Video blues...

[Helixx]

Ok...I do this for a living, so you can imagine my embarassment...suffice it to say, I feel like a complete moron, and I am sure my issues are strictly menial. The problem is most likely so simple, that even I can't figure it out !

Anyway, I have an M830L, and the onboard video card has two MALE ports. So, how the hell am I supposed to SEE ? I have a perfectly good Radeon 7000 I can throw in it, but if I can't disable the onboard video in the BIOS, how can I use it ? *duh* I have never seen an onboard without a female port. Am I missing something here ?

I tried to buy some sort of female adapter, to no avail.

So, please spare me travesty of calling me an idiot, and point out what simple aspect I am missing to this equation.

--------------------------

I am also having issues with the jumpers. I followed the diagram that came with the motherboard, and the system won't stay booted for longer than 10 seconds, before it shuts off. I can only get it to boot when the RESET jumper is plugged in to the power section of the board. WTF ?!!! HELP !

(is it my case ? I have a server tower, and the motherboard fits in it, so I would assume that this means the case is a standard ATX Form Flow)

I am using a 400W power supply, which has been aproved for the AMD K7 (which is what I have), so the power issue doesn't seem to be originating from that.

---------------------------

Assistance will be GREATLY appreciated !



Helixx

[jerrygarcia]

I believe that the PC Chips M830L is their version of the ECS K7S5A. Some company, same board. Are looking at 2 serial ports as the ECS board has no onboard video?

[Helixx]

Ok...the simple answer has finally come to me. This motherboard has been sitting collecting dust for 4 months now...because Best Buy was too stupid to carry the right adapter !!

I needed a DB9 Female/Female...problem solved.

--------------------------------

Still need some ideas on the boot issue.

THANKS !

[Xtreeme]

I needed a DB9 Female/Female...problem solved.

Eh? Dont you mean male to female adaptor. Female to female is no change at all. M-F means its two sided Female. Which would allow you to plug said male video mon. jack to said male video adaptor

[Sweeper]

what I think he is describing is correct. Female end to go onto the mobo and a female end so the monitor can connect. So the part has 2 female ends.

[Helixx]

That is exactly correct. My video cable is male, and my onboard video is male, so I obtained a female/female, and the problem was solved.

Anyone have ideas on the boot issue ?

I bought a new ATX case, and tried the MB in that, but the power supply won't even power up (its brand new).

I am going to try my old one (a 300W), both inside and outside of the case to see if this is possibly a grounding issue, but any other suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks !



Helixx ~

[Helixx]

Here's what I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3431943523

[Bonez_Oz]

Helixx, I'm going to try and help you out a bit here. Number 1 I have the same board, and I know for a fact that it only has ONE set of jumpers, the "Clear CMOS" jumpers, having these set as you do will cause the system to reboot. Number 2, the male ports on the back of the board are serial ports as the motherboard does not have on board video, throw your Radeon 7000 in don't worry about disableing anything in the BIOS. After this your system should be fine.

Cheers, Bonez

[Helixx]

Ok, what do you mean by "Number 1 I have the same board, and I know for a fact that it only has ONE set of jumpers, the "Clear CMOS" jumpers, having these set as you do will cause the system to reboot." ??

I haven't specified how I have the CMOS settings. I have them in the exact same position that they were in when the board arrived, and according to the diagram given in the book that came with the motherboard, they are correctly seated. I only moved them to clear it, and them put it back. I doubt this is the issue with the reboot.

As far as the video is concerned, I was not aware that this board did not have onboard video ! What sense does that make ? Why would anyone want a board with no video ? How can the drivers for my Radeon be loaded intially, if there isn't any video in the first place ? Please help me understand this...seems a bit moronic to me.

And just so you know, I am aware that they are serial ports, but they are connected to what appears to be a video chip. I can't imagine what else two serials ports, in the exact same spot all other boards have their video ports, would be present for. What does it control, if not video ?

Its nice that someone else has my board, though. I can describe what I am seeing, and you know what I am talking about ! :-)

Thanks for the post...looking forward to hearing your thoughts.


Helixx ~

[Bonez_Oz]

Look at the chip that you are saying is the graphics chip. If you can read the code on it copy that down and type it into Google, this will give you a list of sites telling you what it controls. Old EGA video used 9 Pin Female DINs, look at an old XT computer, but newer computers use a 15 Pin Femail DIN. With your Radeon in the AGP slot the computer on first boot will load a simple set of default drivers that will just get it to run and display an image, try it you'll be pleased. Then when you get into Windows you will be able to load the official drivers that Windows will use to display images, but when Windows first boots it too will use default drivers that all video cards can use (All video cards have to be able to run on the default drivers as it is a standard).

As for the jumper make sure that it is on the first 2 pins (1 and 2) and not on the last two (2 and 3) I've made that mistake quite a few times and had a heck of a time with the system rebooting itself.

For any other questions feel free to email me, I'll gladly help as best I can over the internet: willy-x@westnet.com.au
also try here: http://www.pcchips.com.tw/M830L.html
that's the motherboards home page.