FIC VA-503+ MOTHERBOARD, problem booting

[rockyroad]

I am attempting to build my first computer and I have a FIC VA-503+ rev 1.2A motherboard with the EO037 sticker. The processor is a AMD K6-2 550 MHZ. Memory is crucial 256 MB PC100 SDRAM (I've installed 512 MB). Video cards tried were S3 Trio64 V2/DX and Kaser SIS 305 16P. The book I'm using for instruction says that I should get identification of the video card or that the bios should be trying to find a hard drive at this point when I turn the computer on. All I get is a series of short steady beeps and a screen with numerous squares with dark ones in the center. These alternate with a blank screen. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've also rechecked my jumper settings NUMEROUS times with what the manual says for the memory and processor and everything else.

I took xroyal and bovon's advice about dropping down to 500 mhz. No success. Took bovon's advice about trying other size memory. I didn't have a 128 MB DIMM, but I did have two old 8 MB SIMMS. I installed them and it started up at the 500 mhz setting and also when I set everything up for 550 mhz. Vcore for this processor is 2.3 volts. I tried the 256 DIMMS again and followed bovon's advice about properly seating them. No success. Called memory manufacturer who said that this memory should work for this motherboard as they have had few returns. He aske d about my bios. Found JE439s sticker on AWARD bios chip. Has anyone with this revision board and bios been able to get it to handle 2 256MB DIMMS? How would I know if there is a problem the the actual DIMM slots?

PROBLEM SOLVED!! I returned the motherboard for a new one and reinstalled everything including the two 256MB modules. It booted up first try. So I guess it was a problem with the DIMM slots. Thanks for everyone's help.

[xroyal]

Welcome Aboard! Have same MB. Not familier w/your video card, but some have had trouble w/high powered models, in excess of 16MB. Some 2-550 models have trouble hitting the default speed. You might try setting at 500 just to see if you can get up and running. Have you installed Via 4 in 1 drivers? Final suggestion: you might post over at AMD Zone Forums, K6-X section. Lots of folks with 503+s. Good luck!

P.S. Great MB once up and going.

[Bovon]

Recheck the jumper for the cpu Vcore. Set it for 2.0 volts. Be sure the cpu is seated good in the socket and the fan is running. Remove the ram, and put just one module in the first bank...thats the one near the back edge of the board. Be very sure it is seated all the way. Do not try to help the snaps on each end of the ram module, they will snap in place when the ram module is bottomed out. You may need to beg an older PCI video card to test with to see if the problem is your video card.

Some of the older boards wouldn't use 256 mb in each socket. I think (not sure) that the 503+ will. If you have a module of 128 mb laying around someplace, try that. The 503+ won't work with PC133 to good, but you have said you are using PC100.

Most continous beeps indicate ram or video problems.

Set the cpu for 5 times 100 mhz fsb to see if it will run ok at 500 mhz as xroyal said.

[xroyal]

K6-2s run at either 2.2 or 2.4 volts, check the top of your chip to be sure which you have. The + chips start at 2.0 volts, 2.2 max.