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Geek Culture / Just built PC / Blank Screen

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 07:10 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 07:22
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Hey, I just finished building my first PC, and I've run into a problem... Whenever I turn it on, all the fans go on, the LEDs light up and the DVD drive spools. The LCD in the case says FF, and the manual says that means "Boot". Both graphics cards are seated properly and the SLi connector is on fine, the hard drives are hooked up, I would think it would work. The manual isn't very helpful, and haven't been able to find much with Google. Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks


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SirFire
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 07:23 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 07:25
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Does it beep? If so, describe the beeps.

Is the CMOS jumper in the "reset" position? If so, put it into "normal".

RAM installed properly? CPU seated well?

Did you try plugging into the onboard video port first? (if available)

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 07:34
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I didn't beep (Except for when I forgot to plug in the graphics cards.. Both of them screaming at once = ears still ringing)

Dunno what a CMOS jumper is..back to the manual!

RAM is installed properly, if going to go through each stick and see if some of it might be faulty.

There is no onboard video.


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 07:53 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 07:54
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try installing only one gfx card to begin (or just remove the sli connector) and see if that lets it fire up.

Make sure both of your gfx cards also have the power connnector connected.


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SirFire
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 07:55
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I would try unplugging everything except 1 ram stick, and 1 video card. Unplug all hard drives, cdroms, extra cards, etc.

If you don't know what or where the CMOS jumper is, it's probably factory set in the "normal" position.

Try booting with only the bare minimum hardware required to get a BIOS screen, and add 1 thing at a time. Shut down and add each item until either it boots all the way up, or it stops booting. If it stops booting, you likely have bad hardware or an incorrect configuration.

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tha_rami
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 08:07
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Try plugging the monitor into the connector on the back of your PC.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 08:22
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Quote: "Try plugging the monitor into the connector on the back of your PC."

As I said earlier, no onboard video.


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Osiris
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 08:42
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Erm, well the graphics card should have a connector for the monitor...or else whats the point of one haha.

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 08:46
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I've tried all of my RAM chips, nothing has changed yet. Now I'm gonna swap the video card and see if there's a problem. If it isn't that, it's the mobo...


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 09:04
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check your bios settings as well. Maybe something's screwed up. Make sure too that your cmos jumper is in the correct spot.


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Agent Dink
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 09:11
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Considering everything seems to be working other than the display, my guess is on...

A. The monitor is not plugged in

B. The monitor is not plugged into correct video card / port

C. The video card is in the incorrect PCIE slot or improperly seated

D. Faulty video card.

E. Faulty Monitor.

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 09:33
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The monitor is plugged it..

I tried the monitor on all 4 DVI outputs.

Both cards were properly seated, and to make sure I reseated them twice.

I doubt the video cards are faulty, because neither of them work.

Monitor is definitely not faulty, been using it for many months.

The board is DOA, so I sent an RMA request to NewEgg.


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hessiess
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 09:37 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 09:39
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if its Intel socket 775, did you tutch the bottom of the cpu when you installed it? did you ground yourself propaly?

edit did you plug in the 4 pin cpu power connector on the mobo?

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 09:56
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Yes, I ground myself while installing components and I'm always careful. The CPU should be fine, it was seated properly.

And yes, I plugged in to 20+4 pin power, the fan was working too.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 10:08
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I actually think this might be the RAM... I looked on the EVGA 780i supported RAM page, and the lowest MHz I saw was 575, and i'm nowhere near that. Now I decide, continue with the RMA and hope it was the mobo, get new RAM and hope it was the ram, or continue with the RMA and get new RAM just t be safe...


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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 13:57
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Try pulling out the power connector that links the mobo and the PSU. Mine had bits of sticker in it.


Since the other one was scaring you guys so much...
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Lucifer
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 17:21
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maybe your psu isnt good enough for this computer?

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Anja Viotile
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 18:20
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if its a little older CMOS, it can be set to non autodetection of graphics card.. Does ur mb have AGP or PCI slots.. if so try plugging in an older card and check bios, to see if its using the PCIE slot.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 20:08 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 20:09
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Quote: "20+4"


There's also an *extra* four pin connector that needs to be plugged in. It should be close to the cpu.



In the above image, you'll see it listed as the 4 pin cpu power connector.

If you tell us what type of ram and mobo you have, we can tell you whether they're compatible, also tell us the type of cpu you are using. You can include links to newegg too for the items so it's easier for us to look at it


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 21:20
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My mobo doesn't have aa 4-pin connector by the cpu, it has an 8-pin connector, but my PSU doesn't.. :

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188024

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152031


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 21:25
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Hmm, ive never seen a mobo with an 8 pin connector. It almost appears as though you have to place 2 of the 4-pin power connectors there.. I'm going to try and find a reference about that.


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 21:32 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 21:36
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http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909585/m/934006671831

There's info above. Also, check your manual to see if it offers any advice

Since it's twelve volt, they also might make converters you can pick up at your local computer shop that converts a standard 12v 4-pin molex connector into the 8-pin as shown.


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hessiess
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 21:35
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my mobo has a 8 pin connector, i dont have a 8 pin plug on the psu, never caused me a problem. you should be able to plug the 4 pin plug into half of the 8 pin plug then it *should* work

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 22:03
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No mention of the 8-pin connector in the manual..

