Dead Processor? AMD Phenom II X6

[EXCellR8]

I continue to struggle in getting one of my latest builds working, and this time I have a feeling that the CPU could be dead. It is a brand-new AMD 1090T six-core processor that I bought from Newegg last month. Problem is I switched from a seemingly broken MSI 790FX-GD70 to a brand new ASRock 890GX-Pro3, and alas it doesn't work either. When the system is turned on, the debug LED displays a series of fast numerical codes and then stops at "00" with no (onboard) video or other signs of life; does NOT POST. I have tried removing all but one memory module, removing graphics cards and clearing CMOS several times. I am using a 500w Corsair power supply.

This is a very similar issue I was having on the MSI board, where the debug LED would sit at "FF" and would not POST either. The only real difference is that this ASR board is equipped with UEFI BIOS but I haven't seen or have been able to actually use it at all. This is starting to lead me to the conclusion that the processor is dead, which has never happened to me before, but perhaps I need to get it replaced. Any thoughts?

 

[OCGuy]

Do you have any friends with a confirmed working Phenom II setup that will let you test your chip in?

 

[EXCellR8]

Unfortunately no, and I don't have any other Phenom II chips to try either...

I may just try to get an RMA

 

[sangyup81]

check the pins to make sure one isn't bent out of place

 

[EXCellR8]

Yes I've checked the pins under a magnifier and they're fine.

One thing I did notice about the new board is I get no beep codes when I attach a speaker. Could the new board just be DOA by coincidence? I could occasionally get the GD70 working and running fine with one stick of RAM so that doesn't really support the idea of a dead processor... or would it?

 

[Arachnotronic]

If you send me your CPU, I'd be happy to test it for you in my 2nd rig.

 

[ShadowVVL]

I had similar problem with a friends asus p8p67 pro he rma'd the mobo and the new one worked fine.Im not sure if its cpu or mobo in your case but are there any cpu/ram/disply lights on the motherboard?

 

[Arkaign]

Do you have any other memory to try? Also other PSUs, and if you don't have onboard video option, other PCI or PCIe video cards? It's best to really go through the gamut if you have the options.

 

[Arkaign]

Also of note, the early UEFI or whatever bioses, I have one on my P67 Pro, seem to be slow to initially fire up. I'll literally hit the power button and wait 3-4 seconds before the power LED lights up and POST really starts going. It's strange, hopefully future versions will get better. At present, I greatly prefer the old faithful and fast bios.

 

[dorion]

Grab a cheap Sempron, test the motherboard, and update the bios. Sell cheap Sempron on Ebay.

Maybe talk with a local computer repair shop about dropping in a pulled spare.

Also I looked up your MBs Error Codes and I think this is funny:

Status Code Description
0x00 Not used

 

[EXCellR8]

^I know the motherboard manual states that the code is not used but it's obviously there. I literally wanted to rip it in half, useless...

Bottom line is I'm out $600 or so on this little project so I've decided to return the new motherboard while I can and RMA the processor. My only problem is the 1090T is not listed on AMD's warranty site and when I enter the OPN it says it's invalid. Awesome!

 

[Markfw]

Newegg will rma. Also, chance of CPU dead is very small. Motherboards are crap on the other hand, Had 3 in a row bad a while back. (open box though)

 

[EXCellR8]

Yea I've actually never had a bad CPU, but I can't shell out any more cash on parts so I gotta try to get a replacement from AMD just to be sure it's not the processor. Newegg will not accept the RMA because it's been 30 days but it was working so that kinda sux.

I'm just curious as to why the X6's aren't listed on the site for warranty...

 

[Killrose]

Check the computer case motherboard mounting stand-offs and make sure they are in proper position for your motherboard, you could be shorting out the motherboard.

seen it happen before.

 

[EXCellR8]

Check the computer case motherboard mounting stand-offs and make sure they are in proper position for your motherboard, you could be shorting out the motherboard.

seen it happen before.

