weird POST beeps asus a8n32...NO BOOT plz help

dreborn · 03-19-2006, 01:39 AM

so i upgraded my system with a new 7900gtx so to give it a good welcome i wanted a clean windows install. ran through install and even video/chipset drivers all fine. then i started installing my sound card drivers and the computer had a hard crash. weird.

rebooted and now i get NO video and i get weird POST beeps: 1 long, 3 short (3 second pause) 2 very quick beeps.

OK. so this is really annoying. i took out the 7900gtx and put in my temp crappy x300 card and the system booted right up. that would be awful in itself but here's what's weird: i first got a 1900xt a month ago that started showing artifacts when i first installed it so i RMA'ed it. is there something wrong with my mobo/PS when i install big cards? that's the only thing i can think of. it is a top of the line seasonic s-12 600 PS which should have no problem giving good power to this card. i made sure to hook the power connector from the PS to the vidcard. sigh.

i just don';t understand why it would work perfectly for 2 hours and then crash. and it happened with two video cards. two powerful vid cards where a wussy one that doesn't suck that much power runs fine.

i installed the 7900 on a complete CLEAN install of windows. can't be a driver conflict. what i am worried about is that my mobo or my PS is frying my video cards. they both worked perfectly for a little bit then died.

pretty much sucks..

i have tried both pci-e slots.

somebody please help...

Tumbleweed36 · 03-19-2006, 06:07 AM

Hi,

First of all, make sure the ASUS EZ selector card is set for single mode as it came from the factory. Also, you CAN NOT use the left slot (looking from the back) for single mode as configured for single mode. Just make sure that is all set up properly.

Doiuble check in BIOS setup menu:

Advanced

> PCI/VGA Oakette Snoop = Disabled

> PEG Link Mode = Disabled

> PEG Root Control = Auto

> PEG Buffer Link = Auto

> SLI mode = Normal (if this does not work try auto)

I know the Seasonic is about as good as it gets, but might be a good idea to check the voltages with your onboard Probe program and see what readings you get. Every once in a while while building these babies, one can get a weak power supply from even the best companies, at least I do. Last one was an Antec and they replaced it immediately. Also, while at it, check the temperatures for both at-rest and under-stress.

If you have more than one power line for the video card, then switch lines. If this is a dual rail power supply, move some of your lines around to share the load with different things. (for example, if the power line to your video card is drawing too much from one specific area (we do find that although rarely), then this would distribute draw somewhat)

Try plugging into the motherboard EZ plug for dual operation and see if that gives any advantage for a card that draws a lot of juice (it won't harm anything)

Post back with results.

dreborn · 03-19-2006, 11:50 AM

Tumble, thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. =) I have some questions...

1. what exactly is the EZ selector card? isn't that just for SLI?

2. so i can only use the pci express slot closest to the heatsink (pci 1)?

3. i will check those bios settings

4. should i plug into the ez plug on the mobo AND into the 4 pin molex connector or just the ez plug? When i first installed it all i plugged in was the 4 pin molex.

It's a little tough to do testing cause I am pretty sure the card is fried now. Once I get my new card I am worried about how to test it. It's not like my computer gives me warnings, it just kills the card after an hour or so of use. I don't want to keep blowing cards up. =\

if i downloaded something like everest to monitor my PS voltages would that help us or would it not help cause we are really interested in what voltage is coming out of the 4pin molex (and that's not hooked up with this baby x300 card).

It seems weird that i am running a fully stable OC'ed system, even playing games for hours with this (fairly impressive) x300 without a hiccup so it doesn't FEEL like it's the PS but I guess it could just be that one rail kicking me in the face.

What I was thinking was to wait for eVGA to send me out my new card, buy a new PS (just something OK from CompUSA, Best Buy, etc) and test it out. if it fixes the issue than we know and I can return the medicore PS once I get return the seasonic.

Sigh.. =)

dreborn · 03-19-2006, 12:33 PM

my bios is configured exactly like POST #3

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17755

anything seriously wrong with that? =)

Tumbleweed36 · 03-19-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreborn

Tumble, thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. =) I have some questions...

1. what exactly is the EZ selector card? isn't that just for SLI?

The EZ selector card is already in there from the factory and installed for single card operation. Make sure it is in there and set to single mode. Page 6.2 (I think or close to that) in your manual are instructions. It needs to be in there for even single mode, but set to single mode

2. so i can only use the pci express slot closest to the heatsink (pci 1)?

