I bought myself a new PC the other day Biostar IDEQ 300g barebones and all the basics to get it up and running - HDD, CPU and RAM however when I've put it all together and try and boot the machine, the monitor rather than displaying the BIOS screen shows a series of random blocks.

The BIOS screen does flash up for a second, but then its replaced by my random blocks. I'm no stranger to building PCs and sorting problems but this one has me stumped... I think it could be the onboard graphics not working properly, but I don't want to fork out for a graphics card yet in case I'm wrong.

Any of you computer guru's have an idea of whats going on???

If it was the graphics card I would expect nothing to come up on screen.

If it was CPU, then it would probably not boot up at all, possibly same with RAM, so I'd look at the HDD.

sorry, should've said in my inital thread that I tried it without the HDD and it still didn't work...

I was thinking it could be to do with the drivers on the onboard graphics card?? but as I said I'm stumped:confused:

Does it make any beeping sounds?

I'd suspect a video problem. The motherboard runs it's own tests, then the video card does it's thing. Any funny display will be related to the video.

If it's on board video, I'd go around the motherboard and make sure none of the chips are loose.

Otherwise, try another card. The HDD isn't even involved at that stage, so I wouldn't suspect that. (Unless you're short on power supply current, which could cause a voltage dip when the HDD spins up, but I'd be surprised.

Phil

It could be a faulty main bios. You said in your initial post that a bios screen pops up, thatcould be the graphics card bios.

Hmmmm, never had that problem with mine, just plugged it in and all worked fine. can you get in to the bios by pressing del?

If so is the bios set to onboard graphics instead of pci express?

Aria are pretty good, any problems give em a call.

From the Biostar web site.

If LGA 775 system shut down automatically after power on few seconds. This is because CPU cooler did not contact properly on the CPU surface. Please double check the fastener is lock securely on the motherboard. Then the CPU temperature will run at proper range and system will be able to work.

If the onboard graphics shares memory with the system ram, I suspect a problem with one of the main memory Dimms.

Thanks for all the replys to answer a few of the questions..

Does it make any beeping sounds?

Nope, no beep codes to suggest RAM or other problems...

can you get in to the bios by pressing del?

No, the BIOS screen only flashes up for a split second before I get the strange blocks on screen. Even if I could get into the BIOS I wouldn't be able to see to do anything!

Do/did you use the on board graphics mike or did you put a graphics card in when you 1st built the machine??

If LGA 775 system shut down automatically after power on few seconds

The system doesn't shut down. It stays on but because I've got no comprehensible display, I can't do anything...

If the onboard graphics shares memory with the system ram, I suspect a problem with one of the main memory Dimms

Wouldn't I get some error beep codes??

Thanks for all the help, I've been trying to sort this all weekend:O

Try another graphics card if you have one kicking about or can borrow. Anything at all that fits will do.

Sounds like a graphics issue. If you are onboard try removing the RAM and see if you get a beep code.

As for the beep code on RAM not happening, if the RAM is faulty, but still present, then no you wouldn't get a beep code.

I'd be confident it is nothing to do with the HDD at all.

Question is when you say for a second do you get a graphics card related message or a system related message for the second that it pops up.

for the first few weeks i used the onboard but then went out and bought a graphics card, I cant remember but does the pc have a speaker to make beeping noises?

I have a ready built one of these if you need to look or test anything i can meet you, i'm in manchester but i dont mind a drive out.

coincidently i have a few issues with usb, before installing windows it might be worth while disabling acpi in the bios as apparently this can cause issues with usb.

I'd definatly check the ram but like i said if you need the components to check the system i have them all.

Do you see any LEDs lit up on the motherboard? Many have a green LED that is on whenever the board is powered, even when you think the system is turned off.

Have you correctly wired the fornt panel gubbins to the mobo ? In particular the Reset, Power, HDD LED wiring etc.

Is you CPU fan on, as per a previous message on this thread?

Read the manual with respect to resetting the BIOS setup. This usually invovles removing the small backup battery, and shorting a jumper. This will completely default the BIOS.

I suspect either faulty memory, or memory timings that may have been set in the BIOS. These are normally automatically set by reading serial data from the DIMMs at boot time, but if you messed with them....

You should always hear a beep when the BIOS has successfully loaded... Soemthing is stopping it load correctly.

Do you see any LEDs lit up on the motherboard? Many have a green LED that is on whenever the board is powered, even when you think the system is turned off.

Have you correctly wired the fornt panel gubbins to the mobo ? In particular the Reset, Power, HDD LED wiring etc.

Is you CPU fan on, as per a previous message on this thread?

Read the manual with respect to resetting the BIOS setup. This usually invovles removing the small backup battery, and shorting a jumper. This will completely default the BIOS.

I suspect either faulty memory, or memory timings that may have been set in the BIOS. These are normally automatically set by reading serial data from the DIMMs at boot time, but if you messed with them....

You should always hear a beep when the BIOS has successfully loaded... Soemthing is stopping it load correctly.

I didn't have to wire the front panel to the mobo so I assume that its correct.

Yep the CPU fan comes on.

I did think about resetting the BIOS, but I haven't got a FDD cable to update the BIOS.

I'll check everything later and let you all know. Im going to order some more memory and a graphics card from Ebuyer so will be able to test those later in the week. I'll get this damned PC to work if its the last thing i do!

ohhh the teething troubles with new pcs, try unplugging all usb devices before boot, just a hunch but i have an issue with a usb modem and the same pc at boot but the screen doesnt go blank.

from what i can remember you only have to connect the fan cables to the mobo so no issues with connections

i reckon as said above, dodgy ram.

:orb_mad: now i remember why I dislike building PCs!! I hope it is something simple like the RAM. then I can get it up and running quickly...

:woohoo:finally got it sorted...

Thanks for all your help, turns out it was dodgy RAM - that'll teach me to buy new PC parts from ebay:O.Oh well. I love how new PCs always seem really fast... Thanks for the tip on the Biostar Mike, I'm well impressed:thumbup:

No problem, it was a cracking deal and it looks pretty smart, next you'll be buying the instant on card that goes with it and the wireless mini pci card.

No problem, it was a cracking deal and it looks pretty smart, next you'll be buying the instant on card that goes with it and the wireless mini pci card.

i was looking at those today. Gotta buy a new DVD writer and maybe some more RAM. Also got to sort out the IR port as i'm getting an error when windows boots. I'll get there eventually though:rolleyes: