checksum error

[sulli456]

Ok so we recently bought all the parts to build a new computer so we put it all together and started it up installed vista, downloaded updates and all the normal stuff but we have started to get an "checksum error" on startup and It says press F1 to continue and delete to go to setup.

If you press F1 the computer starts up normally.

If you press delete it takes you to setup but after doing things in there you have to do a restart but the computer does not switch back on and you have to reset the bios to get the computer starting again. And then you have to press F1 or delete again. And when you turn it off you have to reset the bios to get it turning on. if you get me.

The Specs are:
XFX nForce 680i LT SLI
intel core 2 quad core 2.4 GHz
Geforce 9600GT
4 gig of OCZ 800MHz PC2 - 6400 DDR2 DIMM MEMORY (i think)
400 gig SATA harddrive

Now what we think is that the problem is the on board battery on the motherboard. So if that is the case we will need to get a new battery. But i am currently at work and in town to get a new battery but i am not sure what type of battery it is. If you have any idea what type it is please help or if you think it may be a different problem because it wasn't a cheap thing to build and we need to get it running.

Please help.
Sulli

[poomanuk]

Hiya pal
Although Checksum errors can be caused by a faulty battery. I don't think that this is your problem. Correct me if I'm wrong but It sounds like when you reset your bios you don't get the error anymore?
You said in your post

but after doing things in there

What did you do in the bios? You may have changed a setting to a incorrect value. After you reset the bios, try not to change anything in the bios and see if starts-up.
Firstly the best thing to do is unplug all the devices on you M/B and see if the PC starts up past the post screen. (Just have 1 stick of memory & the screen card pluged in) Then plug each device in 1 by one.
You could also try updating the bios http://www.xfxforce.com/en-gb/Help/Support.aspx You have to register for support. (Be aware when updating the bios read the instructions carefully)
As I'm unsure if you got the problems before or after installing Vista, you might want to start from scratch with your installation, making note of at which point you start getting the error (install the drivers 1 at a time, restarting when prompted - some boards have an express install for drivers) If you say install the graphics card driver and then you start getting the error then this is where your problem could be
If the problem still persists then it is possible that you have a faulty M/B. It's a new board by the sounds of things so it will still be under warranty so just take it back for an exchange

[Wizardskills]

Well most motherboards take a 3v button battery. From searching on the net you will need a CR2032 or its equivalent. These are only around £3 so not to expensive.

I would check the RAM first though as I had lots of problems getting OCZ ram working in my old 680i motherboard and I eventually had to go onto corsair. Take all the sticks out and try them one at a time and see if they all work OK.

Let us know how you get on.

Wiz

[sulli456]

Originally Posted by poomanuk

Correct me if I'm wrong but It sounds like when you reset your bios you don't get the error anymore?

ok i can see where you got that from but once i have reseting the bios seems to be the only way to get the computer to boot. but it goes straight back to the checksum error F1 to continue, delete to enter setup part it dosnt get rid of the error.
If it got rid of the error would i really be posting here?

Originally Posted by POOMANUK

What did you do in the bios? You may have changed a setting to a incorrect value. After you reset the bios, try not to change anything in the bios and see if starts-up.

yes it does start up but you get the "checksum error F1 to continue, delete to enter setup" bit. we dont play around in the bios really so we havent done anything in there. All we have ever done in the bios is switch off the fact that we have no A drive. But we reset it to switch the computer on.

Originally Posted by Wizardskills

I would check the RAM first though as I had lots of problems getting OCZ ram working in my old 680i motherboard and I eventually had to go onto corsair.

well funny you say that you have had trouble getting your OCZ ram to work because we have 4 gig of it in the motherboard but it only says we have 2.5 gig of that working. so i guess we will have to open up the PC and do the RAM check one by one.

I will give you an update later on wether it worked or not.
Thanks for both or your help. you will be eventually getting your +rep from me.

[sulli456]

well it turns out it was a RAM problem we took out the battery and started it and we still got the problem. So we took all the OCZ ram out and swapped it with 2 gig of PNY and the computer booted fine and is now fine. weird thing is it worked in a different computer and it even says we have 4 gig of RAM so i guess the OCZ does not like the nForce motherboards.

So i guess we will have to buy 2 more gig oof RAM .

thanks for your help

[Wizardskills]

Yep thought it would have been that. Best ram to get is the corsair ram as that worked first time in my old 680i.

Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB))

[bulletcatcher]

if you don't have vista 64, the most you'll see is 3.5gb because of the 512mb stolen from your graphics card.