The one nearest (pci-e1) the heatsink is the one for single cards. The other slot is used only for dual operation when the board is set to dual mode pci-e cards.

3. i will check those bios settings

Answering your question posted later. Leave the bios set to defaults, with the exception of the Raid being Disabled. You can easily toy with BIOS settings when you have it up and running properly

4. should i plug into the ez plug on the mobo AND into the 4 pin molex connector or just the ez plug? When i first installed it all i plugged in was the 4 pin molex.

You must have the molex plugged in for your computer to work at all. The EZ plug was meant for dual operation to give more power. However, the board will work with one plugged in there, so you mgiht give that a try. I don't know if it will make a difference, but I have tried it in my board (just to see if it changed anything) and it works fine either way. However, I had no problems with mine, so there would be no way for me to know if it boots the power to the video or not.

It's a little tough to do testing cause I am pretty sure the card is fried now.

I don't think I would assume that yet until you do more testing. Do you have someone who has a computer you can try it in. Or, go to Best Buy (you mentioned that store) and have them check the card to see if it works. They will drop it in a computer and test it and should not cost too much.

Once I get my new card I am worried about how to test it. It's not like my computer gives me warnings, it just kills the card after an hour or so of use. I don't want to keep blowing cards up. =\

if i downloaded something like everest to monitor my PS voltages would that help us or would it not help cause we are really interested in what voltage is coming out of the 4pin molex (and that's not hooked up with this baby x300 card).

The total voltage is very important as well as temperatures. You can check those in the BIOS setup menu if you can get there. However, Everest might be a better option and that can't hurt anything. The voltages will not change coming out of your power supply using your card that works in this unit. Neither will your temps, so give that a whirl and see what happens.

It seems weird that i am running a fully stable OC'ed system, even playing games for hours with this (fairly impressive) x300 without a hiccup so it doesn't FEEL like it's the PS but I guess it could just be that one rail kicking me in the face.

It could be or could not be. Don't overclock anything until you get this settled. At least that is my opinion.

What I was thinking was to wait for eVGA to send me out my new card, buy a new PS (just something OK from CompUSA, Best Buy, etc) and test it out. if it fixes the issue than we know and I can return the medicore PS once I get return the seasonic.

It doesn't get much better than Seasonic, so when you go to Best Buy, get a 550 antec and see if that will do the job for you. Then if it does, return the Antec and send your Seasonic back in for replacement. It makes no sense to get a cheapo at Best Buy which probably won't be strong enough to test the system in my opinion.
Sigh.. =)

dreborn · 03-19-2006, 08:29 PM

got it, thanks for the replies. =)

when i get the 1 long beep, 3 short beeps doesn't that mean dead video card, though? i mean just looking at the evidence:

put in 7900gtx=no boot, 3 post beeps
change nothing and then
put in x300=fires right up and works great.

either way, i will call best buy and see if they can test the card. who knows. what i am really debating now if whether or not try getting a mid level video card from best buy or something (like 7900gt) with a new power supply and test it out. see if I can fry that one too. then i can just keep returning it.

last question: if the x300 works in the pce1 slot, then the ez selector is probably fine, right?

Tumbleweed36 · 03-19-2006, 08:49 PM

Hi,

That probably does mean it is set O.K. Give the power supply a try (an x300 does not take much power, the 7900gt takes a whole bunch) and if that does not help, then a video card is most likely the problem.

dreborn · 03-19-2006, 08:51 PM

i am trying to find a video card that needs additional power a la 7900gtx and x1900xt. are those the only two? i really think it's something with the extra power.

dai · 03-20-2006, 11:11 AM

check what the bios beeps are telliing you here
www.bioscentral.com

03-19-2006, 01:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
dreborn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5 OS: XP	weird POST beeps asus a8n32...NO BOOT plz help so i upgraded my system with a new 7900gtx so to give it a good welcome i wanted a clean windows install. ran through install and even video/chipset drivers all fine. then i started installing my sound card drivers and the computer had a hard crash. weird. rebooted and now i get NO video and i get weird POST beeps: 1 long, 3 short (3 second pause) 2 very quick beeps. OK. so this is really annoying. i took out the 7900gtx and put in my temp crappy x300 card and the system booted right up. that would be awful in itself but here's what's weird: i first got a 1900xt a month ago that started showing artifacts when i first installed it so i RMA'ed it. is there something wrong with my mobo/PS when i install big cards? that's the only thing i can think of. it is a top of the line seasonic s-12 600 PS which should have no problem giving good power to this card. i made sure to hook the power connector from the PS to the vidcard. sigh. i just don';t understand why it would work perfectly for 2 hours and then crash. and it happened with two video cards. two powerful vid cards where a wussy one that doesn't suck that much power runs fine. i installed the 7900 on a complete CLEAN install of windows. can't be a driver conflict. what i am worried about is that my mobo or my PS is frying my video cards. they both worked perfectly for a little bit then died. pretty much sucks.. i have tried both pci-e slots. somebody please help...

