Hello. Basicly as the thread title says, I'v got something thats broke and needs replacing but I don't know what that is exactly. I don't really want to replace all the parts when only one needs fixing.
I recently put together my own computer. I had initially great success, everything up and running smoothly first power up (first time me ever building a computer from the ground up aswell...). My specs are as follows:
Abit KV7 - VIA chipset
AMD AthlonXP 3000+ (400mhz FSB)
Radeon 9600
2x512Mb RAM (1028Mb total, 2x200mhz)
Sony DVD-ROM drive (IDE)
80GB Maxtor HDD (IDE, Master)
9.5 GB Seagate HDD (IDE, Slave)
Akasa CPU heatsink/fan (up to 3400+)
My OS is WinXP SP2 with all the latest updates, patches and drivers for everything, all official (no beta drivers, no omega's etc).
Everything was running smoothly until I decided to upgrade the BIOS. I downloaded the program from the Abit website that lets you flash in windows (stop laughing at the back, I can't hear you...) instead of through DOS. Everything worked and I restarted and as instructed in the readme went into the BIOS to check all my settings (FSB settings, master/slave settings etc) hadn't been reset, which they hadnt.
Here's where my problem begins. Out of complete curiosity I decided to change "CPU command decode", which is default at "normal" setting, to "fast". I have read that it basicly means higher performance - lower stability, so what can be the harm, I can always change it back to normal, I'll give it a try. Saved and restarted. Now I get no screen (light on monitor is amber which i'm fairly sure means no signal), the keyboard won't work (the capslock/numlock/scroll-lock lights won't show in either USB or PS/2 mode)
and obviousally at the POST stage of starting the computer the mouse is no use to me. It seems like all I/O devices on my computer no longer work.
If you managed to read all that then back to my question, how do I find out which bit is broke? I have tried switching the jumpers to short the CMOS, remove the battery but it doesn't affect the outcome, I still get a blank screen. Is the CMOS the problem? I could order a new BIOS chip for next to nothing, but it could also be a problem with the graphics card, or the processor, or... You see my problem.
If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. This is my first post on this forum so go easy.
Thankyou in advance.
I recently put together my own computer. I had initially great success, everything up and running smoothly first power up (first time me ever building a computer from the ground up aswell...). My specs are as follows:
Abit KV7 - VIA chipset
AMD AthlonXP 3000+ (400mhz FSB)
Radeon 9600
2x512Mb RAM (1028Mb total, 2x200mhz)
Sony DVD-ROM drive (IDE)
80GB Maxtor HDD (IDE, Master)
9.5 GB Seagate HDD (IDE, Slave)
Akasa CPU heatsink/fan (up to 3400+)
My OS is WinXP SP2 with all the latest updates, patches and drivers for everything, all official (no beta drivers, no omega's etc).
Everything was running smoothly until I decided to upgrade the BIOS. I downloaded the program from the Abit website that lets you flash in windows (stop laughing at the back, I can't hear you...) instead of through DOS. Everything worked and I restarted and as instructed in the readme went into the BIOS to check all my settings (FSB settings, master/slave settings etc) hadn't been reset, which they hadnt.
Here's where my problem begins. Out of complete curiosity I decided to change "CPU command decode", which is default at "normal" setting, to "fast". I have read that it basicly means higher performance - lower stability, so what can be the harm, I can always change it back to normal, I'll give it a try. Saved and restarted. Now I get no screen (light on monitor is amber which i'm fairly sure means no signal), the keyboard won't work (the capslock/numlock/scroll-lock lights won't show in either USB or PS/2 mode)
and obviousally at the POST stage of starting the computer the mouse is no use to me. It seems like all I/O devices on my computer no longer work.
If you managed to read all that then back to my question, how do I find out which bit is broke? I have tried switching the jumpers to short the CMOS, remove the battery but it doesn't affect the outcome, I still get a blank screen. Is the CMOS the problem? I could order a new BIOS chip for next to nothing, but it could also be a problem with the graphics card, or the processor, or... You see my problem.
If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. This is my first post on this forum so go easy.
Thankyou in advance.