KT7A Problems :(

[olson2cm]

Okay, I've thrown my hands up, and now I come to you all for some possible remedy to my problem.

I have a KT7A-RAID with a AXP1600+. I had the processor running on a 140 MHz Bus for about 3 months without issue. One day, I got bored and decided to see if I could bump it up just a little more. I ran it up to 144 no problem!! But of course I couldn't stop there. Bumped it up another one to 145, system bombed On boot, I got the message
"BIOS ERROR"
"BIOS ERROR"
"BIOS ERROR"
"BIOS ERROR"
And then the system crapped out completely. I tried to start it back up, the system powered on but didn't post... nothing, it didn't even power my monitor back on. So, I tried to reset the CMOS with the reset jumper, then tried again. No boot

After removing every item from the board one by one until I was left with just a video card (which I even swapped out with a spare I knew worked), Memory (which I swapped out with a 128 Meg PC133 stick from my second system)and a CPU (which I also swapped out with my old 1GHz Tbird which I know works), I figured I fried the board So I RMA'd it to Abit.

3 Weeks later, my new board arrives!! The swapped it with a new one (well, different SN that what I had )

I get everything together and hooked up... Go to power it on. Same Deal... Nothing
I tried again taking everything out (Sound card, NIC, extra RAM sticks except one 512 Micron which I tested in my spare system and works, all hard drives are disconnected, all CD/DVD drives are disconnected) except for my Video Card, CPU, and memory. Still, nothing... So, now I come to you all

I am getting no error codes, and my video card is not getting my monitor out of power save mode. The power itself seems fine, it just doesn't post. If I press reset, the system will reset and all drives (when they are connected), reinitialize just like they would if it is functioning properly. And like I mentioned, I attempted to reset the CMOS on the new board numerous time to no avail.

Any help you all can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[AMDfreak]

I wonder if the default in the BIOS for the new board is set to detect a CPU fan. Do you have a 3 pin fan that you can hook up? I think it's to the Fan1 connector. If that doesn't work, you might have received a dud on the RMA. Good luck!

 

[olson2cm]

Oops, thought that was a given My Volcano 6cu+ is hooked up to Fan1!! I tried switching it to the fan2 header just for the sake of it, since nothing else was working anyway ... No good though.

 

[AMDfreak]

Bummer, can't think of anything else at the moment.....but you might want to read through Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7A-RAID FAQ if you haven't already. Lots of good info in here.......

 

[DieHardware]

Did you try a different power supply?

 

[olson2cm]

Nope, didn't try a different power supply becuase I don't have another one powerful enough for this rig laying around in any of the other systems in my house... However, I might be able to borrow one from a system at work for a night and try that... I kind of ruled that out simply becuase everything about the power to the system appeared to be working fine. I'll give that a shot, and post how it goes tomorrow evening.

Thanks...

 

[BigMoe]

I don't mean to sound like a azz but are you sure the jumper is on right for the CMOS. What version of motherboard and bios do you have? your not trying to startout with a 140 bus are you? Remember the 1 gig cpu only has a 100 bus. again im sorry if i sound like an azz.

 

[metallibloke]

On my KT7A-RAID, when i've reset the CMOS, i change the jumper, power on, nothing happens, put the pin back and everythings fines (cmos reset). Just check that you put the cmos jumper back to its original position (i.e. in the 'non reset cmos' position). I did that once, took me a whole day to figure out what I'd done.

 

[olson2cm]

Yes, the jumper is right back in the correct spot. If it is accidentally left in the CMOS reset mode, the system does not even power on.

As for the FSB, no it is not at 140 now. Resetting the CMOS should usually take it back to 100 anyway. However, being that this board was sent back from abit I'm sure they didn't have it at 140 either But, just to be sure I reset the CMOS anyway. So, right now my CMOS should be back at barebones default settings, which should work for any CPU you throw at it!!

 

[BigMoe]

any beep codes? does ram work with that board what video card do you have? what os? what brand psu? is 300 watt or more?

 

[olson2cm]

No beep codes. I tested the RAM in another system and it works. I have a TNT2, but I also borrowed my friends Rad7500 to try with no luck. I have an enermax 320W that seems to be fine. I also borrowed a 400W antec from a system at work, still the same results Oh, and the system has XP on it, although I can't get anywhere close to booting to it...

I just called Abit support, he said since it has the same symptom as the last board, it isn't the board ICK:

The only thing he asked me to do was take the board out of the case, put it on something non-conductive (I had a sheet of foam) and see if that worked (possible grounding problem). Didn't work though

I'm clueless...

I might just use the opportunity to get a new board, and see if that works. Newegg has a nice Asus A7V333 for $59. I might go for that, then I just gotta get a stick of DDR It never ends.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I might have a desktop again before the end of the year ...