3 years and suddenly "Unrecognized CPU BIOS upgrade needed" and then no boot. WTF?

[CZroe]

The system is a Q6600 G0 in an Asus P5N32-E SLI PLUS at stock speeds w/ a Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (overkill). It's been running great since Dec 2006/Jan 2007 and get used somewhat infrequently.

After not even booting it for over a week, I recently turned it on only to be greeted with a "Unrecognized CPU - BIOS Update needed to unlock full power" prompt from the POST screen. I entered the CMOS Setup and confirmed that it was still identified as a Q6600 at 2.4GHz (not overclocked) and then existed, stupidly saving settings even though I didn't change anything ("stupid" I say because I hadn't so much as killed the power yet since the CPU misidentification). After that all I get is spinning fans and a black screen without even a flicker of video. I unplugged the PSU, popped the RTC battery, shorted the CMOS/RTC_Clear jumper, and held the power button to squeeze out any latent juice and then set it all back up and got the same thing.

This was moments before I had to run to work, so I haven't been able to return to it for more troubleshooting, but I thought I'd ask in case anyone has encountered anything similar (spontaneously "unrecognizing" a CPU). I don't have any HSF compound to try reseating the CPU when I get home, so I have to order some. What should I try in the mean time?

Other relevant hardware:
4GB Corsair XMS @ stock settings (nothing aggressive), a GTX280 (GPU) + 9800GT (PPU), and a PCP&C Turbo-Cool 1KW ($530 PSU).

 

[lopri]

I wouldn't reseat the CPU unless you see something wrong, visually.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Actually, I encountered this a few weeks ago (E6600 on an ASUS P5N-E SLI, at stock).

I recall I accidentally bumped my tower (not very hard, mind you) and then encountered a similar message when I booted my machine later on that day.

The first thing I tried was going into the BIOS, selecting the default setup, and saving. After rebooting, Windows loaded normally, and it's been working fine since. Hopefully that's all you need to do too.

 

[bruceb]

Start with a new CMOS battery, it may be on it's way out. Then as mentioned, go into the BIOS and reset the settings as you had them before the issue came up.
See if that fixes it.

 

[aigomorla]

Start with a new CMOS battery, it may be on it's way out. Then as mentioned, go into the BIOS and reset the settings as you had them before the issue came up.
See if that fixes it.

^ this..

sounds like it might be time to replace your cmos battery first.

 

[shabby]

Similar thing happened to me a while ago http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=283231&highlight=
After a bios update the mobo stopped booting, sent it for rma and they fixed it.

 

[Rifter]

Has happened to me, was the battery.

 

[CZroe]

I started a new shift at work and haven't had the time to look at it since (training). Thanks for the help guys, but I think some of you are barking up the wrong tree.

Actually, I encountered this a few weeks ago (E6600 on an ASUS P5N-E SLI, at stock).

I recall I accidentally bumped my tower (not very hard, mind you) and then encountered a similar message when I booted my machine later on that day.

The first thing I tried was going into the BIOS, selecting the default setup, and saving. After rebooting, Windows loaded normally, and it's been working fine since. Hopefully that's all you need to do too.

Actually, like I said in the OP, that's exactly what I DID do and it won't even post after that. I push power and the fans turn on with no video. Now that I think about it, IIRC, the GTX280 didn't even spin up (the fan noise seemed "normal" and not "racing"). The last time I noticed that I had to reseat the SupremeFX audio riser, which I only discovered after trying EVERYTHING else, so I will try that next.

Start with a new CMOS battery, it may be on it's way out. Then as mentioned, go into the BIOS and reset the settings as you had them before the issue came up.
See if that fixes it.

I have never had a CMOS battery fail in less than 6 years without being shorted. Even then, a system will work even WITHOUT a CMOS battery... it will just nag about the checksum error (the CMOS is all 0's), load defaults and have the wrong date/time. If you recall, you once had to input the system date and time every time you booted back in the early IBM PC days (DOS).

Similar thing happened to me a while ago
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=283231&highlight=
After a bios update the mobo stopped booting, sent it for rma and they fixed it.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the 3-year warranty expired earlier this month.

Has happened to me, was the battery.

I doubt it. The system will not even POST... just fans and a blank screen. Systems run fine even without batteries so, after resetting the CMOS, it would not cause it to fail before even POSTing even if it were corrupt settings.

 

[CZroe]

OK, the GTX 280 definitely wasn't spinning up... exactly what it was doing when I was getting no video over a month ago until I reseated the SupremeFX riser card. But that COULD have been a coincidence.

Back then, I reseated/removed/disconnected everything else but the CPU... it was the very LAST thing, so when it fired up I figured that I had found the culprit. I'd be very surprised if I hadn't and this is the same problem but I still think it should be mentioned. Anyway, I have it entirely removed this time and still get no video/post. The GTX 280 doesn't spin up but the 9800GT EE does so I removed the GTX 280 and moved the 9800GT to its slot during all subsequent tests/troubleshooting. If the motherboard is hosed due to something as simple as a battery I'd be astounded (doesn't make sense) so, unless anyone can reliably tell me why I should suspect the battery, I'm considering it a waste of time to investigate further (system should bot without the battery and, indeed, I do a lot of my troubleshooting with it completely removed).

I yanked everything... even the mouse and keyboard, reseated the CPU so I could take a look at the socket/connectors (looked fine), etc. No-go.

Edit: It looks like the board is still under warranty. YAY! Now I just need some stuff to narrow it down to the board.