trouble with a msi neo2 platinum 939 socket board

[imported_cerberus]

Basically it won't post. At all, I've tried all sorts of combinations and the all of the other subcomponents check out. It ended up posting when it was turned on while the board was set to flash the bios. However, the manual says this is BAD and also by having it set to reflash I simply can't change any bios settings.

Some on the msi forum says that a 400watt PSU with 18 amps on the 12 volt isn't enough, and that somehow by having that reflash set that the initial amps needed to start the computer are less. The 400watt psu is by rosewill, if thats any help.

So I guess my two options are to
-rma the board
-buy a new powersupply

if the new powersupply didn't work, then I've wasted about 50 bucks that I wish I hadn't. What I really want to know is just how likely is it that I'm facing a power supply problem.

Here are the system specs

MSI K8N neo2 platinum
3500 939 socket amd 64bit
512 megs of patriot low latency ram
Radeon 9800 pro
Raptor 74gig harddrive
Cd-rom
floppy drive

 

[Icepick]

1. I've seen many people on the forums report problems when they are using non-quality power supplies with less than 22A on the 12V for their socket 939 systems. You may want to invest in a quality power supply by Antec, Enermax, or OCZ. You can run that system on a good quality 350W power supply by any one of these manufacturers. I understand that you don't want to drop $50 on a component that may or may not solve the problem. From what you described, there's a good chance that it will help in this case.

2. Is the 3500+ one with a 90nm Winchester core? If so, you'll want to make sure you have only one DIMM installed in slot 1. Not sure if the 512MB you reported is 1 512 DIMM or 2 256 DIMMs. Then you can boot up and update the BIOS to at least version 1.3.

 

[imported_cerberus]

I've got the 90nm, and I knew about that slot 1 thing ahead of time. Okay, maybe I'll go drive to compusa and see if theres anything worth getting.

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm weird, I had something in both dimms with my 3500+ Winchester and it still posted...probably PSU problem.

 

[imported_cerberus]

Just got a true 430 watt amp by antec, it cost me 20 bucks more then through new egg but I'm in a bit of a hurry. I need to determine if I want to RMA by thursday. The new psu has WAY more amps on the 12 volt.

 

[imported_cerberus]

well, that didn't do anything and now I'm out another 100 dollars. Word of advice, stay away from msi. Guess I'm gonna RMA.

 

[o1die]

Take the board out of the case and try a minimal post, with just the cpu/heatsink, one stick of memory, and video card. Reset the bios first by removing the mobo battery for a few seconds. Your power supply should have enough juice for a minimal post. Good luck.

 

[PClark99]

actually it could still be the power supply. I remember reading somewhere, I think over on asusboards, that the K8N Neo2 doesn't play nice with most antec PSUs below 480W.

I never had a problem with my setup. Just lucky I guess.

 

[Andres3605]

of any possible PSU you pick the one with incompatibility with the msi, just go to the store and change the PSU for another one and try again.


PS: next time research a little more

 

[imported_cerberus]

I kinda doubt the psu problem. Someone over on the msi has almost the same setup, and has no trouble with the true 430 antec.

I have no problems with my Antec Truepower 430.

BioHazard71
K8N Neo2 Platinum BIOS 1.3
Athlon64 3500+ (Newcastle)| 2.2 GHz (11x200), 1.50 V | Stock HSF
2 x 512 MB Corsair XMS PC-3200 2.5-3-3-6-1T 2.7V
ANTEC TruePower 430
evga GeForceFX 5900

The board turns on with both psus, IF the board is being shorted to reflash the memory. I have alot of trouble seeing how that short could somehow dramatically reduce the need for amperage on startup. Anyway I have the option to RMA and get the same board, or to RMA and try a different board. Maybe one of the asus boards?