GA 890FXA-UD7 board v2.1 - F4 bios - no POST - Totally stumped...

[633Squadron]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping that someone on here can solve my problem. My system is the following:-

Athlon II X3 440 (unlocked to a Phenom II B40)
8Gb Corsair XMS3 1333Mhz, 1.5v C9 memory- 4Gb M1A version, 4Gb M2B version
ATI HD 4770 Graphics / Radeon 4250 Graphics
OCZ Stealth Stream II 600W PSU

The problem I am getting is no POST at all, with the LED display just showing '00' and flickering '88' for a split second - it's as if the board is stuck in a pre-POST loop. A 4-pin power managed fan on the CPU header just twitches and stops dead until the power is cycled off and on again, whereas a 3-pin fan on the CPU header starts and runs.

I've tried the M1A and M2B memory separately, in case the board didn't like either flavour of the Corsair XMS3 and also 2Gb sticks of Musklin Enhanced memory, with no luck. I've tried a different Athlon II X3 435 with no change and both CPUs have been verified working in an Asus M4A77TD-Pro board, as has the Corsair memory.

I have even tried taking out the HD4770 and using a passively cooled 4250 card, to reduce the load at power on. I've had the CMOS battery out overnight with the board totally powered off and this made no difference at all. Is there anything else I can try to revive this motherboard as there is no evidence of damage to it at all.

I really don't know what to try next - any ideas.....??

Thanks

[teknology9]

Hi 633Squadron and welcome to the forum.

Just out of interest have you either tested the PSU or tried another PSU with at least 650w? I read somewhere that DM was having similar problems until he changed his PSU to a Corsair HX 850.

Teknology9

[633Squadron]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome. 

Do you really think it could be as simple as a surge underload issue, in that a decent 600W PSU doesn't have enough 'grunt' to cope with the sudden load at power on? If so, this must be one power-hungry board and no mistake.

OK, I'll get hold of a higher-rated PSU and try that. Cheers, I'll let you know how I get on.

[teknology9]

Hi 633,

It's just a case of reading through what you have stated. Before rushing out and spending your £'s...see if you can borrow a PSU from a friend etc. As I have already stated DM had a similar issue and changed to a Corsair HX 850 and it seemed to solve his issue. This is why I say get the PSU tested or try another one first if you can before any expenditure. However, a PSU of at least 650w is recommended....but it's best to test what you have or try another PSU if you can and take it from there.

A PSU obviously is the heart of every system and is sometimes overlooked

Take care where electricity is concerned......safety first.

Teknology9

[633Squadron]

Take care where electricity is concerned......safety first.

Don't worry about that - I am a Health Safety & Environment Manager (boo!) at a chemical plant....

I do admit to feeling a little faint at the price of some of the 1000W+ PSUs though; an 850W does appear to be more affordable.

My rig is also in a white NZXT Phantom case too, or will be when it's fully working 

[teknology9]

Don't worry about that - I am a Health Safety & Environment Manager (boo!) at a chemical plant...

Thats ok then......accidents can happen unfortunately......


Yes, I brought the Seasonic for a pending new build.....7 year guarantee no less and the NZXT Phantom..yes there not bad. I have 2 * 200mm fans at the top and the rest are Noctua 120mm and 1 140mm case fans ......well why not?!!!!


Teknology9

[633Squadron]

Hmm... I'm not quite that full-on... 

I have a 120mm NZXT fan at the top, three Saward Golf Ball fans on the lower side panel and and rear of the case to keep the noise down a bit and a Cooler Master Pro at the front, because I like the blue LED glow and it complements the case LEDs.

It's a mahoosive case though and dwarfs the Antec Three Hundred case of my current PC.

[teknology9]

It's a mahoosive case though and dwarfs the Antec Three Hundred case of my current PC.

I know.......I had to apply for planning permission before I brought it!!!!!

Teknology9

[633Squadron]

My son is a moderator on the Aria Forums and he is bringing a 1000W PSU around this weekend, so we can find out for certain if this issue is power related or not.

Stay tuned....

[teknology9]

Yes....that's a good idea. Having read what you have stated it appears that you have covered most things, everything appears to function on another MB so it could be the your MB. Have you tested it outside the case and placed the MB on a cardboard box?

I'm sure you have run the issue past your son......so what does he think the issue might be?

Teknology9

[absic]

As a matter of interest have you tried an extended clear of CMOS by removing all of the power leads and the motherboard battery for about an hour?

If not, it might be worth trying this while you are waiting to test with a larger PSU. Hopefully this will clear all of the motherboard settings and give you a clean starting point.

As the processor is unlocked through the BIOS when you initially use it, it will revert to its standard 3 core setting. This is usual and would apply to putting the processor onto any new board where the core unlocking hasn't been made.

Being honest, I would have thought your PSU would have had enough grunt to get things started. I have used a Corsair 620Watt PSU on a system using much more in the way of hardware then you are trying to run, without any issues.

[teknology9]

As a matter of interest have you tried an extended clear of CMOS by removing all of the power leads and the motherboard battery for about an hour?

It would appear that he has done this....see below

I've had the CMOS battery out overnight with the board totally powered off and this made no difference at all.

Is the PSU functioning as it should......may be .....may be not.....hence the suggestion of trying another.

@6333Squadron

To be clear and accurate.....I am not saying that a PSU of 600w is insufficient.....but how can you be sure that it is giving you that output? I mentioned that the forum Moderator , Dark Mantis, had a similar issue and he chose to use a HX850.....I didnt say, read through the above posts, that you need to use a PSU of 850w or a 1000w . Instead...it is a case of testing your existing PSU to find out what the output is....firstly...and try and use an alternative PSU a" known good part" be it 600w or 620w and see what the outcome is....just to narrow it down again. You have outlined already what you have done...but did not mention the PSU.

Also, I am no "Gigabyte Guru"......just another member who has taken some time out to try and help you.

Cheers

teknology9

[633Squadron]

Hi,

My comment about "Gurus" was not meant in an offensive way; I was simply deferring to people with greater experience than I with these scenarios.

The PSU I am using at the moment is a non-modular one (OCZ Stealth Stream II 600W) and my son is lending me a 1000W modular PSU to try this evening, so we can rule out a lack of power as the possible cause. The GA 890FXA-UD7 manual optomistically states 500W as the minimum power requirement. I doubt very highly that 500W would run this board with dual Crossfire, let alone quad...

What has me baffled is how this board can apparently 'die' by just being shut down, yet the PSU that was supplying that board beforehand is still OK as far as I am aware.

If this new PSU doesn't work this evening, then the board is toast. I've ruled out everything else. I can even rule out a mains surge, as the machine was on a surge protected mains adapter.

[633Squadron]

Update...

I connected a 1 kW Mushkin Joule PSU to the board tonight and...... nothing. the same 00 then 88 loop.

I reckon it's toasted.