Problem: System refuses to post. Can't figure out problem with K7TPro2A

[Maverick]

Hey there,

In an effort to resolve IRQ conflicts, I removed all the cards from my system and rearranged them to try and fix things. Unfortunately now my system won't post. I tried pulling out all cards but video, doing a minimal install, etc...still nothing. I'm using an MSI Pro2A with the DLED boot diagnosis function. Usually when the processor is dead or something the LED just goes on and stays on to indicate the problem. However, this time the LED just barely flashes...you can't even tell its on unless you look very closely. Does this mean I'm not getting enough power to the system? Any suggestions would be greately appreciated.

 

[culex]

Odd situation.. but I can't stress this enough.

Whenever the system does not post, the first thing you should do is clear the cmos using the cmos jumper trick.

Check your MSI mobo for how to do it.

If you cant find it,

Unplug the power from the power supply... FIRST.

locate the green jumper at the right of your pci slots.

It's set to pins 1 and 2. Take the green jumper and SHORT it to jumper 2 and 3. Short means insert it half way. Wait 2 seconds and put it back on 1-2.

Plug the power back in and turn on the system. If it doesnt post after that, probably a major hardware issue...

 

[Howard]

I wonder if the motherboard battery powers the LEDs? Maybe the contacts aren't touching steadily. Check the battery and make sure it isn't loose.

 

[Maverick]

I tried the CMOS jumper, that was one of the first things I did.
Then I tried reseating the lithium battery. After further work on it, I've got some more information.

The motherboard's diagnostic LEDs are not being powered...and neither is the CPU. Usually the CPU gets pretty hot or you can at least feel some heat coming off it with the heatsink on. Right now its cool to the touch, which leads me to believe that the motherboard might possibly be dead.

However, the power switch works, and the LED's off the motherboard do work (HDD, power LED, etc). So I'm stumped.

Is it possible that the CMOS battery could have possibly died? If so, where could I get a new one. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Maverick]

Need an answer kinda soon here. I have a paper due on Tuesday that's on this machine and I need to get it off of there.

Thanks.

 

[eyor]

hmmm... have you tried reseating the vid card? is the CPU fan plugged in? is the power supply dead?

 

[Maverick]

Yes, I've tried pretty much everything. I don't believe the power supply could be dead since everything still turns on. I tried unplugging everything from the power supply except the motherboard and it still didn't work. Do you guys think its the motherboard thats dead?

 

[erub]

did you perhaps accidently knock the CPU out of its socket? I dont know of this happening with socket CPUs, but its happened to me a couple of times with my Slot A CPU. A quick press down on the CPU to set it back in the slot fixed my heart attack. Maybe the RAM became unseated? Or the motherboard grounded? Make sure the vid card is seated. Try taking out the CPU and see if you get the LED to turn on like you said it is supposed to.

 

[Maverick]

I tried reseating the CPU and memory, but to no avail. I also tried switching DIMM slots, that also did not work. I've messed with the video card numerous times. I've also tried the minimal install method of putting the motherboard on a static bag with just power, vid, cpu and memory connected. What do you guys think about my earlier CMOS battery suggestion?

 

[LordSandMan]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you should still get video with a dead battery. If you have a volt meter you could test the battery to see if it still has a charge. Kind of sounds to me like you have a fried mobo or processor. Video card shouldn't be the problem, because the processor doesn't get hot. You might want to check the core on the processor to see if it is cracked around the edges. The cores on the AMD processors weren't as strong as some of intels. Do you know someone you can borrow a processor from to see if that is your problem. In most cases it is more likely that the mobo will be dead than the processor.

 

[RobSan]

Just had the EXACT thing happened to me earlier this past week with a Duron 700 K7TPro2A. System ran for several hours without incident after Windows 98 and all cards and programs installed. Shut it off for two hours and then nothing. EVERY component works in other computers so I RMA'd the board back to the supplier. Sparkle 300 PS works fine but no lights of any kind on the board; those diagnostic LEDs do not even blink.

Rob

 

[Maverick]

Okay I've contacted the supplier I got the board from, luckily his shop is nearby. Maybe he'll let me go in and test out my board or replace the one I bought from him. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[odog]

make sure the switch on the PS isn't on 220v....

 

[RoboTECH]

hey, post back here what your problem is/was, okay?
i'm about to pick up a Pro2a myself.

 

[Maverick]

Will do. One thing if I might add before you buy the MSI. Make sure you resolve all IRQ conflicts early

Like before you load all your stuff on the system.

 

[RoboTECH]

any recommendations on making that happen?

Typically, I load up nothing but the video card. Then once I get windows loaded, I add the sound card and modem after that.

Any issues you see occuring there?