Please don't ignore this, I need help!

[Cupe|ix]

I finally fixed the problem of my new motherboard (ECS K7AMA /w AMD 1900+) not powering up.

When it does the POST, I get no display, and 1 long, 2 short, and another long beep.

What is this code (my manual doesn't have the POST codes listed)? It seems like the POST is saying there's a problem with the video that's plugged into it now. Is that correct?

The only video card I have on hand is an old Magic Video 8MB (based on Permedia 2 chipset) PCI card, that's what I'm trying to use right now. The other components are the on-board NIC, a new 40GB HDD, an older (either 16 or 32X) cd-rom drive, and 160MB of SDRAM (I'm ordering my new GF4 TI 4400 today though :) ).

Do these beeps mean that the video card is incompatible (my best guess, especially since I get no display), or is it something else?

[Jon]

Yep, that's a video subsystem error. Could either be the card or the AGP is no good (considering it's a PCI video card, that kind of kills the latter point though).

Only things I can recommend is making sure the card is seated properly or try taking a video card out from another system to see if that works in it.

[Cupe|ix]

Yeah, that's what it seems like to me, I'm just trying to get other people's ideas to make sure...

[Zer0fight3r]

Atleast your CPU And everything is working.

Just go pick up a Good Ol' 4 Megger at your local thriftstore :D

[Gandalf]

Hmmmm, maybe check your bios to see if it is looking for a video card in the AGP slot instead of the PCI slot?

[J_Bo]

I would clear the CMOS via the clear CMOS jumper.

Then I would remove all components cept the CPU RAM and video.

Then I would try another PCI slot.

And also try another video card as said before.

Then I would try removing the motherboard from the case and try booting with it out.

Good luck!:cool:

[Cupe|ix]

Originally posted by J-Bo[Tech-PC]
I would clear the CMOS via the clear CMOS jumper.

Then I would remove all components cept the CPU RAM and video.

Then I would try another PCI slot.

And also try another video card as said before.

Then I would try removing the motherboard from the case and try booting with it out.

Good luck!:cool:


Yeah, actually done all those things, except trying a different vid-card, because I don't have any others. We'll see what happens when my GF4 gets here in a couple days :)

[JimmyG]

If you haven't tried it, put the video card in pci slot 1, disconnect the hard drive, connect only a floppy, remove all other cards. Try to boot. If it still doesn't boot, it could be the video card.

[Cupe|ix]

Got my GF4 yesterday.


STILL won't work. Same beeping.

[Gandalf]

Originally posted by Cupe|ix
Got my GF4 yesterday.


STILL won't work. Same beeping.

So you can't even get into the BIOS eh?

Hmmmmm, well, scan through your manual and look for anything to do with AGP or VIDEO modes, maybe there is a jumper you need to set?

[Cupe|ix]

Nope, no jumpers of that kind on this board. I know it's recognizing the video card, because I'm not getting the beeps for no video detected. For some reason, I just get the beeps, and no display. ECS tech support is non-existant (literally)

I'm getting really annoyed with this stupid board. If I can't get it working by next week, I'm just going to scrap it and go with a different board (an AT-7 maybe) :mad: and if this silly board won't start working, I'm out another $300 :cry:

[Cupe|ix]

Hmm....okay, got an update. Making a little progress on tracking down the problem. This link has the AMI POST codes, though I have a little trouble deciphering because it doesn't include the lengths of the beeps. But...

http://www.ami.com/support/doc/AMIBIOS-Checkpoint-Beep-Codes-1_1.pdf


But at least I can narrow it down between 3 possible problems, either (look at the link to the POST codes):

(3) Main memory read/write test error, OR

(4) Motherboard timer not operational OR

It could be a combo of the first 2 on the list: 1 beep for refresh timer error and 2 short for parity error (last beep for POST finished?).


The first and last possibilties could be easily fixed if it turned out it IS the RAM (I can't test this at the moment though, only SDRAM in this house). The mobo timer not operational, I don't really know what that means (I know quite a bit about PC's but not THAT technical in nature, assuming it means something on CPU/device control), but it doesn't sound good.

If it is the mobo timing thing, could that be fixed? Don't say flash the BIOS or anything like that, I can't even SEE what's going on yet.

[Demont]

what happens if you take the ram out and try to boot up. same thing? or just nothing...

[Cupe|ix]

Actually if I take the RAM out and power up, it gets mad and makes 3 long beeps telling me there's no RAM in :P

[JimmyG]

You still haven't eliminated the PSU. If you have a voltmeter (you can get a good digital meter at Radio Shack for $30). Check the voltages. They should be within a few tenths of rated for +5.0, +12.0, and +3.3.

If the PSU is OK, then go out and buy a low cost video card and try that. All of this will be much less than a new mobo.

If these two result in the same problem then it must be the mobo.

[Cupe|ix]

Well as I said before, the video card is fine. And the PSU seems to be working just fine. I have a hard time believing the motherboard is just bad, something's not right here.

[Cupe|ix]

UPDATE:

Went and grabbed a brand new stick of DDR memory today. Slapped it in, same thing, same beeps. Something is really screwed up with this board (I already RMA'd once), so back it goes tomorrow, and I'll get a different board that is more reliable than this piece of junk.

[Zer0fight3r]

Erm.....Still Doesnt work? Ouch..


I'd say take it to a PC Store.

Actually, you better becareful you can short that motherboard if you run it on a desk or a foam pad.

[Cupe|ix]

Well, I sent the board back today. As soon as I get my money back on it, I'm going to order the Asus KT7E on newegg.com :)

Looks like a good, solid board, and I'll be able to overclock (much later though, like when the thing starts turning obsolete :P)