A7N8X problems

Dom · Feb 22, 2003, 04:18 PM

Well, I finally hooked-up my ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, Athlon XP 2200+, Thermaltake Volcano 9 & 2x256Mb Corsair PC3200 DDR RAM. I started-up my system and went into the BIOS changed a couple of settings and restarted. But my system wouldn't boot, I got a blank screen and my monitor seemed to be in stand by mode. Anyway, I tried cahnging my video card, reseating my CPU & RAM, but no go. I don't know what I did, but does anyone know how I can fix it?

RIV@NVX · Feb 22, 2003, 04:41 PM

Tried resetting CMOS?

Dom · Feb 22, 2003, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RIV@NVX
Tried resetting CMOS?

Yes.

kinetic · Feb 22, 2003, 05:13 PM

Forni had the same problem Dom, have a look here Digi posted a couple of useful links. Good luck!

Necrosis · Feb 22, 2003, 09:54 PM

It's either one of two things.

1. Your Corsair memory is programmed with SPD settings your board will not recognize. Put in another stick of memory to get it to boot.

However, normally this problem will not let you boot at all and since you have booted and changed bios settings I believe it's # 2

2. Shut down power and turn off your power supply. Press the power button on the front of your case to discharge your board. Next unhook all periphals & power from the back of your computer. Now "remove" the CMOS battery and reset your bios. While you have the battery out I would verify it's output with a volt meter. It seems people who have this problem can fix it by buying a new battery.

UberLord · Feb 22, 2003, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
Well, I finally hooked-up my ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, Athlon XP 2200+, Thermaltake Volcano 9 & 2x256Mb Corsair PC3200 DDR RAM. I started-up my system and went into the BIOS changed a couple of settings and restarted. But my system wouldn't boot, I got a blank screen and my monitor seemed to be in stand by mode. Anyway, I tried cahnging my video card, reseating my CPU & RAM, but no go. I don't what I did, but does anyone know how I can fix it?

One of those settings wouldnt by any chance by "Primary Video Card" and you changed it from AGP to PCI by any slight chance? Try sticking an old PCI card in and trying that. I keep an old Matrox Mystique 220 lying around for that very purpose!

Dom · Feb 23, 2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Necrosis
It's either one of two things.

1. Your Corsair memory is programmed with SPD settings your board will not recognize. Put in another stick of memory to get it to boot.

However, normally this problem will not let you boot at all and since you have booted and changed bios settings I believe it's # 2

2. Shut down power and turn off your power supply. Press the power button on the front of your case to discharge your board. Next unhook all periphals & power from the back of your computer. Now "remove" the CMOS battery and reset your bios. While you have the battery out I would verify it's output with a volt meter. It seems people who have this problem can fix it by buying a new battery.

I tried my old battery from my old ASUS board, no luck.

DarkFoss · Feb 23, 2003, 03:10 PM

Here's a great place for info on your board. I'm sure a look will be most beneficial.

http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/

Guidoo · Feb 23, 2003, 03:50 PM

Hi Dom,

I had similar trouble setting up my A7N8X (not deluxe model). The no booting and or no beeps can be a very scary thing when you've just shelled out a ton of cash on a new proc and mobo. And now onto the point

Like you after the 1st boot and venture into bios my system refused to boot....arrrgggghhhhhh

My solution was to remove the board from case , stripping all cables and memory.

With the mobo layed out on a nice flat surface (I used the foam pad from inside anti-static bag as a cusion) Inspect
and remove the cpu cooler. I also have the Volcano 9

.

Upon removing the cpu cooler check that your thermal paste hasn't gone amuck and run all over the place. If it has
gotten on the bridges of your cpu it can cause problems.

While I had the board out I pulled the battery and with the battery still removed reset the cmos.

When I had first removed the board and was checking out the cpu cooler all appeared normal. However upon looking
at the bottom side of cooler it was obvious that the thermal paste had not spread as normal. The tiny drop that had
been placed on center of chip had spread very little , in fact it appeared that paste had barely been touched by the
heat sink.

