Hello and help (faulty 8KHA+ maybe??)

[B1aderunner]

First of all I would like to say hello, I have been lurking in the background for weeks now and have learned a great deal from the many knowledgable members here.

Now I have a problem with a new 8kha+ that I have bought, if you can suggest anything I would be very greatfull.

I have an Epox 8KHA+ motherboard that will not boot at all, all I get is error C1 on the internal diagnostic LED's which I believe indicates either a memory problem or cpu fault. I have two sticks of crucial PC2100 DDR here that are working fine in my other 8KHA+ I have tried them individually and together in all three slots with no joy. I have also tried three different CPU's
(XP1600/XP1800/Duron1.2 morgan core) to rule out that possibility. I have tried the board both in and out of the case and also with just a graphics card,ram and cpu connected. I have tried both a agp and pci graphic card just in case and I have reset the cmos as well all without getting any futher. From this I can only conclude that the board is faulty unless anybody has any futher suggestions...

Thanks

[EPoX Tech]

Hi there blade runner, welcome to the forums proper.

Try to use the PSU from your other 8KHA+ setup, and ensure that the JCK1 jumper is set to the correct position in each case (1-2 for duron and 2-3 for the XP's).

Try to see if theere is any trace damage around the zif socket that may have been caused by a screwdriver whilst installing the CPU cooler (there are tracks there between the northbridge and dimms - a possible cause of a C1 error).

Other than that it is possible that the mainboard may be at fault. In which case please do contact your branch office for further assistance in this case.

[SPQQKY]

Not to butt in, EPoX Tech, but I have heard of quite a few people with this situation and I think that 99% of them solved the issue by making sure the RAM was ALL the way in the DIMM slots. Not just until the clips close, but give them a little extra pressure until they are truly seated all the way (you may hear a little crunching). Maybe even try to remove and replace them a few times and try the one stick at a time trick. Hope it works out for you.

[EPoX Tech]

...and that is another good thing to check - make sure the RAM makes a resounding click into the dimm socket.

Thanks for that SPQQKY - it's good to have top guys like you around.

[B1aderunner]

Thanks gentlemen for taking the time to reply After futher tests and fault finding it appears that the board is faulty as I have tried my other power supply, checked the traces around the cpu socket (I had a good look everywhere to be honest), and I have also tried both of my Ram sticks in all slots, both together and individually(ensuring that they were fully seated).

I will contact my supplier in the morning to arrange a RMA.

[SPQQKY]

Sorry to hear that. Please try one more thing before you return it. Remove everything and set the board on the box the mobo came in or on a wooden table. Put only these items in the board: CPU and hsf, one memory stick and be sure it's seated well and the video card and remove the small speaker from the case and plug it in. Now plug in the mobo to the power supply (remove it from the case if you have to) and then just take a screw driver and cross the power switch pins on the mobo to turn it on. You should get the happy one beep and then the codes on the DeBug LED should start to roll by until it detects that there is no floppy F7. If this happens then the board is good and there may be another problem, like the board is grounding to the case. In that situation, just put a strip or two of electrical tape on the studs before replacing the mobo (the screws will pop through the tape and still provide insulation). In any case, you could just do some more trouble shooting, at least you'll know the board is good.

P.S. To power down, just cross the pins again. Then, after you unplug the power supply (from the wall, not the mobo) cross the pins again to drain the juice from the PSU, then you can unplug it safely.

[B1aderunner]

Thanks SPQQKY for that advice
I have tried what you have said, in fact almost all of the testing has been done out of the case with the board sat on the box on my desk. I am certain that there is nothing wrong with any of the other components that I have tried with the board as after each test I have also tried then in my other 8KHA+ to confirm that they are functioning correctly. In this case I do believe the new board is faulty (unusual) as the DeBug LED’s do not alter at all from the C1 code from the second power is applied.

I will let you know what happens when the board has been returned.