PC Help: Asus P5WDH Will not boot

[omalak]

I'm not one to ask around for help with pc hardware issues, as i've been messing with pc's since i was 8 BUT for the first time in my life i honestly think i am stumped!!

HELP!

PC Setup
Asus P5 WDH
2x 2gb PATRIOT 1066 DDR 2
WD Caviar Black 500gb 7200rpm
Seagate 640gb hd 7200rpm
Sound Blaster Live Platinum
Palit ATI 4870 Dual Sonic 512mb vid card
Generic DVDRW Drive
Corsair TX750watt psu
Tuniq Tower HSF


Background

About a month ago, i had a minor power spike in my home, everything is connected to a surge protector so i wasn't worried.. Went to turn on the pc a few hours later the pc would not POST

I would see all fans spinning up, but the pc would not boot i would just get a blinking light on my monitor.

Left the pc for a few days returned and found the same issue.

After going through certain tests i figured the motherboard may be the culprit, so with Asus's 3 year warranty i opted to send it in for an RMA..

I received a new P5WDH a few days ago and here is where i stand.

Current Status

The board worked for about a day, and then i began to see the same symptoms, yesterday the pc did the same thing it would not post, and it refuses to post.

What tests i have done

1. Replaced CPU to ensure CPU was not the cause - Computer exhibited the same problem
2. Replaced Video card - Computer exhibited the same problem
3. Replaced RAM - Computer exhibited same issue
4. Replace power supply - Computer exhibited same issue
5. Removed all I/O cards from pc and tried booting - Computer exhibited same issue
6. Removed all I/O cards and used components from 1-4 - Computer exhibited same issue
7. Thought it may be a short in the case and motherboard, removed motherboard from case and ran it bare on my desk with minimal hardware connected ( Vid card, hd, memory) - Computer exhibited same issue...

I am honeslty stumped! I have no freaking idea what the issue is. The only thing that comes to mind is there is a short and it fried something out in the board on the day that it actaully worked, but i highly doubt that to be the case considering there is a Surge protector and the psu has its own fuse.

So i'm left wondering what the hell... Any ideas guys? :bang

[S.F.W.]

Have you tried removing the bios battery for a few seconds to reset the bios to default state.
Also might try reseating the cpu.

Message sent by fish on sfw`s phone. Don't tell him. :)

[omalak]

yes forgot

I did reset the cmos, pulled out the battery as well. CPU has been reset many times as i tried 2 different s775 cpus! both of which worked in my other pc

any other ideas?

[Chester_Lampwick]

How about re-flashing the BIOS?

[omalak]

How about re-flashing the BIOS?

The board was freshly rma,d i got it from asus 2 days ago so the bios should not be an issue. even if i could i cant flash it as the pc does not enter post,, no keyboard access either as it cant initialize without post.

Here is somethiing interesting or not.. If i pull all memory sticks out i get 1 long beep and 2 short beeps. According to the book that just means no mem detected, again no post due to beeps. But once i install memory i get my original prob still no post.

I have tried 2 diff memory combinations. The patriot 1066 whivh i bought th other day and my older mushkin 667 memory.. Bot end up with same result no post. I do not believe memory is the problem.. Im just so confused lol

[Chester_Lampwick]

I was having a problem with a hard drive keeping my system from POSTing. Have you tried without a HD?

[whiteomega]

Call Asus back. RMA boards are generally someone else's broken board that the manufacturer has fixed. The motherboard is likely still broken in some way. The obvious stuff still applies: make sure all the connectors are seated properly, etc, etc.

From what you've said, the signs point to a defect in the motherboard itself.

[S.F.W.]

the power supply you put in to test, is is the same or higher wattage? Does it work properly on another PC? My initial thinking was power supply, but failing that, I agree with whiteomega, likely you received a bad replacement.

[omalak]

yes i have tried running the system without hd connected.. Even tried different sata ports. No go

The psu works fine in other pcs. It is brand new literally i just pulled it out of the box!

I do realize rma boards are generally other peoples boards which sucks... But yeah i guess i,ll be calling asus again because everything does still point to a mobo..

Im wonderinf is i should just buy a new board.. Although asus covers its boards for 3 years i had to ship the board to them via courrier and it cost me about 30 bucks.. If i send it in again thats 60 bucks in total sigh...

[whiteomega]

Do you have the motherboard manual handy? Maybe one of the jumper pins on the new one is in the wrong place. Also I wonder if you have some bits of the motherboard contacting metal where it shouldn't be (like something is grounded). Another thing to check if you have the time and the patience is all the solder joins for the components on the board.

Also try using one stick of ram at a time instead of both (if you haven't already -- your original post wasn't clear on this).

If you call Asus back and explain to them you had the board for less than a day before it stopped working, they may authorize shipping for another RMA, especially if they shipped you a bad board. Buying a new board won't help you much if the problem is in your components. If you can spare it, maybe a power supply tester is a good idea (I think infonec has a few of these), just to test all the outputs of the PSU to make sure they're not only within spec, but consistant.