At ths point I began to reassemble my system. Paying close attention to cpu cooler orientation. For me this was the most difficult portion of the job as the Volcano is a bit of a tight fit due to the position of resistors .

Happily after all this board booted fine and hasn't hiccuped once.

Hope things work out for you....

Guido

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
One of those settings wouldnt by any chance by "Primary Video Card" and you changed it from AGP to PCI by any slight chance? Try sticking an old PCI card in and trying that. I keep an old Matrox Mystique 220 lying around for that very purpose!

No. Heres a list of changes I made to the BIOS.

Disabled SATA
Disabled nVidia & 3Com LAN
Disabled nVidia SoundStorm
Disabled support for AGP8X
Set FSB to 133
Set RAM to sync mode

Necrosis · Feb 24, 2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
No. Heres a list of changes I made to the BIOS.

Disabled SATA
Disabled nVidia & 3Com LAN
Disabled nVidia SoundStorm
Disabled support for AGP8X
Set FSB to 133
Set RAM to sync mode

This is kinda off topic but why did you disable both onboard lans? BTW, did you also disable the SATA with the jumper?

This will not help with your problem just curiosity on my part.

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Necrosis
This is kinda off topic but why did you disable both onboard lans? BTW, did you also disable the SATA with the jumper?

This will not help with your problem just curiosity on my part.

I disabled the onboard NIC's because I already have a NIC, it works great so I figured why change it.

At first I didn't disable the SATA via the jumper, but when my comp wouldn't boot I then disabled it thru the jumper.

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 05:40 PM

I wanted to run one more thing by you guys. When I was in the BIOS I natualy checked the CPU temp - it was at 50*C, is that normal for a 2200+?

Necrosis · Feb 24, 2003, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom
I wanted to run one more thing by you guys. When I was in the BIOS I natualy checked the CPU temp - it was at 50*C, is that normal for a 2200+?

Huh...that is a big no. Reason is because you just booted it up...

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 07:02 PM

So it ran hot because it was first boot?

DriveEuro · Feb 24, 2003, 07:15 PM

That is definetly hot. Listen though. Are your 2x256 of Corsair Low Latency? Cuz that is a problem with ALL nForce2 boards. Try to boot with a simple stick of PC2100 RAM or something else. I know that you used to have a Intel Setup...but when this problem happened to me I ran to a store, bought a stick of PC2100, installed it, booted it and got everything setup, then turned off and replaced my Corsair Low Latency. I bet you ANY money that the ram is the problem. Actually I have read also that ASUS's newest BIOS fixes problems with Low Latency RAM.

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
That is definetly hot. Listen though. Are your 2x256 of Corsair Low Latency? Cuz that is a problem with ALL nForce2 boards. Try to boot with a simple stick of PC2100 RAM or something else. I know that you used to have a Intel Setup...but when this problem happened to me I ran to a store, bought a stick of PC2100, installed it, booted it and got everything setup, then turned off and replaced my Corsair Low Latency. I bet you ANY money that the ram is the problem. Actually I have read also that ASUS's newest BIOS fixes problems with Low Latency RAM.

Yes, they are low latency.

DriveEuro · Feb 24, 2003, 07:33 PM

Well, there is your problem. The nVidia reference BIOSes don't like Low Latency RAM. Take those stick out. Boot with some stick that is non Low Latency. I believe that ASUS fixed this problem with their recent BIOS.

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 07:35 PM

Damn. I don't have any other DDR RAM. My friend has 2x256 Samsung DDR2700, will that work?

The_Neon_Cowboy · Feb 24, 2003, 07:54 PM

thats the first ting that comes to my mind to cput is getting too hot!!!!! should be closer to 30C to 40C not 50!!! 50C (at startup/no load) couses problems too hot (can kill cpu cache if it ran that temp before any load) freezes, locks, not booting... check your HSF ... dd you buy retail box or oem cpu ? if you bought your cooler seperate it might be under rated for that cpu. Other wise check your that your HSF is properly seated on cpu, make sure your useing themal pase too! (artic silver three is best) (thermal pads suck! I usally carfully remove and then use thermal pase) by the way the board has thermal cop to try shut the system down before the cpu dies from heat.

