Ok , fellow linux Heads - builders re-building an old Tower case Ihave had for years . Stripped out the single processor pentium 3 socket 370 MOBO i had in it.

Carefully inserted my TYAN s2518 server mobo into it.

did all the cable /switch connecrtion ok as far as Ican see.

put all 4 memory sticks in it. 256mbyte
Put two tualtin 370socket CPU-s into it.

put on heat sinks <with thermal paste> /w/fans wired up.

Cleared CMOS switch jumper

Have power supply plugged in.

have Keyboard plugged in.

turn Power ON !!!!



NO post

no beep's . no post ,no beeps .


Is this MOBo cursed???


regards -chili

Is the power switch connected to the correct motherboard location? Does the power switch actually work?

The board may well not like the RAM you selected. Does the board require ECC RAM?

Does it help to install only one RAM stick?

Are there jumpers that must be set to match the installed CPUs? Does the board support the installed CPU type?

Do you know the power supply is good, and powerful enough?

Are there any caps in power supply or on motherboard with swollen/bulged tops or bottoms, or leaking, especially larger ones near the CPUs?

Ok mR Mazda <i like that Name>,

I have read your post and Imust try ALL that you have suggested ??

btw -how does one check RAM <sdram> .

Ishould download &print All of the Tech info onthat MOBo-to see if it HAS to have ECC ram.

Curious ,can one mIx non-ecc and ecc ram ???

regards , chili

There are few options. Best I know is from memtest86.

I know of no other way to find out than to read the manufacturer's specifications.

That would have to be answered by the same means.

Actually you can try it without RAM and HDD and almost anything (1 CPU required), the beep should work, otherwise either PSU or CPU or MOBO is dead.

No you cannot.


I'd 'back up' a bit here on troubleshooting though - are you sure you haven't shorted the motherboard to the case? Have you checked the wiring (e.g. PSU to system board, switches, etc)? If you remove the motherboard from the case and run it open bench with one stick of RAM does it POST if you short the PWR_ON pins to start it? If so, work up from there. If not, there's a chance the board/CPUs/something is defective - this is quite old hardware after all.

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