Video card in standby mode

[Devildoc99]

MB : Asus P5Q Delux
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield LGA 775
Heatsink : Zal ZNPS9500
Vid : Sapphire 4870 (X2)

This rig's been up and running since 2008. Now, over past several months I've been getting a problem with the monitor going into standby mode and nothing gets it out except shutting down for a period of time. Then, rebooting, I can get into BIOS for a brief period before it quickly, and without warning, goes back into standby.

What I've seen is that the video card runs 3 little red lites on the bottom corner of the card, when the standby issue occurs. Research shows that these are status lites:

D1601 - Red LED On, shows critical temperature fault

D1602 - Red LED On, shows External power connector A was removed

D1603 - Red LED On, shows External power connector B was removed

D601 - Red LED On, shows critical Core power fault

Searching various forums provided lots of potential issues including vid card failure, power source failure, cpu temp issue, connection issues, and "no idea".

I changed out the power source, no better.

The system ran 2 cards in crossfire, so I ran each once separately, no better. I don't have another (different) card to replace with, so can only go with that it seems doubtful both vid cards would DOA simultaneously.

I reseated the cpu heatsink, putting some old thermal cmpd I had around. This did seem to help initially. The system ran ok again for about another month, then back to old behavior. I reseated it again, buying fresh cmpd, but cannot get anything to go past a minute before back into standby.

Any suggestions other than terminate with maximum prejudice? :'(

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Myabe it's your monitor? Do you have another monitor to try?

 

[Devildoc99]

Myabe it's your monitor? Do you have another monitor to try?

Yes.

The way it's behaved, working some of the time, would suggest that it perhaps is a connection issue. I know I've plugged/unplugged all that I could. Something I should probably try is stripping everything out except the bare minimum required to boot, even pulling mem sticks.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Yes.

The way it's behaved, working some of the time, would suggest that it perhaps is a connection issue. I know I've plugged/unplugged all that I could. Something I should probably try is stripping everything out except the bare minimum required to boot, even pulling mem sticks.

Well you've tried two different cards with the same results, and it isn't likely to be that both cards are bad. Try a different monitor or cable before doing anything else. You could even try the second PCIE slot.

 

[Steltek]

If your monitor has multiple ports (i.e. VGA, DVI, HDMI, etc), try connecting the card to a different port than you normally use to see if one might be failing.

Have you removed the shroud from your video card and checked it for dust buildup?

 

[Devildoc99]

OK
So far here's what I've done:
1) Reset cpu cooler
2) Reset BIOS
3) Changed out power source
4) Changed out vid card (took a friends card)
5) Switched out monitors
6) Used different cables
7) Check out power connections, reset them

Problem still continues. If left alone for a period of time, I can get it to boot. So I can get into BIOS, but only for about 20sec, at which time I get 3 red lites and monitor goes into power saving mode. Rebooting right away does no good. Won't get a green lite on my monitor, it has to cool down (??????).

It's not the monitor, or card or power. Is it mb? Same problem will happen if I switch to the black slot on the bottom of the board.

Is it CPU overheating? A month ago, reseating the cooler did seem to make it work. At least for a month. Fans all seem ok

 

[AnonymouseUser]

If it's doing this in the BIOS with different cards, cables, PSUs, and monitors, then it has to be the motherboard. Check that the mobo heatsinks are properly secured and there are no shorts.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Also, check for leaking/bulging caps on the mobo.