Dom · Feb 24, 2003, 08:19 PM

OK, heres what I'll do - I'll borrow a stick of the Samsung PC2700 from my friend, put it in my system and see if it posts. IF it posts I'll update the BIOS the the latest release and then shut down put my Corsair PC3200 back in and start up.

DriveEuro · Feb 25, 2003, 12:51 AM

Cowboy. It's not CPU temp. Trust me. If you had an nForce2 board then you'd know the situation. And YES DOM. The PC2700 will work. Assuming that it's not some funky ass crazy Low Latency RAM.

Dom · Feb 27, 2003, 01:55 AM

OK, guys, heres the low-down. I tried the Samsung PC2700 RAM and sure enough it posted. But, before you get happy for me listen to this. After booting into the BIOS I noticed my CPU temp was still at 70*C! After a few seconds my PC shut-off (because of Asus C.O.P). So, I think to myself; it was the CPU all along. But, no, it wasn't my CPU because I removed the HSF and CPU, I felt the CPU, and to the touch it was cold, not even 20*C I'd say. So it seems my A7N8X has a bad sensor or something.

I'm going to RMA it back to NewEgg.

Thanks for all your help guys. I will update you (probally in a week

) of the out-come.

Feb 22, 2003, 04:18 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	A7N8X problems Well, I finally hooked-up my ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, Athlon XP 2200+, Thermaltake Volcano 9 & 2x256Mb Corsair PC3200 DDR RAM. I started-up my system and went into the BIOS changed a couple of settings and restarted. But my system wouldn't boot, I got a blank screen and my monitor seemed to be in stand by mode. Anyway, I tried cahnging my video card, reseating my CPU & RAM, but no go. I don't know what I did, but does anyone know how I can fix it? Last edited by Dom; Feb 24, 2003 at 05:42 PM.

Feb 22, 2003, 04:41 PM	#2
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Tried resetting CMOS? __________________ -- Vedran

Feb 23, 2003, 03:10 PM	#8
DarkFoss HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Downers Grove IL Posts: 688 Rep Power: 0	Here's a great place for info on your board. I'm sure a look will be most beneficial. http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/ __________________ Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety,deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin, 1755

Feb 24, 2003, 07:15 PM	#16
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	That is definetly hot. Listen though. Are your 2x256 of Corsair Low Latency? Cuz that is a problem with ALL nForce2 boards. Try to boot with a simple stick of PC2100 RAM or something else. I know that you used to have a Intel Setup...but when this problem happened to me I ran to a store, bought a stick of PC2100, installed it, booted it and got everything setup, then turned off and replaced my Corsair Low Latency. I bet you ANY money that the ram is the problem. Actually I have read also that ASUS's newest BIOS fixes problems with Low Latency RAM. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Feb 24, 2003, 07:33 PM	#18
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Well, there is your problem. The nVidia reference BIOSes don't like Low Latency RAM. Take those stick out. Boot with some stick that is non Low Latency. I believe that ASUS fixed this problem with their recent BIOS. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Feb 22, 2003, 05:13 PM	#4
kinetic DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester England Posts: 2,559 Rep Power: 0	Forni had the same problem Dom, have a look here Digi posted a couple of useful links. Good luck!

Feb 22, 2003, 09:54 PM	#5
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	It's either one of two things. 1. Your Corsair memory is programmed with SPD settings your board will not recognize. Put in another stick of memory to get it to boot. However, normally this problem will not let you boot at all and since you have booted and changed bios settings I believe it's # 2 2. Shut down power and turn off your power supply. Press the power button on the front of your case to discharge your board. Next unhook all periphals & power from the back of your computer. Now "remove" the CMOS battery and reset your bios. While you have the battery out I would verify it's output with a volt meter. It seems people who have this problem can fix it by buying a new battery.

