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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 426

post #12751 of 15524
4/27/12 at 1:53pm
Assassin, I have a question about the LED blinking while in S3 sleep mode on one of your lovely HTPCs I recently bought. This think kicks all kinds of butt and I can see myself sticking to the HTPC route down the line. I might even get into trying to do a build of my own one of these days and maybe try a gaming/HTPC rig if next generation consoles look to be as anti-consumer as it's looking right now.

Is it possible to go into the BIOS or some menu setting and change this to either be off or solid on when the PC is sleeping. I love everything else about the thing but the flashing LED is pretty distracting especially when I'm playing Battlefield 3 and keep noticing it out of the corner of my eye (or maybe that's just my excuse for sucking).
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post #12752 of 15524
4/27/12 at 1:58pm
I used a black Sharpie over the green light of my Asus BDR and it helped a lot.
You can unplug the wire to the LED altogether, but I prefer knowing if the computer is on or asleep.
On Battlefield, I can offer no advice.
Michael
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post #12753 of 15524
4/27/12 at 3:29pm
Much as I'm interested, I can't work up much enthusiasm about this:
newegg offers the refurbished Western Digital 2.5TB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive, model no. WD25EZRS, for $119.99 with free shipping ($0.05/GB). That's $18 below the lowest total price we could find for a new unit. Deal ends May 3.
Note: A 90-day warranty applies, although it's unclear who supports it.
Any thoughts?
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post #12754 of 15524
4/27/12 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tilldeathand1 View Post

Hello

First time looking into a HTPC. First off I am very thankful everyone on here that provides info/tips/advice, it all has been very helpful and have made be want to attempt to build one.

Here is what I have put together (almost all of the items are from this guide):

-ASUS SATA 6 Gb/s DisplayPort Intel Z68 Micro ATX DDR3 2200 Intel LGA 1155 Motherboards P8Z68-M Pro
-Intel Core i3-2100 Processor 3.1GHz 3 MB Cache Socket LGA1155
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 2GBx2
-Antec EarthWatts EA-380D Green 380 Watt 80 PLUS BRONZE Power Supply
-SilverStone Front Panel and SECC Body Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case GD04B
-Lite-On 12x Internal Optical Blu-Ray BD DVD CD-R Writer Burner
-Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s
-Seagate Barracuda 7200 3 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s
-Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB
-TP-Link TL-WN951N 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Adapter


I do have one question but cant seem to find the answer. I want 2 internal HD and 1 SSD as well as a Blu Ray Drive. Will all four of these items fit in the case that I have on my list??


Thanks

Looks good! I would also recommend paying for the guides.
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post #12755 of 15524
4/27/12 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastButNotLeast View Post

I used a black Sharpie over the green light of my Asus BDR and it helped a lot.
You can unplug the wire to the LED altogether, but I prefer knowing if the computer is on or asleep.
On Battlefield, I can offer no advice.
Michael

A couple things I have tried...

Opaque fingernail polish
Black marker
Unplugging the LED header

Some people love the lights. Some don't.
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post #12756 of 15524
4/27/12 at 5:44pm
I'll probably just get used to it after a while. It's just weird since my other PCs just have the light stay on when the PC goes to sleep.
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post #12757 of 15524
4/27/12 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe 6 Pack View Post

I'll probably just get used to it after a while. It's just weird since my other PCs just have the light stay on when the PC goes to sleep.

It depends on the board manufacturer. Asus boards are blinkers. I'm not sure what others are. It annoyed me at first too, but I'm not usually in the room when it's sleeping so I just got used to it.
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post #12758 of 15524
4/27/12 at 6:29pm
Seems like a silly problem a piece of tape could fix ...
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post #12759 of 15524
4/27/12 at 6:56pm
Thread Starter 
Assassin HTPC Europe now active and alive.

Enjoy.
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post #12760 of 15524
4/27/12 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Seems like a silly problem a piece of tape could fix ...

Unless you bought the nMediaPC 6000B like I did and you have a fake "Volume Knob" as your power button which has a giant ring around it that blinks! Whoops.
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post #12761 of 15524
4/27/12 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Assassin HTPC Europe now active and alive.

Enjoy.

Awesome!! Congratulations, you jetsetting mofo!
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post #12762 of 15524
4/28/12 at 1:05pm
Just wanted to let you know I donated. I've appreciated all your help!
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post #12763 of 15524
4/28/12 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComptonHPD View Post

Just wanted to let you know I donated. I've appreciated all your help!

