Brand new IP-35Pro: problems hard to troubleshoot

[Fabrice]

Hello,

I've started building a new computer, actually upgrading a previous one with new mobo, memory, cpu and graphics. All brand new parts from Scan.co.uk. Here they are:

* Abit IP-35Pro S775
* Corsair TwinX 2x1GB DDR2 800 (match pair)
* Intel Q6600 G0 with Nirvana NV-120 cooler
* XFX 8500GT graphics

I'm using my current PSU SilenX 520W and same S-ATA HD's and optical drive.

I encountered issues very early on just pluging the bare minimum and loading the BIOS; that's just psu, mobo, cpu, memory and graphics.
First, it took several attempts to get the mobo power LED to light up, connecting and disconnecting the power cord, waiting, no waiting between the two.
At some point I got weird eratic flashes on the power LED and all kind of codes on the POST display along with cpu fan kicking in then stopping. Then i got a stable spell so powered up got into the BIOS only to have the system shuts down after 5 minutes.
At some point i managed to plug a S-ATA drive and CD drive, did a fresh install of Windows no problems.
Now, i'm still having the same problems getting the power LED on (that's only when plugging in after unplugging the power cord). When i do, the system shuts down after 5 minutes exactly (i checked) whether i'm in the BIOS or in Windows.

I immediately thought about psu fault but then i tried it on my previous mobo setup (P4C800-E) and got no issues whatsoever getting into Windows, power LED straight on and BIOS holding well after 5 minutes.

I can't flash the BIOS because the board doesn't even recognise the FDD.
Reading the forums about memory and voltages, i have never modified these sort of things before so i'd rather leave those to "auto".
Also, cpu temperatures are really low and i'm doing the testing with the board outside the case with cpu fan on full blast.

Anybody knows what's going on here? Any clues?
Unfortunately, i don't have a spare psu to try.
Also, i don't want to send the mobo back unless i'm sure it's faulty.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

Fabrice

[gilgamesh]

Hello,

I've started building a new computer, actually upgrading a previous one with new mobo, memory, cpu and graphics. All brand new parts from Scan.co.uk. Here they are:

* Abit IP-35Pro S775
* Corsair TwinX 2x1GB DDR2 800 (match pair)
* Intel Q6600 G0 with Nirvana NV-120 cooler
* XFX 8500GT graphics

I'm using my current PSU SilenX 520W and same S-ATA HD's and optical drive.

I encountered issues very early on just pluging the bare minimum and loading the BIOS; that's just psu, mobo, cpu, memory and graphics.
First, it took several attempts to get the mobo power LED to light up, connecting and disconnecting the power cord, waiting, no waiting between the two.
At some point I got weird eratic flashes on the power LED and all kind of codes on the POST display along with cpu fan kicking in then stopping. Then i got a stable spell so powered up got into the BIOS only to have the system shuts down after 5 minutes.
At some point i managed to plug a S-ATA drive and CD drive, did a fresh install of Windows no problems.
Now, i'm still having the same problems getting the power LED on (that's only when plugging in after unplugging the power cord). When i do, the system shuts down after 5 minutes exactly (i checked) whether i'm in the BIOS or in Windows.

I immediately thought about psu fault but then i tried it on my previous mobo setup (P4C800-E) and got no issues whatsoever getting into Windows, power LED straight on and BIOS holding well after 5 minutes.

I can't flash the BIOS because the board doesn't even recognise the FDD.
Reading the forums about memory and voltages, i have never modified these sort of things before so i'd rather leave those to "auto".
Also, cpu temperatures are really low and i'm doing the testing with the board outside the case with cpu fan on full blast.

Anybody knows what's going on here? Any clues?
Unfortunately, i don't have a spare psu to try.
Also, i don't want to send the mobo back unless i'm sure it's faulty.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

Fabrice

Corsair twin x SHOULD boot ok at 1.8 volts providing all timings are @SPD

Do you get any C1 errors? in addtion it would help us alot if you post some of the error codes please.

It really does sound like you may have either a PSU thats not compatible with the board or faulty memory. Please insert one Ram module at a time and try to see if one of the modules is causing the problem.

Additionaly if you live in Yorkshire I have a spare PSU you can borrow for testing, I have three on review as we speak.

gilgamesh

[Fabrice]

Thanks Gilgamesh,

It really does sound like you may have either a PSU thats not compatible with the board or faulty memory. Please insert one Ram module at a time and try to see if one of the modules is causing the problem.

Don't you think it could be a faulty board?

I'll try your suggestions.

Fabrice

[gilgamesh]

It could be, but its worth trying everything else, before assuming such. It does sound like a memory problem though.


gilgamesh

[Fabrice]

Many thanks for replying so quikly

It could be, but its worth trying everything else, before assuming such.

