Very Very odd C2D Asus mobo problem...

[kamikazi_tom]

Alright, this is my predicimentt. This is my first Core 2 Duo system and I am either by confused or my cpu or mobo are messed up. I have an e6400 processor and Asus P5N-E SLI Motherboard. When I turn on the computer all of the fans spin, and thats it. No speaker beeps, nothing. I kept it on for about 10 minutes and felt the processor and it seemed only marginally warm. I can't get it to post, nothing. Taking out or switching RAM has not helped. Here are my specs:

e6400 CPU
Asus p5N-SLI mobo
8800gts 620mb SO edition
2 gb corsair xm2 2gb
WD sata HD
dvd burner
Antec 500w Smartpower PSU
Thanks in advance, im basically almost gonna cry over this =[

[Panama Red]

Same link we always provide in a situation like this. You HAVE to remove everything from the case.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[kamikazi_tom]

I already did, thanks for the quick respnonse tho. I looked all through there, nothing of help.

I've never made a C2D system, but it seems liek ti requires a fair amount of force to pull down the level to set the procc. Is this normal or am I doing this worng and smooshing my cpu to oblivion =[ ?
It also kinda makes a little bit of a runchy noise ? =[

[Panama Red]

So, what happens when you test the core components out of the case? When you short the pwr pins does anything happen? Any fans spin at all? Did you make sure the 2x2 (4 pin aux power connector is connected near the cpu?

[kamikazi_tom]

Yes when I short the pwr the fans spin. This is about it. About 10 seconds later the massive 8800gts's fan begins to whirl. Thats it. I can shut it down using the case button (if I use the J-pannel power button), so im stumped =[. I've always made amd64 systems, so I feel like such a noob right now, sorry.
And yes the cpu power is on of course.
EDIT: I just tried running the proc without the HSF on again n the sucker got pretty hot, I guess it's getting power...

[Panama Red]

I might have stumbled on to a compatibility issue. Checked the specs on your vid card and on your psu. The vid card requires a minimum of 400 watt psu with 26A on the +12v. The Antec shows 17A on one rail and 19 on the other. Not sure if these are added together to qualify for the 26A minimum or if the one rail needs to be 26A. Hopefully someone else will answer that question.

[kamikazi_tom]

just for funnies ill try a pci card from like 95, i think my psu can handle that, ill brb

EDIT: I got nothin. For all I know what card could have been dead for 10 years now, idk. But I'm pretty sure that u ad the rails together to get the full amps. I know someone who runs this card on the same psu....
Again thanks for all the help =]

[chuck4456]

That PSU should be able to handle the GTS. The requirements are much less than that of its big brother. You need to go back to square one. It takes a little force to hook in the lockdown lever, but not board-breaking as you described. Be sure that your CPU is aligned correctly, first off. Inspect it for damage. Inspect all connectors thoroughly during the subsequent reinstallations.

[kamikazi_tom]

Thanks for the response.
I looked at the internal pins on the socket, and all seems about right. There are tinny pin pricks on most of the contracts on the cpu, making me think that it is connected correctly.
In order to give the motherboard power all I need to do is connect the 24 pin atx power and cpu power right? Becuase my PSU has something that looks like the 4 pin CPU power, but is 8 pin. I don't know if I'm missing where this goes or if It's not compatable with my board. Does anyone think that my mobo or CPU is dead? I'm just stumped, my birthday present has been a big let down so far =[

[Panama Red]

Is this your power supply?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

If so, it has modular wiring. Do you have the PCI-E power cables connected to the video card? That should be a 6 pin connector. Not sure what an 8 pin would be for.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...C%20-%20Retail

The only other possibility I can think off that's causing this is an improperly seated heat sink. Make sure you install the hsf assy with the mobo out of the case. All four pins need to click THRU the mobo. Look at the underside of the mobo and make sure all the pins protrude thru. Here's a decent series of pics to show the proper installation.

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/i...stallation.pdf

[glc]

I edited your signature - please do not use large fonts on these forums. Thank you.

- Admin -

[kamikazi_tom]

So the computer will not start without a HSF on?
BTW thanks for al the help you guys at pcmech are great! =]

Sorry admin =P

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by kamikazi_tom So the computer will not start without a HSF on?

Bingo! It will NOT start without a hsf. If that's what you've been attempting, you found the problem.

[kamikazi_tom]

Yay!!
Alright I'm at school now but when I get home i'll try it and let you know, I've used to the bracket style HSF's from AMD, and never used onelike this. Mostlikely I have it installed wrong and those instuctions you gave me will help. Is this only for intel cpu's becuase all my AMD chips start without it. I also noticed that there were contacts on my mobo's screw holes. Are these just to ground them or do they need to all have screws in them to make it run?