Thanks for the support. Hope you enjoy the guides!
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post #12764 of 15524
4/28/12 at 7:13pm
I could really use some help. I have the following build and wired everything up to the best of my ability, however when i power my machine it seems to continuously cycle on and off every couple seconds. Any ideas. Could the power supply not be pushing enough power? any thoughts?
LL
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post #12765 of 15524
4/28/12 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

I could really use some help. I have the following build and wired everything up to the best of my ability, however when i power my machine it seems to continuously cycle on and off every couple seconds. Any ideas. Could the power supply not be pushing enough power? any thoughts?

You have plenty of power.. Couple of ideas..
Is your memory compatible? Try one stick of memory at a time or another type. make sure your CPU is seated correctly. Do you have both 8 and 24 pin adaptors plugged into mb from PSU?
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post #12766 of 15524
4/28/12 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
Celeron G530 $37 + shipping with code SWEEPUP5

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=G530BOX&c=CJ
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post #12767 of 15524
4/28/12 at 8:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

I could really use some help. I have the following build and wired everything up to the best of my ability, however when i power my machine it seems to continuously cycle on and off every couple seconds. Any ideas. Could the power supply not be pushing enough power? any thoughts?

Check the cpu fan is plugged into the motherboard.
Check the ram is seated correctly.
Check the ram isn't bad (another computer if you have access)
Check your SATA controller.
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post #12768 of 15524
4/29/12 at 5:50am
the ram i purchased was the recommend ram for this build. I also tried a different pair just to rule out it being DOA.

motherboard power supply is plugged in fine.

I did however use some left over short screws I have laying around to secure the mother board. could this be causing it?

I took a picture of my build please excuse the messy wires for now.
LL
LL
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post #12769 of 15524
4/29/12 at 5:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

the ram i purchased was the recommend ram for this build. I also tried a different pair just to rule out it being DOA.

motherboard power supply is plugged in fine.

I did however use some left over short screws I have laying around to secure the mother board. could this be causing it?

Absolutely. You need to make sure it is properly secured and grounded.
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post #12770 of 15524
4/29/12 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

the ram i purchased was the recommend ram for this build. I also tried a different pair just to rule out it being DOA.

motherboard power supply is plugged in fine.

I did however use some left over short screws I have laying around to secure the mother board. could this be causing it?

I took a picture of my build please excuse the messy wires for now.

I would fix the screws first and if that doesn't fix it then I would rebuild the system out side the case on a card board box

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Absolutely. You need to make sure it is properly secured and grounded.

+1 for sure
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post #12771 of 15524
4/29/12 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Celeron G530 $37 + shipping with code SWEEPUP5

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=G530BOX&c=CJ

Best deal going for sure
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post #12772 of 15524
4/29/12 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flocko View Post

I would fix the screws first and if that doesn't fix it then I would rebuild the system out side the case on a card board box

If he is just talking about what screws he used to attach the mobo to the standoffs i cant see it being an issue. i've used all sorts of screws to go into standoffs (actual mobo screws, HDD screws, ect). Though of course if you have the mobo screws 'd use them first.

I'd honesty do what this video tells you to make sure the psu truly works. I had a psu that would do the on/off thing under a paperclip test so it was easy to know the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXg...=youtube_gdata

After that just try minimal setup (cpu/ram) 24pin and cpu 4pin. If a problem there then least you know where to begin trouble shooting. if it works then you know its something else and can add 1 thing at a time.

Of course if you have a second psu you know works then you could quickly try that as well (again just minimal cpu 4 pin and 24 pin to post)
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post #12773 of 15524
4/29/12 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

the ram i purchased was the recommend ram for this build. I also tried a different pair just to rule out it being DOA.

motherboard power supply is plugged in fine.

I did however use some left over short screws I have laying around to secure the mother board. could this be causing it?

