8RDA+ not POSTing

[MrEgo]

For those of you familiar with some of the epox boards, you know about the cool 7 segment LED that gives you the number for a particular error. I'm really glad I have that.. because my machine doesn't POST and the LED is saying "FF", and in the manual it says that these could be the following problems:

1. BIOS Chip inserted correctly (reinsert the BIOS chip)
2. Incorrect BIOS update version (Download and install the correct BIOS update)
3. Mainboard problem (Replace Mainboard)
4. Add-On Card Inserted Incorrectly (Insert card correctly)

Well, I didn't touch the BIOS chip, so I doubt that's it..
I haven't messed with the BIOS update, and the board is brand new, so I doubt that's it..
Mainboard problem? Ha well yeah that's it, does this mean I need to return it?
It's not an add-on card problem because the only add-on I have is a 9700pro that I double checked 10 times at least.

I actually got it to post 1 time, but it froze right when something came on the screen that said "CMOS error" or something like that. Anyone ever seen this? What does that mean? I'm thinking its a definite RMA. Please help!

 

[BigJ]

Clear ur CMOS and try again. Also, try booting up outside of the case, could be a grounding issue.

 

[MrEgo]

Tried clearing CMOS, and as a matter of fact I did also try outside the case.. mostly because I got lazy putting motherboards in and out of my case every 30 minutes to test different parts and trying again on the 8rda. I have a 430W power supply so thats not a problem either.

 

[MichaelD]

The board also displays "FF" when it's up and running and everything is fine!

Remove and reseat the video card a few times and make sure the ATX connector is fully on there and clipped in.

Are you getting any beep codes?

 

[mechBgon]

Also, the board is known not to like low-rpm or variable-rpm fans being plugged into its headers, and its USB3 header is different from other boards I've worked with (leave pin 10 unoccupied if you're plugging in case wiring). Any chance your heatsink is reversed and thermal protection is preventing the POST?

You didn't say what CPU, but if it happens to be a 100MHz-based one such as a Duron, remember the FSB-select jumper by the northbridge.

 

[cowdog]

I've been reading just about everything I can find on the 8RDA+ (getting ready to setup a system), and I recall seeing your same problem a couple of other times. You don't happen to have a WD drive do you? I recall reading something about problems with some WD drives, maybe on the nforcehq.com website forum (not sure I have that URL right). I'm still digging around, and if I come across something along those lines again, I'll post a link or something. Good luck.

 

[cowdog]

OK, I would probably ignore my last post. There is something with WD drives (whatever it is, I sure don't recall the specifics -- read way too much on this board lately), but here is what was recommended for someone with the same problem:

1) Check CMOS clear jumper JP1 (JBAT1 on some systems). Set for CLEAR for 5 seconds, then move back.
2) Check CPU host clock jumpers (if any) are properly set. Note: does not control memory bus.
3) Check your power supply. Should be 110/115v for North America.
4) Unplug all data cables for IDE and FDD from the motherboard.
5) Unplug all power supply cables attaching to your IDE and FDD drives.
6) Move memory into a different bank, if available.
7) Ensure your CPU heatsink/FAN is attached properly to the CPU.
8) If you use a variable RPM fan ensure its set for full speed.
9) Retest.

10) If 1-9 do not help power off and test the motherboard outside the computer case to eliminate a case/motherboard power short.

Good luck. I'm keen to find out how folks resolve issues with the 8RDA+, because I'm sure to run into probs being the noob that I am.
I like to be prepared as much as possible. Usually helps for my backcountry skiing life.

 

[SportSC4]

I have an 8k3a+ and I was in a similar situation.

I plugged in my case fan, video card fan, cpu fan. They cpu and case fan were non-rpm enabled fans (at the time). Nothing would boot. I was VERY frusterated. Well, I decided to plug in an older cpu fan and case fan with rpm monitoring and installed them on the motherboard. Guess what? Everything started working an is still working. I've never heard of anything like that on a mobo before... but its working flawlessly now

 

[zodder]

I can't neccesarily help with this problem, but if you haven't already, check out AMD Motherboard forums. The Epox forum is represented by Epox technicians and there are a lot of posts about boot problems in there that may help. Good luck.

 

[Dug]

Can you get into the bios?

Try using just a boot disk in a 3 1/2" drive with no hd, cdrom, etc.