GA-MA785GT-UD3H - No keyboard input, no beeps.

[FmMan3]

Hello,

I have recently bought all components for a first build with the advice of a friend, he helped me purchase, and I have recently assembled the computer.

My problem is this: When I turn on my computer. The PSU starts up fine, the CPU fan starts up fine, all other fans start up fine. It all runs as it should do. However, I hear no beeps, I have the screen with the logo on the front telling me to press DEL to enter setup etc. but my keyboard doesn't respond. I have tried using 2 different keyboards (both PS/2)
I haven't updated the BIOS, because I've not been able to, it won't even allow me to do anything, as I have no keyboard. On occasion, the computer ends up restarting several times on its own.

My processor is an AMD Phenom II x6 - I have 4GB of DDR3 1333MHz. Please help

One quick question: Am I not hearing beeps because I have not plugged in any speakers?

Secondly: No keyboard input  = dead mobo? Edit: however, surely if it was a dead mobo, it wouldn't even get to the screen with the very "in your face hahaha" directions for what to press on your keyboard... right? =/

Sorry if you get these sort of questions often, it's my first build and I'm pulling my hair out. Thanks in advance.

[absic]

Hi there,

You need to attach a motherboard speaker or the speaker from the PC Case to the the motherboard front panel header to hear any POST Beeps from the motherboard.

It's very strange that you have tried two keyboards, both PS/2 and neither have worked. Have you tried a USB keyboard? There could be something wrong with the PS/2 socket on the motherboard.

You don't say what Revision number your motherboard is but there could be a problem with BIOS not recognising the X6 CPU..

[FmMan3]

Hi there, thanks for the reply.

My boards Rev is 1.1 - On the site it does note that it handles 6 cores, was one of my main factors in buying.

Last night before bed I plugged in some speakers, no beeps. Also, I have not tried a USB keyboard, no. A friend suggested I pick up a PS/2 to USB adapter on my way to work, which I will do.

[absic]

Hi again,

Just looking through the CPU support list for you and it shows that you need BIOS version F5 or F9b depending on which X6 CPU you have. Check here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3291 If the board shipped with the F4 BIOS that could be part of the problem.

[Dark Mantis]

Last night before bed I plugged in some speakers, no beeps.

I am afraid that type of speakers won't help with BIOS fault codes. You need a special little buzzer/speaker tha connects to the Front Panel Header on the motherboard.

[Tiger]

You will need to update the BIOS to a higher version to run the X6 CPU. You can install a CPU that works with the F4 BIOS Version to update the BIOS. The Sempron 140 CPU is not expensive.

Alternatively, this is a work around I read about on the Tweaktown forum using a floppy disk drive without changing the CPU.
0. Copy new bios onto floppy and attach FDD to new mobo (Flash drives make BIOS hang)
1. On new MOBO, reset BIOS by shorting Clear CMOS header
2. Power Down and restart (MOBO tends to loop unless you power down)
3. Wait for the corrupt cmos error screen to come up
4. Press DEL to enter BIOS (this was a fool proof way to get into BIOS setup, there may be other ways)
5. Press F8 to enter QFlash (Entering Qflash from post page hangs entering from BIOS setup works)
6. Select A drive
7. Select the new bios and wait to install
8. When complete press F10 to shutdown.

[FmMan3]

Thanks.

That's all well and good, but how am i going to hit DEL when the main problem is the keyboard not working?... Looks like I'll have to get a new CPU just to update the mobo.

[absic]

hi again,

I understand your frustration and it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Until you can get past the Gigabyte Logo and into BIOS you can't do much at all. There might not be a problem with BIOS and the CPU which is why I suggested trying yet another keyboard but a USB one.

If you still can't get past the Logo screen then could you borrow a different CPU, that you know is supported by the earlier BIOS, to try and get things going?

[FmMan3]

Current plan is to run into the local Computer shop in the morning on the way to work and grab a PS/2 to USB adapter. Will get home in the evening, give it a try, if all works, yay! if not then I'll look at buying the Sempron 140 as Tiger suggested. I'll remove the x6, put in the Sempron, update bios, then put the x6 back and hopefully all will then be well.

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

[Dark Mantis]

It might be worth just trying a complete clear of the CMOS first by unplugging and then removing the battery for at least ten minutes before replacing and then if you can use your keyboard you can run the BIOS flash.

[FmMan3]

Okay, update.

I tried the PS/2 to USB adapter with my keyboard, even borrowed a brand new keyboard off of a friend. I'll now be purchasing an AMD Sempron 140 which should arrive on Tuesday.
Before I go removing my x6 I just want to confirm that doing so, correctly and without errors won't destroy it in any way? If not, if all goes well, once I've updated the BIOS it'll run okay.

Also, where will I be able to get my hands on this BIOS update? I have the CD that came with the motherboard but suspect that it won't be the most up to date firmware.

[Tiger]

I think the stock retail heatsink has a thermal pad. The way most novice builders go wrong is by not breaking the seal between the thermal pad and CPU. You need to release the hold down mechanism. TWIST the heatsink from right to left, left to right in order to break the seal. If you try to pull the heatsink off without breaking the seal you can damage the socket.

Don't reuse old thermal material. Did you buy the Retail Sempron model or just the bare CPU? The Retail boxed ones include a heatsink.

Are you going to use a floppy drive to flash the BIOS? The BIOS files are in the download section.
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3291#ov

[Dark Mantis]

Good advice from Tiger regarding the removal of the old heatsink. Plenty of accidents happen by not following the correct procedure.

If you don't use a floppy drive any more the same as many people you can use a USB pendrive instead to flash the BIOS.

[FmMan3]

I'd rather do it with a Pen Drive as opposed to a floppy disc.

[absic]

I always use a USB Stick for flashing BIOS, installing the OS and for any other updates I want to do. I have found it to be very reliable but, others have encountered some problems.

When using QFlash to update BIOS it is better to use a smaller USB Stick as they seem to be more readily accepted. I have used SanDisk Cruzer sticks of 2GB, 4GB and 8GB successfully on lots of different Gigabyte Motherboards. If your not sure of the procedure for updating BIOS using QFlash check here: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2441.0.html