I have never had a problem setting up and testing the mb outside of the
case.  I always set it up with video, memory, and drives on the workbench.
If it boots, it boots, if it doesn't, you don't have to wrangle it back out
of the case to troubleshoot.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Turak <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 16, 1998 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: beeps? shorted motherboard?


>Hi Robert.
>
>First, if you have no memory or no video card, the Power On Self-Test
>(POST) is going to beep.  There was an earlier thread here that warned
>against placing a mobo on a non-conductive surface, seems at least one
>metal contact is desirable through the mounting hardware.
>
>There was another thread about powering up a PC without properly attaching
>the 5 and 12 volt harnesses, some said this can damage the power supply.
>
>My standard operating procedure is to install memory, cpu, and fan.  Mount
>the mobo in the case and attach the mobo power harness, attach 12 volt
>power to the fan and diskette drive, Put in a video card, attach the PC
>internal speaker and reset switch to the mobo, attach a keyboard, and try
>to boot the system up.  That way you have a very short list to
>trouble-shoot if the boot fails.
>
>If it passes I connect the rest of the case LED leads, add hard disk, cd,
>network, sound, and modem, attach a mouse, and try another boot before I
>close the case.
>
>My biggest headache has been cases.  Look for one that has a separate
>expansion card mounting plate fastened to the inside of the case's rear
>panel with screws instead of rivets.  When you install expansion cards you
>can loosen these screws to move the panel, which the exposed rear portion
>of the expansion card protrudes through, to adjust for slight differences
>in the card height to case depth.  This allows the cards to properly seat
>without interference from the mounting hardware.  Once all the cards are
>in, tighten the back panel screws.
>
>Most beeps are caused by video cards not properly seated in the slot or
>memory simms that are bad or loose. Video beeps usually stop after 14 or
>so, the number exact is supposed to help diagnose the fault, but mobos can
>be different in this regard.
>
>Shorts can also cause beeps.  I replaced a mobo that was attached with 4
>metal screws.  The new mobo was identically drilled with mounting holes so
>I used all 4 screws.  Well, it beeped loud and long.  I replaced 3 of the
>screws with plastic ones I found in the hardware store and the mobo booted
>right up and continues to run fine.
>
>Good Luck
>Tom Turak
>[log in to unmask]
>----------
>From:   Robert Prickett[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent:   Sunday, February 15, 1998 11:49 PM
>
>Building a system with a clone mobo which makes constant, unending
>beeps from the instant the switch is on.  Have ONLY the board
>connected with P8 & P9, [not even screws--it's lying on a
>non-conductive surface] and still have constant beeps instantly upon
>switching on.  Nothing else is touching the board, nothing installed,
>only power and the speaker connector.
>
>With P8/P9 removed--no beeps--so the box should be okay.
>
>
>          PCBUILD:  http://nospin.com  or  [log in to unmask]
>


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