NOW what...?

[beaky]

This just figures... ::)
Got back last night from almost 8 weeks away from my nice new rig, and decided today to fire it up for some simming.
As some of you may recall, I had started out with what turned out to be a bad mobo, but everything was hunky-dory after I replaced it.

Well... today it won't boot again. Yes, I checked everything and tried everything. The machine was switched off while I was away; that's the only thing different from before, when I merely shut it down but left the power switch on. HDD is active; fans work, gpu is active... etc., etc. pulled the battery to clear CMOS, etc... nothing.

I'm wondering if it may be the CMOS battery... naturally, I seem to have forgotten to pack my meter for the trip home, so I can't check it...  ::)

Anybody think the new battery has run down (even though the one in my old rig is fine), or is it possible that these P5Bs are such garbage that my new one has failed after weeks of good service just because I haven't used the computer in two months?

[NickN]

If memory serves, the board you have has issues with the memory voltage or speed. If the memory installed is not designed to run at the default BIOS voltage the system will not boot and it requires the installation of a memory product that will allow booting, then the BIOS memory voltage/timings made for the new sticks, then shut down and install the new memory.


Like I said, it

[MWISimmer]

Any mobo beeps when you switch it on?
Is it POSTing?
Have you tried a different display/monitor?
Have you tried resetting the CMOS jumpers?

[beaky]

Any mobo beeps when you switch it on?
Is it POSTing?
Have you tried a different display/monitor?
Have you tried resetting the CMOS jumpers?

No, no, yes, and... no. I  can't find the manual (I have everything else where it should be except that $#@%!* manual); I forgot about that.  Worth a try.

[NickN]

you can get the manual here http://support.asus.com/download/downlo ... uage=en-us

input P5B in the top left box and then select the right P5B version, then download the manual or any other updates too, including the BIOS

[beaky]

[quote]If memory serves, the board you have has issues with the memory voltage or speed. If the memory installed is not designed to run at the default BIOS voltage the system will not boot and it requires the installation of a memory product that will allow booting, then the BIOS memory voltage/timings made for the new sticks, then shut down and install the new memory.


Like I said, it

[beaky]

you can get the manual here http://support.asus.com/download/downlo ... uage=en-us

input P5B in the top left box and then select the right P5B version, then download the manual or any other updates too, including the BIOS

Thanks... I reset the jumper (I remember the procedure) and no joy.  :'(

[NickN]

[quote][quote]If memory serves, the board you have has issues with the memory voltage or speed. If the memory installed is not designed to run at the default BIOS voltage the system will not boot and it requires the installation of a memory product that will allow booting, then the BIOS memory voltage/timings made for the new sticks, then shut down and install the new memory.


Like I said, it

[NickN]

also, pull and reseat the video card. I have seen some strange things over the years and one of them is a video card not seated in the slot even though it looks like it is.

[beaky]

Well, I tried all of the above, and a bit more... no go.
I guess I have another POS mobo... terrific.
Anybody know of an equivalent non-controversial board that is not manufactured by Asus?  ;D

[NickN]

The only other thing I can think of is to remove the HSF and reseat it. If you have a TIM pad on that HSF base (the goo they provide) you will need to clean that off with alcohol from the HS and prcessr and apply thermal compound. Once the TIM pad has been moved it can not be reseated on the CPU.


As for boards, Asus is not bad.. they are all the same when it comes to duds and shiners. I prefer Asus or MSI or Gigabyte but have used DFI for a few and usually stay away from the rest.

If you intend to replace it, I would upgrade to a P5K (P35) or X38 chipset DDR2 system so you do not have to replace the memory and can swap the Core2 and memory over to the new board. Besides, with a P35 or x38 chipset you are at least improving your system for the next generation of CPU which will have full support with those chipsets.

[MWISimmer]

Which PSU are you using Sean?

[NickN]

The PSU is the only other question I would have as well.

Being it lights the system up I would think it would boot but I have seen PSU's with a defective motherboard rail connection, or, a bad rail which allows everything but mission critical electronics to fire up.

That is why I always keep a spare around just in case something starts acting screwy like this and I have a way to eliminate that possibility

[MWISimmer]

This may sound silly but are you using a wireless keyboard or mouse? I've asked around and my friend had a problem (admittedly not the same as yours, but it involved non-booting) which was solved by plugging in a PS2 connecting keyboard. And that was on an Asus board (K8n).

[beaky]

All worthy suggestions... before I do anything rash I will probably take the whole system apart and check everything out. Not what I was hoping to do this weekend, but if I'm going to replace the mobo I'll have to take it apart anyway.
I'm still suspicious of the motherboard, though- it was the original weak link, and the system was rock-solid after I replaced it.

BTW: no wireless keyboard, and nothing different from the original hardware configuration when I shut down that computer and switched it off eight weeks ago... including the PSU, which is an Antec 500W, already proven to be adequate for the system.