I'm New and my GA-EP45-UD3P won't POST Help!

[Mattkun]

First I would like to say Hello everyone, This forum is amazing and has a vast wealth of knowledge. So basically I'm at my point of where my tech skills are just not enough to figure out whats wrong. I am a complete "Noobie" to Hardware diagnostics and it seems like short of having an Identical PC to swap parts your almost screwed heh.

I apologize if I don't follow the proper posting format, I found a guide while at work to follow but can't seem to find it now,(maybe its just me or maybe its hard might want to put that as sticky #1).
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Ok all of my PC specs should be in my Sig. Unfortunatly I am unable to provide benchmarks, screenshots or, the BIOS settings b/c I am no longer able to get to the BIOS screen.

Before the system completely crashed, I had set the Ram to 2.1v (instead of the default 1.8v) and I bumped up a few others from other posts I've red on this site. The mode was set to STANDARD (instead of TURBO) and the timings at 5-5-5-15.

(How it started)
(Ok so AMAZING friend decided to give me this PC b/c it was causing him "problems" He had to replace 2 HD's and CD/DVD drive. But I currently have a P4 OCed oldie but goodie that can't run games anymore. So this was like a godsend. Well I threw in another 250 SATA drive and installed Windows 64bit and just when I started playing games thats when $h!t hit the fan. Started gettings all kinds of BSOD's and my gut sank and just KNEW it had to be hardware. I assumed the HD so tried to do CHKDSK's and they failed to finish 90% of the time, so I decided to test the ram (since the BSOD's had alot of PAGE_FAULTS and IRQL errors) and when I took out all but 1 stick in slot 1 the PC failed to BOOT : YAY ERROR FOUND -> WRONG! : so ran Memtest86+ it worked fine PER SINGLE ram stick in slot #1 NO ERRORS and like 6-12 passes, EVEN on the supposable "bad stick" so I put all 8GBs all 4 slots back in and ran Memtest86+ on the whole thing and Randomly it would show errors. WTF???? So I decided to do some research on Memtest and found that this could be caused b/c I was using an older version of Memtest or b/c of Voltage errors, So Then I was like OK its the PSU or Voltage, so I came to these forums and tried to fix up my BIOS voltage. And a few boots later BAM NO MORE BOOTING AND NO POST nothing but black screen and reboot cycle so I went searching for a System Speaker)

The Problem: The system no longer gets to POST, just Black Screen and Reboot cycle. (Fortunatly I found a spare System Speaker) and the system with ONLY PSU+CPU+MOBO makes continuous long beeps (manual says gfx card failure WTF???) ok So I put 1 Ram Stick in slot #1 (or any other) now it does the same thing except it has continuous SHORT beeps. Manual says "Power Failure" ???? what does this mean? Failed PSU? Failed Mobo? Under voltage?? (is it always this Vague?)

I have tried to Reset the CMOS, I've tried to short the Jumpers and Remove the battery even tried to short the Battery like the Manual said.

All of the Fans and spin up and LEDS etc etc, but all I get is continuous beeps and reboots. One thing thats strange to me is it seems the CPU takes a few seconds to spin up its fan, is that normal?

So basically my next step is to either take it to a repair shop or to start buying Replacement parts (and RMA the failed stuff). But this is tough for me b/c of budget reasons.

Please help! Being completely new to Hardware problems sucks, and I don't have spare parts to swap out to test =(. What should I do?

Also what should the minimum PSU be for this type of rig? How do you calculate minimum PSU needed?

What are the symptoms of a bad PSU, CPU, and Mobo? I see this as my oppertunity to learn more about Hardware and maybe even OCing. The most I've done before is just up CPU/Ram timings.

THANK YOU!!!

[profJim]

Many problems are due to cables and hardware connections.

At this point you should remove your mobo from the computer case and rest it on a box or stack of books beside the case.

The Minimalist Boot:
Disconnect everything that isn't required to boot, including:
Hard Drives, floppy drives, cd/dvd drives
Mouse
All USB devices including the mouse and keyboard
All add-in PCI cards.

You want to boot only with your cpu and heat sink, PS2 keyboard, video card and only 1 memory module. That's it.

Make sure that all cables are installed properly and fully seated, including the ATX12v 4- or 8-pin connector.

Your initial goal is to be able to get into the bios where you will immediately load OPTIMIZED bios settings and save settings and exit. If this is successful, power off your machine and install your floppy or cd/dvd drive so that you can run Memtest86+, version 2.11 on the single memory module for10 full passes or longer.

If the problems remain:

1) With your computer off, turn off the power to the psu by using the psu's on/off switch.
2) Unplug the external power cord from the psu.
3) Press and hold the computer case's on/off switch for 10 seconds.
4) Leave your computer in this state for 15 minutes or longer.
5) Hook everything back up and turn on your computer.
You might have to perform these steps several times.

