Cant get past the BIOS

[agmorgan]

I've got no idea what is wrong with my PC but it wont start.
I thought I'd post a question here then go looking

The PC POSTs as far as counting the memory then it says
"Memory Clock is: DDR 200" and hangs.
I can get to the BIOS but most changes I make mean that it wont POST at all the next time

I have to keep resettting the CMOS with the jumpers leads.
Going into the BIOS and selecting "Fail safe defaults" doesn't help either.

Are there any diagnostic tricks I am missing?

I'm guessing that one of the RAM modules is broken, but how would that happen and is there a direct way to test if it is broken? c

[RobDog888]

If you have more then one stick of RAM take one out and test if it boots. If it still gives the same error then put the other stick back in and
take the one that was there out. Also test the positioning too. It could be a motherboard memory slot issue or a memory stick?

What type of memory are you running?

[agmorgan]

I've got PC2100U DDR (2 X 256MB) 266Mhz www.crucial.com

Its an ABIT KD7 motherboard.
It has 4 slots so Im trying out all the combinations now.

[RobDog888]

Is the first slot required to be populated? If so then its harder to tell if its the slot or the memory stick(s).
You may be able to fine a diagnostic utility on the web to test out your memory. Also, maybe your mobo manufacturer has
some diagnostic utility too.

[agmorgan]

Im not sure if it will be possible to run any utility as I only have access to the BIOS.
I don't reach the stage where any of the drives are checked.

If I buy some new RAM and it turns out to be the mobo slots is it likely to fry the new modules?
Also if it is the RAM, is it likely to damage a friends PC if I try them in that?

[dglienna]

I suspect that it is the wrong speed RAM that you have installed.
I have had problems using RAM that was too fast for the MB. Surprisingly it worked well for a few hours, and then Blue-Screened, and failed to boot ever again.

[RobDog888]

If you go to your mobo manufacturers site they should have a listing of certified RAM modules and brands for your board.
Also, is this new or old RAM? How long have you been using it?

[ALL]

i have found that if the wrong RAM is used, the computer tells you somehow, usually by beeping, but it is different on every computer, and some older computers dont tell you.

Have you tried using a Boot disk, because some times if the HD is not recognized it will just sit and just keep trying and trying, untill you restart it (but not usually).

the main reason i dont think it is the BIOS is because you can go into the settings, and i dont think it is the RAM because (depending on the modle/year) it should tell you somehow.

you may also have an advanced virus that gets into your firmware/BIOS and makes it look like it is a RAM problem (but mostlikly not)

those are my seggestions

-ALL

[visualAd]

maybe your mobo manufacturer has
some diagnostic utility too.

It just so happens that there is a memory diagnostic tool created by Microsoft. I have used it in the past and it has helped find bad memory modules.

Heres the link, you just download, execute the program with a blank floppy disk in your drive, or create an ISO to put it onto a CD-ROM and reboot your computer with the disk in:

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

The program tests the memory and there should be no failed tests. If there are any, it means that you have a bad memory module.

[agmorgan]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I have had the RAM running in the PC for about 6 months and it is the recommended RAM for the Motherboard.

The trouble I am having is that the PC hangs on the POST screen, therefore I never actually get to the point where the floppy drive is accessed and thus can't load any diagnostic progrmas

I still reckon it is RAM related though as the RAM clock speed is 266 and the last bit of text on the screen before hanging says "Memory Clock is: DDR 200"

I've ordered some more RAM to seem if that is the problem.

[ALL]

try one more thing: yank the hard drive out and then start your computer. it could be that the BIOS is unable to recognize your HD, and gets hung(i have had a similer problem). If that is the problem, it should check the CD/Flopy/thumb

[RobDog888]

Good suggestion All. Take out all peripherials and have only the motherboard with no connections.
Could be something else there.

[agmorgan]

Good idea.
I managed to get get access to the cdrom but not the floppy for some reason.

I might download a Live Linux distro or something to see if that helps.

Im also suspecting the power supply now as when I removed everything and turned it off the fans sporadically turned.

A bit like a dying mans twitches....

Perhaps I should get VisualAd and his new service to take a look at it

[RobDog888]

If it may be a power supply issue you can look up the specs for your PS and in the bios see if your numbers are within the acceptable ranges.

[visualAd]

Have you ever attempted to overclock your motherboard? I have had a look at the KD7 manual
and it says.

You can also try loading the BIOS back to the factory settings too.