Problem building MSI 480M2 PC

captainpat

I have been (slowly) assembling my new PC with:

Mobo: MSI RS480M2 (AMD64/939
Proc: AMD64/3000 (with included cooler)
RAM: Twinmos 512MB DDR
Case: IT-2399_SILVERSTAR-CK420_12CM Intertech Silverstar Midi Tower
HDD: Maxtor IDE 120GB
CD/DVD: BTC old DVD-ROM.

It has a 450W PS, and all connectors required by mobo. The cables are 80-core to both ATA units. I have it connected on a 2-port KVA with my workhorse PC.

Problem is, no joy on power up. To start, I ensure the PS switch is cycled. Then I power on at the front case switch. I get a series of short bleeps for appox 20 sec, then it stops. Processor fan is running, case fan (powered from case, not mobo) is running. No viewable output on monitor, so no access to Bios. System temperature (case sensor) 80F. Sys temp is real-time as it varies with room temp.

I cannot accurately (yet) determine if the beeps are coming from case or mobo. I have verified all case connections. Mobo beeps indicate no power to mobo or mobo failure. I have full plug and 12v plug connected and re-connected.

I had a prob with a Komplett-supplied mobo before (also in an upgrade kit), so I want to be fairly sure before I return it.

Any suggestions? Thanks for them if given. J

impr0v

I'd take it out of the case and try and get it running on a sheet of foam, or another non-conductive surface, with the minimum of stuff attached, i.e. psu, 1 stick of RAM (are you sure it's a compatible RAM type), processor and gfx card. It will help to ensure that there is nothing shorting in the case, etc. If it works, you can add everything else piece by piece.

I had a problem with an MSI mobo before and had to return it, but that doesn't really mean anything.

captainpat

impr0v wrote:

I'd take it out of the case and try and get it running on a sheet of foam, or another non-conductive surface, with the minimum of stuff attached, i.e. psu, 1 stick of RAM (are you sure it's a compatible RAM type), processor and gfx card. It will help to ensure that there is nothing shorting in the case, etc. If it works, you can add everything else piece by piece.

I had a problem with an MSI mobo before and had to return it, but that doesn't really mean anything.

Good idea, but painful. Wife away for a couple of days soon, so will get use of table for then. RAM was supplied in kit, but will swap with working stick. Will reseat all connections at weekend before disassembly.

Maybe I should have bought a cheap Dell? I've been building my own for years, but getting more probs every time now. Its just that you have enough bits to make one, given new mobo and proc

the_syco

captainpat wrote:

I get a series of short bleeps for appox 20 sec, then it stops.

Count how many beeps, and post it up. The amount of beeps will tell me your problem. Also say if they're all short beeps, or long beeps.

Tony H

have you tried it with another psu , some msi boards have compatability problems with some psu brands , i had an new antec psu and as soon as i changed the psu the problems went away , i now use a bequiet 470

captainpat

the_syco wrote:

Count how many beeps, and post it up. The amount of beeps will tell me your problem. Also say if they're all short beeps, or long beeps.

Hi The_syco,
I need to power off/on the PSU at the back switch, then power on at the front. I then get 40 0.5 sec beeps, but I'm not really sure if they're coming from the mobo or the case.

I will be disassemblig and doing skeleton assembly during the weekend, so I'll report any progress. Thanks for interest.

captainpat

fitzdragon wrote:

have you tried it with another psu , some msi boards have compatability problems with some psu brands , i had an new antec psu and as soon as i changed the psu the problems went away , i now use a bequiet 470

I will use a different PSU when doing the skeleton assembly. Thanks

captainpat

As suggested, I took everything out of case and just connected a PSU to the bare board. No beeps! Powered off and added RAM. This time I started by shorting the Power Switch jumpers. Got initial boot screen, followed by POST results, no beeps. Great. Counted standoffs, checked for loose anything, carefully re-fitted mobo in case. Connected HDD and CD drives, powered on. Beeps were back :mad: But it continues to boot until boot device required. So I ignored the beeps issue and pressed ahead with installing XP. This went OK, if a bit slow.

So, I'm off and running with my new machine. Some things to sort out, but at least it is basically OK. So thanks for all the suggestions.

captainpat

Sorry, folks, I'm back with more woes. Got the beeps issue solved. The case has a fan connector for 3-pin fan. I had connected one, but it was old, and must not be reporting speed. When I connected CPU fan beeps stopped and case display started working correctly. Have gone back to beeps as prefer to have cpu fan mobo-connected. Will buy new fan(s).

Moving on, could not get networking in XP. NIC drivers would install but show yellow tag in Device Manager. Message said my bios did not have enough info to allow install of device. Tried external 3Com Nic, same message.

Much messing with floppy drives later, I downloaded latest bios for MSI mobo and updated. On restart, found new item in Onboard Devices - Onboard NIC! It was disabled by default, so enabled it. Uninstalled NIC drivers and re-installed. Same old bad message, not enough info in Bios...

Might next re-install XP. Have SP2 installed, so am being rejected with the XP CD I have (original pre SP1). Probably will go for full format and long path.

Anybody come across the Bios not up to scratch problem before? This is a new one for me, and strange, as the board is still current on the MSI site.

Any comments welcome, and I will report any progress.

Tony H

you might have a look at the msi forums
http://forum.msi.com.tw/ i found a lot of good stuff and answers there