Feb 23, 2003, 03:50 PM	#9
Guidoo Guido Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 134 Rep Power: 0	Hi Dom, I had similar trouble setting up my A7N8X (not deluxe model). The no booting and or no beeps can be a very scary thing when you've just shelled out a ton of cash on a new proc and mobo. And now onto the point Like you after the 1st boot and venture into bios my system refused to boot....arrrgggghhhhhh My solution was to remove the board from case , stripping all cables and memory. With the mobo layed out on a nice flat surface (I used the foam pad from inside anti-static bag as a cusion) Inspect and remove the cpu cooler. I also have the Volcano 9 . Upon removing the cpu cooler check that your thermal paste hasn't gone amuck and run all over the place. If it has gotten on the bridges of your cpu it can cause problems. While I had the board out I pulled the battery and with the battery still removed reset the cmos. When I had first removed the board and was checking out the cpu cooler all appeared normal. However upon looking at the bottom side of cooler it was obvious that the thermal paste had not spread as normal. The tiny drop that had been placed on center of chip had spread very little , in fact it appeared that paste had barely been touched by the heat sink. At ths point I began to reassemble my system. Paying close attention to cpu cooler orientation. For me this was the most difficult portion of the job as the Volcano is a bit of a tight fit due to the position of resistors . Happily after all this board booted fine and hasn't hiccuped once. Hope things work out for you.... Guido

Feb 24, 2003, 05:40 PM	Thread Starter #13
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	I wanted to run one more thing by you guys. When I was in the BIOS I natualy checked the CPU temp - it was at 50*C, is that normal for a 2200+?

Feb 24, 2003, 07:02 PM	Thread Starter #15
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	So it ran hot because it was first boot?

Feb 24, 2003, 07:35 PM	Thread Starter #19
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Damn. I don't have any other DDR RAM. My friend has 2x256 Samsung DDR2700, will that work?

Feb 24, 2003, 07:54 PM	#20
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	thats the first ting that comes to my mind to cput is getting too hot!!!!! should be closer to 30C to 40C not 50!!! 50C (at startup/no load) couses problems too hot (can kill cpu cache if it ran that temp before any load) freezes, locks, not booting... check your HSF ... dd you buy retail box or oem cpu ? if you bought your cooler seperate it might be under rated for that cpu. Other wise check your that your HSF is properly seated on cpu, make sure your useing themal pase too! (artic silver three is best) (thermal pads suck! I usally carfully remove and then use thermal pase) by the way the board has thermal cop to try shut the system down before the cpu dies from heat. __________________

Feb 24, 2003, 08:19 PM	Thread Starter #21
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	OK, heres what I'll do - I'll borrow a stick of the Samsung PC2700 from my friend, put it in my system and see if it posts. IF it posts I'll update the BIOS the the latest release and then shut down put my Corsair PC3200 back in and start up.

Feb 25, 2003, 12:51 AM	#22
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Cowboy. It's not CPU temp. Trust me. If you had an nForce2 board then you'd know the situation. And YES DOM. The PC2700 will work. Assuming that it's not some funky ass crazy Low Latency RAM. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Feb 27, 2003, 01:55 AM	Thread Starter #23
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	OK, guys, heres the low-down. I tried the Samsung PC2700 RAM and sure enough it posted. But, before you get happy for me listen to this. After booting into the BIOS I noticed my CPU temp was still at 70C! After a few seconds my PC shut-off (because of Asus C.O.P). So, I think to myself; it was the CPU all along. But, no, it wasn't my CPU because I removed the HSF and CPU, I felt the CPU, and to the touch it was cold, not even 20C I'd say. So it seems my A7N8X has a bad sensor or something. I'm going to RMA it back to NewEgg. Thanks for all your help guys. I will update you (probally in a week ) of the out-come.