need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

[Giopper]

Hi guys, I need help.

This is my system:

GA-X38-DS4 + NB fan cooler / bios: F3
C2 Q6600 (+Tt SonicTower cooler + 12" fan)
2x2 GB OCZ PC2-8000 platinum kit (OCZ2P10004GK)
EVGA Geforce 8800GTS KO DDR3 640MB (G80)
2x 750 GB Samsung HD753 (32 MB/SATAII)
PSU BeQuiet! DarkPowerPro P7 550 W
Antec P180 (with 4x 12" fan)
and a few more pieces...

I built it last March 2008,
it worked like a charm from the first day,
no problem at all, really happy with it.

Suddenly, a couple of days ago, it didn't boot.
The fans run at max speed, LEDs on, but no boot,
no screen (= no BIOS options, no POST)
nothing happens apart from being powered.

I tried to reboot tens of times,
also unplugging the power cable,
waiting a few seconds, rebooting... no luck.
I gave up, I went out...

After several hours, I tried again:
it booted no problem at the first try, as usual.

I was relieved but puzzled: what happened?!?
I had a 10% OC (299x9), I moved back to 2.4 GHz,
for precaution. System working fine for hours.
I decided to keep the default settings, no OC.

The following day I had the same problem again.
After a few tries, however, it booted regularly.

It went on like that, working just fine between
occasional boot failures.

Today it got worse, much worse:
same problem again but this time no luck,
there is no way to let it boot.

I tried everything, also clearing the CMOS,
even removing all components, except the CPU:
no beeping, it does not notify the absence of
the RAM or of the graphic adapter.
It does just nothing.

My guess is that CPU, RAM, mobo, ...
all the hardware must be OK,
because between boot failures the computer
was working fine, no problem at all,
several times and for many hours
(e.g. no Windows crashes or similar).

Could it be a BIOS problem?
The mobo has the "double BIOS" feature:
does anybody know how that works?
What happens after CMOS CLR?
Does it load the defaults form the backup chip,
downgrading the BIOS version to the original one?

Or could it be due to the PSU:
I am afraid that 550 W is a bit too low for this machine,
I was thinking to upgrade to a larger one...
But why did it work fine for months, then?

Any suggestion?
Thanks
- G

[jagpanzer]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

You have a bad mobo. In all probability, the VRM - a triac &/or capacitor and the overclock proves that. Return the mobo to the vendor for replacement.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

Can you test the ram on a different PC, sounds like it could be dying. But yes sounds also as if you have corrupted your BIOS bootblock.

If you had a floppy connected (ONLY IF YOU ALREADY DID) then you can try to recover it by using this method >>>
Award 6.0 BIOS - BootBlock Recovery

Other then that, I would say before you RMA the board to try with only 1 stick of ram in slot one, and with different ram if possible.

PSU should be fine as long as it has the voltage needed for your Massive GFX card! HAHA

After you clear Cmos the BIOS loads the Same BIOS you are using but at the default level. Here is how I suggest to properly clear the CMOS. Unplug the PSU from the wall, Put a optical or hard drive jumper on the Clear CMOS pins and let your PC sit for 20+ minutes. Then remove the jumper and plug your PSU back in and start the PC again. And then as I said above, Load and Applly Optimized defaults, save/reboot then make any needed changes.

Yeah, dual BIOS is a great Idea but I dont think GA has implemented it properly. How it works is when you flash or when you first use your system it makes a copy of your BIOS into the secondary backup BIOS chip, it also copies it onto the HPA section of your HD (Only in a NON Raid System, or in a RAID system if you also have a Storage drive plugged in).

When it fails it tries to recover from one of these backups, which apparently yours did the one time you got it to work again.

Any number of things can cause this failure including but not limited to Ram Failures, Incorrect shutdown/startups, Electrical Failure, and other random acts of nature. Basically anything can cause it. And if GA implemented it properly I think they should have used actual replaceable chips so that when both fail you do not need to RMA only buy a new chip.

Sometimes it works, but sometimes not......

[GIGABYTE - Janus Yeh]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

IF you think it is a BIOS issue, try to update latest BIOS, and CMOS CLR can load your BIOS setup back to default, you can also try it.

Or try to test your memory, PSU in other system.

[Esh]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

Hi,

i've this mobo also have the same problem.

Config:

E-8400@3600mhz
X38-DS4
2x1 Crucial Ballistix 1066 (no oc)
HD3870

Well, the symptoms are same, i've bought that pc around march 2008, till today, i've seen some boot errors. When i replace all sticks and place just one stick to dimm2 slot, it boots perfectly.

But today, things have changed =)

When i pressed power button, mobo beeps for 1 sec. , then shuts down after 4-5 sec. then restarts again, no beep, turns off after 4 sec. , it's likely to continue forever.

i did those;

1) tried clearing cmos. Nothing changed.
2) removed all peripherals but cpu+fan, it beeps again and the same procedure..
3)Removed cpu also, no beep, no shutdown, nothing at all but its working.

Where can be the problem? Cpu?, Ram?, Mobo?

And what does a sec. long beep means?

Any suggestions?

Thank you !

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

How did you try to clear your CMOS and for how long? Please see here in post 2 for how to clear your CMOS >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Did you try only 1 stick of ram (both seperately), and have you tested this ram in another system to be sure it is still ok? Ballistics (Especially the 2.2V rated ones) die often so you need to check your ram in another system for sure if you can

[Esh]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

I did things you've said.

1) cleared cmos by putting a jumper on it for 20 minutes.
2) tried to put sticks in 2 pairs, just one, other slots.

same error beep. no boot..What does it really mean, anyone knows ?

1 sec long , one beep..

thanks.

[Esh]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

damn,

it's not the ram. i just tested with another ddr2, same error.

now , just 2 probabilities left, cpu or mobo.

when i just connect the supply to the board only, it doesnt sound any beeps and doesnt shut itself down. When i just put the cpu and start, it gives the error beep and same procedure.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

Try one stick of ram not pairs. Try one stick (That you have tested in another board and know is good) in each slot. Try slot one, then if not luck slot two and so on.

And have you tried removing the battery while you have the PSU unplugged and the Jumper on the Clear CMOS pins?

Can you record and upload this error beep so I can hear it?

[Esh]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

sorry, i was not able to access the net, so couldnt reply..

btw, thank you for your interest. i've just sent it to the local dealer. Maybe the ballistix caused the bios malfunctioning, because one stick came out dead, the other seems working.. I'm really very curious, we'll find out what happened to the mobo eventually =)

thak you again for helping everyone here, great service =)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: need help: GA-X38-DS4 hangs - no boot, no POST

Ahh, sounds like you should go ahead then and RMA your ram while you wait on your board to get back to you. Crucial has lifetime warranty, if you need help finding that RMA page let me know

Sorry to hear you had to RMA, I wish you happy and fast returns on the items