Faulty CPU? Or P5K & P35 DQ6 issue?

darkblade · 25 Apr 2008 at 16:41

I've been having problems with a system whereby flashing to the latest BIOS causes the PC to power cycle with no video output or beep errors.

I'm using a Core 2 E8500. I wanted to use an Asus P5K board, but the first board power cycled out of the box (starts up for 4 seconds, then powers down, before repeating), having also tested this with a E6700 which also failed to work, the board was sent back. The replacement actually booted, but advised that the BIOS needs to be updated to work with the E8500. Upon successfully flashing the BIOS (using the BIOS utility, not via Windows), I'm presented with the exact same power cycle as the first board.

So I gave up with the P5K and went for a Gigabyte P35-DQ6. This worked fine and allowed me to install Windows and was stable when overclocked. In order to gain the half multiplier functionality, I carried out a BIOS update to the latest version (again, via the BIOS and confirmed as flashed successfully) - bad move... as I'm now getting a near identical issue to the Asus board.

I've tried swapping out the PSU, the GFX, memory (using 1 slot etc). I'm hoping to try athe E6700 in the board to see if that makes any difference. Argh :mad:

Has anyone got any observations or comments on this. I've carried out BIOS updates for years and have never had a problem. Could this be down to the CPU?

vocch · 25 Apr 2008 at 17:23

Come across similar problem with P5K-E... once board was working fine when flashed was then going through same power cycle...it turned out by updating bios it then did not recognise my memory...the only way to fix was either buy different memory or flash the actual memory with spdtool...which is what i did...now all's back to normal.

The only way i got it to boot was by mixing mem sticks... Geil/Elixir on their own 1 stick or 2 was a no go.

Sorry but can't comment on the Giga issue.

darkblade · 25 Apr 2008 at 18:12

Using Crucial Ballistix PC2 8500 sticks.
However, I've also tried booting with a Kingston Value RAM stick rated at 1.8V, no joy

Edit: Also tried Corsair XMS2

netby · 26 Apr 2008 at 00:19

a shot in the dark,but...

disconect the power and do a long clear CMOS- take out the battery for 10/15 mints

and after that try to power up with just one stick of ram,but with all the USB ,mouse and keyboard disconected ( also try with hdd and ide drives disconected)

two weeks ago i had a problem,my system do not boot at all,turns out it´s the keyboard who became"incompatible" with the board

darkblade · 30 Apr 2008 at 11:23

Swapped out the CPU for an E6750 and can now get in the BIOS. Entered the mem voltage and timings manually. Swapped the E8500 back in... still power cycles

I think this is looking to be a faulty CPU. Gigabyte states that ver 1.0 of the P35-DQ6 is supported using the F7 BIOS.