)

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Plug in one memory module ( maybe the 1 gig ) into the memory slot closest to the cpu.

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In the old days we always put the largest closest?

If you have set up a speaker of whatever sort, you will get multiple beeps if it is a memory problem.

Good Luck!

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In the old days we always put the largest closest?

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This is for testing ... on that motherboard the first mem slot is the one physically closest to the cpu.

Yes, although you did go over much of what I said, with the problem of getting NO screen he really needed to start again.

nihil , in the old days we used solder to piggy-back the chips!
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on that motherboard the first mem slot is the one physically closest to the cpu.

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I must say that I have never seen a MoBo where that was not the case, at least MoBos with 30 or 72 pin memory strips or later, as opposed to onboard chips and riser cards.

I really don't know if the order makes much difference these days, but I still do it out of force of habit:D My thinking was if I put the 2GB in the first slot it would save me having to swap the two strips around once I got it going.

Certainly, without sound or video he can neither see nor hear what is going on, which doesn't help!.

I would say that the first priority is to get the main power and restart buttons working............that will tell you which way round all the connectors should go. I don't think he has fried the chip if he got a boxed retail processor, or made sure that he bought an approved heatsink/fan combo. It is strange that neither button works.......if it were dud equipment I would really only expect it to affect one of them, assuming that the connectors are the right way round (polarity)?

I suppose static could have been an issue?

CN22 did mention seeing an Asus warning screen the first time he booted it....... that is obviously the BIOS. As he says the fans are spinning OK, I would guess that was temperature driven? I wonder if it has set an indicator that needs resetting?

If there is no BIOS reset jumper switch on the MoBo, I would try removing the 2032 CMOS battery for a few hours with the box disconnected from mains. It doesn't clear passwords but it should still reset the BIOS.

Getting sound and video would then be my next priority.

At this point I am inclined to suspect the case/PSU? if it is a hardware defect, although it would seem that there might have been a temperature issue.

It looks as if we are dealing with more than one problem here, so starting from the beginning is probably the best way to go.

Yes, I remember when you added chips individually.......... back around 1980 I seem to recall? :)

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Yes, I remember when you added chips individually.......... back around 1980 I seem to recall?

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Yes, trying to get the system to recognize (using a RAM drive derived from an add-on card) an unbelievable total of 1 Megabyte (or more!) of memory!!


But in this case, better to use the smaller chip when starting to find problems then the larger: one can always substitute chips latter.

Bottom line here:
He has a problem. There is NO video, no nothing after an initial error screen; now he cannot tell what the problem is.
My solution is geared to find out what damage has been done, ( if any, ) then move on from there to find a solution to his problem, all this without knowing his expertise.
I can tell you this: I just built my wife a new box with an i7. The CPU fan mounts in a similar manner. The mounting is designed ( IMHO ) to be cost efficient rather than ease-of-use. It was a pain-in-the-ass to get the push-pins to properly seat in the motherboard and align on the CPU thus allowing proper contact with the CPU. The original Athlon fans were easier to mount, even though more often than not the CPU was damaged if the installer did not know what they were doing.

And I agree: chances are the motherboard prevented heat damage to the CPU and board chips, but at this stage it is better to check then try to chase a problem that should have been prevented.
Again, we do not know his expertise: he is using a motherboard with PCIe v 1.x with a video card PCIe v 2.0? Do we assume then he knew the requirements of the motherboard ( 400 watt PSU ) or memory modules? That is why I made references in my post.

This **** has become too confusing, and I am drunk. gore happy Halloween!

Yes, it is confusing and it would be nice if we could at least get sound going.

What I find significant is that the power up/reset buttons do not work, assuming they have been connected to the MoBo correctly?

However, he says that the fans come on when he uses the power switch at the back? None of my machines do that, the fans only start when you hit the power up button at the front?

CN22, have you looked at it with the case sides off? does the CPU fan spin when you power up as well? It should be getting its power from the MoBo?

I don't think that the PCIe v1 and v2 is an issue, as they are supposed to be backwards compatible and both the MoBo and video card are Asus products. Anyway you should have removed the video card and be using the onboard chipset for troubleshooting.

Another thing you might try is connect:

1. Keyboard
2. HDD
3. DVD/CD

All three lights on the keyboard and the DVD/CD and HDD lights should come on briefly when you power up. Do they?

