Problems building my computer

[runnin_guy]

This is the first time I attempted building a computer. I consider myself an advanced computer user, both with hardware and software.

Here is my want to be system:
Abit BP6
1 Celeron 366@366(NON OVERCLOCKED wk 28)
64 MB generic PC100 ram(Dimm_id says Samsung)
Diamond Stealth III S540 Xtreme
Maxtor 5.2G UDMA 33 (salvaged)
4x cdrom (salvaged from old computer)
Int Zip scsi with Adaptec 1520 scsi card
Hayes Accura 56K modem
Windows 95 OSR2.1

I have installed win9x countless times before, but have never run into a problem as stubborn or annoying as this.

Windows itself will install properly, without a hitch. The problems begin when I try to install any type of software. The error messages range from: "not enough memory in temp directory", "system is low on resources", and "aaa has caused an error in aaa.exe". It's an empty hard drive -> plenty of room in temp directory. Low system resources: checked the system resources tool and it showed the 3 values in the high 90's.

I am lucky if I can install any program at all. I will periodically receive registry errors while doing nothing, and have to reboot the machine to load a good version of the registry. I want to say that at this point I have taken all other hardware out of the system, I only have the cdrom, vid card, ram, and processor in the system.

Here are some quirks about my system:
1) The motherboard can not recognize my atapi/ide cdrom in any location (primary/secondary) or (master/slave).

2) I have one stick of ram in the first slot, but the mb says that I have 64M in row(s) 0,1. Is this normal?

3) I flashed the bios, and now the problems are even worse. I can't start 90% of the programs that are installed.


Since I have never had any problems like this, I am not sure what might be wrong. My best guess would be that one component in my system is bad, either the processor, the motherboard, or the ram. I don't really have the opportunity to check my celeron on other board. I might be able to check my ram in another system. I don't know anyone with a celeron or a ppga board.

Thank you for reading my tome, and any suggestions that you can offer me.

[This message has been edited by runnin_guy (edited 01-13-2000).]

[richamies]

Persoanlly I would suspect RAM. Just a feeling but.....

I have the same problems with the PC saying its in slots 1+2 or 0+1 or something, and my pc seems to work ok. Maybe try a different stick, or in the other dimm slot, see what happens.

Let us know.

[JimG]

I just built my first computer three months ago, using an Abit BE6 motherboard, and a 400 MHz P2 processor.
1. In regards to your CD-ROM, did you know it was working before you installed it? I had a similar problem helping someone install a CD-ROM that they had gotten free from someone; but it didn't work.
2. Don't know much about the RAM problem, but I agree that the RAM could be bad.
3. After you flashed the BIOS, it automatically loads the setup defaults. Did you check through the BIOS to make sure that everything was set up properly? Also, in the process of flashing the BIOS, did you do it correctly. It is very easy to make a mistake and experience system problems. I would suggest flashing it again with an updated version to see if it corrects the problems.

If there's a problem with the memory, then that might account for your errors. Windows will use the free space on the HD as a swap file. As a result, with bad memory, your HD may be supplying most of your memory (and if you partitioned the HD, it will have less free space on the C drive to make that swap file). If you have Nortons 2000, and if not, I suggest getting it, you can use the hardware tests to determine how your RAM and other hardware is working.
Good luck!!

[runnin_guy]

Well I was able to borrow someones computer so that I could check their RAM in my system and my RAM in their system. This has a very interesting twist to the entire computer experience. I first installed my RAM in the other computer, removing their RAM, and then the computer started to experience all the same problems that my computer had. It couldn't run programs, and ran out of resources. So I figure the RAM is a piece of junk. But I also decided to put the other RAM in my system just to check.

My motherboard can't recognize the 128M RAM at all, not in any of the three slots. I turn on the computer, and it just gives me a constant beeeeeep. I then put my junk RAM and the good RAM in, but it can only see the bad RAM. I then switch the memory in the slots, and the computer just beeps at me. I took out the good memory and put the bad memory in. Guess what, now the motherboard doesn't boot at all. I tried putting the bad memory into all 3 slots, but nothing happens but beeping.

So now I have a feeling that I just received bad RAM and a bad motherboard. I think I really got screwed by the company that I bought the components from.

BTW the cdrom does work, win95 detects it and it runs, just the bios can't detect it. And with the bad RAM I couldn't install any program if my life depended on it. I did update the BIOS settings, but even with the newest bios it did not improve my situation.