I took a picture of my build please excuse the messy wires for now.

that happened to me on one of my 1st builds years ago ......
get that cardboard box out
And start over ....

did your MoBo come with a tiny speaker ??
that will beep a problem code on start-up
alot of new MoBo's don't include them anymore
......... open a running PC & borrow one if need be ....


my last 2 didn't have the speaker ...

read the Gigabyte MoBo manual again only read the assy part & follow the directions to a tee .
IF you can then get the mobo & all parts working ,posting even starting to load the OS .. then the problem is how you mounted the mobo into the case
You did use the brass stand-offs under the mobo ?? to keep the back of the MoBo from touching the case Right ?

report back .... More than Happy to help .. I've been there, done that & wish someone could of helped me years back ..

unhook everything ....attach one component at a time double check everything as you go
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post #12774 of 15524
4/29/12 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Celeron G530 $37 + shipping with code SWEEPUP5

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=G530BOX&c=CJ

Which is why I used a G530 instead of an i3, and everything works just fine.
I paid about $45 in January.
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post #12775 of 15524
4/29/12 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastslappy View Post

then the problem is how you mounted the mobo into the case
You did use the brass stand-offs under the mobo ?? to keep the back of the MoBo from touching the case Right ?

interesting, I wasn't aware that you could mount a board wrong. I just used the screws that came with the board and screw them into the screw holes that lined up on the case. I wasn't aware of any brass stand offs. Im going to try and pull everything out and re install while following the manual. Thanks so much for your advice.
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post #12776 of 15524
4/29/12 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bopgaard View Post

interesting, I wasn't aware that you could mount a board wrong. I just used the screws that came with the board and screw them into the screw holes that lined up on the case. I wasn't aware of any brass stand offs. Im going to try and pull everything out and re install while following the manual. Thanks so much for your advice.


Please tell me u used the brass stand offs that come with EVERY case.

Indeed , I would read the manual this timer after dis assembly and just a word of advice , do a minimum set up with just the psu , cpu and ram on a cardboard box just to be safe ... this time . Just get thru the post screen and don't worry about booting cause it will throw a hundred errors due to the fact you are running a minimum set up .

Hang tough !! Ul get it
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post #12777 of 15524
4/29/12 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
Read the instructions.

Maybe twice in your case.

Not trying to be an ass. Just trying to protect you and your components.
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post #12778 of 15524
4/29/12 at 4:12pm
Instructions? We don't need no stinkin' instructions!
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post #12779 of 15524
4/29/12 at 4:40pm
Well...I have decided to take the plunge and cut my cable. After reading the build guides on this site I put together the following build using the various recommendations on the first page. If you would be so kind as to look it over to ensure I have spec'd out a system that the components will work together and actually fit in the case I wasn't sure what CPU cooler to get (if it is needed). Many thanks in advance for any guidance and patience!

Motherboard: ASUS F1A75-M - FM1 Socket - A75 - SATA 6Gbps and TPM Support (Hudson D3) Micro ATX

Processor: AMD A8-3870K APU with AMD Radeon 6550 HD Graphics 3.0GHz

Graphic Card: ASUS GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB (ENGT430)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

HD: WD Caviar Green 2 TB WD20EARX

Blu-ray Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST

Case: Silverstone GD05B

CPU Fan: Need Advice

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-380D Green 380 Watt 80 PLUS BRONZE

Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium
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post #12780 of 15524
4/29/12 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Owlpoop View Post

Well...I have decided to take the plunge and cut my cable. After reading the build guides on this site I put together the following build using the various recommendations on the first page. If you would be so kind as to look it over to ensure I have spec’d out a system that the components will work together and actually fit in the case I wasn’t sure what CPU cooler to get (if it is needed). Many thanks in advance for any guidance and patience!

Motherboard: ASUS F1A75-M - FM1 Socket - A75 - SATA 6Gbps and TPM Support (Hudson D3) Micro ATX

Processor: AMD A8-3870K APU with AMD Radeon 6550 HD Graphics 3.0GHz

Graphic Card: ASUS GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB (ENGT430)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

HD: WD Caviar Green 2 TB WD20EARX

Blu-ray Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST

Case: Silverstone GD05B

CPU Fan: Need Advice

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-380D Green 380 Watt 80 PLUS BRONZE

Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...AMD%20A8-3870K

Wow ... 100 watt cpu a bit toasty for a htpc

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115090

A bit cooler running .

Either way your choice of cpu or mine , the heat sink is included so you should be fine .

Both cpu support graphics processing built on the cpu . I would use that first and the see if you need a dedicated graphics card . Maybe take the money saved and srping for an ssd for the o.s. drive . Not needed per se but a nice perk .

Edit : Of course , if you change cpu vendors you will have to change the mother board as well . Personally I have never used Asus but everyone round here seems to be a big fan irregardless of cpu choice and that would be good enough for me !!

The rest of the build looks top notch

BTW.... WELCOME to the forum !!
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