Also, did you buy these components separately, or were they part of a bare bones bundle?

The 3GB of RAM has me puzzled as well............you have a 64 bit processor and a MoBo that supports 64 bit. Were you intending to load a 32 bit operating system? In which case it would make sense given that you have a 512MB video card.

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I don't think that the PCIe v1 and v2 is an issue, as they are supposed to be backwards compatible and both the MoBo and video card are Asus products. Anyway you should have removed the video card and be using the onboard chipset for troubleshooting.

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Agreed, but as you said, supposed to
At this point nothing should be left to chance.

BTW, if the memory was not on the manufacturer's list, it may still work as long as they are the proper type ( unbuffered non-ECC DDR2?) But the modules may not work together even if they are both good! Another reason I said use just one chip.

Just waiting for CN22 to get back to us now on how he made out.
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I am talking an A+ class 1 hardware (my weaker areas) and for the final project we have to assemble the PC from a kit. Meaning, I recieved two boxes, one for the case which is a Super Case TX 381, motherboard we are using is a P5G41-MLE/CSM also this unit came with 2gb of ram and one extra stick of 1 gb of ram DDR2 for a total of 3GB total. Video Card is a EAH 4350 Silent 512mb it says on box and for the processor dual core desktop intel pentium processor E5400 LGGA 775.

I installed mostly everything on the motherboard before installing the mobo to the case. Like I said before, I was able to see the blue ASUS screen then a message came up saying the system will shutdown in 15 seconds. I tried to write the error message down but no luck. I tried to get the message or any image to come back up it's not.

I am able to turn on the PC both fans are running, very quietly I can see the power light on the front of the case cd drives work, optical drives work, however, no image is displayed on the screen. Just a black screen. I read the ASUS motherboard manual 3 or 4 times and it seems very basic nothing technical. I applied the thermal paste like it said. I tried un-installing the video card and using the one that is intergrated on the mobo but no luck. I uninstalled and re-installed the memory, I cleared the CMOS (little quarter looking thing) I am having no luck. All this stuff is brand new right out of the box. I never built a PC from scratch before. I think I am going to take it all apart and just redo everything from scratch and then go from there. Sorry for the late response.

Make sure you re-read my initial post. Every step was put there for a reason.

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I cleared the CMOS (little quarter looking thing)

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That should be the battery, which may not have cleared the CMOS.
( If there is no jumper you can clear the CMOS by removing the battery and waiting up to a few days for it to clear. )
Make sure you use the jumper to clear it: it is there for a reason.

Again, refer to the motherboard manual.

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Okay, I went ahead and uninstalled everything started from scratch. I wired everything up correctly the only thing is when I hold down the power button the system will not shut off. I have to flip the switch on the back in order to power off the machine. I am very intelligent with networking, security etc... building these things not my expertise. I have read the users manual a few times. I do have a couple questions which are not in the manual, #1 I have a USB 56 port and a USB 78 port does it matter which one it goes into?

#2 I have a SATA black cable plugged into the hard drive then plugged into SATA port 1 on the mobo. The only issue I think I might of did wrong was inserting the chipset into the CPU socket. It doesnt have or show arrows in the manual or on the physical piece so I am a little not certain which way it goes. I used thermal paste on the smooth side, not he circuit board side. Then I placed the heatsink that already has a fan connected to it with thermal glue as I placed it on the chipset.


If the F_Panel (system panel connector) was wired correctly wouldn't the system shut off after holding the power button in for over 5 seconds? Instead of me having to hit the switch.


RESET WIRES ARE BLUE AND WHITE? Which one is the ground wire?

Power SW WIRES ORANGE AND WHITE WHICH ONE IS THE GROUND WIRE?

I just wanted to say thank you guys for your advice and helping me out because to be perfectly honest I need it right now. Thanks again, Later mike. Trust me I have been reading the manual, googling, posting here on AO I have a brand new system with windows 7 ready and I want to dual boot it and also have a Linux machine and show my teacher I can do this but I keep running into a issues. I am not new to computers or anything I just don't know. Thanks for the help guys,

Just a question: has this package been built by another student before you then disassembled, or was it new factory wrapped parts? Asking because someone might have been playing with BIOS settings on board, which would be another reason to properly reset the CMOS.

You said you have hard drive connected. I take it then the system is booting properly into BIOS setup screen now?

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I have a USB 56 port and a USB 78 port does it matter which one it goes into?

