ECS K7S5A Problem!

jaggrey

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2000
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76
I am stumped!!

No video at all. I tried different memory, different sticks of memory, different slots, different power supplies, different processors, different video cards (both PCI and AGP). Tried clearing the CMOS. Tried taking the motherboard out of the case. I don't get it. Another wierd thing is that the burner light flashes on & off slowly, but only when it's hooked up to the board.

Config:
AMD Athlon 1 GHz
ECS K7S5A motherboard (BIOS 106 according to sticker on CMOS)
256 MB DDR Crucial RAM
ATI Radeon VE video card
Zoom 56K modem

Another thing: I put the screws down for the heatsinks that go thru the 4 holes around the socket, but they apparently caused a short in the board b/c it wouldn't cut on at all when it was like that. That made me think maybe I damaged something around the processor socket, but apparently that part still works (the chip gets warm after it's been on).
 

jaggrey

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2000
1,528
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How exactly did you do it? The computer doesn't even attempt to look at the floppy drive.
 

jaggrey

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2000
1,528
0
76
Cool cool thanks for the tip. I tried all the parts in my computer...works in my computer fine. We're gonna try RMAing the board to see what happens.

I know this is a good board...I've used it in another system I built a couple of months back and it works with no probs. I've also used the microATX version, which works good as well.

Thanks for your help!! I'l keep you posted. :)
 

JRO

Member
Feb 10, 2000
51
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0
Oops sorry for the blank post. I have that same board, and when I first got mine I went through the exact same thing you describe. I RMA'D the board, and as soon as I got the new one it fired right up. i just got a bad one, and it sounds like you did too.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I have this problem too.. Got the board out of the box new, and it won't post.. there really isn't all that much troubleshooting to do because the board is nearly jumperfree.. I've tried the XP1700+ in an A7V133 with BIOS 1007 and it won't boot, but the Duron 800 that came out of the A7V133 won't work in the K7S5A! I can't believe this.. I have no idea what the problem is.. it almost seems that both the board AND CPU are somehow dead.. I get nothing on the screen, I've tried both DDR slots, different DDR memory in both, SDRAM in all slots, Different SDRAM, PCI video card as opposed to GF2, I even have it so that just the video, CPU, and memory are installed.. the PSU is a 300W and should definitely be able to fire it up, but It WILL NOT POST.. I think at least the board is dead for sure... the H/S is cold to the touch even after a minute of the computer sitting with power on, all fans spin, lights come on, but nothing..

I know there is an all K7S5A forum somewhere... could someone please advise me what to try or where i can find this forum?

Thanks..

~Yield
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
thanks Insane3D... any idea before i start looking what I should do? heh... I thought I'd ask advice on AT seeing as it's my online home..
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
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Two things...

First, those ECS boards seem to be really really sensitive to being grounded out on cases. Some people need to use nylon or paper washers just to get it to work. I have also heard of them grounding out on the I/O plate too. Also, the AGP slots are very touchy..you may think the vid card is completely in, but it can go in just a hair more and bam, it posts. Try to set the board up out of the case so you know for sure you are not grounding out and the AGP card is in all the way.. I hope that helps..:)
 

ericboo

Golden Member
Feb 2, 2001
1,137
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Although my only problem with my K7S5A was the onboard NIC stopped working and was easily fixed with a PCI NIC, I had a similar problem when fiddiling instead another computer. I thought I broke a trace when trying to get an Athlon heatsink back on. I tried everything I could and then was attempting to take out the motherboard, when I found one of the red power wires off the CDRW was caught under one of the motherboard mounting screws, and it became stripped when I was installing the heatsink and caused the computer to not boot up.

Fixed the problem and all is well again.
 

Importtech

Member
Dec 22, 2001
34
0
0
Id recommend removal of everthing except the memory and cpu.. with no video card installed you should get beep codes if
the motherboard is okay and not grounded to the case..

Oh by the way...alot of good info on the ECS boards is available at OCWorkbench.com but be careful what you say
derogatory about the board or you'll get kicked off the forum..I know because I did...Seems like the admin's joined with ECS at the hip..
 

jaggrey

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2000
1,528
0
76
I ended up RMAing the board. I haven't gotten the new one yet...we'll see what happens when it comes.