Trouble on start-up MB install

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Had a CPU fan die, fried CPU and Motherboard after wife calls me at works complaining about a “chemical-plastic” smell coming from the computer. Anyway……
Installed a Gigabyte GA-K8NSC-939 nForce3 socket 939 Motherboard, with an AMD Athlon 64 3800 along with 1GB DDR400 PC3200. I did not change anything else.
Computer runs self test fine, then reboots after failing to install windows.

I’m getting the black screen with the old error that windows did not install properly, do I want to launch it in safe mode along with the other options. The keyboard will not arrow up, but the keyboard works looking through the CMOS.

Is this a RAM problem? I’m using 1 stick of RAM in slot 1.

Thanks,

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Have you verified the ram you are using is the correct size and type (non-ECC Vs ECC) as well as frequency ? Some motherboards need memory in pairs or need to be installed in the correct slot if using only one. Check the manual that came with the MB to verify configuration and placement.

If you have access to another computer on the internet, google you MB model for links to documentation or goto Gigabyte.Com GA-K8NSC-939 search for information.

A side note, you say you can boot into BIOS ? Does the BIOS show the memory correctly (I presume this is the case if you can get into BIOS).

Try going to safe mode to see if you can get in. I f not and you can get into BIOS, I would presume the problem resides in the drivers for the MB. Swapping a MB with a different make and model can cause problems if not using the correct MB drivers.

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I’m using 1 stick of RAM in slot 1.

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I found you MB Manual here: GA-K8NSC-939 nForce3 socket 939 Motherboard Manual.

Refer to Page 15 for chart showing memory installations and which slots to use. Certain slots will cause the system not to boot. The manual also suggests you verify the memory used is supported by the MB. If multiple memory is used,
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It is recommended that memory of similar capacity, specifications and brand be used.

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I refer to my earlier post, can you get into BIOS and verify the system recognizes the memory ?

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If you want to check the memory then download and run “memtest86”. It is an iso that you burn and use it to boot with. It is all automatic and FREE. If you changed hardware you need to run a repair install to replace the HAL (hardware abstraction layer) to have the hardware talk to each other correctly. Good luck.

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It would be nice if you could provide a link when you post a recommendation. Is this it? Memtest86.com – Memory Diagnostic

I’m not sure if it’s free or if it costs $10 bucks to use it…

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Sorry I did not post the link. The link Big Al posted is NOT the one I was referring to. The test I referenced is found at http://www.memtest.org/%5B/url%5D and it is FREE. You just need to download the iso and burn it to a CD and then boot from it. The current version is 1.70. It is the first link if you google memtest, unfortunately it is the third link if you google memtest86. Again my apologies for any confusion.

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