[omalak]

Do you have the motherboard manual handy? Maybe one of the jumper pins on the new one is in the wrong place. Also I wonder if you have some bits of the motherboard contacting metal where it shouldn't be (like something is grounded). Another thing to check if you have the time and the patience is all the solder joins for the components on the board.

Also try using one stick of ram at a time instead of both (if you haven't already -- your original post wasn't clear on this).

If you call Asus back and explain to them you had the board for less than a day before it stopped working, they may authorize shipping for another RMA, especially if they shipped you a bad board. Buying a new board won't help you much if the problem is in your components. If you can spare it, maybe a power supply tester is a good idea (I think infonec has a few of these), just to test all the outputs of the PSU to make sure they're not only within spec, but consistant.

I have checked jumpers on the board ( not that there are many on this baord) all looks good

I figured it might have been a short, so i actaully removed the board it is sitting on my desk on a peice of cardboard that is how i am diagnosing it at the moment, so the short can be ruled out unless the board is shorting out internally, thats another issue lol

I am testing with minimal hardware
1x hd
1x ram stick
1xcpu
1xhsf

i have cycled through 4 "working" sticks of ram each of which works flawlessly on my other s775 system

PSU is working verified this buy using it in the other pc, and swapping out psus. plus i just bought it.

I have tried every component in my other pc and it has worked. so i am ruling out components as a cause.

I will be in touch with asus again i guess not much more that i can do

[Ex-Rolla]

If you get a new board, make sure you hook up a new P/S before you turn anything on. It could be a short in the P/S that's only impacting the MB power connector.

I'm guessing you used the same P/S when the board came back, so replacing it after the first test would have already resulted in a fried board.


Here's what Asus' support page recommends for no POST. Seems like you've done it all, but worth posting anyway
------------


1 the power LED is on


1.1 Make sure all cables are connected well


1.2 Please clear CMOS to have a try(refer to motherboard manual for details)


1.3 Keep the necessary components ( a CPU, a memory, a graphic card )on board to test


1.4 If there is still blank screen, please connect the connector of speaker to check if there is any beeps


1.4.1 If there is no beep, please contact your retailer for a check


1.4.2 If there is beep, please try to judge from the beep code as the following steps, if the problem still remains after the troubleshooting, please contact your retailer for a check.


1.4.2.1 Memory issue: Beep (1 long 2 short)
A Clean the Golden Finger of memory
B Clean the memory slots
C Leave only one memory stick to test
D If convenient, please change different memory to test again


1.4.2.2 Graphics card issue: Beep (1 long 3 short)


A. Clean the Golden Finger of graphics card


B. Clean the graphics card slots


C. Try to test the onboard graphics card if there is onboard VGA integrated


D. If convenience, please change different graphic cards to test again


1.4.2.3 CPU issue: Beep (5 short)


A. Check whether the CPU is in our CPU support list


B. Check whether there are any damagers of your CPU or CPU socket.


C. .Check whether the CPU fan is correctly connected


D. Check whether the ATX_12V power cable is connected well


E. If possible try to test with another CPU


1.5 If the PC could POST after the troubleshooting as the steps 1.3, please plug components back one by one to find out which one may cause this problem



2 the power LED is off


2.1 Make sure the power cable which connects to the front panel is well


2.2 Please swap a power supply for a try if possible.
2.3 If the problem still remains, please contact your retailer for a check.
--------------

edit... did that make sense? lol

edit 2... That's a nice M/B

[omalak]

If you get a new board, make sure you hook up a new P/S before you turn anything on. It could be a short in the P/S that's only impacting the MB power connector.

I'm guessing you used the same P/S when the board came back, so replacing it after the first test would have already resulted in a fried board.


Here's what Asus' support page recommends for no POST. Seems like you've done it all, but worth posting anyway
------------


1 the power LED is on


1.1 Make sure all cables are connected well


1.2 Please clear CMOS to have a try(refer to motherboard manual for details)


1.3 Keep the necessary components ( a CPU, a memory, a graphic card )on board to test


1.4 If there is still blank screen, please connect the connector of speaker to check if there is any beeps


1.4.1 If there is no beep, please contact your retailer for a check


1.4.2 If there is beep, please try to judge from the beep code as the following steps, if the problem still remains after the troubleshooting, please contact your retailer for a check.


