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New System Build Nightmare (Won't POST)

C

ccubed

Member
  1. Overview of the problem
    New system build will not POST. 1 Beep, splash of video signal (but no actual video on screen, just the sound) then nothing.

  2. Full description of the problem and symptoms

    Building new system, here are specs:
    Q6600 CPU
    Xigmatek HDT S1283 cooler (with backplate from here)
    Asus P5Q-E P45 Motherboard
    4gb (2x2) OCZ DDR2 800 RAM (OCZ2P8004GK)
    Corsair 750w PSU
    Cooler Master 690 Case
    Western Digital 640gb HDD
    Currently testing with a PCI Monster Fusion video card


    System will not POST, as stated, just one beep and then nothering (all fans continue to spin, DVD drives can be opened/closed, cooling fan is spinning, but no POST.)
  3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?

    Has never booted. It POSTed once with a single stick of RAM, but never again, so the hard drive hasn't been formatted or anything.

  4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?

    Consistently fails to boot/POST.


  5. I already tried these steps:


    1.) Verified the old video card worked in another system (it did.)
    2.) Reseated RAM.
    3.) Tried with only 1 RAM stick (POSTed once, but never again.)

  6. Other information that might be relevant

    I had a hideous time trying to get the cooling fan attached to the CPU using the push pins when I didn't think the backplate kit I purchase would work. I NEVER got the push pins (neither the Xigmatek nor the stock Intel cooling unit) to work. The whole cooling unit fell off to the side at one point terrifying me with the thought I had ruined the CPU and or/mobo (which could be my problem for all I know.)

    I disassembled the push pins on the Xig and am using the backplate mounting kit listed above. Used Arctic Silver 5 for thermal paste. I REALLY don't want to have to try to re-seat the CPU because it's such a horribly difficult procedure for me. I will definitely have to unplug everything, remove the mobo, take off the fan in order to get at the screws to unmount the cooler (which is somewhat difficult because the fan is affixed with rubber stabilizing plugs that fit between the fins on the cooling unit.) I also have to attach the fan after the mobo is already installed because there's no way for me to access one of the power connectors with the fan installed.

    Unfortunately, since I skipped a hardware generation, I have NO parts to fall back on (such as other mobos, cpus, etc...)

    I'm guessing I'll probably need to bite the bullet and re-seat the CPU and mobo, but like I said, it's a painful task.

    Other random notes: I used 9 brass mounting screws without any foam washers for mounting the mobo to the case. The Q6600 was lapped by someone else but it was in working condition before I purchased it.

    This is night 2 (as of 8-24-08 2am PST) of agonizing frustration. I may give up and try to sleep or something. Hopefully I can get some helpful advice.

    Thank you for your time and patience.
[/quote]

Edit: Reseated CPU and everything else. Only used 4 case screws (though the mounting standoff are all still attached.) Tried all RAM slots. Changed PCI slot for vid card. Still no go.
 
One beep usually indicates a RAM problem. Have you tried both sticks individually in different slots?

You might try resetting the BIOS in case the memory timings are out of whack.

Have you ever gotten into BIOS?

Make sure the CPU fan connector is plugged into the MB.

Make sure the 4 pin square power connector is plugged in by CPU, and a 6 pin power connector is plugged into your video card.

 
I've cycled through every slot using each single stick of RAM. Still can never get to bios. All connectors are plugged in.

Any other advice? Parts that might be more likely to be the cause of the problem here than others?

I can't afford to throw money at this to fix it.
 
Try your ram and CPU in another mobo, then try a different known good cpu/ram in your mobo. Otherwise, RMA the board?
 
Unfortunately, I have no other parts to mix and match for testing. I also don't have access to other people's parts for testing (technophobic family and last generation friends.) I hate to say it, but I may buy a stick of cheap RAM from someplace to test. Anyone know of good brick and mortar stores in SoCal that have liberal return policies?
 
I hate to say this, but a bad MB could cause this as well.

Have you tried reseting this BIOS in case it's set way off?
 
I'm going to try to reset bios, get a cheap, single stick of RAM and check that out tomorrow, although I've already started the RMA process just in case for the mobo.
 
Any tips for the cheapest, but most secure and reliable method to RMA the motherboard? UPS? Postal Service? Fed Ex? What kind of rates am I looking at to ship this thing back?
 
Originally posted by: ccubed
Any tips for the cheapest, but most secure and reliable method to RMA the motherboard? UPS? Postal Service? Fed Ex? What kind of rates am I looking at to ship this thing back?
Click to expand...

About the cheapest I've found is Postal Service.

I've sent in three MB via USPS over the last six months and haven't had any issues with their service.

I'm thinking it was about $10, but I don't remember exactly.

 
Have you tried assembly outside of case with just cpu\ram\vid?...on a workbench....could be a short from a riser...
 
Update: RMAed the mobo and just got replacement. First boot goes into bios to check settings. RAM timings seem to be all over the place by default. Set to those specificied by the chip and reboot. Exact same problem as before where it gets a vid signal but no actual screen display and nothing (no POST, no boot, but the initial beep from speaker.) Reset jumper to clear BIOS and reboot. Gets to an F1 or F2 prompt to either use BIOS defaults or let me go into the BIOS to check. I choose defaults, it then hangs and when I reboot I get the exact same problem again with no POST.

I've tried different memory slots, and I am juggling between 3 sticks of RAM only slotting 1 at a time (2 are a matched set that's listed above, the other is a single gig of Kingston DDR2 800.) Regardless of the stick or slot, I'm getting the exact same thing (1 POST, then never again.)

Any tips?

Edit: I'm getting very odd default Memory settings. Everything on DEFAULT it reads:
DRAM TIMING CONTROL AUTO
1ST Info: 6-6-6-18-3-46-6-3
2nd info: 8-3-6-4-6-4-6
3rd Info: 15-5-1-7-7

Also, on Auto settings, it seems to set the DRAM voltage at 1.80 by default.

I tried changing DRAM Timing Control to MANUAL and using the first set that came up:
1st Info still says 6-6-6-18-3-46-6-3
but then I have: CAS# Latency 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to CAs# Delay 5 DRAM Clocks
RAS# PRECHARGE 5 DRAM CLOCK
RAS# ACTIVATE TO PRECHA 15 DRAM CLOCKS.

The rest was left on AUTO, except I upped the DRAM Voltage to 2.1.

No change. It still won't boot unless I jumper clear the BIOS.

Not sure how to proceed. I may try to see if I can use a FLASH drive to update the mobo BIOS (currently unsure of revision due to extreme frustration.)

Any tips?
 
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