A8N SLI Deluxe, "System failed VGA test"

[Museeuw]

Hello, this is my system:

A8N SLI Deluxe motherboard
Athlon 3500+, Winchester Core, Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu cooler
2 * 512MB Corsair ValueSelect RAM DDR 400
Gigabyte GV-NX66T128VP 128 MB Graphics Card (NVIDIA 6600GT, Passive cooled )
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10, 300 GB
Arctic Silentium T2 Case (VERY silent, with 4 coolers within) with Seasonic PSU of 350 W continuous, 450 W Peak. Should be good enough following ASUS' recommendations and my configuration (less than light).

This configuration performed very well and stable for a week. But then overnight, when I tried to turn on the PC I got the following message through my speakers: "System failed VGA test", no screen at all

Things I've tried:

Get the VGA card out and back in, no solution.
Replace VGA card with another one, no solution. The original VGA card functions very well on another motherboard with PCI-Express, so it's not the VGA-card.
Clear CMOS, no solution.
Connect EZ_Plug next to graphics, no solution.

This really puzzles me. How come my graphics suddenly doesn't get recognized allthough it was OK for a week, without problems .

I'm really looking forward for any options and/or suggestions, because I would very much so like to get started with my new PC-config and hope that I don't have to RMA.

Best regards and thanx already for your answers .

[garikfox]

Make sure the EZ-card is on Single, and All the way pushed in, It will give you that error if its not in all the way. Also in BIOS make sure the SLI is at Single as well.

[FastEddie]

It's probrably the selector card not being properly seated. Make certain the card is fully (and evenly) inserted.

[Museeuw]

First, thanx for the response.

The EZ-card was properly seated and on single, but I took your advice, took the EZ-card out and installed it again properly ... to no avail. I cannot check if the SLI is on Single in Bios, since I get no screen, but I think to remember that it was.

Could it have something to do with the fact that I replaced the original chipset HSF with the passive Zalman ZM-NB47J cooler? Allthough I must say that the PC ran smoothly and stable with the passive cooler for three days (No increase of temperature, CPU: 34-45, MB: 33-36). With the Arctic Cooling Case (4 fans) and the good Zalman CPU cooler I think there is enough airflow in the case, as Zalman recommended (in order to use the passive cooler).

I'm beginning to get out of options .

[garikfox]

Does that PSU have the 24piin ?

That might be a reason there picky if they dont have the 24pin PSU's

[Museeuw]

The PSU of Seasonic is a 20 pin one.

It's connected together with the 4 pin ATX12V power connection next to the Processor.

If this would be the reason, would the board have run stable for a week first?

[Museeuw]

More details on the PSU:

Seasonic SS-350ATC Active PFC

+3.3V -> 28A
+5V -> 30A
+12V -> 17A
-5V -> 0.5A
-12V -> 0.8A
+5Vs -> 2A

350W continuous, 450 Peak.

I remember the 12V dropping to 11.57 with asusprobe.

Thanx for your answers

[garikfox]

Ouch yeah its yer PSU, U just basically ran it into the ground.

U need a 500w at least for a 20pin PSU. BUT I would just get one like mine here.

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A6226355

My psu like above runs at 11.52v but thats just voltage thats not as important as the AMPS yer missing. I run 28amps u need at least 20amps. that one is prolly like 15. (BTW: dont plug the EZ-Plug in until u have another 6600GT.)

[Museeuw]

Thanx garikfox,

So that would mean that my current PSU is defect now (otherwise I would get screen), or not? Besides that I don't get screen, the PC still starts up and there's is hard disk activity (according to the leds).

Greetz

Museeuw

[garikfox]

scoot the 20pin over it might be in the incorrect spot.

U really just need to get a good 24pin is all.

Do you have another PSU u can try ?

[Museeuw]

Not right now. When I get my hands on one I will return here with my findings.

It'll be one hell of a job to fit a new psu in that Silentium case . If it even is possible.
The Seasonic psu I am talking about above has two fans on it and it is in fact a part of the PC-case strategy. You can take a look at the Silentium here:

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/pc_case2.php?idx=12

CU

[garikfox]

Nice case, yeah that should be ok it even says it will wrk lol, Hmm Im stumped now, heh

[Museeuw]

I tried with another PSU ... same fluke.


I guess I will try to rma the motherboard, and hope they don't mind that I replaced the Motherboard HSF with the Passive Zalman cooler . I can still put the stock version back on.


Thanx for your help.

[garikfox]

FYI, just got this MB in, look below the best of the best lol, better OC better layout also best thing is SLI temps more less same now.

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Product/xx_pro...P%20UT&SITE=NA

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2337

[Sick Willie]

Originally Posted by garikfox

scoot the 20pin over it might be in the incorrect spot.

U really just need to get a good 24pin is all.

Do you have another PSU u can try ?

One would have to really try hard to plug the 20 pin supply incorrectly.