Asus A7n8x Deluxe Won't Post - system failed cpu test

[cchen]

So I just got the board from Newegg and it won't post. I'm using components from my computer that worked this morning.

The board won't post and I don't hear any beeps. I noticed that the Power Led doesn't come on. I plugged in the hard drive, and the hard drive doesn't power on as well when plugged in, but powers on when not plugged into the board. The HD Led also doesn't come on.

When listening to the voice post, it says "system failed cpu test." i am certain that my cpu works fine though, as it did this morning

Is this board dead??

My hardware setup: Cpu is Xp2400+. Ram: 512mb pc2100 infineon, 512mb pc2100 stick of mushkin. PSU: 500W Achieve (25A on the 12V line)

 

[cchen]

help pleaseeeeee

 

[Markfw]

sounds like memory or cpu or motherboard is bad, or not installed correctly. Check all compoments in other systems, and reseat memory, and remount CPU.

 

[remagavon]

Clear cmos, remove the jumper, unplug the power, take out the battery, wait five minutes, hook it all back up, power on. Also is there a power light on the board? If so does that light up. If there is a light on the board and it does not light up when you connect the psu (without even turning on the PC), then your board is probably dead. Good luck.

 

[mindless1]

I don't know if the following is the problem or not, but:

Achieve 500W is not worth 500W, it should (might be) illegal to label it as such. It is inferior to any good name-brand 300W PSU and further it's irrelevant what it "claims" to provide on 12V rail because the majority of power on an A7N8X box (which doesn't use 12V for CPU power) is coming from the 5V rail.

Replace the power supply. Even if it isn't the current problem, it will be a problem... better to replace it now rather than waiting till it kills some components, if it hasn't already.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: remagavon
Clear cmos, remove the jumper, unplug the power, take out the battery, wait five minutes, hook it all back up, power on. Also is there a power light on the board? If so does that light up. If there is a light on the board and it does not light up when you connect the psu (without even turning on the PC), then your board is probably dead. Good luck.

Yep. I've cleared the CMOS multiple, using instructions from ASUS and still no luck. The board light is coming on

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: mindless1
I don't know if the following is the problem or not, but:

Achieve 500W is not worth 500W, it should (might be) illegal to label it as such. It is inferior to any good name-brand 300W PSU and further it's irrelevant what it "claims" to provide on 12V rail because the majority of power on an A7N8X box (which doesn't use 12V for CPU power) is coming from the 5V rail.

Replace the power supply. Even if it isn't the current problem, it will be a problem... better to replace it now rather than waiting till it kills some components, if it hasn't already.

I suspected that this was the problem, but with nothing plugged in but the board and case fans, the computer should at least POST.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: cchen
I suspected that this was the problem, but with nothing plugged in but the board and case fans, the computer should at least POST.

NOTHING plugged in? You MUST have CPU, video card, and memory installed for it to POST, and those 3 are the biggest drain on 3V/5V rail in addition to board itself. It'll make little difference if drives are connected to PSU if/when PSU is inadequate on 5V rail.


Again, I am not certain that the power supply is the problem but if I had the system in front of me, swapping the power is the first thing I'd try. If you have a multimeter you might take voltage readings at the ATX board connector while system is in the on-but-not-posting state.

Also other things to lighten PSU load would be using only one memory module, installing a slower CPU, or least demanding video card possible. ALso, if you have the USB or keyboard power-by-5VSB set to "on" by the jumpers, set to "5V" instead, as a PSU with inadequate 5VSB rail will also have problems POSTING if it can't support current of devices using that 5VSB.

Also check that no case standoffs are shorting back of board. Most common misplaced standoff is on the left side of the first or second PCI slot... some boards have a standoff hole there (all mATX do) but others like A7N8X can't use that standoff, no hole for it. Also disconnect any other front case bezel connectors and all fans but CPU heatsink, mouse, keyboard, etc, just in case some new damage or shorted cord, etc, has happened during the rebuild process.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: mindless1

Originally posted by: cchen
I suspected that this was the problem, but with nothing plugged in but the board and case fans, the computer should at least POST.

NOTHING plugged in? You MUST have CPU, video card, and memory installed for it to POST, and those 3 are the biggest drain on 3V/5V rail in addition to board itself. It'll make little difference if drives are connected to PSU if/when PSU is inadequate on 5V rail.


Again, I am not certain that the power supply is the problem but if I had the system in front of me, swapping the power is the first thing I'd try. If you have a multimeter you might take voltage readings at the ATX board connector while system is in the on-but-not-posting state.

Also other things to lighten PSU load would be using only one memory module, installing a slower CPU, or least demanding video card possible. ALso, if you have the USB or keyboard power-by-5VSB set to "on" by the jumpers, set to "5V" instead, as a PSU with inadequate 5VSB rail will also have problems POSTING if it can't support current of devices using that 5VSB.

Also check that no case standoffs are shorting back of board. Most common misplaced standoff is on the left side of the first or second PCI slot... some boards have a standoff hole there (all mATX do) but others like A7N8X can't use that standoff, no hole for it. Also disconnect any other front case bezel connectors and all fans but CPU heatsink, mouse, keyboard, etc, just in case some new damage or shorted cord, etc, has happened during the rebuild process.

Ok. I don't have another PSU to test the board with right now but I'll try and test it with a higher quality one. I'm pretty sure the PSU is adequate though, as it was working fine before on my previous system.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
sounds like memory or cpu or motherboard is bad, or not installed correctly. Check all compoments in other systems, and reseat memory, and remount CPU.

memory and cpu work fine in my old system and friend's system

 

[SilentAssassin]

do your fans atleast spin up when you try turning on the system?