Hardware problem.

Shodan7

Shodan7

Shodan7

Associate
Joined
3 Apr 2009
Posts
7
Hey there, new here. I like the site and that, also this is my first post so I'm sorry if there is anything 'wrong' like it being in the wrong section. Specs are at bottom of post.

But, I've been having problems and I hope you could help. The other day I had some problems, to the extent where I can't boot up anymore.

The monitor doesn't recognise anything, (the monitor LED stays orange); the mouse and keyboard do not turn on. However, fans,, cd drives and hard drive activity is ok.

I tested the RAM, the PC doesn't work even with just one stick and I tested more. So it is either (I think) the motherboard or CPU.

On the motherboard the blue light is on. But there is also another orangy light on next to it when I boot up.

Any ideas? What's wrong, what could I do? Thanks for the help. If need more info, please ask. :)

(Posted this in general hardware due to fact it may not be the mobo.)

SPECS:

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @3.00ghz
Memory- 4gb Corsair Dominator (2x2gb) @1066mhz
Mobo- EVGA 780i SLI
Video: 2 x BFG 9800GTX+ OC
PSU: Corsair 700w PSU
Harddrive: Samsung Spinpoint 500gb @7200RPM

Cheers again.

Sho-
 
Have you tried each gpu individualy, does the manual mention anything regards the LED'S which should be on ect.
 
Possibly the PSU or one of the Graphics cards, most Mobos will buzz if the CPU isn't working.

If the psu isn't providing the +12v(square 4pin) for the CPU, the mobo may power up, but it won't post.
 
RJC said:
Have you tried each gpu individualy, does the manual mention anything regards the LED'S which should be on ect.
Click to expand...

Hi RJC

Thanks for the rapid response, alas I had given up at that time.

Yes I tried both GPU's on their own and also rebuilt the system out of he case (something I saw on the EVGA forums for a similar fault), adding bits as I went along - but still nothing on screen.

No, the manual doesn't mention the other LED's; theres a blue power LED, but also a green and an orange one just above it and for the life of me I cannot remember if they were 'on' when I built the system!!! They are not labelled on the 'idiot picture' of the board either.

King Zeddy made an interesting post after you though - and I finally realised what the LED codes are; that is, there is an digital LED readout on the board and when it boots as far as its able it leaves the code 25 up.

25 on the post code states: 'Shadow system/video BIOS'

would that have anything to do with the GPU's - sorry, I am completely ignorant regarding the BIOS - never having had a problem along these lines before - with the exception of setting the boot priority and other standard stuff.

Thanks again, any help is much appreciated as I am in the dark on this one.
 
I had a problem very similar to this! I tested EVERYTHING in a different machine and it still didn't work. I was literally about to buy a new MB and I just thought I'l test it one more time, and it worked perfectly :eek:

I know this doesnt really help AT ALL, just thought I'd share it with you haha.

Guessing you tried resetting the bios yes?
 
KingZeddy said:
Are there any post codes showing on your mobo? should be in your manual what they mean
Click to expand...

Thanks King Zeddy

Its your quote that finally made the 'penny drop'; theres a digital LED readout on the mobo that after boot up settles on '25'

25 on the post codes refers to 'shadow Bios/video bios' and as I quoted to RJC previously, I am completely ignorant of the Bios outside of the basics.

Any ideas? your help is much appreciated on this one as I said previously - I am in the dark here.

Thanks again.
 
Sasahara said:
Possibly the PSU or one of the Graphics cards, most Mobos will buzz if the CPU isn't working.

If the psu isn't providing the +12v(square 4pin) for the CPU, the mobo may power up, but it won't post.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point Sasahara, thanks for replying so quickly - I'll borrow a multimeter later and get back to you on that one.

I didn't know that most mobos buzz if the CPU isn't working though (mentally filed for later use) - thanks.

hopefully I will have some time later to get back to my fault finding.

Thanks again for your help.
 
wrayvon said:
I had a problem very similar to this! I tested EVERYTHING in a different machine and it still didn't work. I was literally about to buy a new MB and I just thought I'l test it one more time, and it worked perfectly :eek:

I know this doesnt really help AT ALL, just thought I'd share it with you haha.

Guessing you tried resetting the bios yes?
Click to expand...

Hey - no problems wrayvon - I need a laugh at the moment. Yes, I reset the BIOS straight after I checked the RAM and the GPU's.

Thanks for your help - Every little helps you know.
 
Just a couple of checks: have you plugged the 3rd power 4 pin molex into the mobo?
Have you tried checking the standoffs and backplate that there is no shorting going on? - apparently there also have been posted problems with ps/2 KB and mouse peripherals shorting - or being put in the wrong coloured slots!
Also check every connector is attached properly, eg when you are testing if you leave cables plugged to the mobo but disconnect the power molex from their devices it will not post.
also saw this posted on the EVGA forum:
I would also suggest that you pull out the CMOS battery out for a few minutes, 5 minutes or so is fine replace the battery, and also remove your keyboard and mouse. power up; you should get past code 25 at this point and you will see 7F. At that point shut down, plug in your keyboard and mouse, and power the machine back up. the LED diagnostic should cycle through and eventually get you to FF
 
Hello again King Zeddy

I would have done this sooner as I've had one eye on the forum all day but it helps if you refresh once in a while (DOH!)

OK, quite a feast of information here so I'll answer in order of appearance.

Theres only an 8 pin ATX connector for the mobo, 4 x 6 pin ATX for the twin BFG 9800's and the molex's only go to the optical drives and fans ect.

Have rebuilt the system out of the case, powering up step by step - still no improvement there - the standoffs are fine and not overlapping on to the tracks on the mobo.

Regards the mouse/keyboard, I was using a logitech gaming board and P5 mouse with no problems, I switched to a PS2 setup as part of the fault finding process - again, no improvement.

No problems regarding the conectors as far as I can see, have checked that RAM and GPU seated properly also. Also ensured that what minimal peripherals I connected had power - still code 25

Tried disconnecting the mouse and keyboard and booting up - still won't go past code 25
then reconnected - the same result

Seeing as I don't have a spare cpu or mobo to crosscheck - whats the odds that both sticks of memory are faulty? The reason being that I can pick up a cheap stick tomorrow just to see - Do you think that its worth a try?

Thanks agin King Zeddy, nevermind your forum ranking, you will always be a deity to me :)
 
Its a puzzle alright!, these boards can be very picky about ram, so worth trying another stick. I had a look at the EVGA forums and they arent much help are they - but apparently their techsupport is quite responsive.
 
KingZeddy said:
Its a puzzle alright!, these boards can be very picky about ram, so worth trying another stick. I had a look at the EVGA forums and they arent much help are they - but apparently their techsupport is quite responsive.
Click to expand...

Hey- Thanks again for posting so quickly.

I'll try the RAM option then, will give EVGA a go as well but after I've tried another stick. I agree its a problem but it doesn't help that I don't have another CPU etc - if it was a bit older I would have been in with a chance as we have a spare P4 cpu in the house and other odds and sods - cest la vie - I will let you know how I get on later on tomorrow.

Fruitless though it may have been, you've been of incalculable help :)

Thanks for your time King Zeddy.

Another exciting episode of 'whatdunnit' tomorrow - cheers.
 
I would be surprised if it is the CPU, or Graphics Cards, or probably even the memory. You may just have a faulty mobo.

Before you RMA it try again clearing the CMOS, pulling the battery out for 5 minutes. Putting it all back together again, really checking the seating of the videocards apparently they need a good push in even if they look seated. Check and recheck all cables. Check you have the video cards in the right slots etc. Try and power up.
 
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