9nda3+ will not POST w/ Venice

[Chris of Death]

Hey all. I picked up a 3200+ venice as an upgrade to a 3000+ Winnie I've had for the last year or so, hoping for some more OCing headroom as the Winnie tops out at about 2.175Ghz. Here are the steps I took to install it into my 9nda3+:

-I flashed the BIOS to the latest April release and made sure the system still booted okay
-loaded failsafe defaults in the BIOS
-swapped in the new chip
-checked all connections
-powered the system on

With the Venice in, the system POSTed, but froze in the BIOS. The next time I tried to power it on, it wouldn't go at all. Pushing the power button nets a small rotation of the system fans, but nothing more.

Thinking I shorted something, I pull the motherboard out of the case and tried to boot with no PCI cards, one stick of known working memory, CPU, Vid card, and PSU. Same behavior: it usually powers up the first time, then freezes, and subsequent attempts at powering it on result in utter failure. If I pull the RAM altogether, I don't even get a beep code. So I swap the Winnie back in and it boots right up. It looks to be a bad CPU, right? Well, I swap the Venice into another machine running an NF4 Chaintech board, and it boots right up into Windows, nary a problem to be found. I swap the Venice back into the 9nda3+, and still no power. I've gone back and forth about four times between the Chaintech and the Epox board, and the behavior is consistent. Flashed to the latest 9/15 BIOS with the Winnie installed, pulled it out and installed the Venice, still no go.

Grrr. I was hoping you guys might have some idea about what exactly might be going wrong.

System config:
9nda3+
Antec TruePower 550
PNY Geforce 6800GT
SB Audigy
2 x OCZers 512MB PC3500
WD Raptor 74GB

I have one of the earlier revision 9nda3+, as I got mine last year right around the time they first came out. Are there any known issues with early boards and Venice or later processors? Any input you guys might have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[danrok]

Try the latest BIOS dated 10th August. You might get lucky.
http://www.epox-europe.com/downloads...product_id=274

[Chris of Death]

Originally Posted by danrok

Try the latest BIOS dated 10th August. You might get lucky.
http://www.epox-europe.com/downloads...product_id=274

Thanks for the response. I already have the BIOS flashed to the one released Thursday, so I should technically be able to install a dual core CPU, much less a Venice. I'm willing to try just about anything, but do you think it might actually make a difference?

[danrok]

There's only one way to find out.

I don't know what the problem is, it's an odd one.

Try some different memory modules if you can. Since the memory controller is on the CPU the controller on the Venice may differ slightly. I think they revised it, IIRC.

[Chris of Death]

Tried flashing to the August BIOS, and fiddling with the memory as a test, and I got nothing. I have four available sticks of PC3200 total, 2 x 512 of the OCZ, and 2 x 512 of some TwinMOS stuff. Tried one of each brand sticks in their matched pairs, and individually, with no luck.

I was able to get the system to power on by holding down the power button while I physically plugged it in, and while it was able to load the OS, it froze shortly thereafter. I'm definitely leaning toward a strangely faulty CPU, but if you, danrok, or anybody else (ET?) has some other suggestions, I'd be willing to give them a shot. Thanks again.

[jimbobaggies]

Originally Posted by Chris of Death

Pushing the power button nets a small rotation of the system fans, but nothing more.

My system (as in signature) would not run with the Antec TruePower 380W that came with my Antec Sonata.
To quote your good self, 'Pushing the power button nets a small rotation of the system fans, but nothing more.'
By accident, I found that holding in the case on switch, and then turning on the power supply with it held in would power my system on, to cure the problem, I upgraded to an Antec TrueBlue 480W.

By the way, my 380W PSU was probably 12+ months old, what is the age of your PSU? Although I see you have a TruePower 550W

[kogan]

Here's another suggestion, although it's a long shot. Some venice memory controllers are wacky with epox boards - boot up with your old processor and set the memory to 2t, and try each one of the memory multipliers (100, 133, 166, 200). My veince only works well with 200 (1:1) for some reason. If I set to another multiplier, it acts like my ram is unstable and I get random lockups (on bios screen most of the time).

Also, try turning off any cpu temperature tools and that "AMD cool and quiet" feature. And check the temperature in the bios if you can - maybe it thinks the cpu is overheating.

If it's a power problem, try unplugging some optical drives or hard drives that aren't needed for the system to boot, but it looks like you have a good psu..

