GA-H55M-USB3 problem(s)

[sma3730]

Yes, that's what I mean.  Remove your add on graphics card (Actual real card, remove it) and then connect the monitor to the motherboard itself, this will rule out your graphics card as being part of the problem.

I don't have an add-on graphics card.  I have no graphics card whatsoever.  The graphics are built in to the processor as I understand it.  So to remove the graphics I have to remove the CPU.  The monitor has been connected to the MB itself.

Steve

[Dark Mantis]

No obviously don't mess with the CPU. I think that Lsdmeasap just misunderstood what hardware you had installed.

You could try installing a cheap graphics card and see if that would allow you to get an image on the screen.  Also try anm extended clear of the CMOS first anyway.

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 6 hours 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.

[Lsdmeasap]

Yes, sorry!   I thought you had an additional actual graphics card too, so I was wanting you to test without it.  Sorry for the confusion.

Do you have an actual card you can install then to test with?  That way you can rule out the integrated CPU graphics?

Do as mentioned above before any further testing based on my comments here though, as clearing the CMOS might fix this right up!

[sma3730]

Yes, sorry!   I thought you had an additional actual graphics card too, so I was wanting you to test without it.  Sorry for the confusion.

Do you have an actual card you can install then to test with?  That way you can rule out the integrated CPU graphics?

Do as mentioned above before any further testing based on my comments here though, as clearing the CMOS might fix this right up!

I did the extended clear as suggested (ie, PSU off and plug removed from mains, chassis button held for 10-15 seconds and battery removed from MB overnight).  I replaced the battery, plugged the PSU back into the outlet, connected my monitor which is a Samsung LCD tv via HDMI.  I turned the PSU on, and pushed chassis start button.  The board started along with the fans then shut down briefly (no lights, no fans) and restarted.  I hit the delete key (the keyboard was also installed) but still no video. 

To answer your question, at this point I don't have a video board to try getting around the integrated graphics.  I intend to get one today if Best Buy has any in store.  Otherwise I'll order one.

That's all I have to report for now.

Thanks for the help.  I hope I can get this PC running again without having to get a new CPU and/or MB.

[Dark Mantis]

Make sure that you have a PS2 keyboard (or at least adapter) for the BIOS work.

[sma3730]

Make sure that you have a PS2 keyboard (or at least adapter) for the BIOS work.

The keyboard I have connects via USB.  This will not work, I need to get a PS2 keyboard?

SteveMA

[Dark Mantis]

Yes it would be the safest thing or at least an adapter for USB to PS2 for the keyboard at least. It can stop you having trouble connecting when trying to get into the BIOS etc.

[Lsdmeasap]

I'd also suggest you connect an actual monitor to the board first, as often you must have a monitor connected before you can later install drivers and setup a TV as your main viewing screen.  So this may be the only issue, did you already try a monitor?

It stays running correct, and no error beeps right (Just single beep during startup)?

[sma3730]

I'd also suggest you connect an actual monitor to the board first, as often you must have a monitor connected before you can later install drivers and setup a TV as your main viewing screen.  So this may be the only issue, did you already try a monitor?

It stays running correct, and no error beeps right (Just single beep during startup)?

The only "monitors" I have are, at this point, my  TV's (a Samsung, a Sharp and a Panasonic), so, short answer is no.   As for does it stay running, it does not.  It runs, ie, lights on MB on and fans running, for a few hours.  Connected to the board are only the two memory modules and the Rosewill wireless card.  No hard drives, optical drives (no OS obviously).

[Lsdmeasap]

Well, if it stays running for a few hours, that's running!   I think you will need to borrow a monitor from a friend or neighbor or something like that, so you can see if what I mentioned is the issue.  Or take your system to their house to test, that would probably be more ideal for the monitor owner

[sma3730]

Well, if it stays running for a few hours, that's running!   I think you will need to borrow a monitor from a friend or neighbor or something like that, so you can see if what I mentioned is the issue.  Or take your system to their house to test, that would probably be more ideal for the monitor owner

At this point I am ready to start over. New motherboard, new CPU.  The machine will start, however, I can't predict when it will start.  For example, it will start (ie MB with lights and fans running) so I think I can try the PSU "trick".  I power down (chassis power button).  Turn off PSU (to begin "trick").  Push and hold chassis power button and flip PSU switch and nothing happens.  The machine won't start.  I disconnect PSU connections to MB and test PSU with tester (Newegg, Coolmax Power Supply tester) and it tests fine (all voltages correct within 0.1V or better and correct sign).  Reconnect PSU to MB and attempt to start but nothing.  After sitting an hour, a day, two days (it varies) it will start.  But, after turning off to start "trick" I can't get the board to turn on.  

I've read your post (somewhere) about shorting pins 5&6 on the main BIOS chip but I can't even try that (not sure what good it would do without a video signal).  A new graphic card will not do me any good since (see below) I have no place to "deposit" the drivers for the card.

As I noted above, I think I'll buy and new board/cpu and start over.  I should mention that during all these discussions there have been no connections to HDD, SSD or OD (ie, no OS available; it was on my OCZ SSD but I sent that back to OCZ and they replaced it for me).  Can you recommend a Gigabyte Z68 (or ASUS) MB?

I appreciate all the help!!!  

[Dark Mantis]

Have you tried removing the motherboard from the case and then trying it outside on the worktop, preferably on some cardboard or something els non conductive ?

[sma3730]

Have you tried removing the motherboard from the case and then trying it outside on the worktop, preferably on some cardboard or something els non conductive ?

I have removed the MB to check for shorts to chassis (loose screws, etc) and found none.  However, I did not attempt to power it up on cardboard or other  nonconductive substrate.  I intend to do so but, since my home desktop died (this HTPC was for our winter home) I do need to build another PC for our main home as well.  I'm leaning towards an ASUS motherboard (this Gigabyte board is the second board in the HTPC; at the time I thought the first one died but, in fact, all I can say for sure is the day after finishing and getting it running W7 it refused to start).  I'm sure if I were more knowledgeable I may have two good MB's but I'm feeling a little like fool me once shame on you (Gigabyte that is)....fool me twice, shame on me. 

SteveMA

[Dark Mantis]

Well certainly worth trying to rebuild it outside of the case. Just keep the system to a bare minimum and work from there.