Help! new build-no video signal

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Hmmmm... my first build. Seems to start okay, at least the lights and fans spin up appropriately and I don't smell smoke , but, I get no video signal to any CRT monitor I try. They stay in standby mode. I do see the video card fan spinning so it's getting power.

I'm about to go out and buy a cheap(er) one retail to test the card as I note a defect on one of the gold stripes on the connector (it doesn't extend the full length as the others do, only about 3/4s. I'm trying to eliminate the obvious I guess. That said, I note I'm not hearing any beeps when powering up, whether from speaker or headset.

Am I overlooking anything obvious, or is it more ominus than that?

Thanks.


Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 PModel BX80562Q6600 SLACR
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit (5)
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Rev 2
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black PATA Model SH-S202G - OEM
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Active Power Supply
COOLER MASTER RC-534-KKN2-GP Centurion 534
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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I'd say that is a good point about the video card connector, let us know what you pick up and the results. I have a feeling you self diagnosed it yourself.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Hmmmm, new card made no difference. The monitor stays in standby mode, which is a bit of a mystery to me given the card appears to be powering up.

I assume this is what is meant by not posting, although all of the fans run; cpu cooler, system fans, graphics, etc and the HD spins up. Actually, I just heard a bit of clicking noise, which sounded memory related.

I haven't a clue where to go from here, other than disassembly and reassemble. If someone could comment I would be most appreciative, should I be looking a memory or is there likely a motherboard issue?

Also, should disassembly include removal of the CPU cooler and CPU, which I assume means removing and reapplying all of the thermal paste too.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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hmmm. well, if it was any other component, like ram, cpu, it'd have beeped at you. how are you connecting it to the video card?
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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It, as in motherboard? I'm using the PCI-E slot, and seating it properly. I've tried it with a G520 Sony and a Dell 19" trinitron, both CRTs, both stay in standby.

A couple of unrelated--as far as I know anyway--questions. The two 120mm case fans cables came attached to a 4 pin standard power cable adaptor, so that they could be connected directly to the power supply cable rather than using the small 3 pin system fan connectors on the motherboard.

I opted for the power supply connections as a preferred solution because it seemed (in theory) to task the motherboard less by routing current directly to the fans from the PS. They work fine. My question is wither thats the preferred configuration. Are the system fans throttle controlled versus the power supply which is power on at all times?

My best guess at this point is the motherboard is the problem. I was very uncomfortable pressing as hard as I had to in order to seat the OCZ Vendettal CPU cooler to the mb. I don't know that the stock cooler would have been any different as they use the same design, but it just didn't seem right to require substantial pressure on a board like that.

 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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well, I meant are you using an adapter to plug the monitors into the card or do they have dvi plugs?
it could be the board, but only way to tell is to replace it.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Yes, they have the correct dvi plugs. I guess I'll RMA the board. I can't think of what else to do really. Something is wrong, that's for sure :)

As many times as I've removed my older Mac boards, or pentium III, or replaced cpus, or coolers, added memory and in general completely disassembled and reassembled these machines over the years, it's really disappointing to not be able to make new parts work as they should.

I have a question about mounting the CPU. It's mostly foolproof it seems, if you follow the instructions. They don't give you many tips about the feel of things, however. I'm starting to second guess myself now I suppose, but is there a little spring tension when locking the gate over the CPU? I took that as characteristic of the way they secure contact to the motherboard.

Since I've not worked with newer configurations, I'm kind of working in the dark as to what is the right feel for fit and what isn't.

Thanks again.


 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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yes, there is. I thought of something you double checked to make sure all of the power connection to the motherbaord are secure right?
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Yes, just before trying it again a few minutes ago. I did notice the ATX connectors weren't latched as I'd previously thought, but they were this time. I've reseated RAM as well.

What's odd to me is I don't get any beeps but things power up. As I recall the little CMOS beeps are not audio channel dependant and should happen regardless of whether you've got audio working.

Can you tell me anything about ATX 12v. I'm simply using the ATX 24 pin connector, and while the PS connector is capable of separating into the four pin ATX 12v (if I recall the pidgeon English manual correctly), I don't see where it appropriate for me to be using that configuration, nor do I see how it would reach if I did separate the connector.

Well, I could go on like this for the rest of the night, but why do that to myself :)
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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does the board have pin outs for a pc speaker? if so, are you using them?

the ATX 12V plug is supposed to be seperate from the 24 Pin Mains plug.

sound slike you have a older PSU. does the mains plug look like this?

http://img144.imageshack.us/im...9296/2702071759oq0.jpg

if so that 4 pin is not your 12volt, there should be a 4 pin marked 12v, do not mix the 2 up and if your PSU doesn't have a 12v plug, then you need a better PSU.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Oops! My mistake. It's a 24 pin. There's no separate ATX 12v 4 pin connecter. I distinctly remember reading not to try to use the 4 pin section in the ATX 12v connector.

No, it's not like the image. They're connected as a single 24 pin, the default config. It would take a bit to separate it as it is, and there's not enough length to make it reach the ATX 12v connector anyway. But, it does have the capability of being modified to a 20 pin,

It may not be the newest version, but I doubt it's very old. Purchased new from Zipzoomfly with the case.

Quote:

WARNING
¦ The 24-pin main power connector has a detachable 4-pin connector. This 4-pin connector
is not a P4 or ATX 12V connector. Please DO NOT force this cable in the P4 or
ATX +12V socket on the motherboard.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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OH

MY

GOD!!!


