Giving up on the Athlon64 (*NOT*)

[scollins1]

*Edit - Problem solved in thread below....*


*Warning - this is a long semi-rant...

I was very excited when I ordered my new Athlon64 3200+ and ASUS K8V-Deluxe MB combo last week. When I received it I gutted my current system (an Athlon 2600+/ASUS A7N8X DLX) and installed the new MB and CPU. The heatsink installation is a little strange but an extra half-hour later I was done. Powered up, turned it on... DEAD. The MB led indicates that it is receiving power and the CPU fan comes on but the on-board speech diagnostic reported that "the system failed the CPU test" over and over. I checked all of my connections and even pulled the MB out of the case just on the off chance that it was shorting. Reseated the CPU and ensured that the heatsink was making good contact. Still no-go. Also noticed that the speaker never beeps - strange.

So I call MWave and tell them that I have a defective CPU and they overnight me a new one. The next day I pull the old one, insert the new one, reattach the HS/FAN and power it up. DEAD. Same thing - "the system failed the CPU test". At this point I assume that I must have a bad MB. Surely I couldn't get 2 bad CPU's consecutively.

So I call MWave again and this time I'm taking no chances. If you order a MB/CPU and memory they will assemble it and test it for 9 bucks. I figure it's worth it just to get it tested before it ships out. Again, I overnight it and the next day (yesterday) I connect the fully assembled MB/CPU/MEM to the case's power supply, turn it on and (I'm sure you see where I'm going with this) - DEAD. Exact same message - "the system has failed the CPU test". AARRRG.

I'm officially at the end of my rope. I have called AMD tech support and got a "man - that's wierd" response. I've called ASUS tech support twice and can't get them to return my call. I even called MWave and spoke to the guy that assembles their bundles and he couldn't figure it out. Now, I don't claim to be an electrical engineer but I have built many (15-20) systems for family, friends, co-workers and have never had this level of frustration.

If anyone has any advise or comments please give it now. MWave is very good about RMA's but as of right now I'm out about $1500 (2 MB's, 3 CPU's, 1GB DDR400) + a load of FEX-EX shipping charges that I'll never get back. I think I'm just going to get a P4 and be done with it.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: scollins1
*Warning - this is a long semi-rant...

I was very excited when I ordered my new Athlon64 3200+ and ASUS K8V-Deluxe MB combo last week. When I received it I gutted my current system (an Athlon 2600+/ASUS A7N8X DLX) and installed the new MB and CPU. The heatsink installation is a little strange but an extra half-hour later I was done. Powered up, turned it on... DEAD. The MB led indicates that it is receiving power and the CPU fan comes on but the on-board speech diagnostic reported that "the system failed the CPU test" over and over. I checked all of my connections and even pulled the MB out of the case just on the off chance that it was shorting. Reseated the CPU and ensured that the heatsink was making good contact. Still no-go. Also noticed that the speaker never beeps - strange.

So I call MWave and tell them that I have a defective CPU and they overnight me a new one. The next day I pull the old one, insert the new one, reattach the HS/FAN and power it up. DEAD. Same thing - "the system failed the CPU test". At this point I assume that I must have a bad MB. Surely I couldn't get 2 bad CPU's consecutively.

So I call MWave again and this time I'm taking no chances. If you order a MB/CPU and memory they will assemble it and test it for 9 bucks. I figure it's worth it just to get it tested before it ships out. Again, I overnight it and the next day (yesterday) I connect the fully assembled MB/CPU/MEM to the case's power supply, turn it on and (I'm sure you see where I'm going with this) - DEAD. Exact same message - "the system has failed the CPU test". AARRRG.

I'm officially at the end of my rope. I have called AMD tech support and got a "man - that's wierd" response. I've called ASUS tech support twice and can't get them to return my call. I even called MWave and spoke to the guy that assembles their bundles and he couldn't figure it out. Now, I don't claim to be an electrical engineer but I have built many (15-20) systems for family, friends, co-workers and have never had this level of frustration.

If anyone has any advise or comments please give it now. MWave is very good about RMA's but as of right now I'm out about $1500 (2 MB's, 3 CPU's, 1GB DDR400) + a load of FEX-EX shipping charges that I'll never get back. I think I'm just going to get a P4 and be done with it.