I used to be able to turn on my PC without RAM and get to the BIOS, but of course windows wouldn't boot. I should see if that does anything..


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Keo C
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 22:08
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Quote: "I used to be able to turn on my PC without RAM and get to the BIOS, but of course windows wouldn't boot. I should see if that does anything..
"

Well, something isn't doing it's job right.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 22:30
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I wonder if it is trying to display in a resolution my monitor doesn'rtaccept, since it's 16:10. I'm gonna try hooking up my old 4:3 19".


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 22:57
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You're definately going to have issues if you don't plug in something to your 8 pin power adapter. It feeds power to your processor. You should be able to as was said above to plug your four pin connector into it, it appears from the image I've seen that you can plug it into the middle.

It shouldn't hurt anything to try because you're running 12v to it as it's specified, just not to all the ports it has.


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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:01
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Er, actually it looks like it goes into either side. As above.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:03 Edited at: 25th Dec 2007 23:07
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Ok, I'll try!

I'll report back in a few minutes

EDIT: Should I use both 4-pin connectors or just one?


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:12
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WOW! It did something!!! Instead of the FF on the LCD, I got Fb (Which isn't listed in the manual). It also beeped! I'm gonna google what Fb means!


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:32
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I Googled 'Fb', found nothing. It does about 5 long beeps then shuts off. I don't have any RAM in right now, so I'll try putting some in.


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Osiris
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:34
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Google your Mobo name, and find error beep codes.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:37
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Quote: "I don't have any RAM in right now"


That would be your problem

Make sure if you only have two sticks to put them in the same color socket (as your manual instructs).


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 25th Dec 2007 23:39
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Right now I'm only using one stick to test it. It put it in, it went through A LOT of codes, and shut itself off.. What next?


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 00:02
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I just hooked up my hard drives and DVD drive, and have the same problem. PC just shuts off.


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Osiris
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 00:42
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Its starting to sound like a power issue if it just keeps turning off like that...

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 04:20
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Well, it doesn't shut off right away. It beeps a few times, shows a bunch of codes then shuts off. It isn't a power problem. I emailed EVGA, and they told me if my RAM speeds were not supported. 4GB of Kingston 800MHz SLi RAM coming, hopefully this will fix it.


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Phaelax
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 05:02 Edited at: 26th Dec 2007 05:16
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I think you're going to need a special power supply, I don't think plugging two 4-pin connectors in will work. I've seen this before on older Tyan server boards, they had 8-pin connector and was very picky about which PSU you used.


I have an Abit board which also has the LED display on it for bios codes. On mine, FF also meant 'boot attempt', a normal code. I don't have FB in my manual, but all my F* codes were power related. Judging from what everyone else has been saying, I'll agree that this sounds power related.

Look for an EPS12v power supply instead of an ATX12v

Blah, just read your last message, EVGA says it's not a power-related issue? If you lived in my town, I know a great shop that would test different ram and PSUs with your board for free.


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andrey d
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 05:30
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That's why you just buy yourself a nice Asus board and this kind of bull never happens. Asus is the most compatible motherboard brand on the market and any ram should run on it fine. And to be honest with you, I've never been impressed with eVGA, mobos or video cards. Hope this dilemma works out, Merry Christmas to all!
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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 05:53 Edited at: 26th Dec 2007 05:56
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Post removed..


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 06:28
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I have 2 4-pin connectors, bit one is shaped a bit differently and does not allow me to use both on the 8-pin.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 10:24
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What happens when I try to turn the PC on is: Al the fans will start, it will beep once or twice while going through a ton of codes on the little LCD, then shut off after about 10-15 seconds. I know my RAM isn't compatible, so is the RAM the cause of the shutting off or is it a power problem?
Thanks!


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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 12:53
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sounds like you bought a bunch of parts (mobo, ram, psu, etc) without any consideration to whether or not they are fully compatible.

if you know the ram is incompatible now, why try to boot it? If its powering up and then shutting off AND you know the ram is not right - i'd suspect the RAM at this point.

you might want to bring your parts over to someone who has experience building pc's from scratch - no offense.

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 21:22
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I did pay attention to compatibility. Everything is compatible, except for the speeds of the RAM...


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bitJericho
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 21:42
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what type of ram did you have?


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 21:50
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Old Dell Upgrade RAM. It was DDR2 at 233MHz.


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bitJericho
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 21:54
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Uh, wow, ye that wouldn't work unless you had your processor set at a 533fsb

Get your new ram and hopefully everything should work then.


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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 26th Dec 2007 21:56
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Yup, new RAM shipped today, should be here tomorrow! Hopefully it was the RAM and nothing else! I also ordered a 4-pin to 8-pin cable for $3.50, which should be useful.


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Posted: 27th Dec 2007 00:32
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Quote: "I did pay attention to compatibility. Everything is compatible, except for the speeds of the RAM..."



Anyway, I hope you get it working

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Torsten Sorensen
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Posted: 27th Dec 2007 01:28
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Quote: "Quote: "I did pay attention to compatibility. Everything is compatible, except for the speeds of the RAM..."


Anyway, I hope you get it working"

Thanks
Since this is the first PC I'm building, I think 1.5 mistake(s) is pretty good! I though it the RAM was DDR2, it would work on a DDR2 mobo, but I was obviously wrong..


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