Building New Computer - Need Help with (Mobo) CMOS!

[Avoidist]

Just started building my first new computer with a P45 type motherboard, and now I fear to switch it on at all, not being certain which 2 of the 3 pins should be shorted out by a yellow thing (and the manual doesn't help that much). In the manual there are 2 settings, keep CMOS and clear CMOS.

Does anyone know a way to tell which pins need to be shorted out, or otherwise;

If I leave all 3 pins alone with none of them covered, what will that do?

 

[Darkwolf]

Either way, if it's a new MB, it'll just clear it to default settings. So you can just try it on one pair, and if the computer turns on and does nothing, turn it off and swap it over.

 

[Pesmerga]

Generally if you've got a problem with faulty power ups, you've got a connection error somewhere in your case. It could be as simple as a fan cable plugged into the wrong spot, or as obvious as the PWR connection plugged in backwards.

Clearing the CMOS is rarely the fix to faulty start ups.

 

[3ssence]

The manual usually states somewhere which position is clear and which is keep CMOS. Is there nothing on this in your motherboard manual ?

 

[AtomicSpark]

RTFM

5char

 

[Avoidist]

Actually I did RTFM, it's just that it contradicts how the motherboard was initially set up. Is it possible for the motherboard to come shipped with the jumper set to clear? This is also the way it is set up on every picture of the motherboard if you search "P45 Neo-F". I have been warned that switching it on with the jumper on clear fries the motherboard so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Does anyone know how much damage it can actually do?

 

[Pesmerga]

AFAIK, none.

 

[Avoidist]

Thanks with your help so far guys;

New problem: I've set up everything so far minus the hard drive, and tested if it worked. I turned on the power and hit the switch, and it now seems to be periodically restarting every 2-3 seconds. Naturally I switched off the power at the wall once this happened after the 3rd cycle.

Any ideas as to what is causing the problem? Am I completely screwed? I haven't seen any magic smoke yet..

 

[3ssence]

Have you sorted out the position the jumper needs to be in now ? As Pesmerga mentions, i'm not sure it does any damage if you just start it up with the jumper on clear accidentally. I've done it in the past without consequence. But that is not to say that will be the case for everyone i guess.

It could be a variety of things, i've read of monitor drivers causing repeated restarts on one persons PC !

You could take out all of the components, cpu, ram, pci/pci-e cards and boot the motherboard by itself, as it should post etc just fine without any components, and see if it still restarts time and time again. If so, then you've narrowed down the possibilities to faults with the power supply, motherboard, or something could possibly be shorting out ? You could take out each of your ram sticks one at a time and see if one of them is faulty. I would be inclined to try those things just to see if i could eliminate as many components from the list of culprits as possible.

Of course, if you still have the CMOS jumper in the clear position then that could be an issue ?

 

[Darkwolf]

If you've actually installed windows on the P45, and it's booted, you'll most likely find that until you flash the bios, the board won't accept any radeon HD48XX cards.

Also, with the CMOS jumpers, it doesn't matter which 2 pins you put it on (as long as they're next to each other) as one will simply clean the CMOS, and the other is the default position. It won't damage it (unless the board is faulty, which is always a possibility) and it's the only way to really find out which way it's meant to be without a guide... Also, you can try it without a jumper, that should be the same as default, just don't lose the jumper...

-D

 

[Pesmerga]

Most likely you have something connected into the mobo wrong.

* Put only 1 stick of RAM in
* Disconnect anything not VITALLY NECESSARY to the operation of the computer.
* Deduce the problem by trying to start the computer with bare minimum connections- if that doesn't work, you have either connected something into the wrong place on the mobo, or you have faulty hardware. If it does work, start from there and plug a few things in at a time to narrow down the culprit.

Don't get crazy and think you've got bad hardware, though. During my first two builds, I almost bought new hardware before I figured out it was because of one lousy misplaced connection.

 

[Darkwolf]

Or instead of rebuying you can get it replaced under DOA...

 

[Avoidist]

Ok, thanks for your advice again guys. I disconnected the GPU (9600GT) and SATA DVD Drive, and now the computer boots relatively well, and gives one long beep (1 second) and two short, with no hitches afterward. Given I can't see the screen at all I'm willing to assume that is normal boot procedure?

