ASUS A8N-SLI - System Failed Memory Test

[monkeydust]

I got everything for my system put together and I can't get it to POST. The sytem will beep and say "System Failed Memory Test". At this point, I'm thinking its a bad mobo because of everything I have tried. Maybe you guys can think of something I haven't. I am waiting for ASUS tech support to call me.

Things I have tried:
Tried booting after moving one DIMM through slots 1-4
Removed all unneccessary devices
Hooked up my old power supply
Tried a DIMM from my old computer
Reseated all the cables
Reset the CMOS

System specs:
AMD 3200+ Winchester
Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe
2 x 512 OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev 2
2 x BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC PCI-Express
2 x 300gb Maxtor Maxline III SATA2 HD
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive
Lian-Li v1200 w/OCZ Powerstream 600w PSU
Dell 2001FP 20.1" LCD

 

[FastEddie]

You tried clearing the cmos with the power supply unplugged from the wall outlet, and with removing the battery? If not, try that----then you absolutely know the cmos was cleared.

 

[monkeydust]

The machine was uplugged, removed the CMOS battery and moved the clear jumper over for 10 seconds as instructed in the manual.

ASUS tech support hasn't called me back. I can't imagine there something I can do to fix this since I think I covered all the bases in troubleshooting this thing.

 

[FastEddie]

You're right. Is the memory new as well? Or known to be working? Did you have your processor fully seated, (the memory controller is on the processor, so if it's bad or can't be read, the modules won't post). Just trying to help you figure out what needs to be rma'd.

 

[monkeydust]

Yes, the memory is new but I also tried memory from the machine that I am using right now and had the same results. Now, I didn't remove my CPU and replace it to see if something was odd about that. I'll give that a shot since I can't think of anything else.

 

[monkeydust]

Yanked the CPU and tried powering up and it warned me there was no CPU. Put the CPU & HSF back in and then it was back to the memory error.

 

[FastEddie]

That's a hard one. The memory controller on the cpu could be toast, but it won't report a cpu error---will report a memory error. If the cpu is new as well, I'd rma the board.

 

[monkeydust]

Yeah, I can't think of any way to determine that with what I have here. I wonder how long until ASUS calls me back? They'll probably call when I am at work tomorrow so I can call when I get home and get told they'll call me back.

I've been waiting weeks for my videocards to arrive and when they do I have issues with the other components. Figures...

Thanks for trying to help.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Have you tried each ram stick seperately in slot3 (second blue on), you may have one bad stick? Just a thought.

 

[monkeydust]

I tried a new DIMM and a DIMM from my current system in each of the 4 slots (for a total of 8 different config tries).

 

[monkeydust]

I give up. I'm RMA'ing it to the store I bought it from. I tried calling ASUS support twice but they never call me back. It will probably be 10 days or so until I get to try getting the system to run again. So much for the return policy window for the rest of my components.

 

[monkeydust]

I received my RMA'd mobo and I still can't get it to POST. I get nothing. Everything powers on normally but I don't get any beeps and I never get any video signal. Shouldn't I at least get one beep when the system boots up if everything is OK?

If I take the CPU out, it warns me that the CPU is missing. I know the RAM in there is good and is in the right slots. I have the main power, EZ power, and ATX power going into the board.

Is the CPU bad or am I missing something here?

 

[FastEddie]

Go slow. Try one stick of ram in B1. Use one video card. Move the sli selector to single mode. Clear the cmos the way I described above, with it unplugged from the ac outlet.

 

[monkeydust]

Already tried all that. Spent an hour trying different things.

Odd thing is when I don't have any memory in at all, I don't get the "System Failed Memory Test" message indicating there's no memory in there (I don't get that message anymore under any circumstance).

Right now I have the EZ Selector to single and one video card in.

I just don't get any beeps to give me any indication of what might be wrong. I think they only thing that could be wrong is the CPU. If I pull out the videocard, I should at least get a beep indicating the system POST'ed, shouldn't I?

I have tried both cards in a single configuration as well.

 

[FastEddie]

Unplug the cpu fan from the board header and see if you get a warning message. If you don't, it could be that the post reporter is turned off in the bios.

 

[monkeydust]

Yeah, I tried that too. I don't get any sort of warning.

But, I do get a No CPU warning when I remove the CPU.

 

[FastEddie]

Do you have the 12v AUX conector plugged in right for the cpu?

Do you by chance have another power supply there to test with. This is one of the ones we've had a little trouble with when trying to get two 6800GT's running.

 

[monkeydust]

>> Do you have the 12v AUX conector plugged in right for the cpu?
Do you mean the square 4-prong 12v ATX connector? If so, yes. I know with my pre-rma'd mobo I'd get no beeps if that was unplugged. If thats not what you are talking about, then probably not.

I tried with my Antec PSU and had the same results.

 

[FastEddie]

Got an old pci video card? Try that if you have one, just to see if it'll post. If it won't, then I'd be sending the cpu back.

 

[FastEddie]

You could also try setting that board up outside the case, to see if it'll fire up. If it does, then you've got a short somewhere inside the case.

 

[monkeydust]

Plugged in my Voodoo 2 and removed my pcie card. Same results.

Removed my mobo from the case. Same results.

 

[FastEddie]

Rma the processor this time. Better luck with the new one.

 

[Insomniak]

Got another S939 CPU sitting around anywhere?

 

[monkeydust]

Nah, I wish I did have another around. I was thinking of taking it to some store to see if they could test it out for me.

Thanks for your help though.

 

[imported_slippy]

Did you make sure you pushed your memory all the way in where they "clicked" on both sides?

If not that, I am betting at some point in your build you didn't ground yourself well and sent your cpu a little static electricity. Or maybe it has a bad memory controller. Good luck regardless.