What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far? What brand of memory and power supply did you use? Did you remember to plug in the four-pin ATX12V secondary power, up there at the CPU socket's 10-o'clock position?

 

[scollins1]

Did you remember to plug in the four-pin ATX12V secondary power, up there at the CPU socket's 10-o'clock position?

No - I didn't know anything about this. Is this unique to A64 MB's? As for troubleshooting, I currently have the board out of the case with just the CPU in - no mem, vid, nothing else. I was just trying to isolate the CPU since the message indicates that's what's failing.

What is the function of the ATX12V secondary power? Would not connecting this cause the CPU to fail? I'm embarrased that I don't know about this.

 

[Megatomic]

That 4pin connector provides additional power to the motherboard, not having it connected may be the source of your problem. If you don't have one of those plugs on your current PSU it may be time to upgrade that as well.

Good luck.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: scollins1

Did you remember to plug in the four-pin ATX12V secondary power, up there at the CPU socket's 10-o'clock position?

No - I didn't know anything about this. Is this unique to A64 MB's? As for troubleshooting, I currently have the board out of the case with just the CPU in - no mem, vid, nothing else. I was just trying to isolate the CPU since the message indicates that's what's failing.

What is the function of the ATX12V secondary power? Would not connecting this cause the CPU to fail? I'm embarrased that I don't know about this.

Virtually all Pentium4 motherboards and many newer Athlon boards use the auxiliary 12V connector to provide extra 12V lines for the CPU's voltage regulators. If it's not plugged in, oftentimes they just won't start, like you're seeing with yours. Go ahead and plug that in, and give it another whirl. Sorry to hear of the frustrations so far... good luck, man

edit: Megatomic beat me to the punch so I'll throw in a recommendation for a PSU, if you do need a new one: Antec TruePower 430, a good all-around unit that now comes with SATA plugs too (at least, the one I got from newegg has a couple).

 

[scollins1]

Thanks very much for the advise. The case is an Antec Sonata with a 380W PS. I'm sure that it has the connector you're talking about. I think I'll go home at lunch to try it. That has to be it . I'll let you know.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: scollins1
Thanks very much for the advise. The case is an Antec Sonata with a 380W PS. I'm sure that it has the connector you're talking about. I think I'll go home at lunch to try it. That has to be it . I'll let you know.

Oooo, nice case & PSU. You should be set

 

[Jeff7181]

I think you can file this experience under "oops."

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I think you can file this experience under "oops."

A big oops...

And your lucky Mwave is such a good company. Hoprfully the other chip you got is a better OC'er...

 

[pspada]

Yup, even my FIC AU13 has the extra 4 pin power connector, and will not power on unless it is plugged in. In fact, FIC indicates that attempting to power on the mobo without that 12v connector can damage the board! Let's hope that's not the case with yours.

 

[Megatomic]

I can't wait to hear back from scollins1, I hope the plug is truly the problem. I'd like to hear some user feedback from him, he's moving from a decent AthlonXP to the Athlon64 just as many of us are hoping to do.

 

[scollins1]

I think you can file this experience under "oops."

Well, I went home at lunch and plugged in the four-pin ATX12V secondary power and (no drum-roll required here, I'm sure) all is well. I installed the RAM, vid card, etc. and it booted right up. That's as far as I got since I had to get back. My thanks to mechBgon and Megatomic for relying so quickly.

In my defense, I have to say that I've never installed a P4 system and the P3's that I've assembled didn't require a separate connector. But what really threw me was that I have assembled several AthlonXP systems and they don't use a separate connector either. I thought the Athlon64 setup was the same - that's what I get for thinkin'.

On the other hand, I checked the manual this afternoon and sure enough, right on the page that discusses connecting the power (you know, the one I skipped ) it states that this motherboard requires the use of a separate 12V connector.

And your lucky Mwave is such a good company.

You're right about that!


Oh well, live and learn I guess.

Thanks again.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: scollins1
Well, I went home at lunch and plugged in the four-pin ATX12V secondary power and (no drum-roll required here, I'm sure) all is well. I installed the RAM, vid card, etc. and it booted right up. That's as far as I got since I had to get back. My thanks to mechBgon and Megatomic for relying so quickly.

