A8N-E, venice core, no post no beeps, nothing

[yipton]

All,

Am using:
A8N-E, replaced NB fan with Zalman ZM-NB47J passive cooler
Venice 3500+ with Artic Cooler freezer
380W Antec TruePower PSU (in Antec's Sonata Piano case)
Corsair 2x512MB XMS3200C2PT TwinX
XFX GeForce PCX6600 PCI-Express 16x

When assemmbled it didn't work; no POST, no beeps. The mobo's green LED is on, fans are running and all connected devices are powered.

Things I tried:
*) Removed everything apart from CPU, graphics & memory. Tried 1 memory stick in all 4 slots. Even used old 512MB stick in all 4 slots; no POST, no beeps
*) Removed everything apart from CPU + graphics; no POST, no beeps.
*) Removed everything apart from CPU + memory; no beeps.
*) Connected the speaker connector from my old PC; same result.
*) Connected to external speaker on audio-out socket; same result
*) Connected old CPU & NB fan along side their replacements (just in case MOBO did some clever sensoring); same result
*) <edit> I also tried clearing the CMOS memory by removing the battery, wait, restart, wait, switch off, restore battery etc. Same result </edit>

Note that the PSU has a 20-pin connector; the mobo 24. I bought a 20-24 adaptor but that didn't change anything.

The very first time I powered it on (when everything was connected including, hd, cd-rom an floppy), the fans started for a second or two and then stopped (no beeps though). I then removed hd, cdrom, floppy and tried again. From that momement onwards the fans were always running.

The above suggests I need to replace any of CPU, PSU and MOBO to see what's causing the problem. Does anyone know what the significance is of not getting beeps? Does that mean a duff CPU? Any suggestions on what to try first?

Any comments or suggestions greatly appreciated.

cheers,
Pete

ps I am aware that only BIOS version 1003 "supports" the venice cores, but have seen postings from people who managed to POST them (incl San Diego cores) on pre-1003 BIOSes. They got BIOS CRC-check errors and stuff, but could at least boot to upgrade to 1003.

 

[o1die]

Have you tried a minimal install out of the case, with just one stick of memory, the cpu/heatsink, and video card? Don't forget the power switch lead. I use the box the mobo came in, but any non-conductive surface will work.

 

[yipton]

I did try an out of the case but just with CPU & speaker connected. No memory or graphics. I wanted to hear *any* beep, but it was the same old same old :-(

 

[yipton]

Ok, decided to try swapping the PSU first, so bought a Tagan TG-420W this morning; http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=7939&GroupID=635
Problem is still there, tried with and without graphics card; with and without memory. No post, no beeps. :-( Zero, nichts, nada, zilch, rien, pas du tout. In other words, absolutely nothing.

There is one thing I don't understand though. The Tagan comes with a combined 20+4 PIN (E)-ATX connector and two 4-pin 12V connectors (+P4 and P4). The latter are labelled for P4 mobos only!? When I only attach the combined 24-PIN EATX connector on my mobo the CPU fan runs quite fast and is audible. But when I attach the +P4 on the mb's seperate 4-pin 12V connector, the fan runs much slower, hardly audible. In fact it's roughly the same speed when I try with the original Antec PSU (has seperate 20 PIN ATX and 4-pin 12V cable).

Using the Tagan, should I only connect the 20+4 combined EATX cable?

Ever so confused,
Pete

 

[Gerbil333]

I think it's either an incompatible BIOS, or you damaged the northbridge when installing the NB47J. Have you checked to make sure that's not the case?

 

[Zap]

BIOS may be an issue, unfortunately you'd have to get an older core CPU to test that one out.

You should ALWAYS test parts before modding them and ALWAYS test motherboards with minimum components (CPU, HSF, RAM, video, power) before installing in a case and hooking everything else up.

 

[paadness]

You noobs.....

YOUR MOBO is dead thanks to ur careless handling.

Static shock, i've lost 2 motherboards within the last 6 months just coz of static electricity.

You may not have felt any shock but its toast.

And since ur not getting any posts, its confirmed. RMA time, im sure its dead, no other solution but to RMA.