ECS N2U400-A - No post w/out 12-volt connector?

[Garion]

I just picked up a Barton 2600 with an ECS N2U400-A combo at Fryes last night and I'm having problem getting the thing to POST. In fact, I can't even get any beep codes out of the thing! I know it's not the greatest board in the world, but it was a good deal ($89 for the combo) and it should last me for a year or so until the 64-bit world and PCI Express settle down a bit.

Currently I'm (trying to) run it off of an old ATX power supply that doesn't have a dedicated 12-volt connector. I know it can get 12 volts off of the standard ATX connector, so I assumed it was optional. Maybe not?

Right now, the board is on the bench. It's got a Swiftech MC462 HSF that I'm 99% sure is on right, with the RPM sensor hooked up, one stick of PC3200 in slot 1 (Tried 2 different 3200's and 1 2100 individually, to make sure I didn't have bad ram) and I've tried both PCI and AGP video cards.

The only "external" cable that's connected is the speaker - Otherwise, nothing. (I'm even powering it on by shorting out the jumper pair with a screwdriver).

Any thoughts? I'd rather not have to buy a new power supply - My main box one is an Antec (unfortunately, without the 12-volt connector either), and I'd like to keep it unless I have to replace it with something else.

Thanks!

- G

 

[Jeff7]

Wait till it's in stock, or check elsewhere.
I assume that's the 12V connector you need; I know there's another new connector with 6 or 8 pins on it though.

 

[Garion]

Looks like I was on the right track.. As you were posting, I was at Fryes picking one of these up, but things are still NOT good in GarionLand..

Once I got the 12-volt connector in, it would at least beep on POST (natural since I didn't have RAM or video in). Once I got things better connected, it didn't POST. For three or four times. Then, finally, it did. Once. Then not again until I let it sit for ~20 minutes idle. It finally POSTed again and I was able to bring it up and get the BIOS settings right. When I rebooted, it stopped working again.

Looks like I've got a bad board, definitely doesn't sound like a CPU problem. Back it goes to Frys tomorrow!

- G

 

[DusterAZ]

Nice! I have one of these boards too, will be powering it up tomorrow when I get my memory.

 

[Jeff7]

Perhaps the power supply is a bit too old? What are its wattage rating and brand?

 

[Peter]

If a board has the separate 12V connector, then chances are that it uses it exclusively for the CPU power. That's what that extra connector originally was meant for. So of course, it won't fire up without it.

 

[Garion]

Thanks for the notes guys. Talk about a frustrating experience! I've built a lot of boxes and this is the first one that I've had problems with.

After I got the adaptor for the 12-volt connector, I brought it home, plugged it in and it POSTed. Once. I figured it was a problem with the mobo, so I took it back (and that was another adventure, with Fryes customer service, but I prevailed). I even picked up a new case with a 400W PS with the right connector (not a cheapie, something decent) to put it all in - EXACT same result with the new motherboard.

The thing won't even give me any beep codes. I've tried different RAM, video, taking everything out except CPU and fan and it still won't beep. I think I've got a bad CPU, but I'm not 100% sure. Any chance that booting the first few times without the 12-volt connector could have caused it to fail? Any thoughts?

ANY help would be much appreciated. I'll probably RMA the CPU tomorrow and if that fails, give this combo up as a bad job and go out and get something that works.

- G

 

[AkumaX]

dang... no problems here, i've been running this combo for a day so far (but i'm using a 550w psu + the 12v connector)

 

[o1die]

Your problem is similar to mine. It took 5 tries to get a k7vta3 combo that would work right. I tried everything, including standoff washers above and below the mobo. Fry's must get the leftovers from ecs. But I kept exchanging until I found one that posted every time. Considering the price, it might be worth it.