Weird Motherboard Problem. Please Help!

[hamhead]

Ok, this is what im running:

e2200 cpu, 2x1gb OCZ Platinum XTC Rev2 DDR2 800, Abit F-i90HD motherboard.

Here is the problem:
Ive been running this motherboard for a while with little to no problem.

-Sometimes when I plug it into my HDTV thru HDMI or VGA monitor, the POST would get stuck at "detecting IDE drives" or it wouldnt POST at all but a reset fixed that.

Now, heres the MAIN problem:

-the previous issues werent much of an issue since a reset would fix it, but now, it wont boot at all. I was using it all day long no problems. I turned off the computer then after a few hours turned it back on but nothing appeared on the monitor so i thought a reset would fix it, but this time it didnt. Ive been trying to get the computer to POST but nothing worked except using Memory Slot #2 with 1 stick of ram.

Continued below...

[hamhead]

But after turning it off and then trying the other slots with no success, i decided to just use 1 stick of ram in slot #2, but now it wont boot from that slot or any other slot using either stick of ram. now the computer wont POST or Boot at all. I had everything unplugged just to remove variables, but still wont boot.

The mobo has been quite flaky ever since i got it. Could it be the OCZ ram im using? it needs 2.1V but when i first used it, i looked in the BIOS and it didnt set the voltage right since it was at 1.8V so i set it at 2.1V but it was still flaky. Also, on my other system with my Gigabyte DS3 mobo, i switched from Patriot ram DDR800 1.8V to OCZ DDR800 2.1V ram(a different set) and immediately it was flakey and sometimes wouldnt boot, but a PCI-e Bus lock fixed that but it was still not as stable as the Patriot value ram.

so guys.. would you think that if i switched the ram from OCZ to some value ram that uses 1.8V stock volts would allow my Abit motherboard to boot, or is the motherboard toast?

[matkun]

I'd say flaky Mobo. I've ran OCZ ram at 1.8 v without problems. It's only recommended 2.1 for the advertised timing settings I believe.

Take out the ram completely. Does the motherboard give you a beep code? If it does not, then you know it's the motherboard or something else like the power supply.

[Keas]

thats why i stay away from ocz memory. it has stability issues with alot of MB's and you dont know until your testing it out.

i gather you got rid of the buffalo memory? if you have a friend who is willing to loan you some memory to test the system that would be good but otherwise i would consider taking to the mb manufacturer and see what they say and wether to rma the board since it isnt booting up at all now.

[terrybear]

thats why i stay away from ocz memory. it has stability issues with alot of MB's and you dont know until your testing it out.

Uhhhh, news to me, NEVER have I heard anyone on here have a issue with OCZ ram or on ocz's own tech forum.

You might have a compatibility issue with a motherboard like a typical Asus motherboard does.

As for your posting OP, I am not familiar with your setup, but have you tried updating the bios of the board to see if that helps?? Otherwise sounds like the motherboard for shure. And if the ram is giving you problems I'd encourage you to go contact a ocz rep & see what they tell ya to do I am shure a quick rma & trip to markham will help things then.

[hamhead]

well i cant update the bios since it wont even post

Keas, i dont know anyone who can lend me ddr2. do you have a stick i can try. it will take a quick 10 minutes.

as for psu, i tried 2 different ones with the same result

I will test the ram on my good running computer this week and hopefully it will be ram problem instead of mobo as ram is free to replace from OCZ. as for the Abit mobo, i dont think i will RMA it since it will cost me $25 + shipping , etc to RMA it. id rather buy a new mobo