Hope you get it figured out

[Chris of Death]

Originally Posted by jimbobaggies

My system (as in signature) would not run with the Antec TruePower 380W that came with my Antec Sonata.
To quote your good self, 'Pushing the power button nets a small rotation of the system fans, but nothing more.'
By accident, I found that holding in the case on switch, and then turning on the power supply with it held in would power my system on, to cure the problem, I upgraded to an Antec TrueBlue 480W.

By the way, my 380W PSU was probably 12+ months old, what is the age of your PSU? Although I see you have a TruePower 550W

I had originally thought it was a PSU issue, too, given the type of problem I was facing. The TruePower 550 was purchased about the time of the 9nda3+, so circa November of last year. I also tried a more recently purchased 450W Antec SmartPower 2.0, with no change in behavior.

I think it was actually a thread you participated in that made me think about holding the power button down while plugging it in, so kudos for that. I'm still stumped though.

Originally Posted by kogan

Here's another suggestion, although it's a long shot. Some venice memory controllers are wacky with epox boards - boot up with your old processor and set the memory to 2t, and try each one of the memory multipliers (100, 133, 166, 200). My veince only works well with 200 (1:1) for some reason. If I set to another multiplier, it acts like my ram is unstable and I get random lockups (on bios screen most of the time).

Also, try turning off any cpu temperature tools and that "AMD cool and quiet" feature. And check the temperature in the bios if you can - maybe it thinks the cpu is overheating.

If it's a power problem, try unplugging some optical drives or hard drives that aren't needed for the system to boot, but it looks like you have a good psu..

Hope you get it figured out

I checked the BIOS, and I'm pretty sure Cool 'n Quiet is disabled, and memory timings are set to 2T, when setting failsafe defaults. CPU temps in the BIOS are around 32 - 36C for the Winnie, and were at around the same for the Venice just before the system locked. I think you might be onto something with the 'wacky' epox/venice memory controller comment, though. I'm beginning to think one or both are cursed.

I'm no spring chicken to this whole PC troubleshooting business, and I think I'm at the point where the next logical step is going to be to RMA the processor. It's just too wierd a problem to be anything but the Venice that's at fault, but the only way to find out is going to be to try another one. I'll post back with my results, if you guys are interested.

It'll probably take a few more days, though, so if anybody has any other potential solutions, I'd be up for trying them. Thanks again.

[jimbobaggies]

So you're saying the Winchester core was working in the 9NDA3+? and you've tried holding in the case switch whilst turning on the PSU!
If it didn't work, and the Winnie was fine, it would suggest a duff CPU.

Also, have you tried the following set-up...

Originally Posted by EPoX Tech

The mainboard should work with Venice / San Diego cores without issue - BIOS update is only for CPU recognition.

Can you try the following -

1. Get the mainboard out of the chassis. Take the mainboard and place it on the foam that backed it in the package. put in just the CPU and HSF and attach the PSU's 20 and 4 pin connectors to the mainboard.
2. By shorting across the power on pins for front chassis connection, power the mainboard and see if you can get a code C1.
3. If you get a code C1, power the system down, attach 1 stick of any Athlon 64 approved memory in any bank, and re-power to see if the mainboard does go all the way through to either 7F or FF.
4. If it does, Power the system down, attach a VGA card and ensure that the mainboard is raised high enough so that it does not puch the VGA card out from the metal shield. See if the mainboard once more goes through to 7F or FF
5. Attach keyboard and mouse - try again.

This is standard pre-test environment, although we would do it with cpu, memory etc that is known to be good.

[kogan]

Yeah, let us know how it goes when you get a new cpu

[Hozee]

Yep, i ame curious too, had the same prob. with my previous 9nda3j. Worked super with my winnie, was dead with a new venice. So i bought a 9npa+sli and the prob. was gone. (but this is not a good solution..., and a expencive one !)
I read meany threads about it but no one hase a solution even not Epox.

[Chris of Death]

Okay, it looks like newegg has accepted the RMA. I'll post back once the new proc is in. Thanks again for all your input.

[Finetobe]

I have play with a 3000+ venice rev E6 on my 9nda3+.
it cool with an X2 4400+ box cooler.
No prob at all. bios is the new beta one , from 10 aug i think.

[Hozee]

Originally Posted by Finetobe

I have play with a 3000+ venice rev E6 on my 9nda3+.
it cool with an X2 4400+ box cooler.
No prob at all. bios is the new beta one , from 10 aug i think.

