DS3 Weirdness.....

[sjandrewbsme]

I just got in my new DS3 (version 3.3) today to replace my two dead P5N32-E boards.

Right out of the box, I gingerly install the CPU, RAM and GPU and hope for the best. Nothing - no POST codes and the fan doesn't spin up (it tries to, then stops and repeats over and over).

So I figure my defunct P5N board wrecked something so I start yanking components. I take out the GPU - nothing. I start flip flopping the RAM into various slots - nothing. I re-seat the CPU - nothing. I switch PSU's - nothing.

This whole time, the system isn't in a case (it's on a piece of cardboard I use for bench testing). Now I'm starting to think through the process of what to do next....new CPU, new GPU, new RAM??? sigh

So, in desparation, I yank the RAM all together. I get a beeping POST code. This is good - it means it's reaching SOME point in POST. Now, I have no idea what's wrong....as a last gasp effort I clear the CMOS (a pain in the butt on a DS3). The sucker fires right up.

WTF?

The board is brand new - it was still sealed. I had never successfully POSTED so I have no idea what happened. Any ideas?

I'm beginning to wonder if my office is haunted.

 

[MichaelD]

Your office isnt' haunted, but new motherboards can be. :Q

Logically, a new motherboard fresh out of the box should boot right up with no issues. That's not the case many times though. B/C of testing at the factory the motherboard may have all kinds of crap in the CMOS.

For years now, it's been standard procedure for me to clear the CMOS before I even mount the board in the case. Upon first boot, enter BIOS, load default settings. Reboot. Load Windows, make sure it's stable, then go in and overclock, disable unused features, etc.

Glad it's working for you. :thumbsup: