EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra Problems

[kd2777]

Well I got my motherboard in today and have run into a problem. When I boot it up it powers on fine, but it doesn't POST. I have tried a few things, cleared CMOS and reset the cards, but it doesn't seem to help. I do have a little Debugging LED and it is giving me a C-1 POST code of 25. However the manual says that 24-26f are "reserved". I don't know what that means. I sent an email to EPoX but I haven't gotten a response yet and tried to look on their website but it looks to be down at the time. Just wondering if anyone here had run into this problem in the past or could shed some light on the problem.

Thanks

kd

***EDIT SYSTEM INFO ADDED***

ABOVE MENTIONED BOARD
A64 3000+
1GB (512 X 2) GEIL PC-4000
MSI X800XL
AUDIGY2 ZS
74GB RAPTOR
FORTRON 500W BLUE STORM

 

[KGB]

A little searching indicates that code 25 has something to do with the video card.
Have you tried reseating the card?

 

[kd2777]

Thanks for the reply. I did reset the Video Card, I have even tried a different card. Maybe there is something wrong witht the x16 port. But thanks for the info.

kd

 

[kd2777]

OK a quick update.....

I unplugged all the USB and FireWire headers, the sound card, my cd/rw, floppy drive, and a USB/FireWire card.

That just left the Video card, DVD RW, HDD, RAM, CPU, and keyboard/mouse.

It booted up fine, but then I couldn't get past the POST screen. It keep saying that it had adjust some stuff and press F1 to continue and delete to get into the BIOS (I'm sure it is from where I cleared the CMOS). But if I pressed I pressed F1 or delete nothing happened. I rebooted 4 or 5 times. never got a thing. I took out the ATI video card and replaced it with a nVidia 6600 and all was good it let me go on into the BIOS and stuff. When I got out of the BIOS I put the ATI back in and it let me go on a start to install windows. Out of curiosity I cancelled the windows install and cleared the CMOS to see if it hung up with the ATI card again and sure enough it did, but as soon as I put the nVidia card back in all was well.

I don't understand what the hell this has to do with anything. Why will it only work with the nVidia card right after you clear the CMOS. Once I get windows on the computer I am going to update to the newer BIOS and see if that helps if not I will probably get rid of this board because I won't always have an nVidia card sitting around after I clear my CMOS.

kd

PS I still don't know what caused the initial problem, hopefully as I start installing every thing back piece by piece I will find out.

 

[NightCrawler]

Does the Ati card work in another machine ?

 

[kd2777]

I can't try it in another machine. However the ATI card does work as long as you set the computer up using a nVidia card.

Example.

Just a couple of seconds ago I had the ATI card in there and everything was fine. I had installed windows, SP2, and the nForce drivers. Then I started reinstalling the hardware that I had taken away to troubleshoot the original problem. When I installed my second optical drive and rebooted, after the POST screen it came to another screen that said, "Your boot disk priority has changed, press F1 to continue or delete to enter the BIOS." I couldn't do either. I restarted the computer a couple of times and nothing. Took my 6600, put it in and was able to hit F1 and continue. As soon as Windows recognized my new optical drive I turned the computer off, put the ATI back in and was able to go right into windows.

I guess it is a bios thing or something. I'm getting ready to install the newest BIOS, but according to the stuff I have read it only addresses the temp being miss read. We'll find out.

kd

 

[kd2777]

Just installed the newest BIOS (3-2-05) and it didn't make any difference in the second problem, because as soon as the computer restarted and the BIOS was refreshed I had to take out the ATI and put in the nVidia to get into the BIOS.

Good news is after I set up the BIOS with the nVidia and put the ATI back in I was able to reinstall all the USB and Firewire headers, so I guess the original problem is solved (Maybe through BIOS, but doubt it).

Now if I can just figure out the ATI deal, if it wasn't for the newegg restocking fee I would send it back and get the eVGA 6800GT that is on sale right now ($374).

kd

 

[NightCrawler]

What Ati model is it ?????

 

[kd2777]

Originally posted by: NightCrawler
What Ati model is it ?????

Sorry it's in my EDIT in the first post, it's not very clear, but it is the x800xL made by MSI.

Thanks

kd

 

[NightCrawler]

So basically it installs with no problem with the nvidia card and it will let you load windows, then you uninstall the nvidia card and install the ati card and it works fine.

 

[kd2777]

Yes. But it only hangs on the 7F code when I have added a new boot device; HDD, Optical, Floppy, card reader, (it hung on all of these), or I clear the CMOS. But as soon as I put in the nVidia card I can get past the 7F code with no problem by pressing F1, with the ATI card in F1 doesn't do a thing.

From the Manual:

POST code 7F:

"Switch back to text mode if full screen logo is supported.
-If errors occur, report error @ wait for keys
-If no error or F1 key is pressed to coninue:
*Clear EPA or customization logo."

So basically the ATI card has trouble when there is an error because it won't let me press the F1 to continue, but when there is no error I don't have a problem with the ATI. Very weird problem.

Thanks

kd