Abit AX8 power on Anomaly

[timecop67]

On my Abit AX8 system I have a power on anamoly. When hitting the power button it sometimes fires up and everthing is normal and other times it doesn't turn the system on. When the system doesn't turn on it will go through the bios boot screen and no normal beep just a blinking cursor. I just have to power down and restart everything since my Lian case does not have a reset button. I have another system with this Fortron supply and an Intel mother board and everthing is normal. Any ideas?

 

[furballi]

Anything flashing at the display on the MB? Is the HD loading? Are you using DVI video out? Try the analog output to see if the problem goes away.

Also I would reflash the BIOS to version 1.1. Reset CMOS (may need to remove the battery for a few minutes) and retest. Try to boot/reboot about 50 times.

Don't use MicroGuru in Windows.

 

[timecop67]

Using DVI out. I am seeing a blinking cursor on a black screen when this anomaly happens...just sits there blinking. Bios logo screen is not being displayed on bootup just the blinking cursor. Hard drive light is not on...on the Lian case when cursor is showing. Using 1.2 or 1.3 bios. I will open up the case later tonight to see if anything is being displayed on the motherboard.

 

[furballi]

Usually a sign of overclocked PC that's near the borderline of not being able to boot. Exessive overclocking of the AMD CPU can cause similar problem, especially with age. I'd reset to BIOS 1.1, reset CMOS, and retest at default settings.

You should also try analog out if problem persists.

 

[timecop67]

Never overclocked this CPU. It does this about 20-30% of the time when powering up. Just have to shut off the power and it usually restarts. My first guess would have been the ATX supply just not engaging or turning on like it should to power up the motherboard. Isn't there an intializing pulse sent out by the supply at first power up? I may try different power management options to see if any change.

 

[furballi]

Again, use BIOS 1.1, reset CMOS, switch to Analog video out, and retest with new RAMs if possible. Most PSUs will either work or fail.

 

[timecop67]

Well I used Bios 1.1 before flashing to 1.3 and it would occasionally fail the same way...just a cursor and black screen. So don't think it is that. Say I use Analog video out and problem goes away does that mean a video card failure in DVI mode, a failure on the PCIE bus, or a or just a setting that needs tweaking for DVI output in bios control? Can you tell me what the spectrum control is? I noticed you can enable it for the PCIE bus.

 

[timecop67]

Checking the history on the Abit forums it looks like others have had the same problems. Looks like some power supplies are more compatible with this AX8 board than other supplies. One guy said it liked his Enlight cheap 250w supply over a 500w xconnect supply. Others have reported it sometimes takes 2-3 attempts to get the board to boot. Can't find a particular reason for it yet.

 

[furballi]

I've built several AX8s. The problem appears to be related to the DVI out, and not PSU. You can try the analog out and boot/reboot about 50x to see if the problem goes away. Switching to a non-ATI card may be another solution.

 

[timecop67]

Okay I'll give that a shot. Switching from digital to analog will I see much of difference in screen quality? I'm running at about 1024 x 768. I'm assuming this is a glitch in PCI express technology being a first board. So is it the AX8 board at fault, the ATI card, or the specs on the power supply? Has to be one of the three. lol.

 

[furballi]

It depends on the D/A converter in the monitor.

I have only seen this problem with ATI PCI-E DVI out. Could a combo of AX8 and ATI.

 

[timecop67]

Okay furballi thanks for the info. I have placed my x800xl up for sale and if it sells I will go to the Leadtek 7800 geoforce video card. If the x800 doesn't sell I will just use analog for the life of the product. Running in analog mode I have noticed reported temps drop on the CPU and chipsets by 2-3C. Looks like it takes more current and work to use digital on the system.

 

[furballi]

I'd hang on to the card and test another non-ATI card. If the problem goes away, then you can sell the ATI.

I take it that your problem goes away with the analog out? If you don't see any difference between analog and digital out, then use the analog out.

 

[timecop67]

Well I thought using Analog out was going to cure the problem but the glitch has resurfaced using analog. I will scan the ATI forums for anything related to the problem. Don't have access to a Nvidia card to test unless I buy one. Also don't think the 7800 Geoforce is really needed in my system as I game in 1024 x 768 but more power couldn't hurt I guess. Actually a motherboard replacement would be a cheaper option but it is just more time to reload everything.

 

[furballi]

It appears that you may have a unique problem. If the PSU works fine in another PC, then you may have an issue with the RAM. Run Memtest 86+ for at least one day.

I'd also uncheck ALL items in MSCONFIG and retest. Often, the hang up could be coming from a software initialized during PC boot. Normally, I would create an image file of the C partition right after loading WXP. By re-imaging this copy of WXP, I can instantly eliminate software-related issues. I'd say over 95% of these problems are related to software conflict. It is quite rare for quality hardware to fail.

