Curse

Swehurn · Apr 30, 2006, 02:40 PM // 14:40

Our existing PC is getting old, so I went out yesterday and picked up parts for a new one. I assembled everything, but I can't get past POST - I keep getting the beep code (one long, two short) that apparently indicates the video card isn't initializing. Before I throw everything off the balcony (or go back to the store with my tail between my legs), I thought I'd ask if anybody has any suggestions.

Here's the bits and pieces:

Asus A8N-SLI mobo
AMD Athlon 64 3700+
EVGA GeForce 6800GS CO
1 x 512mb Kingston DDR

The rest of it is probably unrelated to my problem, but here it is:
Seagate Barracuda SATA-2 HD
Raidmax Scorpio case
Antec TruePower 2 500 Watt PS (I had no faith in the PS supplied with the case)

So far, I've worked backwards and disconnected everything except the memory and video card to try and get a signal sent to the monitor, and I've unplugged and reseated the memory and video cards several times.

Any thoughts? I really hope that I didn't buy DOA parts and there's just something simple that I've missed...

Josh · Apr 30, 2006, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Tried it without the Graphics Card and just put the Monitor plug into the Mobo monitor socket?

Swehurn · Apr 30, 2006, 05:37 PM // 17:37

Maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see anywhere to plug in a monitor without the video card installed...

Loviatar · Apr 30, 2006, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swehurn

Maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see anywhere to plug in a monitor without the video card installed...

have you tried popping the old card back in or is one pce-e and the other agp?

contact tech support on your card as it may be bum.

DarkZeal · Apr 30, 2006, 05:57 PM // 17:57

If it doesn't come with a onbard graphics card you can't plug in the monitor. Are you sure your Gfx card is PCI-e?

Swehurn · Apr 30, 2006, 06:37 PM // 18:37

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I can't put an old card in - the new mobo and vid card are both pci-e, and my old system is AGP. Flintstones, meet the Flintstones...

UPDATE: The video card is apparently not the problem. I put it into a friend's PC and his machine booted without a hiccup.

Maybe my mobo's DOA...unless anybody has any other suggestions?

lightblade · Apr 30, 2006, 06:45 PM // 18:45

- check your memory is inserted in the right direction. memory can be inserted in any direction, but only one direction is correct. hope you inserted right the first time, cuz it's burnt already if you didn't

- check your video card's power supply. some newer vid card model requires more power than usually, it should came with 2 extra power cables that you can use it to connect to your power supply

Loviatar · Apr 30, 2006, 08:06 PM // 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightblade

- check your memory is inserted in the right direction. memory can be inserted in any direction, but only one direction is correct. hope you inserted right the first time, cuz it's burnt already if you didn't

NO WAY

IT IS SLOT KEYED AND YOU CANT FIT IT IN BACKWARDS.

THE OFFSET SLOT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT JUST THAT FROM HAPPENING

Narada · Apr 30, 2006, 08:27 PM // 20:27

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

Quote:

1long, 2 short - Video adapter error - Either video adapter is bad or is not seated properly. Also, check to ensure the monitor cable is connected properly.

Sorry that that doesn't help too much -- Award BIOS doesn't have very many listed error codes, but this one does fit the bill. While your whole board may not be completely DOA, we know that the card works on your buddy's comp, so it's very well possible that at least the slot is bad. From what I've seen, Asus boards are great... provided that it's working when it gets to you. Just from all of the complaints that I've heard about from people getting DOA Asus motherboards, I really think there's a good chance of this being the case. Are you able to return it and get it replaced? That might be the best course of action.

Omega X · Apr 30, 2006, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightblade

- check your memory is inserted in the right direction. memory can be inserted in any direction, but only one direction is correct. hope you inserted right the first time, cuz it's burnt already if you didn't

You know that most likely shows your age right?

Tachyon · Apr 30, 2006, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Did you connect the power cable to your graphics card?

Mustache Mayhem · Apr 30, 2006, 10:00 PM // 22:00

yeah was thinking the same thing.. there's also an extra power cable that goes into the mobo besides the main one.. some guys miss this- sounds like mobo, ps, memory is'nt hooked in right or worst case it's bad.. try to handle the stuff grounded next time too if it turns out to be bad parts

Swehurn · Apr 30, 2006, 10:07 PM // 22:07

Wow, what an active thread! Thanks for the help...and let's not bicker - I don't want my tech support request thread to get closed because it degraded into a flame war.

In response to the comments above...

I believe I connected everything correctly. I supplied the separate power to the video card (I tried first using the PCI plug directly from the PS and then using the dongle supplied with the video card).

