ASUS P5K Premium wont POST - RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS HERE!!!

[AuDioFreaK39]

I'm asking for any advice here that may still help me from becoming suicidal here (sarcasm intended

I just bought a completely new $2k system last week, finally assembled everything last night, but after assembly it won't POST (can't get into BIOS, no video signal) with the Q6600. I have a Pentium 4 550 3.4GHz that I tried using, and I could get the motherboard it to post only a few times with it, but only after fiddling with the PSU like a mother - I would have to refresh the PSU by flipping the switch several times while hoping that my monitor light would switch from Standby (yellow) to green.

(the same problem occurs on my ASUS P5LD2, which I used this P4 on)



Specs:

ASUS P5K Premium/WiFi-AP
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - G0 Stepping
Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W Continuous @ 40°C
Patriot eXtreme Performance 4GB (2GB X 2) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB
Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATAII 16MB Cache


The problem:

• When using the Q6600 (G0 Stepping), everything powers on but no POST or system beeps whatsoever

• When using a Pentium 4, the system will POST only after refreshing the power (flipping the switch, etc) several times

What I have already done/checked:

• -I updated the BIOS to the latest version (0204) using the Pentium 4 CPU, because on the ASUS website it said that the Q6600 (B3 and G0) wasn't supported until this version
  
  -All fans start up correctly and everything gets power
  -Checked application of thermal paste on CPU - normal
  -Q6600 runs at an adequate low temperature / no damage whatsoever, but can't POST with it
  -Pentium 4 runs at an adequate low temperature / but I CAN POST (see above: refreshing power)
  -Both 6-pin power connectors are connected to the 8800GTX
  -Both ATX12V (2x2) and ATX (2x12) are connected to motherboard
  -Motherboard is not being shorted anywhere
  -Power to system from AC outlet is adequate and fine - tested in three different rooms
  -Power cable is fine
  -Monitor is fine
  -Monitor cable is fine
  -8800GTX is fine (because it works when using the P4)
  -Power supply is fine (works with the P4)
  -New BIOS version 0204 is fine and in working condition (with P4)
  -Tested with a GeForce 6800 and a GeForce 8800GTS - same problem
  -Memory is fine (works with the P4)
  -Tried only one memory module - same problem
  -Tried no memory modules - beep code is normal for no memory
  -Removed everything except CPU, CPU cooler, power switch, power LED - same problem
  -Reset CMOS, both by shorting the jumper and removing the battery for a few minutes - same problem
  -Tried resetting CMOS and then starting the computer without battery - same problem

Now before anyone tells me to RMA my motherboard, I want you all to read this similar issue that I found on another forum:

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=78475

Apparently the guy couldn't POST his P5K until he cleared the CMOS each time. And when he would change a setting it wouldn't POST back up. He tried three different boards (his first one, an RMA, and a third from another retailer) and still had the problem.

Asus tech told me to exchange the first board that had this issue for a 2nd board. Same issue. Asus tech said it's still the board and I got a 3rd board from the retailer. Same problem. It's possible that Asus had a batch of bad chips and all three boards had them, but that seems unlikely...

Yes, board #1 no work, new battery no work
board #2 no work, new battery no work
board #3 no work, new battery no work.

I'm thinking it's not the battery. So far I've had 6 different batteries including 3 different brands.

....Mem test passes fine.

...The ASUS tech asked me to switch drives and see if I could make a BIOS change. Switched drives, no fix. At this point it's either the Seasonic PSU or the video card and nobody thinks it's the video card.

While it may not be quite the same issue, it does raise concerns. I am doubting whether or not I have a bad motherboard. However, my only choices for this problem would be the CPU (if that's even possible), the BIOS, or the motherboard.



ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Thanks in advance

 

[Slugbait]

-Power supply is fine (works with the P4)

No, it apparently doesn't...

When using a Pentium 4, the system will POST only after refreshing the power (flipping the switch, etc) several times

...and...

I could get the motherboard it to post only a few times with it, but only after fiddling with the PSU like a mother

...and finally...

(the same problem occurs on my ASUS P5LD2, which I used this P4 on)

It's none of your suspects. As hard as it is to believe for a PCP&C, I believe you have a bum PSU.

Unless...you say your mobo isn't being shorted anywhere. Hmmm. I know that my Armor will short my mobo if I don't follow the last page of the downloaded user manual. What case are you using, and does it swing both ways? (i.e. ATX/BTX...get yer mind out of the gutter)

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

hmm interesting. well perhaps I can try my Ultra X2 550W from my other PC and see if I get anything. BTW I'm using a NZXT LEXA Blackline Series case:

NZXT LEXA Blackline


edit: but the thing is, the Ultra X2 550W had the EXACT same problem, where I would have to mess with the power switch to get my ASUS P5LD2 (different mobo) to POST. So I have doubts that it's this new PSU.

 

[Slugbait]

the Ultra X2 550W had the EXACT same problem

This would have been useful info. Now I suspect your RAM. [edit]Rip out one stick...if you're using a 32-bit OS, one gig of those sticks is useless anyway.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

but the thing is, i was using different RAM on the X2 550W (ddr2 533MHz) along with my P5LD2 and it was having the same power problem. Perhaps its the way ASUS designs their boards? That's all I can really think of.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: AuDioFreaK39
but the thing is, i was using different RAM on the X2 550W (ddr2 533MHz) along with my P5LD2 and it was having the same power problem.

heavy sigh Thanks for the info.

