building a p.c. probs

GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:12 am Post subject: building a p.c. probs

hi guys....i,m trying to put together a pc for my grandaughter,,,i got some parts from my son who had upgraded his pc...i got everything put together, but when i start up, i get message on screen,,,,,checking nvram.....no nvram processor size shows up says o.k, then following line says checksum bad...then press f1 to enter set up or f2 to load default......i tried loading defaults, still got same mssg at startup, tried entering new options in f1 set up, when restart just get same message each time?????is the motherboard kaput?? its an older socket A gigabyte board with athlon processor......agp graphics card, 128 memory stick, pci sound card, brand new 80 gig hd..dvdrom and cd writer and floppy drive.......its buggin' me????help!!!!
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I USED TO BE INDECISIVE, BUT NOW I,M NOT TO SURE....

bobflemming · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:54 am Post subject:

First, i would disconnect everything you don't need.....
so you need some memory and a graphics card.......but not the HDD
see if the problem persists - thias way you can discount everything you've disconnected.

BUT it sounds more motherboardy to me.

NVRAM is the chip which holds the BIOS infomation - on older motherboards it was possible to change this chip - but not so common anymore.
What is common in older PC's is for the BIOS battery to die if the machine has not beed plugged in the wall for some time (or the motherboard has sat on a shelf) usually this gives the message 'date and time not set'

if the NVRAM checksum is bad you could try flashing the BIOS, go to the motherboard manufactures website and download the latest flash for your motherboard model - be careful, if you flash with the wrong sw you will destroy the NVRAM.

I hope this helps GB --- good luck
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DVDCoverArt · Site Master Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 1439

Regarding the Battery, if the motherboard is over 5 years old, the battery needs to be replaced. They only last about 5 years, whether the motherboard is being used or not.
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flyers2thecup · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:00 pm Post subject:

i was about to respond when the site went down for a bit. but the advice given by BF is exactly what i was going to suggest. i'd even suggest going down to one ram stick if you got more than one installed.

once down to the bare bones, and if the message goes away, start plugging one thing back in at a time...rebooting after each. that way, if you come across the message, you should be able to point your finger at the culprit!

have fun! BLAH! they types of things are always a pain in the ARSE!!!

GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

THANX FOR THE HELP GUYS...I HAVE ALREADY TRIED WITH EVERYTHING DISCONECTED EXCEPT FOR THE "BARE BONES" CHECKED BATTERY,.. LIFE STILL IN IT...ONLY USING ONE MEMORY STICK..IT SEEMS LIKE THE BIOS MEMORY DOES NOT STORE ANYTHING??TRIED USING THE "JUMPER" ON BOARD TO RESET BIOS, HAD BATTERY IN AND OUT... NO GOOD....WONDERING IF FLASHING WILL SORT IT,,,NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE SO DONT WANT TO DESTROY ANYTHING Embarassed

.......HOW DO I USE FLASH IF I CAN D LOAD ONE???
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I USED TO BE INDECISIVE, BUT NOW I,M NOT TO SURE....

flyers2thecup · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

call me crazy, but if you render it useless after you try the bios flash, wouldn't you be in the same spot you are in now? Smile

for the record, i've not ever had to flash a bios, so i'm not going to try and give any advice on that. hope it works out for ya!

DVDCoverArt · Site Master Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 1439

GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:36 pm Post subject:

THANX BOSS Smile

STILL TRYIN' Wink

EDITED* WOWEEEEEEEE..CRACKED IT!!!! STUPID JUMPER CLIP SET WRONG ON BOARD....LOADS UP NOW INSTALLED WINDOWS XP NOW, UP AND RUNNING... Very Happy

AM I A GENIUS, OR A CHUMP Laughing

DON'T CARE...I CAN SAY NOW THAT I HAVE BUILT A PC....YIPEEEEEEE.......THANX FOR ALL YOUR INPUT GUYS........LUV YA TO BITS..... Wink

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I USED TO BE INDECISIVE, BUT NOW I,M NOT TO SURE....

flyers2thecup · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:58 pm Post subject:

always the smallest things that cause issues...and this time it's literal! Smile

glad to hear you've completed the task!

bobflemming · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:18 am Post subject:

well done GB, these things always drive you crazy - nearly always some silly thing in the end Confused

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A day without wine is like a day without sunshine -hic!

Anonymous · Guest

Now we can call you a tech guy Cool

Good job.

GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:42 am Post subject:

thanx again guys...now i got the hang of it, i'm just finishing building another one,,,,,nearly done...... Laughing

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I USED TO BE INDECISIVE, BUT NOW I,M NOT TO SURE....

loady · Special Member Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 162

Now you got the bug m8......i reckon i have over 50 computers outhere i have built for people Wink

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GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

da_sledge · Guest

I'm glad it all worked out. Which jumper was it so we may learn from your trials?

GEORGIEBOY26 · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:10 am Post subject:

dooleytool · Member Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 65

Ive heard of quite a few people having trouble like this over the last year.Its due to the boards being shipped with the jumper set to reset for some reason.They were always shipped in ready to use mode when Ive built a computer.Something to watch out for if anyone else is building their own!!

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