Curse

Lord Sojar · Jun 04, 2008, 10:41 PM // 22:41

We have the technology... hey wait... no we don't! Lies!

Cyb3r · Jun 05, 2008, 06:03 PM // 18:03

snog if ya borrow that zboard make sure the regular oldskool keyset is slotted in that's the only one that's recognized by the bios and dos (yes dos can be handy for certain things

) just note that the smaller spacebar doesn't work without a driver nor any of the other fancy things they did with the zboard (same counts for the G15, can't say correctly since i don't own one)

And snog think ya need a way bigger case to fit a 2000MM fan haha

Lord Sojar · Jun 05, 2008, 06:46 PM // 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyb3r

snog if ya borrow that zboard make sure the regular oldskool keyset is slotted in that's the only one that's recognized by the bios and dos (yes dos can be handy for certain things

) just note that the smaller spacebar doesn't work without a driver nor any of the other fancy things they did with the zboard (same counts for the G15, can't say correctly since i don't own one)

And snog think ya need a way bigger case to fit a 2000MM fan haha

The G15 functions without drivers, but you cannot program the macro keys without the software. As a matter of fact, the G15 doesn't have a driver, or I have never installed it.

Snograt · Jun 05, 2008, 08:19 PM // 20:19

Nope, standard HID keyboard device.

That standard Z-board keyset is sitting right next to my desk

Cyb3r · Jun 05, 2008, 08:46 PM // 20:46

well rahja the basic functions should be covered by the windows driver the zboar d is no exception to this except when you slot in another keyset that's why you need the standard one slotted in for the bios to recognize the delete key

and couldn't say to much about the G15 since i don't own one

Snograt · Jun 07, 2008, 03:07 AM // 03:07

Bah.

First: Why don't they standardise front-panel connections into a block, instead of those annoying little 2-socket connectors? I had to mutilate the PWR LED (I think it was) which had 3 sockets instead of the 2 on the board - the drastic scissor action was as recommended by eVGA in the manual! Of course, they're all in the wrong way round - the power light is on when the PC is off and vice versa.

Second: You know that tinny plate on the back connectors - I think it's there to minimise RF interference or something? The one on the Tt Armor+ doesn't match with a single socket on my mobo. Gonna have to mutilate that too.

Third: SATA leads break when you rest a very large case on them.

Finally (and I bet you could see this coming) - it doesn't post. No beep, no video, nothing.

It lights up blue nicely - might end up using it as mood lighting

It's now 4.09am, I'm tired and this did not make for an enjoyable birthday.

Snograt is 45 and depressed

Brianna · Jun 07, 2008, 03:13 AM // 03:13

So your computer is fried or something? Happy b-day by the way. I've been sick and throwing up lately so things aren't good for me either.

Lord Sojar · Jun 07, 2008, 03:57 AM // 03:57

You probably have some of the connectors on backwards, so it won't boot until you fix that. A cast change shouldn't randomly destroy your components unless you exposed them to static or magnetics (static being more likely than magnetic fields...)

Admael · Jun 07, 2008, 03:59 AM // 03:59

Happy bday, and don't you hate it when you get something new and expect it to work right away and it never does? It rarely ever does work right out of the box!

Snograt · Jun 07, 2008, 12:13 PM // 12:13

Thanks for the moral support, guys. I admit that I was hoping that the reversed connections was the problem. Why are those connections so ambiguous? Reminds me of my early system-building days when the floppy cable was ALWAYS put in the wrong way round.

That RF shield thing bugs me - it is SO wrong. Am I confused and RF shields are unique to motherboards? Like, the one on my old Stacker actually came with the mobo and should be re-used on the new case? It was a pre-build, so I wasn't involved in that stage of the build and I haven't self-built since my last Athlon rig - 1800XP iirc.

Oh, and another thing - tool-free PCI card installation? You can keep it. There's no way a double-height card is going to be held in place by a pair of fiddly plastic clips. Screws do the job just fine. The tool-free drive installation on the other hand is great.

I'm off down Maplins to get a new SATA cable - I'll keep you guys posted, as usual

Admael · Jun 07, 2008, 12:32 PM // 12:32

RF shields are unique to the mobo, so... use the one that comes with the mobo, not the one that comes with the case.

Rip out the tool-free PCI card module, you're better off without it.

Snograt · Jun 08, 2008, 12:46 AM // 00:46

No joy - reversed all the connectors, replaced knackered SATA cable, no boot. Onboard LED reads P1 (maybe 1d ^^)

Time to sit down and scour the mobo manual - maybe one of those dozens of power connectors isn't plugged in. I did notice there's a connector marked AUX PEX (page 62 of the humungous manual here - http://www.evga.com/support/manuals/122-CK-NF68.pdf) It's apparently to provide direct power supply to the graphics cards - but as they both have connections direct from the PSU I assumed it was irrelevant.

Oops - "The PWR3 connector is an auxiliary power connection for graphics cards. This connection is only required for SLI configrations when running (2) cards at the same time." Better hook that up, then. Wouldn't think that would prevent POSTing, though.

Sigh - fiddle fiddle fiddle

Addendum: I think I have to face facts - I killed it. I've tried to boot with minimal bits attached; no VGA, no sound, no HDD, only 1 stick of RAM. Same result - lights, fans, nothing else.

