Installing a New Motherboard

[Matrixhasu77]

Hi all,

I need a little help. I am in the process of installing a new motherboard(to replace my current one) into my pc. However, I cannot get it to boot into the BIOS Setup screen or perform a POST test. Having never setup my computer from scratch like this I am little frustrated. The motherboard in question is DFI's LanParty NFII Ultra B.

What I have done so far is:

Installed Motherboard
Installed CPU and Heatsink
Installed Videocard, soundcard, modem, firewire bracket and the front set of brackets (USB 2,Firewire, sound, LED monitor)
Connected the Powersupply to everything
Set the connectors for the case's power and reset switches, and the internal speaker
Connected my Harddrives

The problem is that the motherboard will not recognize the keyboard when I press the "delete" key. I intend to reformat and reinstall Windows XP also.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[Solid Fro]

Are you sure the delete key will get you in your BIOS? Not all motherboards sets the delete key to get in the BIOS. It could be F1, F8, Enter, etc.

 

[Carl.]

Assuming that you forgot to write about installing memory, but did it...

Do you have any display at all?
If so, where exaclty does it hangs?

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Yeah, I installed the memory. I get a display of my motherboard's name "LanParty" and at the bottom it says "Press [Tab] to perform POST test or [DEL] to enter Setup". This is where it stops.

 

[Burnout]

Originally posted by Matrixhasu77
Yeah, I installed the memory. I get a display of my motherboard's name "LanParty" and at the bottom it says "Press [Tab] to perform POST test or [DEL] to enter Setup"

Is it a USB keyboard? If so legacy support might not be enabled in the BIOS, in which case you'll need to hook up a PS2 keyboard and enable it.

Also, make sure, if it is a PS2 keyboard, that it is in the keyboard ps2 socket, not the mouse ps2 socket(I believe keyboard is purple).

 

[Carl.]

does your keyboard lights respond to numlock/scrolllock keys?

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Yes, I have a PS/2 Keyboard and mouse installed. It does respond to the numlock/scrolllock keys also.

I really hope it isn't a problem with the cpu(It worked prior to installing the new motherboard). I reapplied the thermal paste to it. I didn't want to but my dad cleaned off the thermal paste before I could tell him not to. I'm also not even sure if I put enough on.

It could be anything at this point. Earlier I couldn't figure out how to connect my case's power and reset switches.

 

[emad]

The usb controllers on both my laptop and desktop rigs were found to be defective - they didn't accept input/outputs at all...Same thing maybe?

 

[Burnout]

Originally posted by Matrixhasu77
Yes, I have a PS/2 Keyboard and mouse installed. It does respond to the numlock/scrolllock keys also.

I really hope it isn't a problem with the cpu(It worked prior to installing the new motherboard). I reapplied the thermal paste to it. I didn't want to but my dad cleaned off the thermal paste before I could tell him not to. I'm also not even sure if I put enough on.

It could be anything at this point. Earlier I couldn't figure out how to connect my case's power and reset switches.

So you're really new at building computers, eh?

Hmm.

It doesn't respond to the TAB key, either? Is it a P4?

 

[Carl.]

Originally posted by Matrixhasu77
Yes, I have a PS/2 Keyboard and mouse installed. It does respond to the numlock/scrolllock keys also.

I really hope it isn't a problem with the cpu(It worked prior to installing the new motherboard). I reapplied the thermal paste to it. I didn't want to but my dad cleaned off the thermal paste before I could tell him not to. I'm also not even sure if I put enough on.

It could be anything at this point. Earlier I couldn't figure out how to connect my case's power and reset switches.

I wouldn't worry about the CPU at this point (should be an AMD, it's an NForce 2 Board), you would probably not see anything on the screen if it had a failure...

No error message or beeping? (sometimes longer beeps or beep sequences are documented in troubleshooting section of the manual...)

May a function key is stuck on your keyboard too.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Processor is an AthlonXP 2100+ and there are no beep codes when it boots. However, on the Diagnostic LEDs on the board it displays them in a configuration that says "Detecting and Installing an IDE device". It gets to this point and stops at the Lan Party Screen.

I'm not really new to building computers. I've done motherboard switches at my school because I am an assistant with the Technology Department. However, I've never actually switched out and set up a motherboard from scratch for my system.

 

[Carl.]

I would try with all IDE device disconnected, and if it still doesn't work, at this point I would contact DFI.

You may also have a defect on your board...

 

[Solid Fro]

Are your jumpers on the hard drives set properly?

That still doesn't solve why you can't get into your BIOS.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Originally posted by jpmontoya
I would try without all IDE device disconnected, and if it still doesn't work, at this point I would contact DFI.

You may also have a defect on your board...

This seems to have solved the problem. I unplugged all my devices except for my harddrives and that allowed the computer to boot into the bios. After that I was able to plug in my DVD and CD-RW drives one at a time to make sure they were recognized. Thanks for all your help everyone. I have to reinstall XP yet but this is a good sign.

Which leads me to another question... is it true that with XP MS implemented the policy that you could only install the OS on the disc twice before it is useless(I have an OEM Recovery Disc)? That seems rather stupid to me because if someone has problems and needs to reinstall then they are helpless the third time around and beyond. I've reformatted once so I'm hoping that won't be a problem.

 

[Pako]

I have reinstalled XP Pro multiple times with this computer without any problems. After the second time and forward to have to call for a authorization number to type in for authentication of your OS.

 

[emad]

A note on reinstalling xp - any major hardware changes will be detected by microsoft...They have a tendency to treat you like a thief and question you endlessly before they give you a key.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Well, I have successfully installed my new motherboard. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to take new pictures of my case and motherboard.

I ran Aquamark03 after installing windows and my overall score improved from 26000 to 28000. 3DMark03 gained another 200 points from 3594 to 3701 or so. My problem with games crashing at random is now solved because of this.

I can't figure out how to get my surround sound system to work with the onboard sound but that is ok because I have a Soundblaster Audigy/Live! 5.1 Card.

This is my motherboard if anyone is wondering. It is very nice. DFI's LanParty NFII Ultra B @ Tigerdirect