Need Some Ideas on Hardware Issue

[mygeek]

Evening everyone, I've got a customer's machine here that I can not get to turn on for anything. It's a custom built job. I've verified that the power supply is in working condition and I've tried a known good PSU. The motherboard is a replacement from ASUS Crosshair AM2, just got it out of the wrapper. The motherboard lights up when power is supplied to it. I've tested for a busted power switch, that was a no go. I've removed all components, including RAM just leaving the CPU/Fan.

I'm out of ideas here. The only thing I can think of is that the CPU may be busted or the fan is three prong and the motherboard has a space for four pins.


Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[ithinkyou5.0]

do you get a POST? try swapping out the cpu for a known good one. if the fans spinning then im not sure that its an issue also it might be a little early to jump to conclusions but ive had new motherboards be dead on delivery before aswell

 

[CPCR]

Pop in a speaker and see if you get any warning beeps when you remove the RAM or CPU, if not then the time you take to diagnose would be better spent getting a new MB.

Just because it is new out the wrapper does not mean it is not faulty.

 

[mygeek]

Thanks for the responses, I get no beeps and no POST what so ever. Unfortunately, I don't have a CPU to swap it out for. I'm leaning towards the CPU being bad as I test another CPU fan on the board with the same results.

The reason I don't think it's the motherboard is because before the motherboard was replaced, it exhibited similar symptoms.

Any other thoughts?

 

[TimeCode]

Thanks for the responses, I get no beeps and no POST what so ever. Unfortunately, I don't have a CPU to swap it out for. I'm leaning towards the CPU being bad as I test another CPU fan on the board with the same results.

The reason I don't think it's the motherboard is because before the motherboard was replaced, it exhibited similar symptoms.

Any other thoughts?

Are you seeing any power go to it? Fan spinning up at all? If not, could there be a short in the power button on the case? Check these out. I've used them a few times... http://www.highspeedpc.com/Merchant...Xcontrol&Category_Code=TechStationAccessories

 

[mygeek]

There is power going to the board, it has some indicator lights. Fans are not spinning however. I don't think it's the switch, as there is a on-board power switch that does not work as well. Those are pretty interesting, thanks.

 

[CPCR]

Does the board boot up OK on an AS mat, could be a case short.

 

[arrow_runner]

Is the CMOS jumper set to 'clear'?

 

[SOHO-NZ]

Is the CMOS jumper set to 'clear'?

I though of that one too. I've had new mobos arrive with CMOS jumper set to clear before.

 

[TimeCode]

I've had new mobos arrive with CMOS jumper set to clear before.

I've blown a PSU because of that.

 

[mygeek]

cmos jumper is set to disabled. i've ordered a new cpu, i'm hopeful that was the issue.

 

[TechGuy71]

Did you take all of the cards out of it, if it has any? A faulty PCI card can cause it to not power up in some cases.

 

[ejsaunders]

Sounds like:

* a bad PSU in the sense its not sending the POWER GOOD signal.
But if you've tried another, possibly not - I have an ASUS Crosshair on this PC and there's a little LCD at the back does it say an error code? Worth checking

Do you have a PSU tester? I know I had trouble with an FPS Sparkle when I bought this mobo, and I generally only buy Sparkle, ended up having to get a BFG until I got a new g/c that was the only one that produced enough juice to even start the ^%$£$ing thing.

* Its touchy about RAM
The mobo won't bother beeping if there's no RAM sometimes

Try to turn the comp off, and then hold your finger in the power button, turn it on, does the fan lurch and then stop? do it on the onboard one if you can, and remove the case one.

Only other thing is that the CPU is faulty, and if you've tried it in another mobo already, perhaps thats what's making the boards not POST, I've had similar with my wifes comp once, she broke my baby trying her g/c in my comp.

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The fan thing is unimportant, its just a sensor for the RPM, so ignore that, its not a symptom

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On a PS note some of the Phenoms have been known to not work in the mobo for some reason that AMD and ASUS can't fathom, is it a 9500?

 

[mygeek]

Yes, I had taken all cards out of it and still nothing.

I'm sure it's not the PSU as I tested a known working one with the board.

Good to know about the RAM, thanks.

When I hit the power button, nothing moves. No fans lurch, no beeps, nothing.

No it's not a Phenom CPU.

 

[ejsaunders]

Do you have a multimeter or battery tester? One thing I did have once, not related as such in terms of mobo, but symptoms - dude brought me a comp, wouldn't turn on, it WOULD spin the fan a bit if you left it unplugged for an hour in a cold room and then did the power button trick (which usually means bad PSU). Found out in the end it was the CMOS battery, it wouldn't hold a charge, changed the battery and it worked fine, no idea why that would make such a difference, but it did, worth a try.

 

[Rider]

I agree, check the CMOS battery. I have to change the battery on just about every motherboard I get. Granted, the motherboards I get are refurbished. It seems odd but the battery can cause all kinds of strange problems including no POST.

 

[ejsaunders]

Do they sell REVIVER cards where you are? Over here in the UK, I bought one a few years ago when they first came out, just a thought, it plugs into the mobo and tells you via POST and its own codes whats exactly wrong with a computer. They do two versions, ones about 60 quid, the other is about 200, the 60 works just as well, but the others a bit more complex and can save reports and things.

Worth looking into, mines a PCI version, but they do ISA too, I know the company I bought mine from does sell to the States (and Internationally) - Combined Precision Components is their UK stockist.

It was that that told me the CMOS battery was flat actually.

http://www.reviver.com/Products/reviver_1.html - The first one I bought

http://www.reviver.com/Products/reviver_2.html - the expensive one