Nice OC

[Chris of Death]

Originally Posted by jimbobaggies

So you're saying the Winchester core was working in the 9NDA3+? and you've tried holding in the case switch whilst turning on the PSU!
If it didn't work, and the Winnie was fine, it would suggest a duff CPU.

Also, have you tried the following set-up...

Sorry, I forgot to reply to this: Yes I did try this, in the exact configuration specified by ET, with no change in behavior.

And my RMA just came back. Brand new 3200+ Venice, new coat of thermal grease, installed easily and.....still no go. A flicker of the fans, the power light comes on, but nothing more. No onscreen POST, no LED POST, no beep codes, no nothin'. <insert four letter word here>.

I can still get it to turn on if I pull the power plug, hold down the power button, and reinsert the plug, but it freezes a few minutes later.

So, it's almost certainly the board. I have an original revision 9NDA3+, and i've been doing enough research to note that there are definitely sporadic issues with these boards and Venice CPUs. Sigh. Is Epox Tech in the house? Would this sort of problem qualify me for an RMA?

And for those of you following along that DON'T have any problems with their 9nda3+ and Venice combos, do you have an original or later revision 9NDA3+?

Thanks for all the suggestions given through this thread. I'm still open to suggestions, but I'm guessing the board will simply have to be replaced...

[45 Auto]

Got a rev2 9nda3+, and Currently running an E3 venice 3200 without any problems. Bios is the current beta and the os is Xp pro x64 RC2. Boards works fine with both GSkill 2 x256 LE and Patriot 2x512 xblk. I know of a Rev1 board that worked fine with a venice untill the wc setup leaked.

Have you tried a psu other than the antecs? I seem to recall hearing of similar issues occuring when the psu was an antec.

[Chris of Death]

Have I tried it with a PSU other than an Antec? Humerously, no. I've tried with an Antec 550 TruePower, a Smart Power II 450, and a Smart Power 350, and all have the same issue. Still, given that the PSU works with an NF4 and Venice combo, and with the 9nda3+ and Winnie combo, I'm loathe to think it's the PSUs fault. I spent more on the PSU than the board, anyway (at the time), so I'd rather replace the latter than the former.

Anyway, was it this thread you were referencing when you mention recalling this incompatibility?

http://www.rhcf.com/sisubb/ultimateb...89.html#000001

[45 Auto]

Sorry for the delay in responding. No, that thread over at Rebels Haven wasn't what I was refering to. One of the threads was over at forums.amd.com. The thread is here, and the pertinent section starts with post 14. http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=45220&hl=

There were a couple of others, but haven't found them yet. And again most of the problems were with abit or msi boards and antec psu's. It may not apply, but sometimes wild ideas do work.

[Chris of Death]

Originally Posted by 45 Auto

Sorry for the delay in responding. No, that thread over at Rebels Haven wasn't what I was refering to. One of the threads was over at forums.amd.com. The thread is here, and the pertinent section starts with post 14. http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=45220&hl=

There were a couple of others, but haven't found them yet. And again most of the problems were with abit or msi boards and antec psu's. It may not apply, but sometimes wild ideas do work.

Forgive me if I'm a little skeptical that it's the PSU's fault, given that it works fine with the Winchester installed...

...that said, I rummaged through some of my old computer crap, and stumbled upon an old 350W Enhance PSU (obviously not the highest quality). I plugged in the motherboard and vid card, but nothing else, to minimize the chance I'd overpower the poor little guy, but still nothing. Fans spin up for a second, and that's it. It did power up if I held down the power button while plugging it in, but froze up a few minutes later. Unfortunately, I don't have any beefier non-Antec PSUs to test with, although the SmartPower 2 is only a few weeks old, so it *shouldn't* have any issues with A64 boards, if Antec has indeed dealt with the issue mentioned in your link.

I do have one of the older 550W TruePowers with only 24A on the 12V rail, but I'm pretty sure the board itself is at fault. Thanks for the ideas though. I've already filled out a 'ticket' with Epox, but if you have any other suggestions...

[Chris of Death]

I'm still trying to get an RMA through Epox, and I've exchanged a few messages with their support people. I've been unable to respond to their last request for the CPU type because Epox's USA website appears to be down, and has been for the last 36hrs or so. Is anybody else having problems accessing them?

http://www.epox.com/USA/support.asp