1.4.2.1 Memory issue: Beep (1 long 2 short)
A Clean the Golden Finger of memory
B Clean the memory slots
C Leave only one memory stick to test
D If convenient, please change different memory to test again


1.4.2.2 Graphics card issue: Beep (1 long 3 short)


A. Clean the Golden Finger of graphics card


B. Clean the graphics card slots


C. Try to test the onboard graphics card if there is onboard VGA integrated


D. If convenience, please change different graphic cards to test again


1.4.2.3 CPU issue: Beep (5 short)


A. Check whether the CPU is in our CPU support list


B. Check whether there are any damagers of your CPU or CPU socket.


C. .Check whether the CPU fan is correctly connected


D. Check whether the ATX_12V power cable is connected well


E. If possible try to test with another CPU


1.5 If the PC could POST after the troubleshooting as the steps 1.3, please plug components back one by one to find out which one may cause this problem



2 the power LED is off


2.1 Make sure the power cable which connects to the front panel is well


2.2 Please swap a power supply for a try if possible.
2.3 If the problem still remains, please contact your retailer for a check.
--------------

edit... did that make sense? lol

edit 2... That's a nice M/B

Thanks for posting that :0 it is useful info, i thinnk i did do most of it though..

The psu was actaully 2 different psu's so whenthe board came back i used a brand spanking new psu..

I think i solved it though!!!

it seems like the video card is screwed. very finicky, it was working in my other pc, but as of this afternoon it does not post in my other pc either

so i took another vid card (my good old x1950pro) cleared cmos removed battery repluged everything and used the 1950 and i got POST..

swapped cards and no post once again.. it is a fussy vid card for sure.

I am now in the process of initiating an RMA with Palit.. i hope it's not a hassle..

Now i am also thinking about replaceing my cpu lol i havean E6400 2.13ghz with 2mb cache. 800fsb

the P5WDH can support all C2D's but if i got an 8x00 series cpu i would not be using it to its full potential as i cant acheive an fsb of 1336 (without oc of course)

so i was thinking of trying to pick up an e6600 which runs at 2.4 i beleive but with 4mb cache.. hard to find though.

another option is the e7400/e7500 both with 3mb cache..


Thanks for all the help everyone :)

[Ex-Rolla]

Thanks for all the help everyone :)


Good to hear you got it working...

I just picked up a Core2 Quad Q9550 with Kingston 1066MHz memory. Board is a Asus P5Q-SE.

Very, Very happy with it!!!

I think the i7's are overpriced for what you're getting.

[omalak]

Good to hear you got it working...

I just picked up a Core2 Quad Q9550 with Kingston 1066MHz memory. Board is a Asus P5Q-SE.

Very, Very happy with it!!!

I think the i7's are overpriced for what you're getting.


yeah i7 looks nice, but you are right way too over priced right now..

the P5Q series is really nice, i have a P5Q Pro in my other system which my dad uses i got the plane jane version though. but a solid board.


So i am going to put in an RMA on the 4870, but in the mean time i picked up another 4870 from rfd for 100.00 now im really looking forward to some CrossFire X :bana2

up to now i havent oc'd my cpu either, just by lookin on the net it seems the E6400 can do an avg of 3.1ghz so tat should be fun if i can hit that lol

might even bring out the water cooling gear thats been in my closet from previous builds lol..

i always wonder why my hobbies are expensive :blush

[Fobio]

you know you've been spending too much $ on pc when you're always just 1 or 2 pieces away from another fully built pc, based on all the other parts you have laying around...haha...

[omalak]

you know you've been spending too much $ on pc when you're always just 1 or 2 pieces away from another fully built pc, based on all the other parts you have laying around...haha...

lol yep... it's too addicting be it cars or pc's :bang

Actually lookin for a nice monitor now to compliment the Crossfire. can't find what i want though Dell 2209wa IPS 22inch monitor..

Thinking to go maybe 24, but not sure what i should check out

[S.F.W.]

lol yep... it's too addicting be it cars or pc's :bang

Actually lookin for a nice monitor now to compliment the Crossfire. can't find what i want though Dell 2209wa IPS 22inch monitor..

Thinking to go maybe 24, but not sure what i should check out

I've been trying to hold out for the OLED monitors, but am likely going to cave in and buy an LED backlight 23" soon.

[Chester_Lampwick]

My little brother has a Benq 2200HD that does 1080P. Looks pretty good for $220.

[Fish]

yeah i7 looks nice, but you are right way too over priced right now..

the P5Q series is really nice, i have a P5Q Pro in my other system which my dad uses i got the plane jane version though. but a solid board.


So i am going to put in an RMA on the 4870, but in the mean time i picked up another 4870 from rfd for 100.00 now im really looking forward to some CrossFire X :bana2

up to now i havent oc'd my cpu either, just by lookin on the net it seems the E6400 can do an avg of 3.1ghz so tat should be fun if i can hit that lol

might even bring out the water cooling gear thats been in my closet from previous builds lol..

i always wonder why my hobbies are expensive :blush


RE i7: Do some reading about Intel's roadmap. You might find that it's in your best interest to spring for an i7 920 chip now. Expensive, perhaps. But they'll be gone soon and will be replaced with more expensive chips, with less power. The 920's are insanely overclockable. I'm running mine at 3.4Ghz right now with a bare minimum of effort.

RE E6400/E6600: I used to have an E6600 and I got that puppy up to 3.7GHz easily. As far as I know the 6400 is just as overclockable, but with less L2 :)