)resolved) WTF, machine crashed for no reason A8n-sli enermax psu

[mrscintilla]

UPDATE: after a new motherboard, problem solved.
Everythign works now under a new A8N-SLI. So what I suspect what I did wrong was that I may have installed the mb w/o washers and caused a short somewhere. Or that when I installed zalman 7700, I put on the backplate inside out and let the side where the threads were a little bare touch the backside of the mb. and when I bumped the machine somehow, the bare threads caused a short. All these are just speculation of course. But I am pretty confident that the problem was caused by a short.

So lesson to all of us is that you must install washers, and make sure you install the backplate of your own heatsink carefully, making sure no threads ever will touch the board. I even taped the metal standoffs w/ duck tape and only leave the threads open, in addition to install the washers.

After the ordeal, I love Asus even more. I think if you install mb in a meticulous and extremely careful manner, A8N-SLI should be probelm-free.

Thanks for all the encouraging words and suggestions, I wish everyone else who is having problem with the board good luck. make sure you don't short it.




UPDATE: symptom summary:
nothing turns on with 12V plug in. Strangely, w/o the 12v plug, fans turn on but no boot.


Just as I thought I built the most stable machine with my A8n-sli board and a new enermax eg465p-ve-24pin psu, the machine after running stable (prime95 etc) for a week crashed for no reason. I didn't touch anything !

I turned it back on and the green light on the mb is on, but pressing power switch gives it nothing. no fan, nothing. there is no burn mark or smell. So what gives.

And before it crashed, I had tested memtest and prime95 for several times and no error whatsoever. I am at a loss..

any suggestions???

 

[slpaulson]

Have you tried clearing your cmos? I doubt it'll work but it's worth a shot.

It sounds like a power supply issue to me though.

 

[mrscintilla]

I just swapped out the psu with a Dell psu. the enermax works in the Dell, and the Dell psu didn't work in my case.

So, psu is cleared. now, only motherboard, case cabling seem to be likely culprit. how do I test if the motherboard is good or bad...

 

[mrscintilla]

I also reconnected power switch, reset switch. I noticed when I press power switch for the first time, the chipset fan would jerk a little. So it again seems that mb is getting power and the switch works. Why no fan, nothing would turn on then?? I tried clearing the CMOS too; nothing.

I'm exhausted and do I have to rma the board??

 

[mrscintilla]

Now this is wierd. I unplugged the 12V cpu power, and left the 24-pin power in. I was able to turn on the fans but still no boot. plug in the 12v, nothing turns on.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

Is it dual 12v lines?

 

[SkyBum]

This sounds terribly similar to the primary issue I had with my first A8N. I also experienced a crash which left me getting a momentary power to fans and then nothing. Same experience with a 2nd PSU and also was getting the green light but no boot wiht both PSU's.

When it was all said and done I RMA'd my mobo and PSU without being certain which one was the culprit. My replacement board was up and running fine with the exception that I later realized that the Firewire and Ethernet ports were not working. ASUS techs advised me to RMA once again and I am still waiting for my 3rd A8N-D board.

Full thread here.

My appologies, it's a gory mess largely due to my lack of troubleshooting experience but perhaps you'll find something there that will help you out (a LOT of helpful peeps here posted opinions in that thread...)

Good luck man, I feel your pain!

 

[mrscintilla]

well I read the thread but didn't find anything on point. but thanks for updating the forum on your issues. I've

To continue diagnosing my problem, I swapped components with a Dell machine and know that my psu and memory are good. I have no way to test my cpu. So it comes down to either the cpu or the motherboard being bad. I think I will rma the board, and if the replacement doesn't work, then the cpu must be bad.

I could not get hold of any Asus tech support person. a guy just picks up the phone and says that oh the techs are busy, give me your name/number, they will call back. of course, no calls yet. I will keep you guys posted on my rma experience with the fremont site as it's close to my residence; still waiting for them to call me to confirm whether I can swap boards there.

on a side note, I talked to Asus taiwan last night as I was getting antsy. The lady in tech support has the cutest voice, and sounds knowledgable. She suggested turning upside-down the cmos battery to clear the cmos. had never heard that method before. In the end, she said she could not help me but tech support in america would. back to square one.

 

[evilmrroboto]

Your issue sounds just almost exactally like my problem with my A8N-SLI. I had an Allied 400 watt in there that worked fine until i replaced it with an Enermax EG495P thats atx 2 and with dual 12v rails. But apparently that psu was bad cause it didn't work except it tuned the chipset fan a little bit then nothing. It did the same thing in my other computer, it didn't turn on like my Allied does. But of all damned things now the A8N-SLI won't work with the Allied 400watt in it. It turns on and does nothing, says nothing, just the fans spin. Without the CPU it tells me there is no CPU. With the cpu in it doesnt say anything. I am going to RMA the board unless someone can give me a ton of help. If that doesn't work i'll rma the processor like u plan to. I don't know what is really the problem. I dont know if that enermax screwed up the board/cpu at all or what? I don't know why that Enermax psu didn't work, it's supposed to be a really good one.

