3 Mobos all ? Dead, ALL else good.. Mystery, help!

[webley]

Hi, I feel like I'm losing it here as I've had what appears to be 3! IN A ROW apparent DOA motherboards! All other parts were tested to work fine, PSU, Drives, Video Card, Floppy, cables.. everything. First dead was an ASUS something, then a fancy EPOX SLI board 9NPA3 SLI I believe, and finally the famous for reliability ASUS A8N5X; all brand "new". All 3 gave only black blank screens (of course) and all while using a triple confirmed working AMD Athlon 64 4000+ processor that ran COLD on all 3 boards.. All other parts warm up on all 3 boards but the processor. ??

Is it unheard of to get 3 DOA boards in a row or am I missing something here? I'm re-checking the PSU tonight to be sure of that variable but everything warms up except the good CPU so I think it's the mainboards as improbable as that is. I've tested a GOOD PSU on them also with no change.. The press power botton for 5 secs to power down function isn't working for all 3 either. Could it be that UPS "trash the shipments" deliveries on all 3 plus some poor quality control did this? I've built tens of computers and NEVER seen 3 in a row like this. Could I reflash the bios if that could be the cause? I read someone used Kinston HyperX on this board so I have two good HyperX 512MB (pair) in it. A cold CPU just doesn't sound like it holds much hope to me. Any thoughts? Your Frustrated Friend, webley

Really, my only option is to exchange the current last A8N5X so I guess that's next but I hope the replacement isn't a returned lemon that "sort of works". Is a bios flash worth trying? I'll have to re-assemble but still if that could cause this, I would do it. What a nightmare.

 

[Jiggz]

3 boards in a row? The possibility exists so it can happen! You mentioned " everything was tested to be working. . . ". So you already proven that the mobo's are dead! That's if you are accurate when you said "everything was tested to be working . . ." In my case, when I troubleshoot, I always start with basic. A dismounted mobo, PSU, video card, a stick of ram, CPU + hsf and monitor. If this setup works I should at least see it post.

 

[webley]

Thanks Jiggz, Yes, I've tested EVERY single component on good systems and all work perfectly except the mainboards. I just can't believe it as I've built over 20 computers over almost 20 years, and never seen this.. I'm just starting again now, ordering a new board and hoping! I also hope the exchange only current board doesn't mean I'll get someone's problem returned board in exchange for the bad but brand new (dead) board. Hope it all works out. webley

 

[webley]

Thanks Jiggz, Yes, I've tested EVERY single component on good systems and all work perfectly except the mainboards. I just can't believe it as I've built over 20 computers over almost 20 years, and never seen this.. I'm just starting again now, ordering a new board and hoping! I also hope the exchange only current board doesn't mean I'll get someone's problem returned board in exchange for the bad but brand new (dead) board. Hope it all works out. webley

 

[ARK007]

Hard to believe that three brand new motherboards are DOA!

Can you get your hands on an older/slower CPU to try out in case the BIOS was too old to support a 4000+ processor.

 

[webley]

Can you get your hands on an older/slower CPU to try out in case the BIOS was too old to support a 4000+ processor

I unfortunately don't have a slower one but I called tech support and they said the A8N5X supports 4000+ and I know the others do. It's a profound mystery as I've tried EVERY SINGLE PART in another EPOX similar setup and they ALL work, from power supply to video card to CPU!

Has anyone ever heard of a Case causing this problem? I'm using a cheap but pretty well made Wizard Ultra (you know the Outpost FAR blue one) so I wondered if it could short out the board or something. I've read lots of good reviews on the Wizard though so I don't think that's it. It goes for around $50 now w/o PS so it's not a bottom tier product either. In fact I like it a lot, especially the clean nice color looks. Steel is thinner than an Antec but it's steel and plenty strong. Someone designed a good case. Should I leave off the extra screw in risers for the mainboard? I can't see how that could cause any problem.

Many people get DOA motherboards these days, and think how complex they all are with not a single place for error of their construction. I can almost see this as some very bad luck and the next board will be the one that works! It would be sorta nice anyway.

Thanks for the support all as you all know the hassle of just one DOA board so imagine 3!

A good CPU with all good parts and cold running CPU can't be a bios issue can it? You need the CPU to run or you have a dead board from what I've always understood as you can't see text or reach the Bios so flashing it is out. It has to mean a DOA motherboard or some other unknown but I can't think of any unknown variables here...

webley

 

[oynaz]

Apart from sheer bad luck, the only reason I could think of is that your PSU is defective after all.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: oynaz
Apart from sheer bad luck, the only reason I could think of is that your PSU is defective after all.

yeppers...or maybe the brandy warmer you have attached to the case has shorted..

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: oynaz
Apart from sheer bad luck, the only reason I could think of is that your PSU is defective after all.

yeppers...or maybe the brandy warmer you have attached to the case has shorted..

The PSU can't be the problem because...
"I've tried EVERY SINGLE PART in another EPOX similar setup and they ALL work, from power supply to video card to CPU"

Try setting up your next victim outside the case.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Blain
Try setting up your next victim outside the case.

"Victim" bwahahahahaha! Anyways, I was gonna suggest that. I always, always test outside the case first, and have recommended that numerous times here (usually in motherboards forum). Oh, and have I mentioned I always test outside the case? BTW have you tried testing it outside the case?

 

[webley]

Thought I better finish what I started.. here's the rediculously simple yet not obvious solution. All of these motherboards apparently suddenly all need both the 24 Pin Power pluggeg in as well as the former "Intel" 4 pin 12V power connector simultaneously. I checked the manual of the ASUS that is working great now and it is vague on this topic at best. I read it to mean that the 12V 4 pin is optional and didn't want to risk plugging in both simultaneously if only one is needed if doing so could endanger the board. I suppose I should have asked early about this but hindsite is 20/20. It's been "fixed" for a while but I've been busy and forgot to report back. All's well at last. Maybe this can help some other confused person out there. It's kind of like not seeing the jelly jar in the refrigerator that's right in front of you. I feel kind of bad about RMAing 3 probably perfect boards (one for exchange), but at least the "open box" buyers of them will get perfect boards (from the Excellent NewEgg). I hope I'm not the first to make this error as it's a bit embarrassing after my long history of building computers! I just got behind in the technology I guess.

I got help directly from ASUS and learned of the requirement for both and problem solved. This was a great mystery to me as I have many motherboards from the same generation like the (EPOX) line, EPOX 9NPA series (Ultra etc) and the 24 Pin was all that was ever used even when they support multiple processors. Anyway, problem solved and I learned something. The seller said that the new "two power supply" recent change is due to the new dual core need for extra power. I still have only inexpensive single processor systems however. Thanks for the ideas everyone. Really 'preciate it! webley