Hey everybody.. Hope to get some help here.

I work at a tech store where we build/fix PCs. Today the assignment was to build 2 PCs.

(First the Problem)

After (successfully) building the first computer the problem was that during boot the computer sort of killed(?). On the monitor after it showed the video card and then the motherboard manufacturer screen (where you press F2 to go to the bios) the monitor would shut off no output from the video. After messing around a bit in the bios with it we were unsuccessful in fixing what was going on. So, as to rule out the hardware problem we built the second computer. Which was the exact same hardware. We get that one finished and the same problems.

(Now the Equipment)

Motherboard: Asus K8N Socket 754
http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...33&modelmenu=1
CPU: Athlon 64 3200+ (Newcastle Technology)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103487
Hard Drive: Western Digital 80GB Serial Ata
Ram: Kingston Value Ram 1GB PC3200 DDR400 (KVR400X64C3A/1G)
http://www.valueram.com/config/parts...VR400X64C3A/1G
Power: Just PC (USA) Inc 430W (It came with the computer case)
Video Card: Geforce FX 5500 256MB AGP 8x http://www.evga.com/products/moreinf...256-A8-N313-AX
CD ROM: DVD R-RW
Floppy: Floppy Drive ;P

That is what belongs in the computer.

(Approaches We Tried)

The first approach at this system was to reset the BIOS. We did that and were able to get to the POST but after that the monitor killed.

The second approach was to swap out the first Athlong 64 3200+ with the second to see if the proccessor was bad. It wasn't, neither worked. In either machines. By doing this we assumed neither the processors were bad nor the motherboards.

The third approach was to swap out the video card with another AGP video card. Still, the exact same problems.

The fourth approach was to unplug CD-Rom, FLoppy, and the HDD. We were trying to see if we were drawing too much power. This wasn't he case, same issues.

The fifth approach was to see what happened if the video card was unplugged, surprisingly there were no beep codes so we pulled the ram to see if there were beep codes; there were.

The sixth approach was to switch the Ram with a stick of DDR400 512MB (forget the name), and then some DDR400 256MB. Still the same problems.

The seventh approach was to swap in a new power supply. This was a "Power" 400, an off brand 400W power supply. This didn't seem to fix the problem.

The eight approach was to pull out an Athlon Sempron 3100+. Success... We were finally booting farther then before. At this point we decided to flash the BIOS with the newest version. Now we were ready to try to get the Athlon 64 3200+ back in. We did, no success after all.

The ninth approach was to try one more Athlon 64 3200+ that we had, all of these parts were new. (The first 2 3200+s seemed different from what I was used to working with, the chip on the back side (where the thermal paste goes) was about the size of what a sempron should be, or the older processors, it didn't take up the entirety of the processor. The third and final 3200+ was what I was used to working with.) With the new 3200+ installed, I wasn't even able to get to the motherboard BIOS screen, absolutely nothing would come up.

Just to be sure this was also tried on more than just one monitor. Also, to clarify, every jumper was atleast tripple checked, same with cables, cards, any other connections.

I even tried calling Asus to get a suggestion, they simply passed me on to AMD, but this was already 5:00 PM so work was over.

These computers are supposed to be ready tomorrow, so if anybody has any suggestions or know the possible cause of the problems it would be MUCH appreciated.

Hey Adam,

Welcome to PCHF. We have actually got some wicked box builders on our staff and in the forums and I am sure that they can help you figure this out.

Unfortunately, hardware is not my area of expertise. So I will PM your thread to the Hardware guru's and I know they will get back to you very soon, keep an eye out for their posts.

Look forward to seeing you in the forums, and thanks for starting your membership here by helping others, that's great!

TTFN

LGW

Hey thanks a lot for sending them my post. Im seriously stuck on this. Two of us actually, both certified PC technicians. I mean, other than that motherboard seems to NOT support the 64 bit 3200+, there is absolutely no reason (to my best knowledge) that this doesn't work. Took two of us from 10 am till 5 pm to get no where on those danged PCs.

Hi there Adam.
Give me a minute to read through your post, and Ill be right with you.

Ok from what I see you have done pretty much everything. Seeing as the sempron worked though, maybe the motherboard is not a socket 754? H

Have you checked and made sure all plugs are in place?
No metal touching the motherboard?
The right voltage selector in the back is on(red switch)
Does it say on the cpu's what socket they are?

Yup, both the motherboard and every processor I tried was 754, nothing touching that shouldn't, all the plugs are in, everything was double, tripple, and quadrouple checked. Almost a full 8 hours we spent checking over these machines. After I called Asus, they even told me the board is compatible, when I asked if he has suggestions, he told me to call AMD.