MSI K7T Pro2-A - NO POST - Appreciate help!

[xroyal]

No luck getting first post window so I can get into the bios. Using:

K7T Pro2-A
New 950 Duron/Approved HSF to 1.2g
Crucial Cas2 PC133
ATI AGP
Good Sony monitor
400W PS/AMD listed-Approved

Read manual in detail 3 times, mounted MB on 6 post (nothing loose under MB - counted screws religiously). Very carefully mounted HSF w/thin film of grease. Put heavy pressure mounting ram and AGP video card. (Tried first with all drives, but dropped back to minimal CPU/RAM/AGP.) All fans OK, but NO post. Followed diagnostic LEDs closely, never got past 0110, processor initialization. (reseated RAM on memory code prompt LED). Cleared CMOS moving jumper to 2-3, pulling 12v cord from MB, and reversing process, jumper back on 1-2.

Checked CPU to be sure correctly seated, imprint of grease on HS, no core damage.

This morning got a working PCI video card (saw it work), and have tried all 6 slots, NO post. Cleared CMOS several times while changing slots, including removal of battery, always returning jumper to 1-2. The PCI card did help me proceed down the list of codes as far as 1110 and 0001, testing RTC and Initializing Video, NO post.

One basic question - Am I correct the CPU should still be okay if I've proceeded to about half way down the LED codes? Really appreciate your ideas on getting me to my first window and bios access!


P.S. Will check back soon, but then I've got to go out this evening, but will get back on any responses early in the morning. Hope I've given enough to start with, and welcome any questions.

 

[mechBgon]

If you have other 3-pin RPM-sensing fans around, you might try plugging them into whichever header the CPU fan is supposed to plug into. Some motherboards won't POST without an RPM signal from the CPU fan, and perhaps your particular fan isn't giving a reliable RPM signal... I have a fan which my mobo reads as either 0 or 56,000rpm, for instance!

Just a random idea... good luck!


edit: another thing to look at... On my ECS K7S5A, the notch in my memory module was not quite lining up with the key in the slot. Believe it or not, I managed to get the module into the slot, fully latched-down at the ends but high-centered on the key in the middle, so the middle contacts were not making contact. You might look really close to ensure that isn't happening, if the module seemed to go in really hard. Also, there are two rows of contacts in an AGP slot, and if you can see the gold contacts on the edge of your video card, it hasn't made it past the second row, but I doubt that's causing your troubles since you were so careful.

Have you tried the stuff out of the case yet?

 

[xroyal]

mechBgon: Thanks for the fast response. I just have retail Coolermaster HS&F, and don't think they are the type of fans you're addressing. At least its plugged into correct header, and spinning just fine. My manual made no mention of requiring a special fan.

Assume I've seated the memory ok as the LED light combination sensing a problem with memory quit flashing.

Haven't tried out of case yet, and don't appear to be getting any shorting, no interruption of power to fans. Powers on and off normally. Thanks again.

 

[mechBgon]

What I meant about the fan is that almost all CPU fans now have a three-wire connector, and one of the three is used to signal the fan's RPM. Some motherboards will not POST if there is no RPM signal, because that would indicate the fan's not running, and the CPU might be damaged if the fan's not running. So it's meant to be a saftey measure. If your fan has a faulty RPM pickup, it might be telling the mobo "hey, I'm not turning!" and the mobo might refuse to POST for fear of frying your CPU. If you have any other 3-wire fans you could plug into the header, you could eliminate that as a possibility.

 

[xroyal]

Thanks for the detail. Yes, mine is a 3 wire!

 

[mechBgon]

Right. Do you have any other 3-wire fans you can try?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I had this occur(identical symptoms) with the Pro2-A 2 weeks after setting it up and nothing would bring it back to life Even worse it was an RMA replacement for a Pro2 that died unexpectedly/suddenly 9months after setting it up. This series of boards from MSI was actually the source of quite a few threads awhile back and it seemed that alot of us had identical experiences Good luck but I must say I won't be at all suprised if it's DOA

 

[xroyal]

mechbgon: I have 2 - 3 wire fans, and have used them both on this setup. Was concerned the clip tension on one HS was too light, and switched one for the other.)

DaPunisher: At least you got yours going. I'm looking for the FIRST post. Anandtech gave this MB its gold medal for KT133s, over Ausus and Abit, etc, sure hope it'll fly.

Hoping some users familiar w/Pro2-A will ring in.

 

[xroyal]

Bump to any Pro2Aers.

 

[xroyal]

Last bump with hopes.

 

[mindslash]

I had mine die a few days outside of retailer warranty period! I don't think the rpm monitor is an issue with this board (unlike say the ABIT KT7A). I too bought the board based on the rave review anandtech had given it but I think it may be toast -- fyi, even if you do get it to somehow resuscitate, the CMOS tends to "need resetting" every few months.

I hate to say this, but I think, I am going to replace mine with an ABIT or an ASUS board -- unless I actually get any positive info back from MSI (626-965-1680) or try online. Apparently, there's a 3year mfg warranty on the board.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

<< Apparently, there's a 3year mfg warranty on the board. >>

Yes, there is, the first 2 years are parts and labor and the 3rd year they charge for labor so for all intents and purposes I'd consider it a 2year warranty as I'd bet the labor charge would exceed the value of a 2+year old board.