Serious problem at first boot!!!!!!!!!!!!

FroGGer

I just built a machine for a friend of mine and when I initally booted it the CMOS checksum error came up. So I shorted it and it was fine. I ran the windows install CD and got into the windows setup screen. My keyboard didn't want to work though so I had to reset the machine (the keyboard didn't work even when I reseated it). Anyways the next time it started I got an error saying that:
The CPU is unworkable or has been changed

I tried pushing f1 to continue to install from the boot cd but nothing happened. It didn't find the CD.
Is there something wrong with the CPU?

I am using an ABIT AS-8 mobo with P4 socket 775 2.8 GHz cpu. 1 GB Kingston DDR RAM

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

that happened to me whn i built a machine once....i had to flash the bios to get it to work....turns out the BIOS hadnt been updated for the CPU i was using...even though the board said it supported it....=\
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2old2care · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:45 pm Post subject:

Yeah...first step go into BIOS and verify it recognizes the CPU correctly and has the correct vcore voltage, etc. Then check that it sees all the RAM...then I would boot a memtest and run it at least a few passes, before you load an OS.
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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FroGGer · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:31 pm Post subject:

It recognizes the cpu and memory. The comp doesn't have a floppy drive though so I can't run memtest?
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

2old2care · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip

This is an ISO image for a bootable cd.
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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2old2care · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:18 pm Post subject:

Also...verify that the voltages you have set for processor and memory by reading back from pc health (or similar) screen in BIOS. Setting them at x volts does not mean that they are at x volts, so read them back.
Also, my kingston hyperX memory needs 2.65 to 2.7 volts to not give errors.
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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FroGGer · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:41 pm Post subject:

Pardon this question, but how do I make a bootable ISO cd?
Do I just burn the files to a cd and that's it?
thanks

And now that I think about it, I built the same computer about 6 months ago and didn't have this problem. I used the same mobo and cpu and didn't have these problems. I don't think the cpu is fried or messed up but I don't understand why it worked and booted into windows setup and then didn't work out of nowhere.
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

2old2care · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject:

Almost all burning software will burn an iso image. Nero for example calls it a disk image, others may call it "from file" or similar description. Basically it is ready to go. Type "iso image" into the help of whoevers software you use.

Many things at this point can cause problems...a slightly different bios rev, or voltages from the PSU slightly lower or bad memory, mobo, a jumper lost or switch moved...Basically, double check everything, comparing it to the manual, do the FAQ thing on the mobo site, remove all unnessasary stuff, one piece of memory at a time...all those kind of things...
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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Chiefo · TweakNOOB Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 43

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

He meant he shorted the CMOS jumper, bro.
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FroGGer · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 4:28 pm Post subject:

Is there a way to flash the bios without a floppy drive becasue remember I don't have one.

And yes I meant I shorted the CMOS jumper.
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Nope. You need a floppy. Some mobos allow you to do it through Windows, but I really don't recommend it.

Correction: I really really REALLY don't recommend it. If Windows burps, your BIOS is toast.
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2old2care · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject:

Create the bootable flash diskette on another machine...then use nero and make a bootable cd from it.
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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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FroGGer · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:40 pm Post subject:

I got it working; It turns out that I had to step up the DDR RAM voltage from 2.6 V to 2.7 V. It's probably the cheaper ram (isn't it, or can it be something else?)
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ABIT IC7 MAX 3, Corsair PC4000 Pro, P4 2.6C @3.23 GHz 1:1, 2.5-4-4-7, 2 WD Raptors in RAID 0

2old2care · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject:

No it's not uncommon at all...most performance memory needs more than the default 2.6 volts. This is why, on a new build you should go right to BIOS check the settings, and run a memtest before you load the OS.
Glad to see you got it all sorted. Very Happy

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Liquid-Cooled Q9450 and an EeePC
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geekzta127 · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject:

great to hear all things have been sorted out. :) the joy of fixing something