Kaput processor? This sodding rig's cost me over 3.5 grand to set up ($7G to you lot) - I hate to think how much money it's going to cost to get running again. More than I've got, that's for sure

Brianna · Jun 08, 2008, 12:52 AM // 00:52

Hmm I don't think it's the CPU.. I'm still leaning towards the mobo, I have fried one in transition, but then again.. putting in the mother board is about the only thing I am un-easy doing, not really good with it.

Snograt · Jun 08, 2008, 01:16 AM // 01:16

Getting somewhere - I think one of the DIMM sockets is buggered. DIMM 0 of course, that's my sort of luck.

If there's any memory inserted into DIMM 0, the symptoms are as above. If I place memory in slots 1 and 3 only, it gets to POST. Need to install the rest of the gubbins and find out where I stand.

What's the betting it won't like 1 and 3 being populated before 0 and 2? Looks like I need to spend another wad on a new mobo.

This - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...132-CK-NF78-A1)
- if I really have to :/ (Any other opinions, incidentally? I am of the opinion that eVGA are great, despite my woes)

Lord Sojar · Jun 08, 2008, 10:21 AM // 10:21

No? RMA it. Defective craftsmanship isn't your fault. Never, ever buy new parts if the stuff you JUST BOUGHT fails. If it is past the coverage of overclockers' limited RMA warranty, then go through the manufacturers. Don't spend hard earned money on something fully covered by warranties.

Especially with eVGA! They are the nicest people on the planet, they will definitely work with you on this issue. Just give them a phone call!

Snograt · Jun 08, 2008, 03:59 PM // 15:59

Can't RMA it. The company I bought my computer from went bust (remember Evesham, all you Brits?). The system was a pre-built.

The mobo wasn't new, it's around 17 months old. I think the blame lies squarely on my shoulders.

What would cause a DIMM socket to fail, anyway? Cooking a DIMM itself I can understand, but the socket?

I'm lucky that my investigative maintenance went that one step further than I planned. I was booting with nothing installed except the processor and memory - one stick in the one slot that was failing. It was only desperation that caused me to try booting with NO memory onboard!

I wasn't expecting the BIOS to be happy with 1 and 3 populated, but it seems to be quite happily running it in EPP High Performance.

Another thing - my rig has two DVD drives (seemed like a good idea at the time). After the rebuild, one of them continuously ticked over - the drive light remained on and it was like it was continuously seeking.

What would cause that? Something simple like master/slave jumpers wrongly placed?

Lord Sojar · Jun 08, 2008, 09:51 PM // 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Can't RMA it. The company I bought my computer from went bust (remember Evesham, all you Brits?). The system was a pre-built.

The mobo wasn't new, it's around 17 months old. I think the blame lies squarely on my shoulders.

What would cause a DIMM socket to fail, anyway? Cooking a DIMM itself I can understand, but the socket?

I'm lucky that my investigative maintenance went that one step further than I planned. I was booting with nothing installed except the processor and memory - one stick in the one slot that was failing. It was only desperation that caused me to try booting with NO memory onboard!

I wasn't expecting the BIOS to be happy with 1 and 3 populated, but it seems to be quite happily running it in EPP High Performance.

Another thing - my rig has two DVD drives (seemed like a good idea at the time). After the rebuild, one of them continuously ticked over - the drive light remained on and it was like it was continuously seeking.

What would cause that? Something simple like master/slave jumpers wrongly placed?

Are they EIDE or SATA? Typically, the control module on the drive is dead if it continuously seeks like that. Good thing is, you can get new SATA DVDRW drives really cheap these days. And yes, the 780i motherboard is great, eVGA is a wonderful company, you can't go wrong. If you have the money, go for it. Pick up a cheap SATA interface DVDRW/RAM drive, and you should be set. If it is EIDE, check the jumpers, but I would replace EIDE drives with the newer SATA counterparts anyways. Not like 20 or 25 euros will break the bank (31-35 dollars here in USA on newegg)

Brianna · Jun 08, 2008, 11:03 PM // 23:03

Yeah I guess the only thing I didn't like about the 780i is that it blows hot air from the NB right onto your top video card, that's lovely.

I'd say go with SATA as well, most mother boards only have one IDE plug now, which means you can't really have many hard drives/disk drives that are IDE.

Snograt · Jun 09, 2008, 12:08 AM // 00:08

Sounds good to me. They're EIDE - so that means I can get rid of the one remaining ribbon cable! Gawd, I've always hated those things.

If I do go for a new 780i, I better make damn sure I don't ruin it during installation. Let's face it; my 680i and all components were fine before my rebuild. I must have done something - shorted the mobo, fried something with static - things didn't just break by themselves :/

Also, I'm going to make sure I register the mobo with eVGA this time - when I got this rig, I'd never heard of their step-up program.

Sigh - got two sticks of 2GB Ballistix Tracer sitting on my desk. Such a shame.

Oh and "Euros?" I'm British. We told Europe exactly where they could stick their Euros. ^^

Brianna · Jun 09, 2008, 12:10 AM // 00:10

Yeah I know how you feel, when I moved my computer from my office back into my room, simple transfer.. one stick of ram died in transition, don't ask me how.. I really don't know.

Speaking of registering parts... I haven't done that, should go do that soon.