AMD X2 won't post

[Geeluv]

Hello All,

This is my second problem posting here...all help appreciated. I have an AMD X2 4400, Epox EP-9NDA3+, 2x512 DDR 433, 2x1 DDR 400, Raptor 37g SATA Boot drive, Enermax 550W PS and 6800GT AGP Nvidia.

I have had strange, recurring problems with this thing...have already re-installed XP once and bios is latest. Things HAD been working fine, except the thing was running quite hot under load, up to 61C. Now, it won't get past posting or won't post. I can't even get into the bios. This morning I turned it on and it booted right up. Put it under load again and it crashed and won't post again. Have tried removing drives, RAM, etc with no success. The first time I removed the new RAM (2x1gb) it got past post and then tried to boot from RAID which wasn't even in the boot order or turned on before. I tried removing the battery to reset the bios and the same thing happens...I am thinking I either have a bad board or CPU at this point....

Any help appreciated,

Geeluv

[Pc geek]

It really sounds like the cpu just got to hot and fried

[Geeluv]

At 61c? Thought these were rated up to 70?

[CMB]

Resetting the bios will put it back to it's default values, which can mean that a raid controller is enabled, and will take boot priority. So after resetting the bios you may still need to change certain settings in bios to be able to boot up.(ie disable raid)
Taking the battery out is one way to reset the bios, but you may need to leave it out for some time for it to reset. Your manual should detail the normal quick way to CLRTC, disconnecting main power/removing battery/moving CLRTC jumper for 10 seconds etc.

I tried removing the battery to reset the bios and the same thing happens...

Do you mean the issue of the trying to boot from raid ? What do you mean when you say the same thing happens ?

[_dangtx_]

its the board.let it sit some more or replace it.had mine at 65c (core temp) 24/7 no issues.

[Geeluv]

CMB - The booting from raid was just an anomoly, I can't get into the bios at all anyway. It is not even posting now. I have my old CPU, so I will try that and report back.

[_dangtx_]

cross ya fingers

[Geeluv]

Ok guys, this thing is posessed. I took the old CPU and tried to put it in, it wouldn't even turn on, so I pulled the CPU and it had a couple of bent pins
I put the X2 back in and it booted right up. I then shut it down and put in the other two sticks of memory and it tried to boot and it flashed on and then shut off. I let it sit for a minute and it booted right up, with no issue. WTF?

[dpellio]

Well I see your mixing your ram sizes and speeds(by your first post). I would suspect that. Try it with just one or the other. Also check all electrical connections, and check your psu. I would focus on the RAM though, since you said it would boot fine with your old RAM and wouldn't boot at all with the new.

[Geeluv]

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the belated post, I have been busy and haven't had time to f*** with this thing lately. The thing has now completely stopped getting past the post. I am fairly sure this is a motherboard failure (Epox 97A3+) as the thing booted just fine a few times before it hung permanently. I have tried disconnecting everything but one stick of know good mem and have the same problem.
The board will usually hang right after the mem test and/or scanning the drives.
I thought that CPU's usually just worked or not, so I am assuming it is the mobo...any ideas?

[mjt67]

are you using AMD stock heatsink? if so then dont use it - try different heatsink as I used Thermaltake Venus 12 with thermalpaste -- if you buy one with white thermalpaste then firstly you need to uninstall all of hardwares and then try again - first clean the CPU core cover and then install into socket and drop wee bit thermalpaste and spread all the area very thinner and careful install heatsink and then install all hardware again plus install ram in correct Slot (same colour slot usual make correct plus enable dual channel) and then tidy up the wire/cable by using clip and get 12cm case fans front and back and plug the yellow/black cable into 12v port (beside the CPU area) if it have one - then boot up and then install CNQ (cool `n` quiet) so that it will make your PC cooler. I never use AMD stock heatsink when I bought FX-55 last June 2005 as I used my own Venus 12 - perfer cooler as running 17-24oC included CNQ

just see if it work ok or not -- if not then either of hardwares >> CPU or motherboard or RAM or even hard drive... but I think you should aviod using DDR433 - use DDR400 with 2 stick that usual work fine, try 1 or 2 stick of DDR400 and leave off 433 -- if you mix it then it usual mess up...

[notdrugged]

In my experience, BIOS have a few critical settings, depending on how it is programmed. For instance, some specs have AUTO and this can be critical as to whether or not it runs. I've seen a mfg. allow something to be changed that will never work on any other setting but the original default one. Another often critical setting is System Defaults, Optimized Defaults, or Failsafe Defaults. Sometimes the system actually wants you to set that to help it figure out how to behave. Otherwise, you're clearing your CMOS, which is a natural thing sometimes when the computer has problems. But what I have noticed is that clearing the CMOS does not clear Extended System Configuration Data, which usually affects your drives. So if it has a setting similar to ESCD in the bios, toggling it once can clear up a self-inflicted system component conflict.

That said, if I had to guess it was a component, which it may not be afterall, I don't know, it would be the power supply.

[Geeluv]

This gets weirder and weirder. I bought an overpriced Antec PS from CompUSA, installed it and turned it on and got nothing. I tried several different times with different configs, and nothing. I then repacked the PS and hooked the old one up and the thing booted right up without a hitch. So either a cable was loose, or this thing is just possessed. I will reply back next time I reboot and it hangs on when posting.

[Geeluv]

Was down again for a couple of days. I tried everything, but to no avail. I gave up again and had a couple of sticks of ram on top of the case, and I put them back in just for safekeeping. Then after having rebooted it 20 times or so before, it came right back up. When it freezes, it doesn't even make it to the mem check. Am afraid to reboot again! Any one have the foggiest?

[Spartacus]

I used to have an EPOX board in the NF2 days. I can't remember the model number, but I do remember it had a really crappy power section for the CPU. I came up with a mod for it that helped the overcurrent shutdowns for many people, but the darn things just didn't last long no matter what (even with no mods).

I remember I replaced it with an Abit NF7 board and then everything ran great.

My bet is the mobo. It's a little scary hearing about the bent CPU pins though.