Shuttle SD31P Initial build Problems

[p88dge]

After some help if anyone can?

I am building a SD31P Dual core XPC below is the components. (for a Home Entertainment pc)

Intel P4 Dual Core 950 3.4Ghz 'Presler'
Westen Digital Caviar 500GB Sata 7200rpm
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC5400 Dual Channel Gold GX XTC Series EL-DDR2
XFX GeForce 7600 GS Extreme Edition 256MB DDR2
Windows Media Centre Edition

On initial startup I get the XPC logo screen, then after hitting 'delete' I get the 'entering setup' message in the corner. But after that nothing, justs stays on that screen.

I have tried removing components one by one and still only get the same (entering setup) messgae.
I cannot get into the bios.

Can anyone help me?

I have tried taking out the cmos battery and resetting the cmos but still the same.

This is a fresh build with new components.

You help would be greatly appreciated.

[kalniel]

What happens if you don't hit delete and allow it to boot normally?

[p88dge]

nothing, as I havent got past this to put the os etc on yet.

If i stick the windows CD in it does not boot up to start the windows install.

probably doesnt know to boot from cd.

if i hit the esc key, the message ' entering boot menu' comes up but nothing else, not selection or anything!!

[smelly]

what happens if you unplug your hard drive, cd drive and gxf card (assuming there's an on board one)?

Remove 1 stick of ram if you ccan - try stick in another ram slot. use different mem if it's avaliable.

remove cpu, ensure it's pasted properly with AS or something similar.

You should be able to get to bios with just 1 stick of ram, and a cpu.

[p88dge]

I have tried removing the componets you suggested, and moved 1 stick of ram in both slots, still the same.

Im just trying to get hold of a 256MB ddr2 cheap ram (think ive found one for £20) to do some testing, maybe that the 1GB memory isnt quite right.

Can a pc enter the BIOS with No memory installed?

[kalniel]

I've never tried, but I don't see why not

It sounds like a problem I once had with my old p3, which was a problem with the NVRAM. When I had another problem with my new computer I suggested something similar to ASRock and was told that my new computer doesn't use NVRAM So I don't know if the shuttle does or not.

Have you contacted shuttle about it?

[p88dge]

This was Shuttles response
----------------------------------------------
Dear Shuttle customer,

You need to update the BIOS to run Pentium 9XX CPU.
You need a 3XX, 5XX, 6X0 or 8XX to update the BIOS.

http://ftp.shuttle.com/BIOS/sd31p/sd31s01c.zip

With the new BIOS you can run 9XX without problems.

Please update the BIOS as follow in pure DOS mode.

a:\awdflash sd31s01c.bin /cc/cd/cp/sn/py/f/r

Best Regards
Shuttle Support - Germany

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

So am i supposed to purchase another cpu just to flash the bios........that wasent in the manual or advertising for the product,
not best pleased.....

[kalniel]

I feared it might be that, but assumed that it would at least still boot in single core mode

If the product is listed as supporting a dual core processor then you're within your rights to send it back. Most manufacturers will flash the bios for you, or even have been known to provide BIOS chips for you to replace yourself!