From your description, it appears that we're down to the software, RAM, PSU, or motherboard. You may also want to reseat all connectors inside/outside the PC. Also check Event Viewer for alert(s) when you encounter the no-boot condition.

 

[timecop67]

Well Furballi I purchased a EVGA 7800 GT Co to eliminate the ATI card as being the culprit. Still it sometimes boots up and othertimes it seems to hang after the DMI load. Maybe 1 in 4 boots. This is getting a little expensive.... maybe a motherboard replacement to the AX8 version 2 or an EPOX board might do the trick. Is there any way to verify my memory is compatible with this board? Here are the numbers on the package.

Corsair twinx1024-3200xl 20-145-522(457701)

 

[boobears]

I have the exact same problem with my AX8 running bios 1.3. I don't notice it as much since I only reboot a few times a month. I'm convinced the AX8 is just a crap motherboard and this will be the last time I buy a board from Abit. My advice is... don't reboot.

 

[CrystalBay]

Sounds almost exactly like a cold boot problem , Fubard Bios or something along those lines. Unfortunately, my patience is running thin with almost all boardmakers.

 

[hishadow]

Glad to see other people having a hard time with this card *grin*.

I'm having the exact problem with this motherboard too. Some 4 months ago I purcased this card. After installing the card I had serious problems with getting it to boot. Had to power on/reset endlessly until it finally booted (in addition to several BIOS resets and upgrades). Funny thing is, after the initial problems with this card, they disappeared for some 3 months. Booted perfectly with no problems. Then recently the problems returned. Only this time the graphics card (or motherboard) hangs the computer when its using its 3D capabilites, resulting in the motherboard refusing to boot after the hang. Could this be a power surge issue? Also... I will try to downgrad to a lower BIOS version, but I doubt that will help.

I use a Gigabyte ATI X800 graphics card, a Terratec DMX6 Fire soundcard and a MIST 500W power supply.

Also.. usually stops boot on code 46 and FF.

... and the PC speaker has been permanently disconnected

To all others with this card.. try disabling everything in the UGURU EQ bios setting (the temperature, volt etc. monitoring/guards).

 

[timecop67]

I contacted Abit about their AX8 motherboard and the cold boot problem. The company sent one email back and said to check my power connections. I wrote back and said everything is fine with my connections "have any other ideas". Well it has been a month now and they still haven't replied. I would guess they know about the problem but it may be hardware related and non correctable. Wonder if they fixed the issue in the AX8 version 2. I'm not going to take the chance on my next motherboard purchase if they don't resolve this.

 

[tvdang7]

i have the same problem....i used to think its my PSU but i think its my board i think its defective....and im really lazy to RMA.....im pretty sur eits my board but i dont want to do into details.....so yea..:/

 

[timecop67]

Took 5 tries to get it booted today. I will send Abit another email and hope I get a straight answer from them. Otherwise it seems to run okay but this is ridiculous. They had better replace this board with a NForce 4 series board if their Via 890 chipset solution is fubar.

 

[hishadow]

I think this card is pretty screwed up. Luckily I have been able to exchange my card in something newer card, the Abit AN8-SLI (NForce4 with heatpipe) motherboard. I advise everyone else to contact their supplier and check if you can exchange this card in something else.

 

[timecop67]

Noticed on Abits website there is a AX8 version 3 that is due out. If they have taken care of this Cold Boot issue or other problems it would be an easy drop in solution for me. Probably wouldn't have to reformat my drive and reinstall windows with that board. But that would be taking a chance they have corrected the Cold Boot problem in the Rev 3 board.

With the other motherboard companies like Gigabyte implementing 3 phase power and 8 phase power on the new Asus boards...does that add to more stability in their design over what Abit puts out? And how many phases does the Abit AX8 board have or does it use that type of technology in their boards?

Well I've noticed on the Abit forums when some people have switched Power Supplies the problem seems to be alleviated. And since the power supply ties in with the regulation system of the motherboard.... what is the chance that the AX8s regulation system is a little on the flaky side?

Just a guess but if anyone is running a AX8 version 2 or 3 let me know how well they like it and if it is problem free.

 

[timecop67]

Anyone using the Power1- 12v conector on the AX8 motherboard? According to the Abit forum and tech support this lead should really be connected..... however when I conected Power1 the system gives a long beep and a short beep and no bootup--blank screen. I disconnect the lead and everything goes back to normal. At least the system boots 90% of the time with the Power1 disconnected. Any other users of the AX8 board..... did you connect this lead?