What Happened!?!?!

[canit]

Did you ground yourself before pulling the ram?

[pin-monkey]

Is the "new" memory EDO? Is your old the same type?
Most boards require the ram to be of the same type.

Just a shot in the dark as it sounds like an older board.

[christine1]

I was upgrading memory by removing two 16MB SIMMS and replacing with 32MB SIMMS (there were 4 16MB SIMMS in all). At first the PC would not boot (hear HD a little, then nothing black screen, no BIOS vendor LOGO, etc) then tried just new memory in the first slots, recongnized it. Then added some of the older back and nothing again. Then the newer memory in the first 2 slots was not recognized and tried adding back all the old memory and it recognized only 32MB. Rearranged again nothing, then back to where it recognized 32MB, nothing again. And that is where I am at with that. (Just a little history that led to my current crisis). Since I had all these problems and the HD just spins for a few seconds then nothing, black screen, wont boot to A: drive, doesnt read memory, cant get into the BIOS. So I tried to Clear CMOS setup memory with Jumpers that did not work. Tried to remove battery and put pack after a few minutes, that did not work (hopefull this was done correctly). I cannot identify the motherboard clearly, I have a Users's Manual that came with PC, 8500TVX Pentium VX System Board, Model MB-8500TVX-A Ver.2, I have searched everywhere but since I cannot get the PC to boot, I cannot get the serial number either for the Manufacturer. I have a dead PC that I need some serious advice to get back online. Any info appreciated. Sorry for lengthy post, but wanted to give full history!

[christine1]

Yes I did ground myself, and yes the memory older and newer memory is EDO. What can I do to get the PC working again? Thanks.

[senecadan]

Look closely at your memory slots to see if any of the pins are bent or touching.

Senecadan

[christine1]

I took some time to look at the slots and all pins seem fine and none are touching. Next step?

[Fingers]

First of all, it sounds like you have a BioStar 8500TVX motherboard. http://biostar-usa.com/museum/Motherboards/8500TVX/8500TVX_Manul.htm

No specific help, but here's some suggestions.
1)SIMMS have to be placed in the SIMM slots in pairs and in the correct combinations according to the mobo manual (probably not your problem, this mobo appears to be very flexible). Memory configuration information can be found at above website.
2) To mix 16M and 32M SIMMS, Both 16M SIMMS need to be in Bank 0 and both 32M SIMMS go in Bank 1. **Note - SIMM bank 0 is the one closest to the processor.
3) Ditto senecadan, memory connectors could be damaged or corroded. SIMMS may not be seating fully.
4) When the PC fail to boot, are you getting any beeps? Beep codes can indicate the source of the problem.

** The above DRAM configuration is the suggested method.

PS. if the problem is with the memory, you'll never be able to get into the BIOS until you resolve the memory issue.



[This message has been edited by Fingers (edited 09-13-2000).]

[christine1]

That is my motherboard, thanks! I will try again with the memory and post results, I did try as suggested but doesnt hurt to give another shot at it. Also there are no beeps at all, just hear the HD start up, then stops, black screen, nothing.

[christine1]

Still no luck. I am at a loss on this one.

[Fingers]

Check the power and data connectors on your other components. Maybe you accidentally bumped another connector or card while you were working on the memory upgrade?

Did the PC beep before you cleared the CMOS? I wouldn't have originally suggested it, but at this point, it might be worth trying to clear it again. You did remove the jumper from JP4 after you cleared it the first time...right? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[senecadan]

Try checking to see if it's the power supply or the motherboard...since this seems to be an AT style board disconnect the power leads going to the motherboard and try to power up. If the drives spin up (there won't be any lights or beeps) then your problem is on the motherboard...bad memory, bad motherboard, or other cards. If the drives don't spin up then the problem is in the power supply or drives.

Senecadan

[bahama llama]

I don't know if this will help but I had a similar problem when I was trying to find out a name on my motherboard or ram. When I put everything back together and tried to boot all I got was hard drive noise three beeps and then it would turn off. There was no visual display either. After trying everything I could I read the bios troubleshooting section of the cd-rom that came with the book Upgrading and repairing PC's (11th edition) and it told me that if the video card was not properly inserted that when the computer started to boot that it would turn itself off. After removing and reinserting my video card my computer booted fine. I hope this helps.

[christine1]

No beep. I followed the motherboard manual but there is never a memory count (it doesnt even go that far)and just tried again. Nothing. Jumper is removed, but have to admit that when I tried the first time as manual, Power off, JP4 closed, power on memory count, power off JP4 open (jumper removed) then power on and it didnt even seem to flinch. I put the jumper back in original position.

[christine1]

Get a load of this...I did try senecadan and bahama llama's advice and found that must be memory, motherboard, or cards. Well the only card I left in (or rather put a new one is a video card) and still no luck. After frustration I put the original 4 16MB sticks back in but in a random order, it BOOTED with recognizing only 16MB. Does this mean maybe only one stick may be good or maybe one slot? What fun this is. By the way, thanks for everyone's help so far, it is appreciated!!!

[Fingers]

Number each SIMM with a piece of tape according to which slot it is currently in. Maybe playing musical chairs with the SIMMS will allow you to determine which SIMM(s) may be bad. I thought that if one SIMM in a bank was bad, both would be un-recognized... maybe not.

[This message has been edited by Fingers (edited 09-14-2000).]