You might need to try different components:
power supply
video card
memory module

Can you borrow any of these components from a friend?
If necessary, you can try using an older pci video card.

Once your system is stable, you should apply the basic settings in this post and set your DRAM voltage to your memory's max rated speed. Save settings and exit. Perform steps 1 and 3 above, then install a second memory module in slot #3. Boot and run an extended Memtest86+ on both memory modules.

Do NOT try using all four memory modules until your system is fully stable with all your hardware connected. With 8GB of memory, you might have to run your memory at less than its full rated speed. You should NOT install your mobo into the computer case until your problems are resolved.

There are several additional troubleshooting steps you can take if there you're still having problems.

A good psu with 400+ watts should be fine for modest setups.

[Mattkun]

Thank you I will try that soon as possible. (at work ^^). Maybe I can grab a mem stick from work. Altho Memtest86+ seemed to verify that the the memory is good before it crashed, I know I did like 16 passes on the one with no errors.

Forgot to mention that I did check the connections, but looks like taking the Mobo out is the only option now.

I do have a spare PCI vid card also never though of using it, thanks.

I'm not sure about a PSU though, the only ones that I might be able to get are the one's at work and they only have like 310 or 350W would that even work??? (how these little PSU's power these Dell Quad Core, 4GB is beyond me, guess it's just not the same as running a Gigabyte mobo and better memory.)

Also I forgot to ask, What should my system do when its just the CPU+MOBO+ 1 Memory
or CPU+MOBO? Can you test a Mobo with just the CPU on it? or w/o a CPU on it? Question is what is the proper responce when theres no video output? just one beep and stays on?

you seem to have the same Mobo as me as well =P.

[Conners]

It should give you one beep and stay on.... well for mobo, cpu and ram anyway not sure about cpu mobo without the ram, but I would think it would be more than one beep for that.

[profJim]

The Problem: The system no longer gets to POST, just Black Screen and Reboot cycle. (Fortunatly I found a spare System Speaker) and the system with ONLY PSU+CPU+MOBO makes continuous long beeps (manual says gfx card failure WTF???) ok So I put 1 Ram Stick in slot #1 (or any other) now it does the same thing except it has continuous SHORT beeps. Manual says "Power Failure" ???? what does this mean? Failed PSU? Failed Mobo? Under voltage?? (is it always this Vague?)

Continuous short beeps are often caused by improper bios settings, especially memory timings and/or voltages.

You said that your friend had "problems" with this mobo. We don't know if there is defect with your mobo (e.g. bad memory slot, bad video card slot, etc.) or if your friend didn't get things set up correctly.

A low power psu has enough power to run your setup, but the psu's ATX12V connector might not provide enough power for your cpu. Once your system boots reliably, you want to add one component at a time and ensure that your system is still stable and doesn't have problems.

Don't overlook anything, your problem could be a caused by a borderline video cable, external psu power cable or some other component. You might need to try different motherboard slots for your video card or sata connectors for your hard drive.

And yes, the motherboard error codes are vague and sometimes misleading.
Does your 9500GT video card require a 6-pin power connector from the psu?

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Many problems are due to cables and hardware connections.

At this point you should remove your mobo from the computer case and rest it on a box or stack of books beside the case.

The Minimalist Boot:
Disconnect everything that isn't required to boot, including:
Hard Drives, floppy drives, cd/dvd drives
Mouse
All USB devices including the mouse and keyboard
All add-in PCI cards.

You want to boot only with your cpu and heat sink, PS2 keyboard, video card and only 1 memory module. That's it.

Make sure that all cables are installed properly and fully seated, including the ATX12v 4- or 8-pin connector.

Your initial goal is to be able to get into the bios where you will immediately load OPTIMIZED bios settings and save settings and exit. If this is successful, power off your machine and install your floppy or cd/dvd drive so that you can run Memtest86+, version 2.11 on the single memory module for10 full passes or longer.

If the problems remain:

1) With your computer off, turn off the power to the psu by using the psu's on/off switch.
2) Unplug the external power cord from the psu.
3) Press and hold the computer case's on/off switch for 10 seconds.
4) Leave your computer in this state for 15 minutes or longer.
5) Hook everything back up and turn on your computer.
You might have to perform these steps several times.

You might need to try different components:
power supply
video card
memory module

Can you borrow any of these components from a friend?
If necessary, you can try using an older pci video card.

Once your system is stable, you should apply the basic settings in this post and set your DRAM voltage to your memory's max rated speed. Save settings and exit. Perform steps 1 and 3 above, then install a second memory module in slot #3. Boot and run an extended Memtest86+ on both memory modules.

Do NOT try using all four memory modules until your system is fully stable with all your hardware connected. With 8GB of memory, you might have to run your memory at less than its full rated speed. You should NOT install your mobo into the computer case until your problems are resolved.

There are several additional troubleshooting steps you can take if there you're still having problems.

A good psu with 400+ watts should be fine for modest setups.