I found an 8 pin ATX 12v cable I'd overlooked (it was unmarked unlike the others). It was splitable and matched the 4 pin connector..... Long story short, plugged it in and posted with a single beep.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



PS. You know robisbell, had you not engaged me in this by fishing for more info I would have likely given up and returned the mobo. Listen, I can't thank you enough, for just being willing to go along and ask some questions.

robisbell ROCKS!!!
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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What did it was your question about it being an old PSU because it didn't have one. That didn't jibe with what I knew about it so I went to the site, downloaded the PDF manual (Gigabytes PDF is better than their printed one) and did a quick inventory. There it was, only as an 8 pin that could be separated.

Happy camper here, I'm moving from a 732 PIII with 512 to a Q6600 with 2gb and some room to move up from there :)

Actually, the next phase will have some learning curves for me as I've not used many of these tools and do want to verify operating temps, etc before seeing if I can push it to 2800 maybe down the road, once I've seen it run stable for a time.

Hope to move up to an 8800GT by month's end too.

Thanks again :)
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Seems I spoke too soon. Posted fine last night. Installed an IDE DVD this afternoon, while I wait for the SATA to arrive, and now it won't post. Powers on and off repeatedly. Disconnected the IDE DVD player, but no change.

I read at Newegg and Tweaktown that this is a common issue. "The machine will not POST, does not initialize the video and powers off after a few seconds again." http://forums.tweaktown.com/showthread.php?t=25492

"System would not post. Power up lasted 3 seconds then it would stop...wait 3 seconds and try again. Constant loop. Called Gigabyte for support and they were useless. Newegg as usual is fantastic with immediate RMA rupport."

"The common boot cycling problem that got worse over time. It won't boot at all now."

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...SelectedRating=1&Page=

11/4/2007 12:15:21 AM Great Motherboard!


Pros: Easy install, easy overclock of my E6750 to 3.55GHz. Orthos 12 hr stable! SuperPi 32M, 14m 46s 062ms Support for the coming 45nm chips. This replaced a very good GA-965P-DS3 Rev. 1.33 MB.

Then there's this, which I came across and tried with success:

"Cons: Here's what you do about the boot problem. When it starts turning on and off, cut the power switch and pull the plug for about 10 min. It will come back on at stock settings. Not sure why it does it but here's the cure!"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128050

Don't ask me what's happening.
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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oh ah heck. let me check on that. check all the capacitors, and if they look okay take this somepalce well lit and roomy, and pull out the board, and flip it ove and check to see if you can see any burn or arcing. a post on that link said he noticed a capacitor piece had popped off the underside of the board and caused the cap to arc against the case. I think you may have to RMA the board either way.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Yes, but read that last solution. Turn off, pull the plug and wait 10 minutes. I gave it 20. Worked like a charm.

Now foolish, impetuous me also throught to disconnect the e-sata setup too, while I was giving it time to heal itself (smirks). So, it's not a valid test of the solution really, except that I went back in after it worked and reconnected the e-sata and it posted again.

(I remembered that I was providing power for that e-sate thingy from a 4 pin connector also connecting to the Power On switch on the case, (For some reason the case cable has an additional 4 pin male power connector adjoing the female that connects to the PS, thereby allowing connection to another device.

Since I'd read the problem could do with power reads, I decided to provide a single source for the off/on switch even though the e-sata and power ports were all empty)

I figure the board has to go back now regardless. Something clearly isn't right, even if the "recovery" period does seem to correct the problem.

PS. Yes, I saw that too, about the capacitor. Got a recommendation on a different board? I bought this one because the MB section here on boards rated it most favored in midrange.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Anticipated my last question :)

The open box looks good at $145, but I'll have to wait till payday as I can't cashflow the RMA delay and a new board atm.
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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what is this "e-sata thingy" ?? I would go ahead, and if you can swap it for one of those I listed. was trying to match what you have on that board.

 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Hi robisbell.

Well, it booted and I almost got windows installed. Since I came into a little money, I was going to use this board until the new one arrived and then RMA this one. But, I tried to boot this moring after it worked fine last night and while it posted with the one beep, it also produced a long series of other beeps (graphics card no seated properly?) with each boot.

Enough is enough. Anyway, my question involves reinstalling the cooler and cpu on the new board. Do you clean and remove all the old (4 days) paste from the heatsink and cpu and then reapply each time? It seems that's the most tedious part of this whole mobo replacement process, and requiring critical care given what I've read on the Artic site.

BTW, some of the problems I've seen below, about the P35-DS3R, are repeated in other forums including the Gigabyte moderated forum linked above.

Wish me luck :)

PS. The e-sata thingy is the external connectors that fit in one of the card slots at the back of the case. I assume most handle e-sata that way.
 

robisbell

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Oct 27, 2007
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are you using external sata drives? I'd clean off the paste from both the processor and heatsink, and you do not need much on there to begin with. I am surprised to see this baord causing so many problems and Gigabyte not doing anything. the long series of beeps, might be video card not seated, but without knowing the pattern, I'm not able to help you on that one.

also, go ahead and get the rma started, so that when you can, you can send it in asap.
 

dowhopdedodo

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Nov 2, 2007
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Any opinion about the abit IP35 Pro Rev. 1.1 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX?

It looks interesting. Highest ranked in the MB section here, for midranges. Then again, the Gigabyte board was too when I purchased it.

So little time, so little knowledge. :) I'll ask for opinions there too.