Of the lame... HELP!

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Computer is up and running Vista Ultimate smoothly. Problem. The computer doesn't feel like working upright, but only on the side. Right now, it's plugged into the integrated video. It won't POST when upright, but it will on the side.

When I plug in the 6800, it will do the same thing, but instead, it will beep (very long beep). It won't beep on the side (sometimes). So, I pushed down on the 6800 when the beeping started... it sort of worked. So, it makes me think that the motherboard's not good.

Now, I do have the heatsink Capper gave me, a giant Thermalright heatsink for the S478. The motherboard is really small (mATX), so is it possible the heatsink is pulling it down because it weighs too much? Should I torque down the motherboard or HSF more (I'm sure that's a terrible idea).

I can't diagnose with my X1900XT (which may work due to it's extra weight) because the PSU doesn't have a PCIe connector and I don't have that little splitter.

Help?

[[Dr. V]]

There must not be a solid connection with the video card and the PCIe slot. That's why when the computer on its side, gravity is doing its work for the video card.

Also, always make sure the motherboard and heatsink are securely attached.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by ST!X

There must not be a solid connection with the video card and the PCIe slot. That's why when the computer on its side, gravity is doing its work for the video card.

Also, always make sure the motherboard and heatsink are securely attached.

Yeah, I'm gonna go torque them down more.

I've reseated it to. Plus, the screws provided with the case DON'T FIT the PCI slots. Maybe I'm just using the wrong ones, but still. I've tried like all of them.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Now the motherboard is having it's moments. Everything has power, so I'm assuming the PSU is just fine. It barely boots on the side too. I swapped a piece of memory to see if one was bad or something. It worked with one, so I left that one in. Froze on the Vista loading bar. Reset. Long beep again....

Faulty mobo I assume? I'm like ready to RMA, haha.

[Yellowhello]

What mobo do you have? Did you OC the CPU (or anything, for that matter)?

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Nope, haven't had a chance to (and not planning to either).

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR P4M900M4 Socket 478 VIA P4M900 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Biostar P4M900M4. Normally, I wouldn't even consider this company but it's the only one in it's class (and DDR2 too!).

[stinger608]

RMA the damn mobo brown!!!! Its a fricking biostar mobo, as far as I am concerned, biostar is complete crap, and about half of the motherboards that you get need RMA'd!!!!

[Yellowhello]

On my motherboard, a long beep represents a memory problem, but I don't know about yours. If you haven't already tried this test each stick of RAM individually. It maybe a motherboard problem, and since that motherboard is so cheap, you may just want to get another for testing.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

On my motherboard, a long beep represents a memory problem, but I don't know about yours. If you haven't already tried this test each stick of RAM individually. It maybe a motherboard problem, and since that motherboard is so cheap, you may just want to get another for testing.

Really. I have another gig of DDR2 in the main PC that I can swap over. I did try swapping out individual sticks. It would work, but then freeze on the Vista loading. Resetting it resulted in the beep.

[Yellowhello]

It might be an overheating problem.