:beer: Glad to hear it. Can you follow up on this thread with a nice little user review/impression once you get the system up and configured? I'd love to hear how it does in contrast to your previous rig. Thanks in advance.

 

[scollins1]

Count on it. I should have it running tonight so I should be able to give it a good workout tomorrow. I'll post my impressions then. Any particular benches or tests you're interested in?

 

[Megatomic]

Honestly, all I was looking for was a subjective opinion on how the A64 system feels compared to your old AXP system when doing your normal things. Like, do programs open faster, is multitasking smoother, what is the boot-up time like. Stuff like that. Perhaps if you have them you could bench UT2003 and compare it to your old scores.

Thanks for whatever you're able to do though.

 

[chsh1ca]

Seti@home.

Btw, nice to see that posting here got your situation resolved.

 

[scollins1]

Btw, nice to see that posting here got your situation resolved.

Absolutely. I got exacly ZERO from AMD and ASUS tech support. When I spoke to someone from AMD all he could say was "man, that's wierd" over and over. His only suggestion was to remove the motherboard from the case (which I had already done).

As for ASUS, after being put on hold for about 15 minutes each of the two times I called someone would come on and say "all of our support analysts are busy - give me your name and phone number and someone will call you back". Of course, no one ever did. I did get an email from them today (the only thing I managed to accomplish over the phone was to get a case number opened). Here is a snippet from their crack "analysts":


Our newer motherboards are equipped with BIOSes that identify the CPU based on performance. On initial bootup, our boards are also designed to run at a slower-than-normal clock speed. If you have not set your CPU speed correctly then it will not run at its fastest speed, and may be
recognized as a slower CPU based on its performance.

To correct this, simply set your CPU to run at its correct speed. This can be done by entering the BIOS Setup and altering the CPU settings under the Advanced tab. To find your CPU's proper settings, please contact your CPU's manufacturer.


I assume this is a canned response that was copied and pasted but it has nothing to do with the problem I reported. How am I supposed to make BIOS adjustments when the machine won't boot? I reported a "system failed CPU test" and their response deals with processors running slower than normal?

I post the exact same thing here that I explained on the phone to tech support and it's diagnosed and answered correctly in 14 minutes. Amazing.

BTW - I hate that my first post here was a bone-headed mistake. Not the way you like to introduce yourself to a forum.

 

[Jeff7181]

Send Asus a link to this thread.

 

[Lyfer]

Another success story!:beer:


Congrats!

 

[Thor86]

Isn't this board great for finding out information like this to help out? I'm really surprised MWave or AMD didn't clue into the problem. Glad things worked out though, and welcome to the AT Forums.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: scollins1
BTW - I hate that my first post here was a bone-headed mistake. Not the way you like to introduce yourself to a forum.

Don't sweat it, we all have at least a few AHHH SH!TS!!! in our past. Some of us more than others...

 

[Excelsior]

Whew! Nice work guys. You saved someone from getting rid of a perfectly good system!

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Whew! Nice work guys. You saved someone from getting rid of a perfectly good system!

Ditto, Congrats Mech & Megatomic. :beer::beer:

Edit: Scollins you can Edit your original thread Title or just adding a - and saying fixed!!! Also could add that info to the original message area too.

 

[scollins1]

Well, I just finished the WinXP Prof install. My preliminary observation is that this thing FLIES. From the initial "Welcome to WindowsXP Installation" blue screen through a quick format and install to the Windows desktop took 16 minutes. That is absolutely the fastest I've ever gotten through an install.

I think I'll open a new thread for my first impressions. Probably later tonight or tomorrow.

I know I already said it but thanks again for the help. I was about thirty minutes away from ordering a P4 (not that there's anything WRONG with that ) and sending this back. So far, I'm very glad I didn't do that.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: scollins1
Well, I just finished the WinXP Prof install. My preliminary observation is that this thing FLIES. From the initial "Welcome to WindowsXP Installation" blue screen through a quick format and install to the Windows desktop took 16 minutes. That is absolutely the fastest I've ever gotten through an install.

I think I'll open a new thread for my first impressions. Probably later tonight or tomorrow.

I know I already said it but thanks again for the help. I was about thirty minutes away from ordering a P4 (not that there's anything WRONG with that ) and sending this back. So far, I'm very glad I didn't do that.

Great news! AT to the rescue!