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[Jesiatha]

I'm trying to build a PC for the first time, and am to the GUI portion of Windows XP setup. Everything works like normal (format hard partition, copy files over, first few minutes of GUI setup) for a while. Then at 34 minutes remaining (while detecting devices), the video output goes black, and the motherboard emits a continuous beep. I don't believe the machine ever reboots. I'm using an XP SP2 setup CD, and have tried the following things:
-Updating the motherboard BIOS to the latest version
-Loading Intel's F6 RAID drivers (I'm not using RAID, but want to make sure it has the right controller driver)
-Disabling onboard sound/ethernet/usb

Does anyone have any suggestions? I assume that drivers are missing for something, but I have no idea what (the machine has minimal components right now):

INTEL D865PERLX
2x512MB RAM (tried removing one stick)
Gainward GeForce FX 5200
Hitachi 250GB SATA drive
NEC 2510A DVD drive

 

[ced]

What type of Mobo? If you look on their tech support it might help you figure out what the warning beep is.

 

[Jesiatha]

What type of Mobo? If you look on their tech support it might help you figure out what the warning beep is.

Motherboard = INTEL D865PERLX

As far as I could tell, the documentation only talked about beeps on POST. I'll try reading through it again.

 

[shinjijai]

This week I was installing a new video card into my computer, and forgot to switch the power to off in the power supply and I accidently turned on my computer without a video card in the AGP slot, and the mobo made a continueous beeping. Morale of the story... make sure everything is seated into the slots tightly, and try again.

 

[CueTheMusic]

It sounds like it is having problems when it tries to determine what video card you have. I haven't heard of this problem before, but since you can get to the gui install, I'm assumming you're cards is functional.

It could be several things, most likely you have a setting in the bios that the card doesn't like. Another possibility is that you video cards heatsink isn't on tightly and it is overheating after displaying something other than text.

Make sure the heatsink is warm, and mess with some settings in the bios and see if you can't figure it out.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

That really sucks. Nothing is worse than a blue screen, or in this case balck w/ mobo squeals, popping up during the last stages of an install.

 

[Jesiatha]

It sounds like it is having problems when it tries to determine what video card you have. I haven't heard of this problem before, but since you can get to the gui install, I'm assumming you're cards is functional.

It could be several things, most likely you have a setting in the bios that the card doesn't like. Another possibility is that you video cards heatsink isn't on tightly and it is overheating after displaying something other than text.

Make sure the heatsink is warm, and mess with some settings in the bios and see if you can't figure it out.

The heatsink was definitely warm. The only BIOS settings that looked particularly applicable were AGP / 64MB apperature. I'll try swapping the card out for another tonight and see if that gets me through setup. Otherwise more BIOS mucking it is...

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Aperature wouldn't have anything to do w/ it. Rule of thumb tho, is to set the AGP aperature size to 1/2 of your total system RAM. So if you have 1GB, set t hat to 512, which is the highest it should go, not that it really makes a difference. More for older h/w.

Do you have another video card, so that you can at least finish the install, and worry about the card later?

 

[Jesiatha]

Aperature wouldn't have anything to do w/ it. Rule of thumb tho, is to set the AGP aperature size to 1/2 of your total system RAM. So if you have 1GB, set t hat to 512, which is the highest it should go, not that it really makes a difference. More for older h/w.

Do you have another video card, so that you can at least finish the install, and worry about the card later?

I'm going to borrow a card from work, and I can also swap out a card from one of my other machines at home.

Also, this machine will be a HTPC, not used for games - I should be able to leave the aperature pretty low, shouldn't I? I suppose it doesn't hurt to raise it though

 

[DaCocoBrova]

What apps are you going to be using for your HTPC? I've been left unimpressed w/ most of the HTPC apps on offer. I haven't used XP Media Edition tho.

 

[Jesiatha]

What apps are you going to be using for your HTPC? I've been left unimpressed w/ most of the HTPC apps on offer. I haven't used XP Media Edition tho.

XP Media Center Edition. The new version will be available soon, so I figured I'd take a stab at building my own PC. I'll report back once I've got it going (haven't tried any other HTPC solutions though).

 

[CueTheMusic]

What kind of cpu temps are you getting?

 

[Jesiatha]

What kind of cpu temps are you getting?

I recall seeing 55C while sitting in the BIOS. I'll have to check what it is after an attempt or two at XP setup. The case is currently open and the fans are all working, so I would doubt it is a temperature issue (but I'll gladly check anything at this point )

 

[Jesiatha]

It ended up being video card detection. I swapped the card out for an old one, and was able to get XP up and running. I then switched the cards back, and the one that killed setup is working fine. I'm not sure if it was seated improperly, or just doesn't get detected correctly in UPNP.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Stuggernaut]

It was just the "Are you sure you don't want a better vid card in me?" beep...

Glad it works now though.