Motherboard Help

[Mojo JoJo]

Hey guys,
Hopefully this is on topic. Maybe somebody can help me with this. I have two
motherboards that I bought new and I'm experiencing the same problems with
both motherboards. The first motherboard is a Biostar M7VIT Bravo and the
other is an Amptron M7CND-A04 (I know Amptrons are made by Biostar). So here
is the problem. I can get the computer to turn on but I get no signal to the
monitor and there are no beeps and the system does not boot up, it just sits
there with the CPU fan spinning. Both motherboards are the second return of
each, I thought both were faulty. I tried different processors, I tried
using an Athlon XP 1.6, 1.8, and 3.0. I've tried different ram (like four
different types) and three different video cards (an AGP 16 meg ATI chipset
based card, 64 meg AGP Kyro 2 card, and a 4 meg PCI videocard). I've tried
different heatsinks and fans, but still the same result. I've tried clearing
the CMOS, removing the battery as well, and different powersupplies. What am
I doing wrong? Does anybody have any ideas? I'm at my wits end here. It's
hard to believe that two different motherboards from the same manufacturer
would have the same defect, especially after being replaced. All the parts
work in the computer I'm using currently, but my motherboard won't go up to
3000 mhz. The only thing I can think of is my powersupplies are only 350
watts (two of the powersupplies are Antec). Do I need something a lot
stronger? That's the only thing I can think of at the moment, but I'd rather
not invest the money in a new powersupply if it won't work with three
others. By the way, I tested with only the bare essentials hooked up, so the
powersupply shouldn't be overloading. I'd appreciate any help anybody could
offer me.

Thanks,
Mojo

 

[Mojo JoJo]

Sorry, the Amptron is the M7NCD-A04

Mojo

 

[kony]

Hey guys,
Hopefully this is on topic. Maybe somebody can help me with this. I have two
motherboards that I bought new and I'm experiencing the same problems with
both motherboards. The first motherboard is a Biostar M7VIT Bravo and the
other is an Amptron M7CND-A04 (I know Amptrons are made by Biostar). So here
is the problem. I can get the computer to turn on but I get no signal to the
monitor and there are no beeps and the system does not boot up, it just sits
there with the CPU fan spinning.

This is a typical failure-to-POST scenario.
You have not described the system, only a single part.
It would be good to start over and briefly describe the
major system components and one system at a time.

Using paragraphs is a nice touch too.

Both motherboards are the second return of
each, I thought both were faulty. I tried different processors, I tried
using an Athlon XP 1.6, 1.8, and 3.0. I've tried different ram (like four
different types) and three different video cards (an AGP 16 meg ATI chipset
based card, 64 meg AGP Kyro 2 card, and a 4 meg PCI videocard). I've tried
different heatsinks and fans, but still the same result. I've tried clearing
the CMOS, removing the battery as well, and different powersupplies. What am
I doing wrong? Does anybody have any ideas? I'm at my wits end here. It's
hard to believe that two different motherboards from the same manufacturer
would have the same defect, especially after being replaced. All the parts
work in the computer I'm using currently, but my motherboard won't go up to
3000 mhz.

You're doing something wrong, there are no 3000Mhz socket A
CPUs. Try stipping system down to bare essentials- one
memory module, cpu, heatsink/fan and video. Leave it out of
the case and use a name-brand power supply spec'd for at
least 180W on the 3V+5V rail.

The only thing I can think of is my powersupplies are only 350
watts (two of the powersupplies are Antec). Do I need something a lot
stronger?

With moderate video card and nothing else attached yet (as
described above), a 350W Antec is definitely sufficient.

That's the only thing I can think of at the moment, but I'd rather
not invest the money in a new powersupply if it won't work with three
others. By the way, I tested with only the bare essentials hooked up, so the
powersupply shouldn't be overloading. I'd appreciate any help anybody could
offer me.

Try them on a desk, not in the case, and not on anti-static
material. Use a multimeter to check voltage levels of the
pwoer supply and the motherboard battery.

 

[Mojo JoJo]

You're doing something wrong, there are no 3000Mhz socket A

CPUs. Try stipping system down to bare essentials- one
memory module, cpu, heatsink/fan and video. Leave it out of
the case and use a name-brand power supply spec'd for at
least 180W on the 3V+5V rail.
With moderate video card and nothing else attached yet (as
described above), a 350W Antec is definitely sufficient.



