Ready to cry

[Topol]

I HAD the following:
MoBo: Intel 975xbx2
Processor: Intel e6300
RAM: GeIL 2 x 1 GB (forget the line, but upper, middle grade)
VPU: Saphire ATI x1950xtx 512MB
HD's: 2 x Western Digital 320GB RAID 0
Custom case with lots of fans
PS: Thermaltake Throughpower 750W
OS: XP Pro

I had a very stable system for about 7 mos. First DYI system and I was pretty happy with it. Was intending to upgrade the CPU as the Duo 2 came down in price, probably a 2nd VPU, but very satisfied with my first attempt. Then I got drunk (or at least acted drunk). For some reason I can't explain I had a pop-up advisory that there was a new BIOS and distaster struck. Haven't had a stable system since.
I've taugh myself the hardway how to create/use a BIOS restore disk; tried a roll-back to the previous BIOS version; completely redid the HD; and now here I sit - too many hours behind me and further from the answer yet.
I now have nothing - just a black screen with power on. Everything seems to have power, but the A: drive won't take the diskette for a .BIO or a .ISO. I've tried playing with the jumper position, taken the MoBo battery out, spent too many company hours (today) online looking for answers. All the directions for fixing a MoBo are just a rehash of failed activities.
Are there any other things I can do? Any super-secret tricks someone might be willing to share with a pathetic newbie?
Thanks in advance,
Topol

[Topol]

In my delirium last night, I missed a posting on THIS forum, no less (only scanned hundreds in the last several days). I tried another setting on the jumper (2+3 w/ power on) and got to a BIOS setup screen. I hit F9, restore defaults. I'm saying my prayers in Latin to myself; however, the defaults were not the defaults. I manually went in and reset the BIOS to what it should be. There were two settings I could not touch (hint: 1 has to do with my bottom of the barrell CPU). Yes, my multiplier was 0.0 and my CPU speed was zero as well (since anything times 0 = 0).
I should have stuck with Apple?
Go Tigers, Mizzou '94.

[Monk]

Hi Topol,
I am no expert by any means but I didn't want you to feel totally ignored. Most of us have been there and those that haven't, will be.

Try this (remember I am not an expert). If you can get back into the bios with the jumper in the 2/3 position, go ahead and load the defaults again (just out of curiosity, which ones didn't you think were default?).
Make sure on the Performance Tab/ Processor/Processor Overrides screen that Processor Multiplier Override is <Automatic>.
Make sure on the Performance Tab/ Processor/Processor Overrides screen that Host Clock Frequency Override or FSB Frequency Override (whatever it is called) is <Automatic>.
Save and Exit bios setup.
Shut off the power
Move the jumper back to 1/2 position
When you reboot, the board should recognize the CPU and set the Frequency and Multiplier.
At this point I would go back into the bios and reset the defaults and save/exit/reboot.
Then you should be able to go back into the bios and tweak to your hearts content.

My logic is that the board and bios must be recongizing the cpu at some level or you wouldn't be able to get into the bios ever. You sort of need the cpu to run things.

If that doesn't work, maybe on of the other 55 folks that have viewed this thread can jump in. I am sure they are a lot more knowledgable than I am.

Good Luck!

[stev]

Once your machine's older BIOS is running fine follow the steps below.

My brother is an IT guy and A+ certified. He bailed me out with one simple que.

The trick is to to have a Windows 98SE "startup disk." On the disk should be FDISK and FORMAT amongst other files.

Now boot up using that disk.

Type in at the A:> FDISK /MBR (the MBR allows FDISK to control the non-dos NTFS table)

Then type in FDISK and remove the non-dos partition.

Next add a dos partition. If any prompts come up asking to use a large partition answer "Y"

Reboot again with the Windows98SE "startup disk."

Type in in at the A:> FORMAT C: /U /S (this sould be the hard drive. Make sure it is the hard drive and not the ram drive.)

Once formatted, reboot again.

Go into your BIOS and make sure that the computer can boot from CD or DVD.

Stick in your WinXP-Pro CD and you're good to boot afresh.

WinXP-Pro will ask to change the hard drive from a dos partition to NTFS. Pick NTFS along with full format. (avoid the quick NTFS format).

From that point you're good to go the rest of the WinXP-Pro install.

Best of hope for you!

[Topol]

As mentioned, I got back to the BIOS screen but it just wasn't right. I rebooted and followed the directions using the .BIO via diskette, reflashed the latest version (2792) and I'm back in the game.

Thanks for the offerings. So now that I've conquered that hurdle, I'm off to figure out how to overclock. See you all in other postings!

[stev]

Great to hear the machine is working!

Now that you're back in the game, are you folding for team LR?

[Topol]

No, I'm working other posts here as well. See no reason to fold yet.