It's funny that you bring that up because I thought of this as well. While the standoffs are in the correct positions, I tried using different ones along with little cardboard washers yet the problem persists. I've seen similar things happen though, so I did check them and I even placed the entire setup on a different surface just in case.

 

[richierich1212]

Have you tried other memory sticks?

 

[Rvenger]

Wait... Didn't the MSI 790FX-GD70 have VRM issues? I think there is a thread out there on overclock.net about this board blowing VRMs with the hex cores. Could be possible that it killed the CPU in the process.

 

[Skiprudder]

To second what other folks have said, I think I'd put a call in to the mobo company and ask them what the code means. I've been fixing computers for 10 years and I've NEVER had a dead CPU in that time. I'm sure it's possible, but I think a mobo or ram issue is way more likely. If the code does indicate a bad cpu I'm sure AMD support will replace it for you.

 

[tweakboy]

Newegg will rma. Also, chance of CPU dead is very small. Motherboards are crap on the other hand, Had 3 in a row bad a while back. (open box though)

Youve had it rough Markfw900 D: bad luck or voodoo lol . BTW you look exactly like Randy Johnson that pitcher ....

 

[EXCellR8]

Sorry for the bump, but I have come to a conclusion!

Okay so I finally had a little time to try and sort this thing out; it's starting to look up now. I brought the 1090T to a local shop and it tested fine. I returned the ASRock board to Newegg because I figured it was just DOA by amazing coincidence and I didn't feel like dealing with it anymore (not to mention they don't give you a lot of troubleshooting time before you can't return items). I bought a X4 955 with OEM cooler off ebay for $90 as a last ditch effort to see if it made a difference on the GD70.

Tried the X4 with one stick of memory and the board worked when I cleared CMOS... big deal. Booted windows fine but then displayed "FF" code again like with the 1090T upon restart. Nearly confirmed the board dead BUT i shut the system completely down and cleared the CMOS again. Since the BIOS seemed quirky I used AMD Overdrive once Windows was back online and switched the memory from 667mhz to 800mhz. restarted the computer and got no FF code.

This seemed to be working fine now and I could shut down and turn the board back on and it would POST and boot without having to clear the CMOS. I added a stick of RAM, left the weird timings alone, and that worked too. It wouldn't work with all four 2GB sticks just yet but, now being able to save BIOS settings again, I set the command rate to 2T and plugged in the correct timings while upping voltage to spec. The two sticks worked again and now all four are running @1600mhz... something I could not achieve with the 1090T for whatever reason.

So, any thoughts as to what the problem may have been or how all of a sudden the board miraculously came back to life? This is by FAR the strangest case of hardware instability I've encountered but everything seems absolutely fine now. Glad I didn't toss the board!

 

[pcgeek11]

Also of note, the early UEFI or whatever bioses, I have one on my P67 Pro, seem to be slow to initially fire up. I'll literally hit the power button and wait 3-4 seconds before the power LED lights up and POST really starts going. It's strange, hopefully future versions will get better. At present, I greatly prefer the old faithful and fast bios.

I have a P8H67 with the UEFI BIOS and it zips through the post like lightening... Much faster than any legacy BIOS.

 

[Wanescotting]

Maybe the 12v connector is loose or misaligned?

 

[Rhoxed]

sorry i have to ask, do you have the latest bios? (sorry if i missed in previous posts)

 

[EXCellR8]

sorry i have to ask, do you have the latest bios? (sorry if i missed in previous posts)

yes the board is using the latest BIOS. the actual flashing went fine but i don't think the update really fixed anything with the 1090T. the board seems to like the 955 a LOT better. i see a lot of people using the six cores on this board, along with 1600mhz DDR3, but it just didn't work for me. i know the 890fx supports hex core no problem, but i think I'll be a lot better with the quad. i already sold the 1090 so i don't really have a choice. working great though!

 

[formulav8]

You still have a very good cpu either way.