03-19-2006, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,661 OS: XP Professional	Hi, First of all, make sure the ASUS EZ selector card is set for single mode as it came from the factory. Also, you CAN NOT use the left slot (looking from the back) for single mode as configured for single mode. Just make sure that is all set up properly. Doiuble check in BIOS setup menu: Advanced > PCI/VGA Oakette Snoop = Disabled > PEG Link Mode = Disabled > PEG Root Control = Auto > PEG Buffer Link = Auto > SLI mode = Normal (if this does not work try auto) I know the Seasonic is about as good as it gets, but might be a good idea to check the voltages with your onboard Probe program and see what readings you get. Every once in a while while building these babies, one can get a weak power supply from even the best companies, at least I do. Last one was an Antec and they replaced it immediately. Also, while at it, check the temperatures for both at-rest and under-stress. If you have more than one power line for the video card, then switch lines. If this is a dual rail power supply, move some of your lines around to share the load with different things. (for example, if the power line to your video card is drawing too much from one specific area (we do find that although rarely), then this would distribute draw somewhat) Try plugging into the motherboard EZ plug for dual operation and see if that gives any advantage for a card that draws a lot of juice (it won't harm anything) Post back with results. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

03-19-2006, 08:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,661 OS: XP Professional	Hi, That probably does mean it is set O.K. Give the power supply a try (an x300 does not take much power, the 7900gt takes a whole bunch) and if that does not help, then a video card is most likely the problem. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

03-20-2006, 11:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,637 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	check what the bios beeps are telliing you here www.bioscentral.com __________________

03-19-2006, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
dreborn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Tumble, thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. =) I have some questions... 1. what exactly is the EZ selector card? isn't that just for SLI? 2. so i can only use the pci express slot closest to the heatsink (pci 1)? 3. i will check those bios settings 4. should i plug into the ez plug on the mobo AND into the 4 pin molex connector or just the ez plug? When i first installed it all i plugged in was the 4 pin molex. It's a little tough to do testing cause I am pretty sure the card is fried now. Once I get my new card I am worried about how to test it. It's not like my computer gives me warnings, it just kills the card after an hour or so of use. I don't want to keep blowing cards up. =\ if i downloaded something like everest to monitor my PS voltages would that help us or would it not help cause we are really interested in what voltage is coming out of the 4pin molex (and that's not hooked up with this baby x300 card). It seems weird that i am running a fully stable OC'ed system, even playing games for hours with this (fairly impressive) x300 without a hiccup so it doesn't FEEL like it's the PS but I guess it could just be that one rail kicking me in the face. What I was thinking was to wait for eVGA to send me out my new card, buy a new PS (just something OK from CompUSA, Best Buy, etc) and test it out. if it fixes the issue than we know and I can return the medicore PS once I get return the seasonic. Sigh.. =)

03-19-2006, 12:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
dreborn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5 OS: XP	my bios is configured exactly like POST #3 http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17755 anything seriously wrong with that? =)

03-19-2006, 08:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
dreborn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5 OS: XP	got it, thanks for the replies. =) when i get the 1 long beep, 3 short beeps doesn't that mean dead video card, though? i mean just looking at the evidence: put in 7900gtx=no boot, 3 post beeps change nothing and then put in x300=fires right up and works great. either way, i will call best buy and see if they can test the card. who knows. what i am really debating now if whether or not try getting a mid level video card from best buy or something (like 7900gt) with a new power supply and test it out. see if I can fry that one too. then i can just keep returning it. last question: if the x300 works in the pce1 slot, then the ez selector is probably fine, right?

03-19-2006, 08:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
dreborn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5 OS: XP	i am trying to find a video card that needs additional power a la 7900gtx and x1900xt. are those the only two? i really think it's something with the extra power.