Can't reach bios setup

My brother has just built a computer and can't get it working. The problem is that when he starts it he gets to the screen where he can choose to enter BIOS. 9/10 times he can't do anything from there but 1/10 times he can press delete and then it says "loading bios" but it freezes there (he waited 30 mins nothing happened). Does anyone know what the problem mihht be?
Thanks in advance
/Karl

This is his hardware:
Asus p5n-tdeluxe NForce-780i SLI, socket 775
ddr2 memory 2*2 gigabyte
powersupply 750 watt
2* geforce 8800 gt 512 mb (SLI)
Intel core2 quad 2,67 ghz, 8mb
samsung dvd-burner (IDE)
samsung spin point f1 750 gb, SATA-2, 7200 rpm
western digital raptor 74 gb, SATA, 10000 rpm
windows Vista ultimate, 64 bit

 

Could be memory or bios. Never trust a brand new part. The mobo cmos should be cleared ASAP. Next, try each stick of ram in each of the slots. Once the pc posts, go to bios, load defaults & increase memory voltage to 2.1v or the specs. Lastly, install the rest of ram.

 

When the bios seems to be scrammed, there is ONE sure way to reset it to factory spec's.

Remove all power from the system. (unplug it)
Then carefully remove the little coin-type CMOS battery.

Leave it out for 20 minutes or so.
If you have a digital volt meter, check the battery. It must show over 3v to be good. If under 3v, it should be replaced with a new one.
NEVER assume that the battery on a new mobo is good.

Then put it back in, restore power to the system and try to boot up again.
Constantly tap the DEL key from the moment you hit the power ON switch, till the bios screen comes up.

Most modern BIOS's will sense what to set the voltages at and will register the proper size for the hard drive. Don't mess with those settings.
You need only to set the clock and drive-boot order to get the PC up and running.

Exit the Bios, Saving Settings and you should be good to go.:wave

Good Luck,
The Shadow :cool

 

Since he built this rig and I have built several that I had problems with I will mention the most likely.

1.The connections from the case to the motherboard:

basically if its a switch (power / reset) it doesn't matter which way its put on because a switch is just a break in a single line. But if its not a switch (HDD Led/ Speaker/ Power Led) it must go a certain way, positve and negative polarities must be followed. If not the problems caused can be small or large depending on the circuits affected.

Then there are the usb and audio plugs that usually lead to the front of the case to be checked also for correct connection.

2. Actual mounting of the motherboard to the case:

You have to watch the little springy things on the back plate when pressing the motherboard in before screwing it down, its very easy to accidentally get one jammed inside a connector causing a short. Also some mounting screw holes on a motherboard, even if they line up with a hole on the case, may not necessarily be meant to have a stand off underneath or a screw installed there. A good rule to follow is don't put a metal standoff or screw in any hole that doesn't have that starlike or ring of solder around it for grounding purposes. (an Abit mobo gave me a hell of a run trying to find that one)

3.Power to all that needs power:

These days, graphics cards have to have extra power, motherboards sometimes have several power connectors (20pin > 24pin / 4 pin > 8pin or both), missing one of these will keep you from booting so go thru your mobo manual carefully and check.

Its also a good idea to check your connections from the powersupply. Some of them have regular molex connectors with just a yellow and black wire, meant for fan only. I wish I had a million dollars for every time I used one on a hard drive by mistake (a nickel just wouldn't hack it).

 

Yes it was the Memory, thanks for the advice