[tlwhite76]

runnin_guy: Isn't the BP6 a dual CPU motherboard? Could some of your problems be that you are missing that second CPU? Also, are you sure you've got the non-ata66 HD plugged into the correct controller?

[JimG]

Well, it definitely sounds like your RAM is junk. I'm not sure if you need the second CPU, since the BP6 is a dual CPU motherboard, that's something you would have to find out from abit (www.abit.com.tw).
In regards to the CD-ROM, that's odd that the BIOS won't detect it, but it's a good thing that works.
Your HD should be plugged into the black IDE connector on the motherboard. I'm assuming you installed the drivers for the ATA 66, but, until you get your computer working properly, it's best to connect it to the normal IDE channel. Later, when all is well, you can go back and set it up again for the Ultra ATA 66.
Again, good luck!!

[Axel]

It does sound like you got a bad motherboard and it may have cooked the RAM which may have been good at some point - hope it didn't harm your friends RAM.

Also - you may have gotten the wrong type of RAM for that board - If your board doesn't support ECC, (or is it EEC?) RAM and that's the type of RAM you got, it may not function correctly in that board and throw off the RAM count to begin with which comes with it's own set of consequences. - So - you might bring just the RAM to a local shop, have them check it and determine exactly what type of RAM it is, speed, features, etc. etc. - them check the mobo manual to see if it's compatable - I had the same trouble.

Another thing - you might experience better luck if you did a low-level format on the hard drive ( writes all {0} zero's to the drive erasing everything on it from the past ) - You can go to the western digital home page and look for the data lifeguard tools - here's the link:
http://www.westerndigital.com/service/ftp/drives.html#dlgtools

A new HD IDE cable is cheap and might not hurt.

There's always a chance that the BIOS needs to be adjusted manually for the board - directions for that are probably in the mobo manual.

If the RAM check and the HD low level format doesn't help - time to return the board and the RAM and start over -

You might look at a new ASUS board - I've had a lot of luck with them so far. I also like FIC boards and TEKRAM boards personally.

[bubblehd]

First off, the BP6 does not require both CPU sockets to be filled, that was confirmed by being able to load the OS without a hitch, so forget about chasing down another CPU.

I would first determine if my friends memory module were damaged by inserting it in his machine and observing results (hope you don't have to buy him new memory as well). Determine what type memory modules you are working with for both machines, there may be a compatibiliy issue here. Next, I would contact the vendor who sold me the memory and motherboard (hopefully the same vendor) and check their technical support out. This will do two thing, first and most importantly, it will make record of the fact that you are having problems so that if it happens that you do have to return one or both, they will cover it under warranty. Second, it will give you the opportunity to see what their technical support is like (for future purchases).

As for your computer, follow the guidance that their technical support provides in troubleshooting to the bad component. Keep in mind, when building a system, you want to start with installation of the motherboard, CPU, memory, floppy drive, hard drive, CD-ROM , keyboard and mouse only. Apply power, configure the BIOS, load the OS and then the drivers for the installed hardware. Once this is done, you would install your ISA devices individually, power the system up and load the drivers for that particular device. Make sure each works properly before powering down and installing the next device. When all ISA devices are installed and working, start with the PCI (PNP) devices, and I always install the sound card last.

You're probably already familiar with this assembly procedure, but it took me about six builds (thick skull, I guess) to realize why this is the best way to approach building a new system.

As for the BP6, if it does turn out to be a bad motherboard, just ask for a replacement. It's a very nice board, and finding a bad one is rare. Some of the things to watch out for (you apparently have crossed these hurdles already, but they are worth restating for other prospective builders) are:

The ATA-66 connectors require drivers to work, and you must connect your hard drive to IDE1 or IDE2 until you have the ATA-66 drivers installed. Use the 80 pin cable irregardless of where you connect your hard drive (IDE1,2,3 or IDE4). The cables are backwards compatible and will work with ATA-33 or ATA-66, just make sure the blue connector is inserted in the motherboard connector, otherwise, it won't work.

The system does not always recognize your CPU on initial boot. I had to configure my bus speed and multiplier before it would recognize the CPU.

If you are running a single CPU, use Socket 1 instead of Socket 2

And if you can't find the help you need here, try the BP6 home page at www.bp6.com (http://www.bp6.com) they have some excellent forums there as well as links to the latest driver infomation.

Good luck, and please post your findings for the rest of us BP6 users.

Bubblehd