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Is my CPU dead? Edit: NO! It works!

L

LucJoe

Golden Member
Computer's been sitting dead for ~3 months now, and I always thought it was the Video Card. Finally bought a new one and now I can't get it to post.

For those familiar with EpoX post codes, you would know that it usually cycles through a bunch of different codes (diagnostic stuff at boot) then goes to the code "FF", which means you're good to go. Currently, my motherboard immediately shows "FF" when I power on, and doesn't cycle through anything else, which to me points to the processor not working.

Things I've already done:

1) Reseated ram and processor (new AS5 on processor etc.)

2) Reset the bios via the motherboard jumper

No luck. I'm starting to think it's the processor, just looking for a little verification. I'm going to dig around here and see if I can find an old compatible processor that I can swap in to test.

System specs:

EpoX 8RDA+
XP 2400-M
2x512 Crucial PC2700
XFX GeForce 6800xt
 
My main pc (on it right now) has a 8RDA+ mb and Athlon 1900 cpu. About three years ago, I started getting all kinds of weird errors ( the error on the onboard LED would be CXX or something different, never FF though) that had me replacing this and that. Amdmb.com or NforceHq pointed me to blown caps on the mb. Epox kindly repaired the board and its been working fine since then. So I would inspect, really inspect, the mb for blown caps first, and it may be just a couple, before trying anything else.
 
Completely different problem, I'm seeing FF immediately with no other codes ever cycling through.

What this tells me is this: Motherboard working fine! (that's what FF generally means) BUT Without a working processor, it would never start the boot sequence, correct?


btw, I had a problem very similar to yours last year Slowlearner, and it was indeed the motherboard, and EpoX did fix it for me 🙂
 
Without a working processor, nothing should happen at all. How is the board cycling through and reaching FF (fully functional) if the cpu is dead. Do you see anything on monitor?
 
Originally posted by: LucJoe
Completely different problem, I'm seeing FF immediately with no other codes ever cycling through.

What this tells me is this: Motherboard working fine! (that's what FF generally means) BUT Without a working processor, it would never start the boot sequence, correct?


btw, I had a problem very similar to yours last year Slowlearner, and it was indeed the motherboard, and EpoX did fix it for me 🙂
Click to expand...

FWIW, I just sent back a 9NPA+SLI to Epox exhibiting those same symptoms (FF code immediately upon power up and nothing else). I am waiting for the replacement they shipped out a couple of days ago. Their RMA dept was not particularly helpful with specifics but what I could get out of them was that the board was replaced.

 
Bump and an update. Updating OP with system specifics.

This project has been on hold for the last couple months after it frustrated me to the point of tearing my hair out. I cannot figure out what is wrong with this system. I always get that "FF" boot code, no matter how I boot it up. I've pretty much narrowed it down to motherboard or cpu being the problem. I'm ready to just scrap the whole computer and start from scratch. Only problem is I just bought a gf6800xt (agp) for it, and I don't want to make the switch to pci-e yet.

Replying to DBL: Yes, their rma dept is extremely useless. I couldn't get any information out of them on this problem. I went back and forth with them at least 5 times, each one with a 2-4 day wait, only to find out they wouldn't help me because it's out of warranty.

Replying to Slowlearner: That's what I would think too, but I tested it with NO CPU on the motherboard, and I got the exact same problem: "FF" on boot. This doesn't help me at all though! It could mean that the CPU is fried, since the motherboard exhibits the exact same behavior with or without it. Or it could mean that the motherboard is broken and stuck in that "FF" spot. Basically what I need is anyone with more knowledge on this than me to tell me which is more likely.

Or I could just hit the FS/FT forums and find a motherboard/cpu combo that will take PC2700 ddr and has an AGP slot... 🙂

 
just because no cpu is the same as cpu doesn't mean its cpu. a socket A cpu is like 20 bucks though and are handily avail here or on ebay. Ive never heard of a chipset not backwards compat with ddr2700, some dont like 2100 but usually 2700 is safe. I've never had a cpu die on me. I had a mobo blow caps, and run the cpu @ 20% higher voltage and the cpu is fine in a new mobo. Even the ram survived. I dunno how epox is for quality but i know that AMD and Intel don't cheap out on the quality and life of their proc's they all can last 10 years @ stock Hz and good cooling. I've gone through 3 mobos in the last 4 years tho. Just out of that statistic i know i'd replace the mobo off ebay or forums before i gave up on my cpu.
 
Saw you updated this thread.

It turns out that in my particular case I had a faulty power supply. It was a SLI Antec certified supply so it took me longer than usual to suspect that.

Anyway, even though Epox sent me back a different motherboard, I have a very strong suspicion they did not actually do any testing on my old motherboard as they told me they replaced it since it was defective. On the other hand, they may have just lost it as they originally told me that they never received it even though tracking had an employees signature.

The new board behaved in the same manner. I went out an bought a new PS and that fixed the issue.
 
If I was in your situation, I'd just take the computer to a computer store and have the techs figure it out. They'll be able to narrow down the problem component and you'll know how to make it functional again. The service will be like 30-40 bucks and you'll retain more on the hair on your head as a bonus, too.
 
Power Supply eh? Hmm...

Well, since you're the only person that has experience a problem similar to mine, I'm just going to replace the psu and cross my fingers.

Will update later, thanks for the help!
 
LucJoe thanks for updating - If the mb reports FF without a cpu, then it is surely defective, and while you should try swapping the psu, I dont think thats the problem. Its time for new mb/cpu combo, plenty of choices with DDR mem and AGP slots.
 
Originally posted by: Slowlearner
LucJoe thanks for updating - If the mb reports FF without a cpu, then it is surely defective, and while you should try swapping the psu, I dont think thats the problem. Its time for new mb/cpu combo, plenty of choices with DDR mem and AGP slots.
Click to expand...

My MB reported FF w/o a CPU and it was the power supply. I can't promise that it will work but it's worth a shot. In fact, my symptoms mimicked LucJoe experience almost perfectly. He should try another PSU first.
 
It works!!! I swapped in an Ultra 600w PSU (arrived today), and it booted up perfectly.

Thanks for the help everyone!! (Especially DBL 😀)
 
Originally posted by: LucJoe
It works!!! I swapped in an Ultra 600w PSU (arrived today), and it booted up perfectly.

Thanks for the help everyone!! (Especially DBL 😀)
Click to expand...

Fantastic! Sounds like there is some sort of issue with the post codes. There is no way it should be displaying FF when there is a problem with a PSU as others had noted. It totally throws you off and makes it so much harder to diagnose the issue.


 
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