Try them on a desk, not in the case, and not on anti-static
material. Use a multimeter to check voltage levels of the
pwoer supply and the motherboard battery.

Okay, well, I did do the bare essentials where it was just the motherboard,
videocard, processor and ram. However, I did it on top of the anti-static
bag and with two sticks of ram in, not one. So I'll have to try again using
your advice.

You are correct about the processor, it's a XP3000+, so it technically
doesn't run at 3ghz

I just did a bare bones breakdown since I wasn't able to get a post. The
only problem is I don't have a multimeter.

I've heard that with these motherboards you might have to take out the CMOS
battery and leave it out for a few days, I've taken it out for a few hours,
but not a few days.

Sorry for the lack of clarity in my above post, I'm just completely
frustrated. Here's a breakdown of the components I have:
1 Western Digital Caviar WD400 (40 gig ata 100 hd)
1 Maxtor 2F030J1 hd (30 gig, ata 100/133)
1 LG DVD-ROM DRD8160B
1 Sony DVD RW DR-U18A
2 sticks of Smart DDR 333 sticks of ram (256 megs each)
3 sticks of generic DDR 333 ram (512 megs each)
1 Kyro 2 AGP 4X 64 meg videocard
1 Generic 16 meg, AGP videocard (ATI chipset)
1 S3 Virge DX 4 meg PCI videocard
2 Antec 350 watt powersupplies
2 Generic 350 watt powersupplies

I hope this helps clarify things, thanks for the response!

Mojo

 

[Noozer]

Okay, well, I did do the bare essentials where it was just the
motherboard, videocard, processor and ram. However, I did it on top of the
anti-static bag and with two sticks of ram in, not one. So I'll have to
try again using your advice.

Anti-static bags will conduct power. That could have shorted out the whole
system. You want to do the testing on dry cardboard or other non-conductive
material.

You are correct about the processor, it's a XP3000+, so it technically
doesn't run at 3ghz

Clear the CMOS again. Don't adjust any settings (if you get that far). Make
sure that any setting on the mainboard (jumpers, etc.) are set to AUTO.

I just did a bare bones breakdown since I wasn't able to get a post. The
only problem is I don't have a multimeter.

I've heard that with these motherboards you might have to take out the
CMOS battery and leave it out for a few days, I've taken it out for a few
hours, but not a few days.

If there is a jumper, 10 seconds in the "Clear CMOS" mode should be fine.
Otherwise take the battery out for 10+ minutes.

Sorry for the lack of clarity in my above post, I'm just completely
frustrated. Here's a breakdown of the components I have:
1 Western Digital Caviar WD400 (40 gig ata 100 hd)
1 Maxtor 2F030J1 hd (30 gig, ata 100/133)
1 LG DVD-ROM DRD8160B
1 Sony DVD RW DR-U18A
2 sticks of Smart DDR 333 sticks of ram (256 megs each)
3 sticks of generic DDR 333 ram (512 megs each)
1 Kyro 2 AGP 4X 64 meg videocard
1 Generic 16 meg, AGP videocard (ATI chipset)
1 S3 Virge DX 4 meg PCI videocard
2 Antec 350 watt powersupplies
2 Generic 350 watt powersupplies

You want to use the following:
- Mainboard
- 1 stick memory
- PCI video card
- CPU & heatsink/fan
- Antec PSU - Make sure that ALL the power plugs on the mainboard are full
(might have the 4pin square power plug)
- PC Speaker (you'll want to hear beeps)

This should work. If not, are there any beeps?

If still no go, it might be worth having the place you bought them assemble
it for you so that they can check their parts.

 

[Mojo JoJo]

Thanks for the helpful advice Noozer. I'll check it out tomorrow or tuesday


Mojo

P.S. Thanks for the advice about the antistatic bags, I had no idea about
them not being good for that.

 

[Mojo JoJo]

Hey Noozer, I tried following your advice, but no luck. I just don't know
what gives. I've checked the jumper settings, took out the CMOS battery for
a few days, and cleared the CMOS. I'm still having no luck, is it possible I
got two defective boards in a row? I just don't know what to do. I've been
building PC's for years and never run into problems like I have now.

Mojo