SN95G5V2 Problem - no boot

[Blackadder_1000]

I just got my new Shuttle SN95G5V2 and spent a happy nite setting it all up:
AMD 3200+ Socket 939 Venice chip
2x512Mb PC3200 memory
120Gb Maxtor SATA HDD
NEC ND-3520A DVD-RW
XFX 6600GT AGP graphics card

Plugged it all in and expected it to boot but of course it didnt
Firstly the fans spun about a quarter of a revolution and stopped and then the red LED (supposed to indicate a 3.3V AGP card has been plugged in) lit up along with the green LED (used to indicate the RAM should not be removed).
After much poking and prodding I eventually found that it I disconnected the power and then reset the bios (either through the jumper setting on the mobo or through the CMOS reset switch at the back) then when power is restored the system will boot (and the red led does not come on). Obviously this is a problem and when the bios screen comes up it says:
'CMOS Checksum error - defaults restored'
I can change the BIOS settings but every time I power the PC down I have to reset the bios to get it to boot again. After the CMOS checksum error I can press F1 and then continue as normal (i.e. I installed Win XP and software). Also the Smart Fan system does not automatically throttle down the fan on the first boot - I have to reset the system to stop it sounding like a jet engine.
I tried flashing the bios in DOS to a newer version but to no avail. Once Win XP was installed I used Winflash to flash the bios to the original version - didnt help and then to a newer version once again but this didnt solve the problem either.
Does this mean my BIOS chip is dead?
Or is the mobo itself need replacing?
If I can somehow contact ebuyer (where I bought it) or shuttle do you think they could send me a bios chip and then I could replace it or is it better just to RMA the whole case and mobo (but this would take longer).
Any suggestions would be welcomed
Many Thanks
Blackadder_1000

[noah]

may be a silly suggestion, but considering there are no others then i'll go ahead.

is the battery dead/low? if it posts i wouldve thought the chip is ok? just an idea, feel free to tell me im wrong.

[Markj]

XPC SN95G5 v1 and 2 don't officially support AMD E stepping (Venice and San Diego) processors.

Some people have been able to get these chips to work, but it seems to be a matter of luck getting the right chip from the batch to match your motherboard.

Shuttle are trying to get out a new BIOS to fix things but it's still not certain they will.

The SN95G5 v3 does support E stepping chips.

[Blackadder_1000]

I tried swapping the battery for a new one but this didnt fix it.
I just hope it isnt the chip so I guess Ill get the case and mobo RMAed.
Thanks for the help

[Blackadder_1000]

p.s. I noticed that Shuttle have just released their new bios my my xpc today. It is supposed to update the CPU microcode but it didnt fix my problem. I still get the same CMOS checksum error after flashing

[DJWillis]

Can you try a Winchester core CPU in it?

That said I get this every so often with my SN95G5 (V2). It will often not boot from cold and reset the CMOS after you cycle the power.

Powers up but does not initalise the board as far as I can tell. Fan's go on max and not a lot else .

[DJWillis]

Update on this.

The problem you describe is a well known problem with the SN95G5. Check Sudhians SFF forums for more info.

[austinjreid]

I had the same problems, and I ordered what was advertised as a V3 but turned out to be a V2. I have RMA'd mine.

Anyone know where to get a definite V3 in the UK?

[Blackadder_1000]

Having RMAd my case I emailed shuttle to ask when v3 is out in the UK.
They said 2-3 weeks (this was on the 10th of June) so I would expect them out maybe first week of July.
The bloke also said that they should cost 1 - 2 euros more than version 2 (which is only about £1.20)