Boot Problem: Gigabyte GA-7ZX-1 Athlon 850 (A)

LAST EDITED ON May-12-01 AT 05:35 AM (GMT)
No display when I try to boot. Just built this system. I got it to boot once by tapping on the AGP Video Card (VOODOO5 5500). I used this Video card in my old system so I know it is good. The hard drive has Win98 loaded on it and you can hear it booting up. Also the CD-ROM light comes on but the Floppy does not. It gave 1 long beep and 2 short beeps when it froze up with windows booted. Also using PNY 128MB PC100 RAM. I have also tested this memory on my old system. I have also tested the voltage at the ISA slot (which is empty,tested at the soldered holes)and ATX Power Connector (BOTH GOOD). I am thinking the chipset or something is bad on the MB.
Could my Processor be bad or the motherboard? I have e-mailed GIGABYTE twice with no reply!!!!!
I have a new SOYO on the way!
THANK YOU!!!!!

1. RE: Boot Problem: Gigabyte GA-7ZX-1 Athlon 850 (A)
lbyard May-12-01 04:16 PM
In response to message 0

LAST EDITED ON May-12-01 AT 04:17 PM (GMT)
One long and two short usually indicates a display adapter problem. With some display adapters and motherboards, it can also be caused by a monitor not plugged-in properly or a monitor problem. Check the monitor plug for bent pins. If you have the AGP version of the display adapter, try slowing the AGP bus to 2X and removing any boards in the PCI slot next to the AGP slot. If you have the PCI version it should be plugged into the PCI slot next to the AGP slot. Those two slots usually share the same interrupt. Try booting the computer in the ‘minimal bootable configuration” (MBC). The minimal bootable configuration with most modern motherboards is: Motherboard, CPU, heatsink-fan, memory, video card, power to the motherboard, Power-on switch, Speaker connected, monitor, and nothing else--no drives. Check for loose screws or standoffs shorting the bottom of the motherboard. See the third answer at http://duxcw.com/faq/mb/mb.htm for more troubleshooting steps. That FAQ will be converted to a more extensive How to article in the near future. Larry

2. RE: Boot Problem: Gigabyte GA-7ZX-1 Athlon 850 (A)
diocco May-14-01 01:46 PM
In response to message 1

Alright I did the minimum boot. The VOODOO5 is an AGP (tested on my other PC) I also tried my VOODOO3 3000(AGP). Same results, would not boot. Wont give display. ALSO WHAT IS BEEP CODE 2SHORT AND 1 LONG? Did it when I got it to boot with the Hard Drive in it. Cant find it on on Beep Code web page. My friend is going to let me borrow his spare PCI video board and I will try it with that one. Can the Processor be bad? My friend says its not bad because the: hard drive spins up, lights come on(on the keyboard) and CD-ROM is activated. I guess I will really be able to tell if the Processor is bad when my new Mother Board gets here. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!

3. RE: Boot Problem: Gigabyte GA-7ZX-1 Athlon 850 (A)
lbyard May-14-01 03:16 PM
In response to message 2

Two short beeps followed by one long beep is an undocumented beep code. One long followed by two short indicates a display adapter problem. The processor could be defective, but that is very extremely unlikely. In last foruteen years I have been running a computer shop, I have only seen one defective processor that still ran. A dead processor will produce no beep codes. Larry