ANOTHER IP35 Pro problem, strange POST code....

[RitchieTheBrit]

Hey guys!

I have been using this rig for over a year now, no issues at all really. I have had Windows 7 RC running fine, until a recent update changed something,a nd it decided to do its updates during the night. I leave my machine on S3 sleep, so I would come down in the morning, and find it running.

As I run a HTPC, I thought that maybe Media Center Standby Tool, that I swear by for the HTPC, may help my work machine. Installed, set the options, and then I started getting issues. This all may be unrealted, as it seems to be hardware based, but I like to be detailed

Anyway, once the computer is powered down, the POST code on the readout reads 'F. ', and thats it! The machine won't turn back on until I remove the power from the PSU. When the power is reapplied, everything works as normal.

Any ideas? I have flashed to the latest firmware, same problem. I am thinking either PSU or mobo. I would rather it was neither :S

If it is the mobo, can anyone recommend a decent replacement board that will take my Q6600, with similiar features and not costing the earth. SLI would be nice as well, I could get a second GFX card.

[Terbinator]

Originally Posted by RitchieTheBrit

Hey guys!

I have been using this rig for over a year now, no issues at all really. I have had Windows 7 RC running fine, until a recent update changed something,a nd it decided to do its updates during the night. I leave my machine on S3 sleep, so I would come down in the morning, and find it running.

As I run a HTPC, I thought that maybe Media Center Standby Tool, that I swear by for the HTPC, may help my work machine. Installed, set the options, and then I started getting issues. This all may be unrealted, as it seems to be hardware based, but I like to be detailed

Anyway, once the computer is powered down, the POST code on the readout reads 'F. ', and thats it! The machine won't turn back on until I remove the power from the PSU. When the power is reapplied, everything works as normal.

Any ideas? I have flashed to the latest firmware, same problem. I am thinking either PSU or mobo. I would rather it was neither :S

If it is the mobo, can anyone recommend a decent replacement board that will take my Q6600, with similiar features and not costing the earth. SLI would be nice as well, I could get a second GFX card.

Your only going to get Sli if you pay for a nvidia board which charge you over the top amounts.
This looks like your best bet for a standard motherboard TBH; http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/MSI-P...00-SATA-II-ATX

[RitchieTheBrit]

Whoooah, quick reply, thanks!

An update, I put the machine to sleep after posting that message, it sat on the 'F. ' message, then eventually restarted, so maybe the wakeups are related to this, and not Windows updates. Its like it gets snagged during the power down phase, which is why I flashed the BIOS haping that would fix it.

I will power it off, and see if the 'F. ' code changes while I am out, or if the machines restarts itself.

NOTE: The code is 'F. ' without a second digit. This seems very wrong to me? There's no code that says that in the book.

[TheWolf]

If you have only had the board a year & if it come down to it you could still get a RMA replacement.

[RitchieTheBrit]

Well, it started up again! And that was from a supposed power-off scenario. It seems like the BIOS gets caught in a loop of some kind.

The board is about 10 months old, but the box and receipt got lost when I moved a few months ago, and the shop I got it from has closed.

I thought with Abit shutting its doors all hope of an RMA was lost anyway?

[BobF64]

Originally Posted by RitchieTheBrit

I thought with Abit shutting its doors all hope of an RMA was lost anyway?

Depends, the seller might be responsible for RMAs, nothing says you have to send it back to the manufacturer unless its an extended warranty provided by them.

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by RitchieTheBrit

Well, it started up again! And that was from a supposed power-off scenario.

could be that some form of "wake-on" is enabled?

The board is about 10 months old, but the box and receipt got lost when I moved a few months ago, and the shop I got it from has closed.

I thought with Abit shutting its doors all hope of an RMA was lost anyway?

afaik abit RMA is still running from Nl but without proof of purchase you may well be toiling.

[RitchieTheBrit]

All WakeOn functions are disabled. I even tried it again with all USB devices unplugged and the ethernet cable disconnected.

I have a new PSU coming tomorrow for my HTPC , so I will test the mobo with that. A PSU will be cheaper than a new mobo.

I've torn the house apart looking for the box and receipt again, still not found it. I may give them a call and try anyway

[BUFF]

well, if you are avsolutely sure that all wake ons are disabled then this is certainly an observed behaviour with some failing PSUs.

[TheWolf]

You could possibly still get a RMA without a receipt but there will be a $25.00 charge for not having it.
I just got a replacemt for one of my IX38QuadGT's back a month ago from Fremont, Ca. U.S.A. RMA department.
Edit: not sure if that is the case else were but that is how it work here.

[RitchieTheBrit]

Originally Posted by BUFF

well, if you are avsolutely sure that all wake ons are disabled then this is certainly an observed behaviour with some failing PSUs.

Checked and double checked. The main issue was the fact it wouldn't turn on, the reboots are incidental to that I think.

My new PSU is turning up today, so before fitting it to my HTPC, I will use it to test the board. If it's still doing the same thing, I will see if I can get a paid-for RMA. I left the computer off at the wall last night, and I lost all the CMOS settings, so if the PSU isn't to blame, I may very well replace that as well, just in case.

Cheers for the feedback guys, it always helps to get feedback from others, shame its not something simple eh! Grrrr!

[RitchieTheBrit]

Well, it was the PSU! I always thing worse case scenario, lol! I replaced the CMOS battery as well, and all seems good again.

Will the PSU still be good for use in another machine? I have read that these mobos can be touchy for no real reason, and it is/was a damn good PSU.

[BobF64]

Hmm, interesting.

I had a PSU issue with mine also, it eventually killed the PSU completely.

PC would start to power up, then reset and keep cycling, until one day, it just wouldnt power up at all.

Out of interest, your PSU isnt a BeQuiet is it?

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by BobF64

Hmm, interesting.

I had a PSU issue with mine also, it eventually killed the PSU completely.

tbh I think that it's far more likely for a PSU to kill a mobo rather than vice versa.
I suspect your PSU would have failed no matter what board it was connected to (even good PSU companies expect to have a certain % of failures).

[RitchieTheBrit]

Nope, it was a decent one at the time, an Akasa 500w AK-P050FG8-BK Power Pax.

BeQuiet are budget PSU's, aren't they? I think I looked at them in the past.


Edit:

Originally Posted by BUFF

tbh I think that it's far more likely for a PSU to kill a mobo rather than vice versa

You posted the same time as me, lol! That is EXACTLY why I prefer a better PSU. I would rather pay an extra £30 for one, than another £100 for a new mobo if it goes and takes the board with it!

[BobF64]

Originally Posted by RitchieTheBrit

BeQuiet are budget PSU's, aren't they? I think I looked at them in the past.

Some are, dont think the Dark Power Pro is.