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No. I use them in order just to keep things uniform, but it does not matter. In case you haven't guessed it, the connectors are for USB ports 5&6, the other for ports 7&8. 1-4 are on rear MB panel.

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... I might of did wrong was inserting the chipset into the CPU socket.

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CPU has a small triangle in one corner for orientation: also notches along the edge. If you did not use one of nihil's big hammers it should only be able to go in one way.

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I used thermal paste on the smooth side, not he circuit board side

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The thermal paste does go between the CPU and the heat sink. It is meant to fill imperfections in the metals to make conducting heat more efficient for the heat sink. The fan then cools the heat sink.
Thermal paste on the pin side would short the CPU.

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RESET WIRES ARE BLUE AND WHITE? Which one is the ground wire?

Power SW WIRES ORANGE AND WHITE WHICH ONE IS THE GROUND WIRE?

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Since white is common to both, I would go with white as negative.

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Just a question: has this package been built by another student before you then disassembled, or was it new factory wrapped parts? A

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Again, this is a brand new computer. Not a hand me down. Not used. Not another student used it. I took the PC to class took it apart and rebuild it in front of my instructor he said I hooked up everything correctly. The system is not POSTING no beeps. It is getting power, it is wired correctly, I tried what my instructor said to go home and take out the memory then see if it POSTS but no luck. Get this, I was helping other people assemble there computers but my sh1t don't work I am very discouraged.

Well, **** like this does happen once in a while.

Again, why I said to test with nothing but CPU and memory hooked up as you narrow down what parts could be bad. Guess you tried to use the other memory chip.

Next would be to try your CPU in another board if you could, or your MB with another CPU.

And check the power supply with a VOM.
There are plenty of articles on how to do it. Just remember, an ATX power supply will not work unless it is connected to the motherboard ( which I don’t like to do ) or you have to short pins 14 & 15. Maybe your instructor can help you with this if you have never used a VOM.

Sorry you are having these troubles.

Well, back to work for me.

IKnowNot,

At this point I am beginning to suspect defective components? The PSU does seem favourite, followed by the MoBo?

Incidentally, I was worried by the MicroATX specification.................. the case is Micro as well and only has a 300W PSU. Not enough IMO?

However, it should be good enough to get a BIOS post and load an OS? and give you "son et lumiere" (that's sound and video CN22:D)

I seem to recall that this MoBo has a BIOS that monitors power quality and will switch off if it is erratic...........only from looking up the specs rather than actually having played with one :D

CN22...............if you are not getting sound or video I would send the MoBo back.

Also send the case back, and say that the BIOS is shutting the system down because it is defective.

Given the very low cost of these items, they should just send you replacements without question. So I would just contact the supplier first, as they probably won't want the old one returned, which will save you shipping. In any case you would need an RTB authorisation, so you need to contact them first ;)

Then try again, and good luck!!!

P.S. That is a lesson I don't think they teach you in A+.............. if it is straight out of the manufacturer's wrapping, that doesn't mean it isn't DOA.
It is the change in the market; stuff is so cheap and competitive these days that some of the areas that manufacturers have tended to save in is quality control and quality assurance. Hell! I can remember paying $130 for an 8MB strip of 72 pin EDO RAM.......... but at least stuff worked back
then?

Honestly, I don't know what they are going to do. Everybody elses in the classroom worked fine except this one. It is okay though. The systems cost 600.00 bucks and I don't know how they want to leave it. My professor didn't even have an answer besides try start the system with no memory in it to see if it POSTS.

Another student mentioned something about cardboard boxing. I asked him what it was and he said basically isolating each computer part to narrow down the issue. Either way the system is a no go. What that bad news is we were going to start on software this Tuesday. Windows 7 and a Linux classs. Oh well, sh1t happens. ;)

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My professor didn't even have an answer besides try start the system with no memory in it to see if it POSTS.

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What an absolute wanker!!!................nah! he has doubtless lost the instructions!!!

You have all those people in class with the same kit?.............it is only a 5 minute job to swap out your memory into one of those to see if the memory is OK?

Then it is the case and MoBo that are stuffed............. send them back!, at their expense of course...........some bugger is making a tidy profit out of doing business with your "professor" and I am sure you are big enough to imagine the rest? They should just send you new ones ;)

I am, of course assuming that you didn't all go and find the same kit by accident? :rolleyes: