[RESOLVED] New build still not booting

[MPTech]

I'm trying this again. I worked on it for about 3 weeks in December, then got side-tracked with the holidays and repairing my father-in-law's and brother-in-law's PCs (both required new mobos, what a pain!). Ok, so I'm back to tackling mine. I've got all new parts for the build except a used CPU & Ram I bought from a friend, both worked when he removed them.
I'm starting with just the basics to try to get it to boot up (once it boots, I'll install the video card, HDD, CD/DVD burner, but I want it to boot first).

I have:

PSU: Coolmax VL-600B Power Supply - 600-Watt, PCIe <new>

Mobo: ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard <new>

CPU: AMD Phenom 9950 Agena 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition <used>

RAM: OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) OCZ2N800SR2GK <used>

I have this setup outside of the case and plugged into my KVM switch (so I know the video, keyboard, and mouse work (I'm typing on them).
When I turn it on, the PSU fan spins, the cpu fan spins, the green light on the mobo comes on, and after awhile the cpu, northbridge, and southbridge are warm (not hot).
But I get no beeps or video signal at all.

I tried swtiching and removing the Ram, but still no beeps.
I also tried installing a PCI-e and a PCI video card. Still nothing.
I also reset the CMOS and changed the battery.
I already replaced the mobo once (I guess it is possible I got 2 bad mobo's, but not likely).
Is there any way to confirm a dead mobo or cpu? (I'm not having a good mobo year, so maybe that is it)

[Train]

Hook directly to the video , mouse and KB.

Run into problems myself a couple times using a KVM.

Remove ram and try to boot up. Any beeps?

[SuperSparks]

I had a thought about this business of how to tell whether it's CPU or mobo recently. It occurs to me that, now that all CPUs require the ATX/EPS 12 volt cable, it ought to be possible to put a DC clamp meter on the cable and measure the current draw. A dead CPU isn't going to be taking much current. Of course, it still requires getting hold of a clamp meter that can measure DC Amps (the majority measure AC only), but it still might be a way of determining which component is faulty.

[MPTech]

I really don't think it's related to the KVM (I just fixed 2 PCs using it last weekend), but to leave no stone unturned, I went ahead and conneted it to a working LCD, keyboard, and mouse from a working system. No improvement. I also removed all of the memory and restarted, no beep.
(shouldn't this beep with no RAM?)

This was a new mobo I bought in December and exchanged it a week later, so this is my second one.

[Shinma]

If applicable,
Double check that the mobo supports 125w processors.

[MPTech]

How do I determine that?
Newegg specs

It supports: Phenom FX / Phenom / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 X2


TigerDirect specs

Processors Supported: AMD Athlon 64, AMD Athlon 64 FX, AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Phenom FX, AMD Phenom

[Train]

Check your bios version
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_I...M2D&templete=2

Seems you may need 0701.

[Shinma]

... Mobo: ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard <new> ...

Search on the web has that:
Mobo listed as requiring BIOS version 0603 as minimum.
Current version listed as 2402.
Warning: For whatever reason, ASUS states to load BIOS/CMOS defaults prior to BIOS flash upgrade attempt!
I presume that one would have to load defaults after BIOS flash upgrade as well.
and
Very picky about memory module(s) being used.

• Reference

[MPTech]

Sorry guys, I posted everything I know about them. I looked at the link and can't make heads or tails of what I have in this list.

Is this it?

HD995ZXAJ4BGH HD995ZXAGHBOX 995Z HD995ZXAJ4BGH, Quad-Core, 2.6 GHz, 125W, rev. B3, SocketAM2+ 0601 Any

BIOS doesn't do me any good if I can't get video does it?
I went to the ASUS site and downloaded the drivers & BIOS, but how do I execute it if I can't boot up?

Sorry, very frustrated.

I'm almost considering just sending it back and getting a different mobo, can someone recommend a specific mobo for the cpu & memory I have? (in the same price range)

[Shinma]

Provided that the mobo has minimum the BIOS version 0603,
The AMD Phenom 9950 is listed as supported.
Not aware of any workarounds to flashing the BIOS with an as yet unsupported processor.
One would need an older processor supported by the mobo, prior to BIOS version 0603.

