Computer will not post???

[mondobyte]

Ok ... I had a computer that was running just fine ...

I decided to try out a new processor ...

I put it in ... it came up id's the processor as Athlon (unknown) and then hung on "Checking NVRAM"

So I put the old processor back in ... it posted ... and then the screen went blank. Nothing ... so I did the 3 finger salute and looked at the bios ... didn't change anything ...

3 finger salute and NO VIDEO, no beeps, NADA ...

so I pulled out the CMOS battery for a few minutes and put it back in (of course, with the PSU power cord and LAN connection removed) ...

Same ... no video no beeps

so I put the new processor back in ... same

and I put in an old XP1400 in it ... same ...

Anyone have any idea what is wrong ???

 

[stevty2889]

It might help a bit if you gave a bit more details on you system specs..at least the motherboard and the CPU's you tried..otherwise it's almost impossible to guess...are you sure the new cpu was compatible..did you properly install the heatsink and fan each time? Please tell me you didn't try with no heatsink and fan..

 

[Calin]

Instead of removing the battery, you'd better locate the Clear BIOS jumper. Disconnect the computer from power, set the jumper in clear position, leave 25 seconds, put jumper in normal position, start the computer
Haven't you managed to disconnect some power connectors in your tries? Did you had some thermal paste? If so, remove it from both the heat sink and the processor and put a drop of new thermal paste (as little as possible as to cover the microprocessor)

 

[mondobyte]

This motherboard does not have a clear cmos jumper. I checked the manual and also thoroughly inspected the motherboard. Apparently, the only way to reset the cmos is to pop the battery out.

I am an experienced computer tech. I used thermal paste and made sure the heatsink was on properly and all that stuff. No, I didn't chip the cores.

The original processor was an Athlon MP1900. The new processor is an Athlon-M 2500. The third processor that I tried is an Athlon XP1400.

Did I kill the motherboard somehow?

 

[stevty2889]

I'd love to help but until you post your system specs your not gonna get very help...it's a bit difficult to troubleshoot a hardware problem if you don't list your hardware!

Are you sure the motherboard even supported a 2500+?

 

[mondobyte]

I've got the same problem with the same set of processors on:

Shuttle AN35N 400 Ultra
Abatron KX18D Pro
Gigabyte GA-7ZXE

Have I killed off 3 motherboards or am I missing something?

Alternatively, do I have 3 dead processors.

A clue is that the motherboard seems to come alive, the fans spin, etc. but, apparently, little to no heat is generated by the CPU at all ...

Seems to indicate a PWM problem ... could it be bad capacitiors although I see no indication of swelling or leakage.

No obviously fried components on the mobo ...

Have tried multiple AGP and PCI video cards,

The memory is crucial PC3200 CL2.5 512mb ...

The psu is a 400W Antec

Is there anything special to hooking up a motherboard without a case???

Obviously, you need the control wiring (power on, reset, and such) but I several sets of those have that from numerous old computers that I have scrapped.

so any suggestions would be most welcome.

 

[aGreenAgent]

Do motherboards even use PWM? I can't think of anything off the top of my head that would use PWM.

But it does sound like a bad mobo, not a bad proc. Have you reset the CMOS, made sure the CMOS jumper is in the correct position, and turned on the computer with the mobo no attached to the case (leave everything connected but set the mobo on a wood table or something that won't conduct)?

That's assuming that those other mobos you tried had CMOS jumpers.

Also, did you make sure you PSU is set for 115V and not 215V?