Perhaps its the way ASUS designs their boards? That's all I can really think of.

Doubtful. My first Asus was a T2P4, followed by two P2B-LS boards. My MCE machine is running a P4S533-MX, my secondary machine is running a P4P800-E Deluxe, the wife's running a P4B533, and my sister's machine is running a A7V-266...I only have a Bad Axe II in my main machine cuz I got it free, otherwise I would have gone with Asus again.

If you are having the same issue with a different board, different PSU, and different RAM, your power problem probably starts at the plug: you aren't getting juice. Get a UPS.

Unless these problems all occur with the same case (is this more missing info?) for which I might consider you don't have the case cables hooked up to the mobo correctly.

 

[Cutthroat]

Considering you are basically having the same problem with two mostly different systems you need to isolate what is the same and eliminate it. Slugbait is on the right track, I'm thinking your power or case too, a UPS might be a good investment. You should take the motherboard out of the case, put it on cardboard and hook everything up and see what happens. Also I am quite fond of Asus boards as well, I've owned quite a few, I have had a couple of DOA boards, but when I got a working one they were always good. My P5K Deluxe has been great from day 1 and I'd say is the best mobo I ever owned.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

Unless these problems all occur with the same case (is this more missing info?) for which I might consider you don't have the case cables hooked up to the mobo correctly.

That's what my first thought was. However, I tried running the P5LD2 / Ultra X2 550W system out of the case and had the same exact problem. You could be right about my UPS not giving my PSUs enough juice (as it's a measly 350VA UPS I believe). I will go test out the new system in the new room which has all new AC plugs and is thoroughly grounded. Wish me luck!

 

[Slugbait]

Luck...

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

Power's working fine...



I'm seriously running out of ideas now

Grez from Xoxide Forums:

Even though your PSU is supplying power to other devices, it's possible that you have a bad wire or pin on one of the main leads (20+4 pin or 8-pin) to the mobo. That could cause inconsistent boot-up and resets. It's definitely worth checking out, in any case.

Also, do you have any friends with a functioning system that can test your CPU? It would be good to eliminate that as a culprit as well. Although it's doubtful that it's part of the problem since the P4 will post but eventually has a similar issue.

Have you tested an older stick of RAM that you know is good in the system? It's possible that you got two bad sticks or some finicky RAM (or a finicky mobo). Doubtful, but possible. Of course, I'm assuming that whatever the real answer is in your case, it would have been a "doubtful" situation. This is pretty weird.

I'm positive it isn't the PSU, because it works with the Pentium 4 (but I still have to flip the switch several times). However, I have always had to do this on my other system as well (same Pentium 4 / ASUS P5LD2 / Ultra X2 550W). Ever since I got it I would have to flip the power switch several times just to get the computer to POST. I have TWO Ultra X2 550w's, and one PC Power and Cooling 610W and all three are doing the same exact thing on two separate motherboards? Surely it can't be the power supplies.

 

[Slugbait]

Instead of taking it to the new room, take it out of the house...go to a friend's place and plug in. Otherwise, I'm stumped.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

GAHH!! FOUND THE PROBLEM!!

THE LGA 775 SOCKET HAD 2 BENT PINS!!

thank you ASUS for sending me a defective motherboard, i did NOT put those there.

I will be returning this to Newegg and purchasing a working one tonight



Anyways here's what the problem looked like:


Socket - Angled View

Socket - Top View

and as you can see here, my Q6600 is fine:

Q6600 - Back (one on the left)

Q6600 - Front

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

sigh...returned the motherboard to Newegg for a replacement and got a new P5K Premium (version 2.00G - July 2007) and I'm still having the same problem. My choices are now between the CPU and the RAM as culprits. I just recently purchased an ABIT IP35 Pro for my other build, so I'll be testing the Q6600 and DDR2 800 with it. Wish me luck.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

Well, I FINALLY found the problem. I tested the Patriot eXtreme DDR2 800 in my ABIT IP35 Pro and only one of the modules worked (but it worked). Therefore the memory was incompatible with the P5k Premium AND one of the modules was broken.

So here is my final question to sum up this dreadfully long thread.

WHAT 4GB MEMORY MODULES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH AN ASUS P5K PREMIUM?




Thanks in advance.

 

[betasub]

Ain't hardware troubleshotting a bee-atch :frown:

 

[AbRASiON]

Audiofreak:

I know for a fact that the OCZ 2gb x2 kit at newegg works, it was about 200$ AR about a week ago - it's called the "VISTA UPGRADE" kit or something (lame name)

but I do know it works.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

*FINAL UPDATE*

I tested the working Patriot eXtreme DDR2 800 module in the P5K Premium and it works fine. I'm expecting new memory modules in the mail tomorrow from Newegg. For now, however, I'm using just one. This computer is absolutely BLAZING FAST!

I have Vista Ultimate 64-bit on here WITH RivaTuner working (yes I have all my windows updates installed too) and so far my 3dMark06 score is 10,770 with no OC's.