A8V with Newcastle - no video

[boxleitnerb]

First here is my system:

Athlon64 Newcastle 3500+ S939
Brand new Asus A8V Deluxe Rev. 2.0, Bios 1008 (replacement for my first A8V Rev. 1.02)
2x512MB Corsair PC3200 TwinX1024 C2Pro 2.5,3,3,6
Powercolor X800XT PE AGP
2 Seagate HDDs IDE
NEC 3500A DVD-RW
Power Supply BeQuiet 400W PFC 1.3

The Mainboard is giving me trouble without end...
First I had the issue, that the PC would not do a cold boot - no video, HDD and power LEDs were on the entire time and nothing would happen. Then there were spontaneous reboots once I got the damn thing to boot to Windows. Then this morning there was no video signal again, no matter what I tried or how often I called Asus support hotline. I did everything they told me short of replacing the CPU cos I dont have a spare one. I tried every possible combination of my memory slots, with vid card, without, CMOS clear...everything I could think of. And I have the extra 4pin power connector connected.
Then I went to the store I bought that board at and they testet it too and said, it was fried. So they exchanged it for a new one, Rev. 2.0 and in the store it booted just fine, but with a vid card they had there, cos I had my X800 not with me. Once I arrived at home, the damn thing would not post again.
I'm trying to get my hands on another card and additionally test my X800 in another rig, but honestly, since November that board gave me nothing but headaches and I really dont think my vid card is fried.
And everytime I try to boot and have the speakers hooked up I get the error message "system filed, cpu test". But it worked just an hour ago in the store!!

I'm broken and dont know what to do anymore. Never had I so much trouble with a component and I had an Asus board before and it worked fine.
Mind you, I have a Newcastle core, so the Bios 1008 should recognize the CPU as it is not 90nm. Is there anything short of ditching that thing that could solve my problems?

[scrandman]

Welcome to the forums.

Sounds like your PSU may be the problem - do you have another one you can try?

[boxleitnerb]

Thanks for your tip. It was indeed the PSU. Now it runs like a charm again and I even got a 2.0 revision of the mainboard, cos they thought at first something was wrong with it.

[proudx]

I am having the same issue with no video. Try this and tell me if it works. Turn on the monitor first and 2 seconds later turn on the computer, do you have video? I noticed that I get no video if I turn on the computer first, then the monitor..

Some bug I have asus working on refer to case number 13269

[boxleitnerb]

Sooooo close...
New PSU installed, PC worked yesterday, even today the cold boot worked fine and I had problems with that for a long time. Then my onboard Gigabit Lan failed, I tried to reboot the comp and then again: No video, wont post, boot or anything.
I guess it's really the board this time, cos of the fialed LAN. My DSL works fine on my laptop, though, so there is no provider problem.

I could cry, never before had I such computer problems...
Is there anyone with a similar system, who could help me out with some tips?

Edit: can a mod please remove the "resolved" from the topic name, as the problem still persists, thx

[shaynesintz]

Same problem here... but my story will make yours look like a walk through the park:

Started off with all new components after my old machine literally caught on fire (yeah, long story). Here's what I started with:

AMD 64 3500+ (newcastle) OEM
Abit A8V (yup, abit)
TTake Silent Power 560W
1GB Corsair XMS Expert (2x512MB matched)
2 WD Raptor 72GB
ATI 9800 Pro 128MB
CD, DVD.

First powered up the new setup (above) and no video. Sent the ATI card back on RMA. Brought GF3 card home to continue. Still no video. Brought a GF4 4200 back home to continue. Still no video. Pulled from case, tried different memory, slots, pull all perhips, cleared CMOS (a billion times). RMA'd Abit board.

With replacement board, still no video. Purchased another P/S (to get one that had 24+A on the +12V rails (heard the 64 chips need at least that). Using SurePower 600W with 30A on +12V rail. No video.

Went out to CompUSA and purchased another AMD 64 chip (3000+ Newcastle). No video.

Started losing it at this point.... never had this much trouble. Wait, gets better:

Figured maybe I had something going on with the Abit board, so went back to the good 'ol Asus and picked up an A8V Deluxe. Still no video... "CPU Failed Because of Overclock" every time. Yup, cleared CMOS at least 5 times. Still no video. Nothing but the CPU, 1 stick of Corsair XMS Expert RAM (slot 1,blue), GF3 AGP and KB/mouse connected, no video.
I had a screaming meltdown at this point and I think my neighbors all think I'm crazy now.

Note: All the steps listed above were OUTSIDE of the case on an anti-static bag.

So three motherboards, three different kinds of RAM, three video cards, two power supplies, two CPUs, and I still can't get a goddamn post out of any of these configurations. (And, yes, my monitor is good - works with my laptop).

The only thing I could think of is that the origonal CPU had some defect that is causing H/W failures because I tried the 1st CPU first in all three MBs I've tried (2 abits and 1 Asus). I think that origonal CPU might be the source of all my issues. If it cooked something on all three boards, the 2nd CPU (which could be good) woundn't post if the 1st one damaged the board before I tried it. Does that make sense? I can't think of anything else to explain it.

Seriously, this is the suckiest computer experience I've ever had (and I work on them all day long). I feel beat on this one.

Anyone have ANY suggestions before I send it ALL back and try again?

[John C]

Note: All the steps listed above were OUTSIDE of the case on an anti-static bag.

Be VERY careful doing this, anti-static bags are often CONDUCTIVE on the outer surface, that is how they keep the static out. A block of wood or even cardboard is the best bet.

[shaynesintz]

John:

OMG! Dude, you're so right.

I just pulled the ASBag out from under the MB and it posted!
Seriously, you just ended a 40+hour (no including driving) troubleshooting marathon.
I cannot believe that did it. Right now, I don't even care if my HDDs are bad and I can't install an O/S because I'm damn exited to see something on a screen.

You're my freakin' hero.

Amazing.
Thanks.

[John C]

Wow, glad it worked, and didnt fry anything!