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New system start-up problem.

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by j_r_m

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Hi There, I have just assembled a new PC and cannot get it to BOOT or POST. No display visible, monitor LED is still orange (no signal) and no beep code sound either. Just a blank screen and no signal evident. Fans all work and on-board LEDs are on. Graphics display says no VGA cable detected. (I've tried 2 monitors LCD & CRT...both work on other PC.) I have also cleared the Bios (jumper method) as a last resort.

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS:
Case & Power supply: Antec P193 + CP-850 PSU.
Motherboard: ASUS M4A79T Deluxe
Processor: AMD PHENOM II X4 955 BE (Box)
Graphics card: ASUS EAH4890 1GB
Memory: 4GB. Corsair TW3X4G1600C9DHX
HDD: Western digital RE3 WD5002ABYS
Optical (dvd, cd blu-ray): LG GGC-H20L
Floppy: Sony 1.4

I am at a loss to why it will not boot. The above specs are all quality parts. I've checked cables PSU etc. I suspect it may be the Processor is too new for the motherboard bios as mentioned in other forums. However, some have managed but most like me have not.

Some say to get a new BIOS chip with the updated driver etc. (since you can't boot and flash it anyway) I may even purchase a Diagnosic (P.O.S.T.) card.

Any clues please? All suggestions welcomed.
Many thanks in advance,
Jeff
Australia.

23 replies

by bizintelligence

You will need do a isolation test:

First of all, make sure all the cables from PSU and case (speaker, power, LEDS)are correctly connected to motherboard.

1 > disconnect HDD, Disaply Card, Floppy and optical drive. try now ...check for beeps
2 > with all above things disconnected try using one stick RAM (depends on RAM) at a time. try now...check for beeps
3 > with all above things disconnected at step 1 take the motherboard out of the case (put it on cardboard or anti-static bag) and then check for beeps.

If all of them fails then motherboard or CPU is faulty

Check CPU and RAM in other PC.

Cheers !

by rob miners

First thing to try is loosening the Screws that hold the Motherboard to the Case. They will only need a full turn. Reconnect the Power and turn it on. If it powers up shut it down and retighten the screws. They only need to be firm.

by j_r_m

Yes, I tried that before posting to this site neglected to mentioned it for brevity. Have ordered a Diagnostic POST card.
Will keep you all posted (no pun) on the results in a week's time.
Thanks for you reply.
Jeff.

by rob miners

If this is your CPU Phenom IIX4 955 (HDZ955FBK4DGI),3.2GHz,125W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core

http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?model=M4A79T%20Deluxe

If your motherboard BIOS version number is greater than the BIOS version listed above, then you will not need to flash your BIOS. However, if your BIOS version is smaller than the version listed above, then you will need to select and download the latest BIOS to update your system.

by oh smeg

You have plugged in the Supplementary 12 V DC Plugs to the M'Board. You need to connect the 24 Pin ATX and the 4 6 or 8 Pin 12 V DC plug tot he M'Board. :0

Also if the Video Card has a Power Plug on it this need to be plugged into the PS.

If none of the above make any difference remove and correctly fit the CPU.

Also according to ASUS this M'Board doesn't support this AMD CPU till BIOS Version 0902
see here on the ASUS Web Site CPU Support List for this M'Board.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=lhJiLTN5huPfCVkW

You can get the new BIOS Code from here

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=lhJiLTN5huPfCVkW

Though you will need a different CPU to load it. If that is the case the easiest and best way to proceed is to buy a replacement BIOS Chip from a place like Bios Man here

http://www.biosman.com/

I have purchased numerous replacement BIOS Chips for Servers over the years from this company and never had an issue with them. ;)

Col

by j_r_m

Thank you for your detailed reply...great stuff. I've already done most of what you've suggested. But your biosman.com link will prove very handy after I receive my P.O.S.T. diagnostic card next week. I will keep you and other repliers up to speed once diagnostic tests are completed.
Thanks again.
Jeff.

by j_r_m

Hello again,

Got a new BIOS chip from Mr Lee online store in the Netherlands. Biosman does not carry the modern 8 pin BIOS.

