ASUS p4c800 bios start problem

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Hi All,

I recently was given an ASUS p4c800 inside a Thermaltake Xaser III, now the previous owner said it just stopped working and had tried several things but was unable to get it to work. I was able to get it to run a Linux CD but not on every startup; often it would fail to run the dvd drive even though it recognised it. The machine at the moment does not had a hard drive. Initially I was able to get to the bios but it was passworded and the previous owner did not know the password sow I reset the CMOS. Now I cannot even get to the bios. No key clicks appear to be recognised on either usb or ps2 keyboard. I have tried the required Del ket, Tab and f1 too, but I allways get the same response

CMOS Settings wrong
Time/Date Not set
Chassis intruded
No Hard disk detected
fatal Error … System Halted.

Does anyone know how I can access the bios, change the setup and get it going without a hard disk? Is it the lack of hard disk that causes the fatal Error … System Halted? and if I get a disk in, would that help. When the system fails it gives 4 beeps which denotes a motherboard error if that helps.

I would love to get this working if possible. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Adrian

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You should be able to access the BIOS without a disk drive. However, if you have one available I recommend you attach it just to eliminate that as a source. It reads more like you’ve got a power problem or a motherboard about to fail. Have you given the inside a thorough cleaning and checked all the physical connections?

Joe

--Joe

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Try replacing the CMOS battery, and clean the contacts, it looks like an older board.
Check for shorts, little shards of metal, etc.
How about that PSU? Do you have a spare to try with?

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Thank you for the ideas, yes I have tried another psu but I will look into the batt and connectios

A

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As Clint suggested, try replacing the CMOS battery first. If that doesn’t solve your problem, you could try updating to the latest BIOS. See:
http://support.asus.com/technicaldocuments/technicaldocuments.aspx?root=198&SLanguage=en-us

for instructions for your Motherboard. BIOS files can be found at:
http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?modelname=P4C800&SLanguage=en-us

Jerry

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Go with the suggestion’s above.Now as far as the four beeps are concerned.I found some old paper work I had.It reads;Time 1 is not functioning (also caused by error in memory).
Good Luck with your project.

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I have a similar mobo, Asus P4C-800E Deluxe. If memory severs me these were made at about the same time some bad capacitors came out. Check here. The bad caps are swollen, pushed outward, on top. These will be located very close to the CPU. I recently replaced some on a monitor I have and that fixed my monitor.

If you have more than one stick of memory, pull them out, leaving only one. This will help eliminate a bad stick of memory. Make sure the one left is seated. If it still doesn’t work try a different memory stick.
Try using a different PSU.
If the PC has been transported about, make sure the CPU is still seated in place.
I do think the mobo needs a HDD connected, there is an error listing for not having one connected.
Video card seated? CPU fan operating correctly? On an old system check that everything is clean, seated & fans working.

My manual says 4 beeps means “motherboard timer not operational”

I did have to replace the CMOS battery in mine, thing wouldn’t keep the correct time, LOL.

I used a floppy with Dr. Dos to boot and flash my bios.

Good Luck, hope this helps.

Tim

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