I'm also making sure I discharge any static electricity I might build up before touching anything delicate, and I'm working on linoleum, not carpet.

I'll just keep chugging away at it, and if I completely run out of options and decide it has to be the mobo, guess I'm headed across town tomorrow to demand an exchange...

Swehurn · May 01, 2006, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Well, I'm pretty certain the mobo's DOA.

On a whim, I replaced the memory...it was apparently defective, because the new stick doesn't cause the beeping problem. Unfortunately, the machine still fails to POST.

Actually, there's no signal at all being sent to the monitor - the power light doesn't turn from orange to green. I've taken everything apart, tried a different PS, did the "cardboard build" on the dining room table, and nothing will get a signal sent to the monitor.

Ah, well...I'll call Asus in the morning and see if they have any final suggestions or if I just get a RMA to head back to the computer store with. To everybody who posted, thanks again for the suggestions...

Tachyon · May 01, 2006, 02:45 AM // 02:45

When you fire your rig up does the fan on the graphics card spin up?

Also, is there anyway for you to try a different monitor? I once had a customer whose monitor was borked and refused to switch on, even though it was powered up and in stand-by mode. It's a long-shot, but if it can be ruled out then that's one less thing to think about.

Swehurn · May 01, 2006, 03:07 AM // 03:07

Yes, the fan on the graphics card starts up...and yes, I tried an alternate monitor. Actually, I tried 3 monitors - two LCD (tried both VGA and DVI cords just for the heck of it) and one CRT.

Good thoughts, though - thanks!

Diestro · May 01, 2006, 07:49 PM // 19:49

Ok, I'll share my embarrassing moment, since your problem may be as simple.

I upgraded my vid card, and heatsink. After hooking all the cables back up, no post. I tried things for 2 days, finally decided I killed something when I installed the HSF. Ordered new mobo and processor. The next day, after I could no longer cancel my order of course, I find the problem.....

The main power cable wasn't completely seated in the mobo. Everything would power-up, but it wouldn't post. I tried everything you've been trying, and had the same results. I even had an IT friend of mine ask me if all the cables were plugged in right, and of course they were, or so I thought.

Now, since you've had it apart and back together, I'll assume that you've got the plugs all seated correctly at some point, but its worth checking them out, and it may not be a bad idea to test your power supply plugs to make sure you don't have any dead pins before you RMA your board.

Trinitron6_03 · May 01, 2006, 11:27 PM // 23:27

have you tried updating your bios?

update your bios first. it could be that your processor is not seen correctly in your board bud, do an update on the bios, and see if that helps, you seem like an intelligent sorta person, so i wont go on and on. try the bios update. then go into your motherboards bios, check out the video card part, make sure everything is set up for pci express. that may be the thing, an updated bios helps bud. also check your ram with another comp.. see if it boots,

(not to be rude, i would go with crucial ram, or corsair, and i have had both and they work great, but you should get 2 gigs(2x1gb) or 1 gig(2x512) that will help your performance my friend.

Swehurn · May 02, 2006, 01:00 AM // 01:00

Again, thanks for the advice, folks...

I have checked all the plugs and reseated all the components. Several times, in fact. I've also tried with two different power supplies, just in case that was the problem.

BIOS - unfortunately, short of physically changing the chip, there's nothing I can do about it. I can't get to POST (and can't get a signal sent to the monitor) and therefore can't enter the BIOS that way.

I spoke to the folks at Asus support this morning, and after explaining everything that I've done, their response was, "You've either got a faulty motherboard or a faulty processor." Admittedly, not the most helpful response. They did tell me that the BIOS on the mobo will work with the other equipment installed without an update.

I tried the processor in another machine at work today, and it works fine...so I think I'm back to calling for a RMA for the mobo...sigh.

Megengo · May 02, 2006, 01:57 AM // 01:57

From reading everything you have said it does sound like a bad mobo. The best way to test a non-POSTing system is to remove every component from the system except for the motherboard, CPU, memory, power supply, and video card if there is no onboard video. Then one by one you want to replace each of these with a known good part (except for the motherboard, unless you happen to have a spare motherboard that is the exact same). Or you could test each of the components in another working system like you did. Resetting the CMOS can sometimes fix a non-POST, but is fairly unlikely on a new rig. On a side note, with this particular board be sure to NOT plug in the extra molex power connector that is located above the top PCI-E slot unless you have SLI enabled. If you plug that power connector in you can damage the board. In really rare instances I have seen power buttons cause a system not to POST. You can test this by removing the power button connector from the board and shorting the 2 pins with a screw driver (or any piece of conductive material really). Good luck.