AB9 pro not booting, POST code is 90

[ned@tropic]

Hi there,

I recently got myself a new system built around a ab9 pro mb. Unfortunately, after starting ok a couple of times (with no OS installed), it now fails to boot. I get nothing on the monitor, and the POST leds show 90 ("Complete uGuru initial process, AWARD bios taking over booting job").

I've tried swapping out the RAM for new stuff, without success. I've also tried unplugging everything unnecessary from the motherboard (drives, front panel usb/1394/audio). I've checked the CPU is seated ok.

I've seen someone on these forums talking about some sort of incompatibility between the XFX 7950GT and the AB9 Pro. However, the symptoms they were seeing were very different (image corruption) and the POST code I'm seeing suggests that the problem happens very early on in the boot (or at least, I think it does).

The next thing I'm going to try is swapping in a different PSU. Right now, however, my number one suspect is the motherboard itself. Ideally, I would swap out the mainboard for a new one. However, I don't have access to another so that would mean buying one

Full spec:
Abit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
Crucial 1GB DDR2 PC2-5300 RAM
(also tried swapping that for a cheap 256MB DDR2 PC4300 DIMM)
XFX GeForce 7950GT
Nesteq Nova 600W PSU
200G SATA2 Seagate barracuda
Antec P180 case

TIA for any help you can give me,
Ned.

[ABIT Sean]

There are normally only three reasons for a code 90.

1. Faulty CPU
2. Corrupt bios
3. Faulty motherboard.

[ned@tropic]

Cheers for the response.

I take it that if it's a corrupt BIOS, that amounts to the same thing as a busted motherboard? I presume there's nothing I can do to re-flash a non functioning BIOS?

Thanks again for the help,
Ned.

[BUFF]

it's a socketed BIOS chip so abit could send you a new 1, you could do a hotflash in a similar mobo etc.

9.0. can also sometimes be power related - often a mobo that's shorting out on the case will show 9.0.