I think the reason it was restarting is that I didn't connect enough power to the GPU. There is a 6-pin to 2 x 4pin connectors. Initially I had none of these connected, so should I be attaching one or both?

Edit: Just looked it up, apparently 1 long 2 short means something wrong with the video adapter. I wonder why?

 

[Darkwolf]

If you don't have the 6pin PCI-E power in the top of the 9600 the computer won't boot as it's trying to draw too much power through the PCI-E bus. So yeah, all of the power connectors have to be filled on the top of the card. If you don't have any PCI-E 6 pin connectors on your power supply, computer retailers should have adapters that go 2x 12V 4 pin to 6pin PCIE.

 

[3ssence]

Glad to know you're getting somewhere !

 

[Saturos]

...and don't touch any of the expansion boards/motherboard directly! Only handle them by the corners. Several years ago, I've managed to fry a brand new sound board with ESD, so be EXTREMELY careful. Also, don't wear anything that may generate static such as polyester, nylon, chains, watches, and don't delve into your case barefooted on a shag carpet! I've treated that shit like open-heart surgery since my last mistake back then. It was too expensive for me to be careless from that point on. I'm just giving you a heads up since this is your first time.

Also, I've played around with many motherboards in the past few years, but I've never seen one with jumper switches for the CMOS. That's a first for me tbh. Neat.

EDIT> Seriously though, wear cotton when opening/assembling a PC or do it in your underwear and shoes.
Since I'm so hairy, I generate static like freaking Johnny Ohm whenever I were synthetic fabrics, and I mean ridiculously bad to the point where I can't even wear the shit. Imagine if I touch a motherboard while in this state, it'd probably explode in my face, even with a grounding strap.

 

[Darkwolf]

Alternatively just keep yourself grounded.

You'll probably find that there's a CMOS clear jumper on basically all boards above the basic workstation chipset. (even then you can remove the battery to clear) Also, with the enthusiast market growing, mobo manufacturers are putting CMOS clear buttons on the boards, they're mighty useful when you take that overclock too far. A lot easier than the jumper shuffle.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Ok, thanks for your advice again guys. I disconnected the GPU (9600GT) and SATA DVD Drive, and now the computer boots relatively well, and gives one long beep (1 second) and two short, with no hitches afterward. Given I can't see the screen at all I'm willing to assume that is normal boot procedure?

I think the reason it was restarting is that I didn't connect enough power to the GPU. There is a 6-pin to 2 x 4pin connectors. Initially I had none of these connected, so should I be attaching one or both?

Edit: Just looked it up, apparently 1 long 2 short means something wrong with the video adapter. I wonder why?

You really should have connected that first, all PCI-E cards from what I can remember require an individual rail (6 pin) power cable directly to your PSU, It should clearly indicate that on the instructions to install a video card in the box. Ensure you read all guides like this if you are not familiar with the process! I can't remember if PCI-E 2.0 fully powers cards through their actual slots, but that doesn't apply in your case anyway.

 

[3ssence]

PCI-E 2.0 can supply more power through the slot than PCI-E 1.0, but i believe the same still applies to high end cards that suck lots of juice, you still need the additional power connectors.

 

[Darkwolf]

You really should have connected that first, all PCI-E cards from what I can remember require an individual rail (6 pin) power cable directly to your PSU, It should clearly indicate that on the instructions to install a video card in the box. Ensure you read all guides like this if you are not familiar with the process! I can't remember if PCI-E 2.0 fully powers cards through their actual slots, but that doesn't apply in your case anyway.

The slot itself only provides minimal power (i have no idea of the actual level) but it's only the super high end cards, controllers and the like that require peripheral power. It's different for every card, so it's not quite accurate to day that they ALL need additional power...

 

[Avoidist]

This post is being written on the new computer, so yeah, everything seems to be working quite well. I attached all the required power to the GPU and it booted up fine, and then I finished up all the rest. Now to test it out for gaming.

 

[3ssence]

Sweet

:cheers:

And yes, the required testing now involves gaming until your fingers bleed.