Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - A different problem with P4C800-E Deluxe

**clintfan** · 10-29-2003, 01:50 PM

There's going to be a lot to try.

I assume you mean the LED's all start blinking, then keep on blinking and never stop? You're right, that would imply some sort of cycling is occurring, the question is at what level.

The stock heatsink has been known to apply too much pressure and actually break contact somewhere, with some mobos. Try loosening the heatsink clamps and see if the problem disappears. If it doesn't, tighten them back down again and read on. Otherwise search the forums because there have been suggestions about modifying the brackets to slightly reduce the pressure. Or install a 3rd-party sink like a Zalman CNPS7000-Cu, which does fit BTW, and works well.

Still blinking?
That Kingston memory should be fine, but just for kicks try pulling one of the sticks out. If still blinking, swap that stick for the other one.

Double check all your System Connector wiring at the lower right corner of the mobo. Since your LED's light I'm guessing you did it right, but maybe you got the lines mixed up somehow.

??Is that a PS/2 keyboard or a USB keyboard? If it's USB, disconnect any other stuff you have attached to the USB and try again. Also try pulling the keyboard itself.

Still blinking?
Next try disconnecting all the IDE devices' (HDD and DVR) power lines and IDE cables (at the mobo), and pulling out the Soundblaster card. This will reduce the load on the supply.
??Do you still get the same blinking with this stuff gone?
If not, then start hooking stuff back up one at a time, to try to track down who the bad boy is.

Another suggestion: if you wired up the "Front mounted USB & IEEE 1394 ports", first write down how you plugged them, then disconnect them; you might have accidentally grounded a +5V line that you shouldn't have.

I could not find the 380S supply listed anywhere at the Antec site, but it says the supply that comes with the Sonata is 380W, so I'll assume they just mean it's a TruePower 380 and the "S" just means bundled with Sonata. It also says it's ATX12V compatible. 380W ought to be enough juice, but I guess the supply could be bad.
??Did you remember to attach the extra 4-wire connector to the power jack above next to the CPU?

I'm assuming you don't have the solder problem. I don't think anyone with a -E mobo has reported that.

Let me know what you find out here,

-clintfan

10-29-2003, 01:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
clintfan Guru Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 2,655 OS: XP Pro	There's going to be a lot to try. I assume you mean the LED's all start blinking, then keep on blinking and never stop? You're right, that would imply some sort of cycling is occurring, the question is at what level. The stock heatsink has been known to apply too much pressure and actually break contact somewhere, with some mobos. Try loosening the heatsink clamps and see if the problem disappears. If it doesn't, tighten them back down again and read on. Otherwise search the forums because there have been suggestions about modifying the brackets to slightly reduce the pressure. Or install a 3rd-party sink like a Zalman CNPS7000-Cu, which does fit BTW, and works well. Still blinking? That Kingston memory should be fine, but just for kicks try pulling one of the sticks out. If still blinking, swap that stick for the other one. Double check all your System Connector wiring at the lower right corner of the mobo. Since your LED's light I'm guessing you did it right, but maybe you got the lines mixed up somehow. ??Is that a PS/2 keyboard or a USB keyboard? If it's USB, disconnect any other stuff you have attached to the USB and try again. Also try pulling the keyboard itself. Still blinking? Next try disconnecting all the IDE devices' (HDD and DVR) power lines and IDE cables (at the mobo), and pulling out the Soundblaster card. This will reduce the load on the supply. ??Do you still get the same blinking with this stuff gone? If not, then start hooking stuff back up one at a time, to try to track down who the bad boy is. Another suggestion: if you wired up the "Front mounted USB & IEEE 1394 ports", first write down how you plugged them, then disconnect them; you might have accidentally grounded a +5V line that you shouldn't have. I could not find the 380S supply listed anywhere at the Antec site, but it says the supply that comes with the Sonata is 380W, so I'll assume they just mean it's a TruePower 380 and the "S" just means bundled with Sonata. It also says it's ATX12V compatible. 380W ought to be enough juice, but I guess the supply could be bad. ??Did you remember to attach the extra 4-wire connector to the power jack above next to the CPU? I'm assuming you don't have the solder problem. I don't think anyone with a -E mobo has reported that. Let me know what you find out here, -clintfan Last edited by clintfan; 10-29-2003 at 01:54 PM.