 

[CraigRT]

It almost positively won't be the CPU
it's probably the board. Esp. after seeing what others are experiencing with the A8N is similar to you.

 

[mrscintilla]

Originally posted by: evilmrroboto
Your issue sounds just almost exactally like my problem with my A8N-SLI. I had an Allied 400 watt in there that worked fine until i replaced it with an Enermax EG495P thats atx 2 and with dual 12v rails. But apparently that psu was bad cause it didn't work except it tuned the chipset fan a little bit then nothing. It did the same thing in my other computer, it didn't turn on like my Allied does. But of all damned things now the A8N-SLI won't work with the Allied 400watt in it. It turns on and does nothing, says nothing, just the fans spin. Without the CPU it tells me there is no CPU. With the cpu in it doesnt say anything. I am going to RMA the board unless someone can give me a ton of help. If that doesn't work i'll rma the processor like u plan to. I don't know what is really the problem. I dont know if that enermax screwed up the board/cpu at all or what? I don't know why that Enermax psu didn't work, it's supposed to be a really good one.

How did you rma? through tech support call? How long did it take you. I couldn't get hold of a tech person at all and had to call fremont rma department, which still has not given me an estimate of lead time but did give me a rma #.

It seems we are in the same boat---enermax psus. so, please let me know when you find out whether it's the cpu or mb..

 

[evilmrroboto]

Originally posted by: mrscintilla
How did you rma? through tech support call? How long did it take you. I couldn't get hold of a tech person at all and had to call fremont rma department, which still has not given me an estimate of lead time but did give me a rma #.

It seems we are in the same boat---enermax psus. so, please let me know when you find out whether it's the cpu or mb..

I found under the "Contact Asus" tab at the top a link to their "helpdesk" http://helpdesk.asus.com/logon.asp?URL=/Default.asp which takes u to a page where you can log in, but as of right now you can't make an account. But I dont think you have to (I haven't done the RMA yet) and you can click on the New RMA Request under Other Support Resources and fill in all the information and hopefully sent the POS back to them and get a working one.

On another note, can anyone tell me postively whether or not that the Enermax EG495P-VE SFMA is good or bad for this A8N-SLI. It has dual 12v rails each running at 18a. Is that enough for this board? Or does it to get all effed up? I am just guessing my enermax was bad because it wouldn't power another computer and mrscintilla's did so I think that was just odd on the part of that single psu. If it won't power the thing then I guess I'll look into a better single rail psu, but I need someone to tell me cause I am getting way to much information from all these threads about the A8N-SLI to know wtf is correct.

 

[SkyBum]

Getting through to ASUS is a pain in the ass!

The # is listed in the front cover of your A8N Manual. Plan on long hold times (20 min or so...) I was told several times that they were too swamped with calls and to give them info for a callback (dont hold your breath...they NEVER once called me back out of many promises).

Try to call them near the beginning or end of their hours, mid day is impossible. Eventually youll get through to a tech who can issue you an RMA.

Below is a copy of my RMA instructions, there is contact info at the end.....I wish you luck getting through to Tech Support the first time!








You must write your RMA# on the outside package. (If you don?t write the RMA on the outside of your package your product will be rejected at time of delivery).

Attention your package to RMA department. Do not attention your package to an RMA representative, unless instructed otherwise.

Do not include any accessories such as manuals, software, CPU, memory, retention mechanisms or clips, cables, or your original box. If you send any of the above mentioned items they WILL NOT be returned or replaced.

Also to insure proper troubleshooting/testing, please include a brief description of the problem you are having with your ASUS product, any troubleshooting steps you may have tried, AND your CASE# from technical support if given one.

Please be sure to package return product very carefully to prevent damage during transit. ASUS is not responsible for losses or damages incurred due to shipping / improper packaging. We recommend two inches of padding all the way around your product itself. You MUST package your product in a box.

Physical damage is NOT covered under your ASUS warranty under NO circumstances and automatically VOIDS your warranty on your product. This damage can include any shape or form of corner / edge damage, broken traces, broken CPU socket, and/or burns. If you do send a product in that is physical damaged, you will be notified and the product will either be repaired / replaced for a fee or rejected.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR RMA# ON HAND, AS YOU MUST PROVIDE IT TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS FOR ANY STATUS CHECKS AT (510) 739-3777 EXT. 5105. The RMA Process runs approximately 5-10 BUSINESS DAYS (excludes ALL holidays, weekends, and transit time back to you) from the date your product is RECEIVED AT OUR FACILITY. Our standard shipping is UPS Ground.

ASUS will reject any products packaged in an envelope.

RMA Shipping address:
Attn: RMA Dept, RMA# _____________
ASUS Technology Service, Inc.
7100 Intermodal Drive Ste. #A
Louisville, KY 40258
Tel: 502-995-0883
Email: RMA@ASUS.COM

***Please continue to call California office for:
1) Customer Service
2) RMA Service
3) RMA Status

Phone number: 510-739-3777 ext. 5105
Fax number: 510-608-4511
Email address: RMA@ASUS.COM

 

[SkyBum]

whoops...double posted.

 

[mrscintilla]

problem solved w/ a new board. see update above