Z68A-D3h-B3 Rev 1.3 boot loop before post

[RobAccomando]

I couldn't find this problem in the forums so here it goes.

Components:
Z68A-D3h-B3 Rev 1.3
Core i5 2400
2x4 G.Skill DDR3 1600
Gigabyte Gt440 Nvidia video card
Corsair 600w PSU
Coolermaster case
Sata DVD Rom
stock CPU fan

I put this all together, installed windows 7, did updates, installed drivers, etc.  Ran fine for 2 hours.
Updated the video card drivers to NVIDIA drivers and the screen went crazy (garbled graphics).  I could still see the mouse and gui somewhat so I rebooted.

From that point on, the PC would just power on for about 1-2 seconds and then power down (no post).   Fans come on and then nothing.  It will repeat this behavior until I cut the power. (on, off, on, off, etc)

I removed all peripherals, removed ram, took the MB out of the case with just the PSU and CPU attached... same thing.

I do not hear any beeps from the speaker with the ram removed, it just powers on/off continuously.

I tried resetting CMOS, removed the battery for one hour; did not work.

Does this sound like I should RMA the motherboard?

 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

Sounds like you have screwed it up well!

I would advise following this next procedure exactly. Hopefully it will work otherwise we will have to look at something else.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least six hours preferably overnight before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[RobAccomando]

Right now the motherboard is outside of the case, nothing connected to it except CPU and Fan.

I will remove the battery and wait 6+ hours and to see what happens.


thanks

[Dark Mantis]

OK, then let me know what happens.

You mentioned that it doesn't beep. Have you actually got a buzzer attached ? Something that is often missed!

[RobAccomando]

the case came with a small speaker that isn't part of the case.

It plugs into the speaker jumpers. 

Look at this pic, it's on right lower right side

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that's it. That's ok then just you would be surprised by the number of people who swear blind it's not making any sounds and then find that they haven't got a buzzer installed.   It is polarity conscious though so make sure it is connected the correct way round.

[RobAccomando]

The next morning I put the battery back and the same thing happened.  I even removed everything (CPU as well) and had in on a cardboard box.

Ending up just getting an RMA from Newegg.  New one should be here soon.  Thanks for your help though.

[Dark Mantis]

Well let us know how you get on with the replacement anyway.