See my final posting....Problem solved.
Jeff.

by mjd420nova

If the MOBO has on board video, connect the monitor to that first. If it gets to the BIOS there, change the video from on board to plug in card and that should get you started. The other problem could be the video card is not powered properly, it needs a power connector directly from the power supply.

by bizintelligence

Do steps mentioned by "Oh Smeg" {similar to my brief warning which states "First of all, make sure all the cables from PSU and case (speaker, power, LEDS)are correctly connected to motherboard"}

If above fails then do "Jacky's steps ....

If that all fails then do steps that I told you.

Suggestions by "mjd420nova" should be followed if you are getting a beep (assuming speaker connection are good). As you are not getting any beep so I won't be bothered to follow those steps yet.

Cheers !

Share Knowledge to Increase Knowledge

by j_r_m

Thanks singhsons, I've tried all suggestions so far. Have ordered a POST card that will be in next week. Next step is a new BIOS chip.

Cheers,
Jeff.

by j_r_m

Hi there, thanks for your reply. The M4A79T Deluxe motherboard does not have on-board video. Although I noticed that the ASUS graphic card has four LEDs on the back. Three of them were lit? Maybe the other will come on once the BIOS is invoked? I have ordered a Diagnostic card and will run tests next week when it arrives. Will let you know of the results.
Thanks again for your reply mjd420nova.
Cheers,
Jeff.

by computechdan

what a bunch u r

nuttin i can add to this except WELL DONE all and press down on any mobo chips that r not soldered to the board jus in case one is not seated all the way

and cudos to jeff for his timely replies and thumbs... vgl n hope u work it out soon

by j_r_m

Yes, you are right. I am impressed with all the help so far. Great to know that people care out there. I will get back to you all with the results some-time next week.

CIAO for now

by j_r_m

Sure is catch 22...you're spot on.

The thing won't boot to get the BIOS version anyway.

I have ordered a POST card just to make sure it's not something else. If it is the BIOS I have three options..(A) get a new updated chip. (B) take the board to some one to flash/update it and (C) Buy/borrow another AM3 CPU of lower spec, flash the BIOS with the updated driver and replace CPU with the 955BE I have on hand.
Crazy eh?

Good thing I am patient and take this as a great learning experience.

Many thanks for your reply.
Cheers,
Jeff.

by rob miners

what you have access to in your area. It looks like you would have to travel a long way to a City. (B) and (C) would be the way to go if you can find someone to help out. Good luck in your adventures.

Rob

by j_r_m

Thanks for your good wishes Jacky.

Yes, I'm a long way from most cities. Postal and courier service is good these days. Cheaper than driving etc.
Cheers,
Jeff.

by j_r_m

Hi all,

Good news, problem solved.

Stripped down motherboard to bare essentials, ran POST Diagnostic card. Re-assembled back into case.

I re-seated the CPU and BIOS chip....seams to have done the trick. At last the CMOS setup screen showed up.

All that's left to do now is finish downloading (on my laptop) Windows 7 RC 64-bit and burn an ISO disk. etc.

This machine will be 64-Bit only, running Windows 7 and Linux 64-bit.

Cheers and thanks to you all.

Jeff
Australia

PS. Any suggestions on best 64-bit Linux distro's???

by j_r_m

Thank you Jacky, I am just about to install Windows 7 RC once I burn the ISO disk.

Cheers, all the best,
Jeff.

by oh smeg

I've been using Ubuntu as a Live Distro recently and it seems to work with all Hardware that I have so far thrown at it. Well 64 Bit Hardware at least.

I've been running 64 Bit Mandriva on most systems and this seems to support more hardware than Debian if that is of any help. ;)

Col

by j_r_m

Seems your recommendation is very popular from the sites I've researched so far. General consensus I'd say.

Thanks Col, I'll give them a try.
Cheers,
Jeff.

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