Of course, i agree, make sense.
You reckon i shouldn't touch RAM voltages?

[gilgamesh]

you need to find out how much voltage that ram uses. I think its 2.1 but not sure.

However it should still at least boot at spd timings.

Clear CMOS
then install one module at a time.

gilgamesh

[Fabrice]

trying to put one stick at a time:
first one in, cleared CMOS then plug in power cord = no powerLED (3VSB)
unplug cord = 3VSB lights up along with a quick 0.1 code then out.
wait a bit then i plug back in; this time 3VSB and 0.1 code are on.
i power up but POST screen gets stuck with a message: "CMOS checksum error - Defaults loaded"
options are F1 or Del: i press Del to enter setup and F10 to save and exit
system boots up, Windows is loaded but system shuts down after about 5 mins

trying the other stick, same thing after 5 mins.
what is it about this 5-min thing?
why not 3 or 6 or 10. does it have any meaning?

i'm going to try the same thing with all 4 DIMM slots but it's time consuming.

when checking BIOS the RAM voltages are 1.8V with "by SPD" selected.

Fabrice

[Fabrice]

with 2 sticks in now, it powers up but gets stuck with C1 code and no screen at all so no way to get into the BIOS and no POST sequence.

i'm lost...


F.

[BUFF]

C1 is a memory related error.
I suspect that with 2 DIMMs it may need a boost of the RAM voltage.

You should instantly get a red VSB LED plus the POST LED display on connecting & switching on the PSU followed by a green LED upon the mobo starting.
It sounds like you may have a poor connection or PSU problem if you aren't getting the VSB LED immediately upon switching on the PSU.

As for the 5 minute shutdown my guess would probably be a CPU overheat, are you sure that the HSF is properly fitted?

[Fabrice]

C1 is a memory related error.
I suspect that with 2 DIMMs it may need a boost of the RAM voltage.

How do i do that exactly please Buff? I wanna make sure i don't get it wrong

You should instantly get a red VSB LED plus the POST LED display on connecting & switching on the PSU followed by a green LED upon the mobo starting.
It sounds like you may have a poor connection or PSU problem if you aren't getting the VSB LED immediately upon switching on the PSU.

Sometimes i get it straight away, sometimes not

As for the 5 minute shutdown my guess would probably be a CPU overheat, are you sure that the HSF is properly fitted?

I installed the heatsink properly, no doubt.
If it's cpu overheating, could you explain why the temperature doesn't go above ~29 'C right up to the point of shutting down?
Couldn't that be down to psu or the IP-35 doing that?

Many thanks for all the help by the way... tu:

Fabrice

[BUFF]

How do i do that exactly please Buff? I wanna make sure i don't get it wrong

using only 1 DIMM enter the BIOS & go to the uGuru Utility>OC Guru>Voltage Control>DDR2 Voltage.
If it's TWIN2X2048-6400 set 1.9V, if it's TWIN2X2048-6400C4 try 2.1V, save & exit.
shutdown, switch off (you should have no power to the mobo when installing/removing DDR2 DIMMs) & install 2nd DIMM.
restart.

Couldn't that be down to psu or the IP-35 doing that?

it could be the PSU, I doubt that it's the mobo.

[Fabrice]

using only 1 DIMM enter the BIOS & go to the uGuru Utility>OC Guru>Voltage Control>DDR2 Voltage.
If it's TWIN2X2048-6400 set 1.9V, if it's TWIN2X2048-6400C4 try 2.1V, save & exit.
shutdown, switch off (you should have no power to the mobo when installing/removing DDR2 DIMMs) & install 2nd DIMM.
restart.

i have TWIN2X2048-6400C4 so i'll try 2.1V
thank you.

a general question:
can a faulty psu permanently damage a motherboard?

Fabrice

[gilgamesh]

yes it can, but in the case I dont think your motherboard is damaged, as we discussed earlier it looks to be a memory problem specially since you are getting c1 errors.

gilgamesh

[Fabrice]

well well... it looks like the PSU is dead now. it doesn't light up the board, nothing. i've tried it with my other mobo and that doesn't even make the led come on, so i think it's dead.
but i don't consider myself out of the woods yet.
i'll order a new psu and take it from there.
anyone got experience with Nesteq PSUs?
i'm considering the 700W one, and for my work i need a very very quiet one.

Fabrice

[chuckskull]

Never heard of nesteg(from what I can tell neither has jonnyguru, not a good sign).

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK Is very quiet and solid. Will run your system no problem. If you really need more power than that look into Seasonic M12's. Again very quiet and come in just about any wattage you'll ever need.

[gilgamesh]

nope never heard of of nesteg.

The board works well with a Corsair HX620 720 and 1k watt also with a Enermax MODU 82+

gilgamesh