ProfJim,

After step 2 of the 5 you listed, shouldn't he reset CMOS?

[Mattkun]

Thank you for the replies and advice, I am going to be testing of this out this weekend, hopefully today as well depending on time.

As for the system my friend ordered it pre-built, from a custom company. Fairly cheap (could be why or any other reason for faulty stuff).

He never changed any Bios settings etc, and said that 2 HD's died and CD/DVD drive died also, so he got fed up with it reformatted and gave it to me =D.

I have tried reseting the CMOS various ways maybe im doing it wrong? (I did what the manual said, removed battery, used screw driver, and even left the system for 15+ min switch offed unplugged with bios bat out).

So once I am able to take all the components out of the case and try again I won't know if something touching the case is the problem.

Thank you for the info about the beeps, the bios voltage error helps narrow things down a bit if thats a possibility.

As for the 9500GT there are no cables for it, so i dunno ill have to look up the manual online, unfortunatly there were no manuals or anything other than a few spare power cables that came with the rig. Altho it is odd to me that the vid wouldn't need extra power. I'm gonna try a PCI card though anyway to rule out the vid card.

Do you think one of these 350W PSU would be enough for testing purposes to rule out the current PSU, i figured that would just cause more low power issues. Guess I just need to get my hands on a good PSU for testing.

Thanks guys! I'll have updates soon I hope!

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Thank you for the replies and advice, I am going to be testing of this out this weekend, hopefully today as well depending on time.

As for the system my friend ordered it pre-built, from a custom company. Fairly cheap (could be why or any other reason for faulty stuff).

He never changed any Bios settings etc, and said that 2 HD's died and CD/DVD drive died also, so he got fed up with it reformatted and gave it to me =D.

I have tried reseting the CMOS various ways maybe im doing it wrong? (I did what the manual said, removed battery, used screw driver, and even left the system for 15+ min switch offed unplugged with bios bat out).

So once I am able to take all the components out of the case and try again I won't know if something touching the case is the problem.

Thank you for the info about the beeps, the bios voltage error helps narrow things down a bit if thats a possibility.

As for the 9500GT there are no cables for it, so i dunno ill have to look up the manual online, unfortunatly there were no manuals or anything other than a few spare power cables that came with the rig. Altho it is odd to me that the vid wouldn't need extra power. I'm gonna try a PCI card though anyway to rule out the vid card.

Do you think one of these 350W PSU would be enough for testing purposes to rule out the current PSU, i figured that would just cause more low power issues. Guess I just need to get my hands on a good PSU for testing.

Thanks guys! I'll have updates soon I hope!

That Video card uses less electricity than my what my hair generates when I brush it. So if the CPU and MOBO say its cool, and all you want is to see anything appear on your monitor, then go ahead and use a 350 watt PSU. For playing a 3D video game a 9500GT may require more like a 400 watt PSU but I bet 350 would be ok.

[profJim]

After step 2 of the 5 you listed, shouldn't he reset CMOS?

After step #3 would be a better time to clear/reset the CMOS.
He's already tried this, but it won't hurt to try it again.

re: video card power cable
Near as I can tell some 9500gt cards have the 6-pin connector and some don't. This tells me that some cards require a separate power connection and others don't.

You can also test your 9500GT in the 2nd video card slot on your mobo. Until you can enter your bios, you won't be able to select the option for Init Display First, this might not be a problem with only one video card installed.

What should my system do when its just the CPU+MOBO+ 1 Memory

Ideally your system will post properly and let you enter the bios, where you should immediately load OPTIMIZED settings and then save settings and exit. At this point, you should re-enter the bios and incrase the DRAM voltage so that you can then add the second memory module.

Whenever I add or remove hardware from my system, I always power off the system, switch off the psu, and then depress the computer's on/off switch for 5 - 10 seconds (steps 1 & 3 from post #2). Then and only then will I perform any hardware changes.

[kick]

Just a on the gx card.
9500gt is the highest spec Nvidia card that doesnt need a seperate 6 pin connector just as the older 8600gt was .
Some 9500 manufacturers recommend a 400w +psu some dont.
I recommended a friend of mine get a 9500gt he has a 350w psu dell which has no seperate gx connector.
He just wanted a middle of the road ddr3 and is happy enough with it.
I run a 9600gt heh the lowest spec Nvidia card that needs a seperate 6 pin connector but card performance is only slightly better than 9500..

The pci slots have a maximum power rating of 75w,I think the 9500 in standard form goes up to 55w(depending on manufacturer).If you overclock it its going to drain more power,somemanufacturers may put in a slightly more power hungry fan,you may have other pci cards draining a little power etc.

Oh I did burn out my power supply on a packard bell by using a 8600gt(overclocked) in place of the original gx card, I assumed the pc would be good .The psu I discovered was only rated 200w so my own fault on that one..fortunately the psu was the only thing that blew.
Thats awhile ago tho.