I'm using a crappy intel HFS, I hope I can figure out how to fit it correctly. I had the fan ont he heatsink pluged in at one point and it didnt power up, so are there contacts or soemthing on the CPU to let it know the HSF is on?

Another quick off topic question: I read a guide about reaching 3.5 ghz on this cpu, do you think it's possible with the stock HSF?

Thanks again in advance, I LOVE this forum!!

[Panama Red]

Never run any brand without a heatsink.

Not sure what you mean by contacts on my mobo's screw holes. If you're referring to the metal type reinforcing rings around the mobo mounting holes, grounding contact is not the issue. Just make sure you use the brass or nylon standoffs to support the mobo and mount it to the case. Remove any standoffs that do not align with the mobo mounting holes and add standoffs to all spots that correspond with a mounting hole. Leaving extras in place can cause the mobo circuits to short to the case.

The hsf has a 3 wire connector that must be plugged into the proper fan connector on the mobo. It should be labeled CPU_Fan. check your mobo manual if you are unsure which one it is. This, too, will prevent the pc from starting if not installed or installed incorrectly.

As to overclocking, I''m not even going to answer that question yet. You first need to concentrate on getting a stable running computer and all your software installed before messing with oc'ing. And if you've never oc'd before, you have a LOT of reading to do.

[glc]

The stock Intel heatsink is quite good, but I doubt you will hit 3.5 GHz without some expensive parts. Before you even THINK about overclocking, get it running and stable.

No, the only sensing is through the fan connector. There is a thread in Tips and Tricks on how to properly install the Intel heatsink.

[kamikazi_tom]

Originally Posted by Panama Red The hsf has a 3 wire connector that must be plugged into the proper fan connector on the mobo. It should be labeled CPU_Fan. check your mobo manual if you are unsure which one it is.

I'm pretty sure I had a 4 prong for the HSF, and I put that into the 4 prong mobo slot. Is this what your talking about? Becuase if it is I already had that in there, which would mean that won't fix my problem =\

[kamikazi_tom]

I'm home now and tried putting the heatsink on properly. The fan is running (its 4 prong) but i'm still not getting a post. I'm wondering if it is video card related? Any more ideas would be great, I don't even know where to start =[

[jer888]

you may want to get a pci express card that you have and know that works and put it in there, just to rule out the video card. (btw i would do all this troubleshooting OUTSIDE of the case)

I dont think its the power supply, but if you have one that you know works or can barrow one, that would rule out the power supply.

Then your down to the mobo, cpu, and ram. But since you already swapped ram thats ruled out. If it was purchases from newegg, you will defintly not have any problem getting a replacement on the mobo . The cpu may be a diffrent story if you damaged it

[kamikazi_tom]

Alright, I'll borrow a pci e card from my friend. I'll get back to you guys on that. Does anyone have like a hunch to what the problem may be? This mobo is rather funky, like it has a card to select whether your using sli or not. I wonder if that damaged or anything. This has been such a difficult build, sigh.

[ChoboSeki]

Installing socket 775 including pictures:
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles...15&cid=19&pg=4

Can anyone vouch that the Asus P5N-SLI is supposed to beep if:
╣Bad RAM
╣No RAM
╣Bad Processor
╣No Processor

His doesn't beep for any. If it is the video card, it should still start up with a regular PCI video card, right?

I'd say it's a bad motherboard.

[Panama Red]

Don't know if that mobo has a built in speaker. If not, no beeps unless the case speaker is connected.

[ChoboSeki]

It doesn't have a built in speaker. He is using a case speaker, and it's connected. He gets no beeps at all.

[Panama Red]

Good catch, CS. Could very well be the mobo then. I believe those instructions are inlcuded in Hal's out-of-case thread tho. Might be time to pull the memory and see if it beeps with the speaker connected. No beeps, prolly defective mobo.

[ChoboSeki]

He has tried removing the RAM and processor, he gets no beeps. He doesn't have any other devices connected like hard drives and dvd burner, no cards in the PCI slots either.

I advised him to test his RAM in his friend's computer. If the RAM works, I'd still think it would be the motherboard before the processor.

[Panama Red]

If you guys have been chatting in IM or thru PM, you have me at a disadvantage. I agree on your diagnostic conclusions but it sure would be nice if all this info would be posted in the thread to provide continuity. Others may refer to this one down the road. At least now it's more complete since we're talking about it.

[glc]

No beeps if you remove the processor - multiple beeps if you remove ram and/or video card. That's normal.

[ChoboSeki]

The motherboard is dead then.

[glc]

No beeps with only a CPU installed is bad CPU, motherboard, or power supply. If the heatsink gets warm the CPU is probably okay, if it stays cool you are back to square 1.

Asus may be a quality manufacturer, but nobody makes a good Nvidia chipset board for Intel processors.

[ChoboSeki]

He should get an RMA for the motherboard or return it for an intel chipset.