New System won't POST

[michaelsaxon]

I purchased a 2 x Opteron 242, 2 x 512mb Corsair Reg / ECC, MSI K8T Master2 system to replace a video workstation at work, and I cannot get it to POST.

I've disconnected everything that I can and the best I can get is fans spinning / power to the mobo, but no beeps.

Any ideas?

 

[HermDogg]

What other hardware is in it? Make sure everything is connected nice and snug, but without info its extremely difficult to diagnose...

 

[michaelsaxon]

Sorry--

Thought that was enough.

Here ya go:

MSI K8T Master 2
2 x Opteron 242
2 x 512 MB Corsair Registered PC3200
Radeon AIW 9600XT
Enermax 550W
Plextor DVD Burner
2 x 74GB WD Raptors SATA

I think that is it. Thanks for trying to help.

 

[michaelsaxon]

OK--

I've stripped it down to these configurations and tried to POST (get ANY sort of beep)-- the only things connected were a power switch, speaker, and the following:

1) Processors, memory, and graphics card- no beep
2) Processors and memory- no beep
3) 1 processor and memory- no beep
4) No processor and memory- no beep
5) Processor(s) and no memory- no beep
6) Bare board- no beep

Of course, I tried other combinations with my drives connected, etc.

Is it safe to say that I have a bad mobo?

Thanks.

 

[HermDogg]

Most likely. Probably have to RMA it.

 

[mechBgon]

Try an nVidia video card. I also have more troubleshooting brainstorms for you here: top link One of the sneaky ones is the 115V / 230V slide switch on the PSU.

 

[michaelsaxon]

mechBgon--

Thanks for the nice list. I think if I can't even get a beep out of this (and I've even tried a known, working speaker!) while running this thing outside of the case with only a minimal amount of stuff hooked up (and then nothing), it must be the mobo.

I simply can't think of anything else. I did go through your list and eliminate anything else, though.

Thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: michaelsaxon
mechBgon--

Thanks for the nice list. I think if I can't even get a beep out of this (and I've even tried a known, working speaker!) while running this thing outside of the case with only a minimal amount of stuff hooked up (and then nothing), it must be the mobo.

I simply can't think of anything else. I did go through your list and eliminate anything else, though.

Thanks.

The chipset has an issue with some ATI video cards. If you have an nVidia card, try it as a fact-finding step perhaps.

 

[michaelsaxon]

Yes, but if I've tried it without any video card, and I still can't even get error beeps, I'd think it would have to be the mobo, right?

 

[HardcoreRobot]

do you get beeps if you try it w/o ram? or w/o cpu? if not, then yeah id say rma the mobo. on the other hand, my system at home displays the same symptoms nearly every time after i do a cold boot. everything spins up, but no beeps and nothing on the monitor. i usually end up unplugging and powering on a few times rapidly. this is probably horrible for the system but it works for me. i have an ATI card as well.

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: michaelsaxon
mechBgon--

Thanks for the nice list. I think if I can't even get a beep out of this (and I've even tried a known, working speaker!) while running this thing outside of the case with only a minimal amount of stuff hooked up (and then nothing), it must be the mobo.

I simply can't think of anything else. I did go through your list and eliminate anything else, though.

Thanks.

The chipset has an issue with some ATI video cards. If you have an nVidia card, try it as a fact-finding step perhaps.

Actually, I think it's the AMD 8000 something-or-other chipset that has an issue with ATI video cards, such as the Tyan Thunder K8W sports. I haven't heard of any major problems with ATI cards with the MSI board, which carries a VIA chipset.

I had a Master2-FAR for a few months as well, but I the OP's instincts are correct about having a bum board.

 

[mechBgon]

Ahh, you're right, I was thinking AMD chipset for some reason. Mloot, do you run four memory modules? Any input on whether the board will run with just a pair of modules? I'm too tired to go dredging through manuals tonight

 

[michaelsaxon]

HardcoreRobot--

No, no beeps without CPU or w/o RAM.

 

[Fencer128]

Hi,

Sounds suspiciously like the BIOS on the mobo has somehow got corrupted after leaving the factory. Either that or something really bad (loose solder pad, cut line, etc). Either way your safest bet is to contact tech support for an RMA.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Ahh, you're right, I was thinking AMD chipset for some reason. Mloot, do you run four memory modules? Any input on whether the board will run with just a pair of modules? I'm too tired to go dredging through manuals tonight

I only had the setup for about 3 mos. before I had to sell it for financial reasons, but while I had it I only had 2x512mb modules, and it ran just peachy. There is a thread over at 2CPU.com devoted entirely to this board. I lurk there on occasion and I've seen that a few folks have had trouble getting the board to post at all. I don't know if there has been a consensus on a common cause, but if anywhere had the answer that would probably be the place to look.