Biostar TA690G

[solas989]

OK, I have two Biostar TA690G from two different vendors. Is it possible both are dead?

AMD X2 4200+ 65W 90nm (works in another system)
Hanns G 19" Widescreen (DVI+VGA)
I use Silverstone NT-06 (requires removal of AM2 bracket)
Silverstone ST50EF-PLUS Short Cable Edition (have not powered another system)
OCZ Platinum REV 2 DDR2 PC6400 (works in another system)
No hard drives attached
No installed in case, used anti static bag and hard surface
USB Keyboard and USB Mouse

Symtoms: No boot, no post, nothing. On mb, there are two diagnosis lights. Both are off meaning Abnormal CPU/Chipset Error.

When I turn on the power, the power on my USB KB light up momentarily. Nothing on the MS USB lazer mouse. All the fans turn on and rotate, those connected to the mb. I have tried both the VGA and DVI, nothing. I use the power button on the mb, reset does nothing, at least I dont notice it. I do have the Secondary 12V CPU power attached.

Any ideas what I am doing wrong? Or is my luck just that bad? I have never had two bad mb in a row.

Thanks

solas

 

[najames]

I think you have something screwing going on, can't imagine 2 dead boards in a row from different vendors.

1) Visually look at both sides of the board. I recently had my first ever bad board since I started doing this in the mid 80s, a new 939 board with a fried/broken trace on the back side, look for black/brown blothches or bad traces. If ok, you need to test and isolate all parts. If the CPU works in another system we'll assume it is ok for now, I doubt if Biostar has a CPU list yet for this board either, I have 3600 Brisbane. I am using a 19" Rosewill LCD, but it is connected by the VGA on a 4port KVM.

2) Double check all the jumpers and onboard stuff according to the manual.

2) I am not using USB mouse/keyboard on mine, using PS/2 on the KVM, can you try another keyboard/adaptor for the round ps/2 ports? Might want to just try the keyboard by itself too.

3) Can you try other ram, just in case this board and the ram don't agree. Also try your RAM one stick at a time in each socket to see if it will start. I am currently running two sticks of SuperTalent 667 in the two orange slots next to the CPU.

4) Try another known working PSU just in case it is bad. Check to make sure it is set on the right voltage on the back if there is a switch for 110/220. I am using a 330W Seasonic.

5) make sure the heatsink is making proper contact or it could thermally shutdown immediately too. I am using a stock 939 heatsink + AS5 on mine.

6) you might want to try connecting a drive. I had a new unformatted Seagate SATAII connected on Sata 1. No drives= no boot, but one would think it would post.

I did the process of elimination on every single part before I bothered to look at the crispy fried board, dumb Jim!!!

 

[grooge]

Put back original AMD cooler for testing. check for grounding. missing copper mounting post or misplaced. Plug both the 24 pins AND the 4 pins ATX. Check CMOS jumper, should be at normal position, not to CLEAR for normal running. Try the board outside of the casewith only CPU, RAM and onboard video. should get POST screen.

 

[solas989]

I look viusally at the board. I did not notice anything abnormal. Caps are fine, no bad traces that I can see, mosfets seem good, all connections are solid etc.

CMOS jumper is in correct position per board silk screen and manual. Only jumper on board.

Other ram does nothing (Patriot 667 DDR2 1GB/stick). The OCZ works fine in other system. Tried 1 stick per slot...nothing...used both types.

Used OCZ Gamers 700W PFC PS, gives the same symptoms - fans on, no post.

Tried stock hsf, nothing. Usually in my experience, when there is say no hs, the system will post, but not boot. Definately made sure hs had good contact. Used AS5.

No switch on ps for 110 or 220 - I believe it auto switches.

At one time I did had drives attached to SATA1 and SATA2 for the first board. Did not try on the second board as it was generating the same symptoms.

I dont think grounding is an issue, have mb outside has on anti static bad - no possibility of shorts there.

I have tried outside case with CPU/RAM/OBV, but no post. I have tried both DVI and VGA with my monitor and VGA with old CRT 19" Viewsonic monitor, nothing.

THanks for suggestions - is there anything else stupid I could be doing/missing?

Solas

 

[tomatom]

1. 2-3 years ago , PC-Chips < ECS > used to ship boards with the CMOS
jumper in the wrong setting , thus NO-POST , till changed .

2. You know that the fans run on the 12Volt line , so you could put a DMM
on the 5Volt line & see what you get .

3. Big problem is that the board is so new that YOU are the one who
has one < wry smilie >

 

[solas989]

Ya, it stinks how I am the tester

But anyway. Both boards are BAD. I got an Asus M2A-VM and it booted like a charm (I only hate the slot layout). But it works.

When I have time, I will post information to hopefully get batch numbers.

 

[cyf1005]

Would you please tell me from where you bought the TA690G mbs? Thanks...