With that said,
Not sure exactly how picky that mobo is about memory, since one user stated that even some of those on ASUS approved list, did not run...

[MPTech]

Thanks Shinma!
This seems kinda misleading to me, as far as this board supporting the cpu and possibly the memory. And I have no idea how to update the BIOS if I can't get it to boot up.

I think I'm going to contact ASUS directly, esplain what I have and see if they can help me.

[jdc2000]

One way to update the BIOS is to obtain a CPU that will work on the board, update the BIOS and then use the original CPU. If you have a workable CPU in another system, that is a possibility.

[MPTech]

unfortunately, no spare cpu's.
I emailed ASUS, hope they can help, but I'm not getting my hopes up

[MPTech]

Not happy with the potential soultion, but I guess I'll try it regardless.

I emailed ASUS and they responded yesterday, and asked what bios I have. They told me I'd have to find the bios printed label on the mobo, but I didn't have the mobo with me at the time so I tried contacting their online help last night at home. (that was a waste of time, I was disconnected 4 or 5 times and eventually gave up).

I finally reached an online support tech this morning. He told me the bios needed to be upgraded, but I explained I can't boot, so how would I do this?
He said I could RMA my mobo, I pay shipping and I'd receive a Refurb'd board. (this didn't set well with me. I PAY shipping, and get a REFURB? I don't mind refurbs, if that's what I bought, but I'm not paying full price & shipping for a refurb!)
Or he said they could send me a bios chip and I could replace it myself! (at first he said I'd have to pay for that shipping too, but after my dis-satisfaction with that scenario, agreed to ship it "ground" for free. Then he aacted like they were doing me some BIG FAVOR for resolving it.

I've had good luck with ASUS to this point, but at this moment, I am NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!

ASUS specs said it would support my CPU, there was no footnote that it required a bios upgrade to even boot up!
grumble grumble grumbe

I'll be ok in a couple days, but this really steams me. what a PITA!

[MPTech]

Would you believe, I still can't reboot!
I had to walk away from it or tempt smashing it out of frustration! (then I got busy and just gave up on it)

This all occurred a couple months ago:
ASUS sent me an updated BIOS chip, I installed it, but no luck, still no boot.

After several on-line chats with their Tech Reps, I finally broke down out of desperation and sent the motherboard to them for a diagnostic. I asked if I could send it with the CPU & fan installed, so they could identify if it was a CPU issue. They said "no", they would not accept it and would not guarantee that I would get my CPU & fan back. So I removed them and sent it back to ASUS. A week or so later, I received it back and was notified that it was "Fixed". I contacted the Techs again and asked "what exactly was "Fixed"?", never got a straight answer, just that they had "fixed" it. more grumble grumble grumble.

Hooked it all back up (minimal setup: mobo, cpu, fan, RAM, PSU, monitor, KB, & mouse).
turned on Power: fan spun, green light on mobo lit, and NOTHING. The monitor is not getting a signal. (this is EXACTLY what I've experienced every previous attempt).

I have not touched it for 4 months.

Last night, I took the mobo, cpu & fan, and RAM to Microcenters (a chain PC store) to see if they could assist. Their tech hooked up a PC and monitor, and got the same results I did. (he did connect a little PC speaker to the System Panel Connector, I didn't realize I didn't have a speaker onboard).
When we powered it up, he got exactly what I expereinced..... fan spun, green light on mobo lit, and NOTHING!
We removed the RAM and now I heard a beep. (I think) it was one-long, 2 short beeps. He confirmed that it meant "no memory installed". That was at least 1 step forward.

At this point, I have completely exhausted all of my options. Since I've tried 2 mobos and ASUS said they "fixed" the one I currently have, and I've tried 4 different monitors, and 3 different PSUs, what I haven't tried yet is a different CPU (although this one came out of my friend's working PC).
The ONLY other thing I can even think of doing, is buying another CPU (nobody sells them new, so it would be off of eBay or Craigslist) and try swapping it out. I don't know any local geeks running an AMD quad that I could beg them to remove their cpu and try swapping it.

Any ideas????

PLEASE HELP! THIS IS KILLING ME!!!! 7 months and MANY HOURS nothing.
I could cry (I've tried cussing, it didn't help!)