No video/POST with upgrade

[Sleek]

First, here are the specs:

Abit KN9 Nforce 4 Ultra AM2
Geforce 7950GT PCI-E
2x512 Corsair XMS2
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
350w Antec PSU

Now, the problem.

When the parts were first installed and the computer turned on for the first time, there was a boot up screen for a few seconds, then froze. Now, every time I try to turn it on, there is no video, no beeps, no nothing. All the fans spin and everything looks to be getting power, but I'm not seeing anything.

Here are some things I've tried:

Unplugged everything except 1 stick of RAM, video, and CPU
Tried an Enermax 350w, and an Allied 400w
Cleared the CMOS
Tried each stick of RAM in different slots
Replaced the video card with a Geforce 6800GS PCI-E

Unfortuneately I have no way of testing the motherboard, CPU, or RAM in a different computer.

Any sugguestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[drjman]

First, get a better power supply no less than 500w (i have the same card and its a juicer). reset CMOS and hope for the best. If you have tested everything but memory and board/CPU then most likely the board died.

 

[Sleek]

Well, I tried the 7950GT in a different computer with a 400w PSU and everything seemed to work fine, so it's not that. Thanks for the sugguestion, though.

If anyone else has any ideas, I'm open.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: drjman
First, get a better power supply no less than 500w (i have the same card and its a juicer). reset CMOS and hope for the best. If you have tested everything but memory and board/CPU then most likely the board died.

Agreed

 

[Sleek]

Just bought a 550w, still no go.

 

[Sleek]

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but the motherboard was RMA'd and the new one still doesn't work. Can someone please confirm that these three parts are compatible?

ABIT KN9 Socket AM2
CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 800
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+

 

[Slikkster]

any chance this motherboard is getting shorted on the case somehow? Have you tried running it outside the case?

Also, are you sure your case wiring is connected correctly to the motherboard? It's easy to get some of these reversed or on the wrong pins.

Also, be very sure the fan headers on the motherboard are connected to the associated fans.

Edit: Here's something that might be useful (although it's going to be problematic to remedy given your current situation). This is a FAQ item from Abit about certain DDR2 RAM:

"Q: Why does my system sometimes not boot when I install certain DDR2-800 memories with the "Load Optimized Default" settings? (AB9, AB9 Pro, KN9, KN9S, KN9 Ultra, KN9 SLI, AN9 32X, Fatal1ty AN9 32X, NF-M2 nView)

A: Most of the DDR2-800 specifications will need more than 1.8Volts. If you encountered this problem, please check the memory specification first and set the DRAM voltage to 1.9 or above as needed. "

You gave vague info about which Corsair X2 ram this is, and I checked the Corsair website, and some, indeed, requires 1.9 volts.

What you can try is to clearing the CMOS again. Make sure the PC is unplugged. Remove the battery. While battery is removed, Cmos pins shorted (or whatever the procedure is on that mb), and unplugged, press the On button on the tower.

Let it sit like this for at least 30 minutes, if not longer. Hook it back up. Try to get into the bios immediately if it posts. Set RAM voltage higher IF THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED OF YOUR RAM. Look up the specs on the Corsair site for your exact model of X2 ram, and see what it requires for voltage.

 

[TD77077]

Try Slikster's suggestion and if it still doesn't work, I'd suggest RMAing the MB. Nearly every time I've seen a PS fizz, the motherboard dies with it. And your two PSs were clearly not enough for your system. I read that AMD suggests over 20A on the +12 for A64s. And that was before the dual 64s. And with your 7950 it prob wants even more.

 

[TD77077]

My bad - you already RMAd the MB. Your new 550W PS should be enough if it's a good one. The video card checks out OK. That pretty much leaves the case, RAM and CPU. Maybe you can get hold of a cheap AM2 Sempron to test in the new MB. If it works, then the X2 CPU is prob fried. Have you tried testing the RAM 1 stick at a time?

 

[Sleek]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, but still no go after trying what Slikkster said.

Yes, I've tried 1 stick at a time in different slots.

I took a look at the voltages for the memory and motherboard, and it looks like the motherboard default is 1.8 while the memory is 1.9. I'll see if I can try some lower voltage memory.

 

[Slikkster]

Read this thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?p=999109

Also, note in the thread that a guy figured out that while he couldn't power on the system from the power button, once he hit the RESET button after trying the power button, it would boot.

Make note, too, of the last guy's instructions. You might want to join that forum and post a question there if it still doesn't work.

There's a guy who posts on that forum named "Abit Sean" who may very well work for the company, and seems to have useful tips.

 

[Sleek]

Thanks Slikkster, but after trying everything on there, I still get the same problem. Would you say it's a problem with the motherboard being too touchy? Or is the memory bad? Or possibly the CPU?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Slikkster]

I think trying different ram is the best bet for now, and make sure you know its voltage requirements before installing it.