Computer will not boot

[The Mozster]

I just purchased a new Abit mobo with a AMD Thunderbird 1000 cpu. I was careful putting in the CPU and put the compter back together. I noticed that when I was putting the CPU in, one edge was lifted a little. Well, I wasn't sure if this is normal. Anyway, I put my complonents back in and tried to boot up. No screen at all. Should I try to reseat the CPU again? Looks like everything is getting power although I did notice the power supply is 250 Watts and AMD recommends 300. Any ideas of what to try. I removed the CDROM cables and all but one Hard drive. Should I remove the RAM as well and reseat? Any help would be much appreciated.

[Bovon]

Three things to try here.

First, the cpu must be seated in the socket all the way. Take it back out, and look at the core area for any chipped places around the edges and corners, sometimes while installing the heat sink, the core can get chipped...this sometimes kills the cpu.

Remove and reseat the ram modules. If there are more than one module, just install one in socket 0 (or socket 1, if your motherboard does not have a socket 0). Ram modules must be seated all the way, and the latches on the socket ends must latch themselves without you helping.

Do not have anything installed in the motherboard but the video card. Connect only the harddrive and maybe floppy drive.

[Bovon]

Dang it...double post...

[The Mozster]

Thanks. I'll give it a try. I hope the CPU is not chipped. What a way to waste $85! Hopefully it works. It's just that I've never seen a CPU sit at an angle with one edge up when locked into position.

[krazefinn]

Thats cu it should not sit up. Must be flat and fully seated. Hope you don't have a bent pin or cracked core.

In future, never proceed until verified that it is correct. You may have caused damage when you clipped the hs/fan to core. I always verify the interface by removing the hs/fan with core attached to make sure the thermal goop is good, plus I also remove it one time to ensure full ceven coverage of thermal goo without any airpockets or voids.

Good luck...if in doubt, just ask my friend!

[The Mozster]

Thanks krazefinn. Some good tips on the instllation. I don't think I did any damage. I'll certainly let you know.

[rjwilke]

Mozster
After you get the CPU issue resolved, if you are still having problems, consider the Power Supply as you suggestted yourself. Some 250 watt supplies will work with Athlons, but some wont. A 300 watt supply is better. AMD has a list of approved supplies on their website. I installed a 300 watt supply that was not on their approved list and it ran an Athlon 1.4 Mhz cpu just fine when the 250 watt supply that was originally in the machine did not even boot!
Good luck!:)

[The Mozster]

Well, I found out what the problem was. I took the CPU out to check for damage. It was fine. Not a mark on it. I put it in the socket and just watched as it dangled almost in mid air. I knew this was not right. I pulled it back out and looked at the socket. There was a circuit popping straight up. I think it was supposed to have been laying down further than it already was. I nudged it back down a little more and dropped the CPU back in. It fit in the socket perfectly. Set the arm down, put it all back together. Fired it up and I was in business. Flawless operation from that point.

I might call ABIT and ask if that was a poor quality check which they missed. All is well. Now onto overclocking.... :)

Thanks for all the advice. Invaluable information here.

[Bovon]

Fantastic!!... you are one lucky mother..

Congrats

[benchristian]

was that an abit kg7? my room mate got one of those and it had the little thingy sticking up also. We pushed it down before proceeding to put the processor in. Kind of makes you question the quality control...

[The Mozster]

No. It was the ABIT KT7A-Raid. No problems since I pushed it down. It did leave a little mark on the CPU.Looks like some of the blue insulation material on the circuit touch the CPU. So far, no problems with it. I doubt it will have an effect.

[DiamondDust]

That little circuit thingy is a thermistor. It is was senses the cpus temperature.