Athlon Slot A mobo problem, can you help?

[sbp123]

Hi all,

Well, I'll try to explain the problem in few words...

I had an Athlon Classic/Asus K7M configuration, but it 'died' few months ago. I didn't pay much attention to it back then (cause I have other computers at home), but now I decided to sell the thing...

I was suspecting Asus mobo all along, cause it was 'dodgy' since I got it (had some problems with it). So, I bought (over eBay) MSI K7 Pro motherboard, which should be working (Well, the box was sealed and everything, so I suspect it was some leftover from some shop or something..).

The problem which occured now is:

After I have assembled everything, when I plugged it in and turned the machine on, after 1 second it simply did 'power off'. (No power commin outta PSU, everything 'dead', like I disconnected power cable from the wall).

I tried the same, turning it on, but it would 'power off' every time after 1 second.

After that, I removed the CPU and turned it on, and everything was normal (No 'power off' sympthome).

After that, I removed EVERYTHING XCEPT CPU, and 'power off' happened again.

I don't know what could be wrong. If anyone has any ideas/expereince in this, please help....

Here are some thing which may help:

1) My 'Cooling' is custom, there're no 3pin mobo connectors for fans, all fans are connected directly to 4pin PSU cables. I was thinking maybe mobo is registering there's no 'CPU Fan' connected so its doing the 'power off' - I am not sure if somehting like that existed in 99 when the mobo was produced

2) MSI is equipped with 'd-bracked' (A 4 led diagnostic 'tool' located on mobo) which tells you where the mobo 'hangs' before BIOS initialization is complete (CPU, memory, VIdCard, Batter blah blah) if you have problems.
Now, in that split second before 'Power off' happens, the 'd-bracket' passed the first step (Which should be initial initialization and CPU detection). When I removed the CPU and left everythign else connected, 'd-bracket' was (ofcoz) showing it cannot go thru the 1st step cause there's no CPU.

I dont know anybody who would have Athlon slot A and/or Slot A mobo, so I cant test the cpu OR mobo. The only exit out of this is either some insight what might be wrong, or again buying things...

The configuration is:

Case (NoName) with 300W PSU (Worked perfectly with the same CPU/Asus K7M mobo)
MSI K7PRO mobo
Athlon Classic 500Mhz
Fans which are connected to PSU via 4Pin connectors
256 SDRAM PC100
Other pieces (Voodoo 3 3000, Quantum 10,2 Fireball LE, Floppy etc)

Ok, thanks to anyone who can help out...Over and out

sbp123

 

[Buz2b]

Let me see if I understand everything. You said the previous system "died". You suspected the MB. You bought a new MB and installed the CPU from the "dead" system on it. Now, the new system with the cpu from the dead system won't boot. You've taken out the cpu and it seems to go through some of the intial boot processes (to a point). If you put in ONLY the cpu the "powering off" happens again.
Conclusion: Dead CPU most likely. Either that or the HSF is not on well enough and the system shuts down due to extreme temps. You did a pretty good job of narrowing it down but I think it is time to face the facts that you found. Sorry! That would be my best guess.

 

[sbp123]

I was banging my head against this one, cause I didnt actually hear so far that the mobo can shut down if the CPU is dead. The Asus mobo (old one, which I suspected to be 'dead'), wont do the 'power off' thing - it gives all the sympthoms of a dead mobo (Everything is 'spinning', so there's power, nothing is happening (No boot, no beeping from the speaker))...

I was thinking about the 'extreme temperature shutdown' - didn't try any new solutions yet, but first thing I'll try is to actually connect some of my spare Fans to 'CPU Fan' connector on MSI Mobo - I think the mobo cannot do the thermal readings, but it can detect if fan is or isnt connected, so maybe, because there's no CPU fan connected on CPU Fan connector, it shuts down. I am not sure if such 'technology' was actually included on older boards...

Another thing which I must also try out is PSU - maybe the PSU is faulty.

We gonna see...(It kinda sux when you have older parts, and you cannot actually test whats wrong by borrowing some of yer friends and testing it out)

 

[Buz2b]

I downloaded the manual for that board and there is no mention of a fan "sensor" that would keep the board from booting. Also, on the LED diagnostics, there is mention that if the board "hangs" (will not go past) the first stage, that it is because of a damaged or improperly installed CPU or lithium battery (which I am assuming means the CMOS battery). If you want to see if it is the PS, then unplug and remove all PCI cards and unplug all cables to any CD or HDD's. Only hook up the CPU w/HSF, one stick of RAM, video card and the floppy drive (with a boot disk). With minimal components it should boot if all is well as there will be minimal strain on the PS. You could also switch out the CMOS battery. Get one at a local store.

 

[sbp123]

As I wrote, the 'd-bracket' (LED diagnostic tool) actually goes green on the first step, then (I suppose) should go to 2nd step and powers down....

The PSU - If only MOBO and CPU are connected (No memeory, vid card, floppy etc) the same thing happens (power off) - I will try with my p4 PSU...

 

[Buz2b]

(LED diagnostic tool) actually goes green on the first step, then (I suppose) should go to 2nd step

if the board "hangs" (will not go past) the first stage, that it is because of a damaged or improperly installed CPU

BUT, good luck with the PS!