[mkezeor]

First off, this is a problem associated with a new computer build. Therefore, there is no operating system loaded becuase the problem I am having will not allow it.

When I turn on the power the BIOS will show up with the message "CMOS checksum error - Defaults loaded". At first I ignored this and continued on to try and install Windows XP. When the setup got to a point where it had to restart the computer restarted but nothing came back on the screen. The computer was running however as the fans were still working.

After leaving it powered off for 5-10 minutes I started it back up again to find that the CMOS had reset itself. I downloaded the newest BIOS file from the manufacturers site and corresponding utility file in order to update the BIOS. After running this I again restarted to find the same result, a black screen with the computer running and no BIOS.

Time after time I've had to leave it off for 5-10 minutes and then start it up just to get to the BIOS menu. But to no avail I will have to restart and then it's back to the black screen, no BIOS, but with computer running.

I have tried everything from unplugging all input sources and replugging them back, clearing the CMOS, changing keyboard/mouse, and other advice offered from online sources. But nothing works.

Some sources say the battery may be defective causing the "CMOS checksum error" but I am unsure of this considering this is a brand new motherboard received just yesterday. However, installing a new battery is the only step that I know of that I haven’t taken. (Actually am on my way to store after this post to buy one.)

I'm concerned with why the BIOS refuses to show up after being restarted and why it has to wait 5-10 minutes with power off before it starts up again only to be reset.

The following is a list of hardware (all brand new) with the system:

Foxconn 655A01-FX-6LRS Socket 478 SIS 655FX ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Celeron D 330 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor
Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 HDD
pqi POWER Series 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered
eVGA 128-A8-N350 Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
RAIDMAX Elite ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply

Thanks for any help (and putting up with quite possibly the world’s longest post!)

- mkezeor

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Just put in a new battery... didn't help. Still restarts to blank screen. Starting to lose any hope...

[mkezeor]

Just put in a new battery... didn't help. Still restarts to blank screen. Starting to lose any hope...

[makai]

This is my standard reply for "new builds"...

Remove all devices connected to the motherboard except for one stick of ram, the video card, and the hard drive. Powerup and see if the computer posts normally. (With all you said you went through, I guess I can assume you did this).

If it still doesn't post normally, pull the motherboard out of the case, and connect it up so you can power it up outside with the above components.

Again check for normal post. Sometimes a high-ohm motherboard short will cause the powersupply to not start for a few minutes.

If you still can't post normally, start swapping whatever components you can ruling out each one as you go.

If it's still a no go, then at least try to reseat your processor. If that doesn't work... I think you're out of luck and need to RMA the board. (I know you didn't want to hear that!)

makai

[mkezeor]

Thanks for the reply.

I have exhausted all options I believe. Not only have I already done what you have suggested but I took apart the computer that I use, swapped in and out parts, and was still getting the same results.

About two minutes ago I RMA'd the piece of junk and it will be out the door early tomorrow morning!

[gerryf]

yes, best course...bad cmos chip

[lionelhutz5]

Huh..that sounds very similar to a problem I had with my old HP. I spent hours trying to fix it until I gave up. When I turned it on, the blue HP screen would load, but nothing more. I pushed F7 to enter step. It would say entering setup and that was all. Then, I changed put in a new battery. I was able to get into BIOS once. Success, it loaded. Then I tried to install XP. I got the past where you install it. Then, it said it could not find the drive. I turned it off and back on. Then I got the Checksum error. I turned off. I was never able to get passed the blue HP screen again. So now I guess that I should never try again to fix it. The chip must be replaced.

[gerryf]

if replacing the cmos battery does not solve the problem, then such errors are usually bad cmos chips--sometimes, these can actually be replaced, but not always...you need to check with the motherboard maker