K7S5A Pro Boot Problem

[Quixfire]

Just assembled a new PC, and unable to boot into BIOS. Tried switching Video cards - No go. Disconnected all drives, still wont work. Case and CPU fans are working and all case lights and switches are working properly, unable to solve boot problem - any suggestions?

 

[pspada]

Check to ensure that your video card is fully inserted, and not being held out by the AGP lock.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: pspada
Check to ensure that your video card is fully inserted, and not being held out by the AGP lock.

Tried that several times and still no go.

 

[pspada]

Cleared the bios to default by using the jumper? Oh, and disconnect the cable to the switch, and short the jumper with a screwdriver to make sure the power switch is not bad. Lastly, perhaps remove the mobo from the case and try it on cardboard, to make sure it's not shorting out on the case.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: pspada
Cleared the bios to default by using the jumper?

Yes i have done that also.

 

[pspada]

Ooops, edited, but you were too fast for me. read my last post again.

 

[Quixfire]

OK, I will try this tomorrow. thanks for the advise.

 

[mechBgon]

Also confirm that your power supply is a good-quality 300W+ unit, that your memory modules are fully seated all the way across, and that your heatsink is installed in the correct orientation (the step that's cut into the underside goes over the raised, solid-plastic end of the CPU socket), and that you removed the cover slip from the thermal patch if it has one. You're using some kind of thermal grease or thermal patch, correct?

 

[Quixfire]

To pspada:

Cleared the bios to default by using the jumper?

Yes

Oh, and disconnect the cable to the switch, and short the jumper with a screwdriver to make sure the power switch is not bad.

I did this and still have a no post condition.

Lastly, perhaps remove the mobo from the case and try it on cardboard, to make sure it's not shorting out on the case.

I also did this and still no post condition.

To mechBgon:

Also confirm that your power supply is a good-quality 300W+ unit

It's a 350W PS, I have used this type before with this type of board.

that your memory modules are fully seated all the way across

I have tried known good sdr & ddr memory modules.

and that your heatsink is installed in the correct orientation (the step that's cut into the underside goes over the raised, solid-plastic end of the CPU socket), and that you removed the cover slip from the thermal patch if it has one.

Yes, the heatsink is installed correctly, it has a thermal patch, and I removed the protective cover from the patch.

I still have a no post condition, any other suggestions?

 

[mechBgon]

When the computer is started from a powered-down condition, does it try to access the floppy drive if you let it sit? The original K7S5A has an undocumented feature for recovering from a corrupted BIOS, and I imagine the K7S5A Pro does too. If it's trying to access the floppy, let me know and I'll hunt down the instructions for what files to put on floppy for it to do its recovery.

 

[Quixfire]

I don't think so, but I am willing to try anything at this point.

 

[mechBgon]

Here's an oblique reference to it: link

Looks like you should download the BIOS from www.ecsusa.com, rename it to AMIBOOT.ROM, put that on a floppy and leave it in the drive while the system starts up. I've heard this can take a LONG time, as in, half an hour, so cross your fingers and be patient.

 

[Peter]

... and of course this all isn't exactly undocumented. It's the standard AMIBIOS recovery method from a failed BIOS flash.

But if you didn't attempt a BIOS flash update immediately before that happened, the problem is elsewhere - even if the machine is in that recovery sequence, accessing the FDD.

 

[pspada]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>

Also confirm that your power supply is a good-quality 300W+ unit

It's a 350W PS, I have used this type before with this type of board.
<snip>
I still have a no post condition, any other suggestions?

Used "this type before"? That does not prove that this power supply is good. Take a known good power supply, and try it. Conversely, you could try this power supply in another box. Either way you eliminate it as the possible problem, or prove that it is.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: pspada

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>

Also confirm that your power supply is a good-quality 300W+ unit

It's a 350W PS, I have used this type before with this type of board.
<snip>
I still have a no post condition, any other suggestions?

Used "this type before"? That does not prove that this power supply is good. Take a known good power supply, and try it. Conversely, you could try this power supply in another box. Either way you eliminate it as the possible problem, or prove that it is.

OK, I testest the board with another power supply and still no post. I also tested the power supply with a known good motherboard and it worked fine. I also switch the processor I was using, Duron 1300, and it worked fine.

Looks like I am going to RMA the board.