k7s5a - no post - help!!!!

[cards]

well now I messed things up pretty good - tried switching mb and chip between to machines - now nothing works!

machine A : ecs board k7s5a v3and amd chip xp2100 and 1 stick crucial 512 ddr 2700 ram plus ati rage vid card
machine B: ecs board k7s5a v1 (older bios version) and amd xp1700 crucial 2 sticks of 256 ddr pc2100 plus geforce card

took machine A board (v3) and chip and switched B's memory and switched vid cards (put B gef on A board) - so had ecs board (newer version) with XP2100, 2 sticks of ddr 2100 and gef vid card -- machine would not boot - not post - nothing!!!! - blank screen

put A board, A chip, A memory and A ati card back in A machine (original config) - no boot - no post - nothing!!!! - i get a blank monitor screen

returned B's parts to son's machine - all is ok - thank god; he leaves for college wednesday

but my machine doesn't post - :-(

any ideas?
- i tried clearing cmos but it didn't make a differnce

 

[mechBgon]

With the additional power drain of a second DIMM, a higher-powered CPU and a higher-powered video card, it could be that the power supply in the non-POSTing machine just couldn't lift that much stuff. The K7S5A is known for wanting a fairly beefy high-quality 300W+ power supply... could that be the issue? If so, a Sparkle Power 300W or 350W from Newegg, or maybe a 360W Enlight, could be a good solution for not too much money.

 

[Buz2b]

In addition to the suggestion about the Power Supply, I would take the time to pull and reinstall the Dimms and video card a couple of times; especially the video card. The board can be a bit "touchy" about those. Also, if possible, try a different stick of RAM.
Are you getting any post beeps at all?

 

[cards]

thanx for the suggesitons so far

no beeps - the fans spin and the hd and cd-rom have power - no post - the screen is blank - i tried removing and replacing the agp card and dimm - in fact i switched the agp card for an old pci vid card and switched the ddr ram with some old crucial pc133 that came from the machine. while the power supply is a possibility the problem is ocurring in the same case and with the same power supply that i have been running for 6-8 months - the power supply is an antec 350.

 

[Buz2b]

Interesting. I was going to suggest a PCI video card but I see you tried that. Time to drop back ten and punt. Unplug all components and remove all cables. Put the CMOS jumper on clear and let it set a good half hour or so. Then just hook up the very basic components needed to post; one stick of RAM, video card, etc. Bare minimum; no extra fans (except CPU) optical drives, etc. Reset the CMOS jumper to "Normal" (double check this) and try the boot process again. When you hook things up, go very slowly; double checking all connections. Before you insert the Video card, clean the contacts on it (a pencil eraser works well but make sure you remove any "debris") then insert and remove it two or three times, using both hands pressing on both ends of the video card at the same time. Make sure it locks in. Then, cross your fingers, jump up and down in a clockwise direction and chant "I think it will, I think it will". If that doesn't work then maybe the guys in the white coats will have a suggestion before they take you to a "better place". J/K!

 

[Peter]

Remember that you're supposed to clear CMOS whenever you're changing the CPU model or the memory type.

 

[DieHardware]

Also make sure the PSU is unplugged when you clear CMOS. And double check that the HS is seated correctly. The bottom of it and the ZIF socket should look like this from the side:

__________----
__________----

 

[pspada]

I'd pull the mobo from the case, and try running it bare. It's possible it's shorting out on the case somehow.

 

[cards]

thanx much for all the suggestions - here's what i've tried and still no post - no signal to monitor

1. I pulled the board out of the case and rested it on a book to make sure no shorts
2. i re-seated the cpu and fan
3. i disconnected all devices (drives, cd-roms) except for keyboard - keyboard works on another computer
4. i reset cmos with power cable disconnected for about an hour - placed jumper back in 'norm' position
5. replaced agp card with a pci video card
6. replaced crucial ddr memory with sdr pc100

what next?? is there anything that would tell me if it's the cpu vs. the motherboard?

thanx again!

 

[pspada]

PC-100 may not work on that board, I think. Even though it defaults to a 100Mhz speed, I've only ever used PC-133 in the SDR slots.

 

[Buz2b]

what next?? is there anything that would tell me if it's the cpu vs. the motherboard?

As was already suggested, try a stick (single) of PC133 SDR. If you have any DDR that you can try, you might give that a shot also (by itself, not WITH the SDR). Short of that, the only other thing left to do is try either another CPU (clear CMOS again) or try the existing CPU in another unit. Doing either of these would tell you if it is the board or CPU. BTW, also make sure the CMOS jumper is on the "Normal" position and making good contact. If it were only connecting on one pin you would have problems.
After that, I am about out of options. Does the PS seem to be running OK when you try to boot?

 

[cards]

thanx - when i power on the fans spin - when i had the drives hooked up the lights came on the cr-rom. i'll try the no memory and see what happens though i thought a machine would not post without some memory

 

[tbidwell]

Originally posted by: pspada
I'd pull the mobo from the case, and try running it bare. It's possible it's shorting out on the case somehow.

Do this for sure. Something could be making contact that
wasn't before. Also make sure all memory and video
cards are seated correctly. Try 3 or 4 times if you have to
because like others said the board is touchy sometimes.

 

[Buz2b]

i'll try the no memory and see what happens

It won't post but perhaps you might get some beep codes which, although not a sure thing, might at least point to the MB being OK.
Also, unhook all other fans EXCEPT for the HSF and of course the PS ones.

 

[Netma]

I'm having this exact same problem. It all started a week ago one morning when I moved the mouse and the puter didn't wake up. I leave the thing on 24/7and it's been on for about 8 months. The motherboard is a k7s5a. I tried all the things everyone has suggested here with no luck. We have three of these at my office which have identical components in them. I know because I built them all as work stations. Never had a problem and they have been running even longer.

I ordered a new K7S5A Pro motherboard from Newegg. It came today. I installed it together with a brand new Athlon 1400 cpu. Same results, no post, no beeps no video. I've tried 3 different AGP video cards and 4 different new sticks of memory both DDR and SDRAM.

This is in an Antec case with a PP-303X 300 watt power supply. Lites come on and the cpu fan operates. I have another identical brand new power supply which is in a new case I haven't used yet. I'm beginning to think the PS may be the problem. Is there a way to check a power supply.

This is maddening!