Cabling my new system. + A8N SLi question.

[RDL]

I think the guy was showing the model cabling, rather than the board. Doesn't look like N-Force 4 to me.

[Thorsson]

Ah. My bad.

Have you:

1. Tried clearing the CMOS including removing the battery (as per manual).

2. Seen if it boots on a piece of cardboard (outside the case)?

[RDL]

Nope, I haven't tried either. I'l try both tonight. Is it best to clear the CMOS and take the battery out, then try it on the cardboard?

[Thorsson]

Yeah try the CMOS first. And if you're on the original BIOS (1002) then update. Cleared a problem I had with booting with one of the early BIOSes.

The cardboard is to check that the mobo isn't somehow shorting against the case.

[RDL]

I can't update, as I can't post.

I cleared CMOS, didn't make any difference, I tried on cardboard, I still couldn't POST. I rewired it all back into the case and when I switch it on it makes a beep then the HDDs spin etc.

Also, interestingly enough the DVD drives both worked with the IDE cable in on cardboard, but not in the case.

I tried using the S-Video on the GPU too, made no difference. Not sure what else to try to be honest...

[pudds]

Plug the speakers in. It will tell you whats wrong.

[RDL]

Speakers don't tell me anything, it doesn't POST. It's not shorting, because I just modded it so it definately isn't. That got the DVD drives to work, but still no POST. The only possibility I can think of is that the CPU is a fraction out (but it has an XP120 on it) or there is something faulty.

What signs would there be that would confirm the possibility of the CPu being out?

[Thorsson]

The signs are that it must be one of the main components causing trouble, i.e. CPU, mobo, PSU, or RAM. Just to be sure, take the mobo back to the cardboard, unplug everything except the above and one stick of RAM in the first slot.

No go, then change RAM stick and re-try. No go again and the best try is try another PSU. If still no go you have to try re-seating the CPU with the original heatsink/fan.

At least that brings it down to two possible components. At that stage if you have no possibility of trying the CPU in someone else's rig then you have to try a local shop to test or RMA the pair.

[pudds]

It doesn't have to post to get an error message from the speakers. Thats what the error messages are for. If it posted you wouldn't get any.

[RDL]

Well I get no message from the speakers. The only thing I haven't tried is to reseat the CPU and then add the Stock HSF. I shall go and try that now.

[RDL]

Right, I have come to the conclusion that it may be the Mobo, needing flashed to the latest BIOS. Is there anyway to do this without and RMA? Has anyone else had this problem with an Asus A8N SLi Deluxe Edition and an Athlon 3500 socket 939 before?

[Thorsson]

Download the BIOS, put it on a floppy with AWDFlash. Press <Alt><F2> during boot. I somehow doubt that this will work though.

[RDL]

Thorsson, is there a chance of this working even if I don't get anything on boot? i.e I don't see anything on the screen?

Also, what is AWDFlash? Is that just a flashing utility?

Edit: Ah, nevermind. My system doesn't POST, so there is no chance of this working, is there?

[Thorsson]

Exactly. AWDFlash is just the flashing utility. Best way to update the BIOS. I'd RMA the Board and chip if you bought from the same place. Otherwise RMA the board and hope that a new one fixes the problem.

[RDL]

I bought both from the same place. But surely they both won't be faulty, doesn't that mean I'l get charged?

[Thorsson]

Well, I'd ring them and say you know it's one of them but you don't know which. It seems logical to me to send both back - what if you send the mobo and it turns out to be the CPU?