No POST, CPU fan acting weird

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

I got a few new parts for Christmas and finally got around to swapping them into my box yesterday. Specifically, I installed:

■ Gigabyte 970A-D3P motherboard
■ AMD FX-6300
■ 2x4GB Crucial DDR3-1600

I also have a Sound Blaster X-Fi card, a Radeon HD 3850, a RAIDMAX 730W PS, and assorted other bits to fill out the system.

When I put it all together, I got no video and no POST. After fiddling with it a bit, I noticed that the stock AMD CPU fan was spinning up and then stopping after about 1 second (all other fans were working fine). I was able to get the fan to stay on by plugging it into the system fan header, but there was still no POST or video. I have tried reseating the memory and CPU, booting the motherboard with just the bare essentials out of the case, and everything in the try-this-first post. Any idea where my problem is or which part needs to be RMA'd?

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

Is the 8 pin power cable connected?
If yes and still the same, then I suggest testing the board outside the case, stock CPU fan installed (for rulling out a short).

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

alexoiu :

Yes, 8-pin connector is connected. I have tried the board out of the case with only the front panel stuff, processor, fan, 1 stick of memory, and all power connected (8-pin and 24-pin). Exactly the same as when everything was connected and in the case.

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

Can you attach a case speaker to the motherboard? Is there a backplate installed for the CPU fan?

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

I do have a case speaker attached. There was no beeping during power up. I'm not sure what you mean by a backplate for the CPU fan, but there is some sort of metal plate on the back of the motherboard behind the CPU socket. It is just part of the board and does not look like it can be removed.

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

Start the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed. See if any beeps.

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

alexoiu :

At least that got a new response. Continuous short beeps.

(Accidentally bumped "choose best solution" button on my phone. Definitely NOT SOLVED.)

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

"Solved" ... kidding.
Now insert single RAM module. Check again the beeps pattern.

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

I tried both sticks in each slot. Same response each time: no beeps and cpu heatsink getting very hot alarmingly quickly. I did have a thought, though. Is it possible that I've got incompatible RAM? I checked on Crucial's compatibility tool and it claims that this board plays nice with this memory, but I happened to be looking at the specs in the MB manual and saw that it specifically mentioned 1.5v memory. The sticks I have are apparently 1.35v. I haven't checked Gigabyte's site yet, but I am starting to think Crucial lied to me...

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

No, I don't think it's the RAM compatibility. Is the RAM module correctly inserted?
Some need a bit more force for the latches to come in place and click.
Is the board outside or inside?

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

The board is still outside. I tried the memory again (both sticks, all 4 slots) pressing as hard as I dared. They didn't seat any deeper and the clips clicked into place. Same end result.

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

If the graphics card is removed and no beeps, then I'd say that it's either a board or a CPU issue. Try RMA-ing them both. Or test them at a local shop, if not too expensive.

howardad · Jan 2, 2014

Alright, I'll try that. Thanks for all your help.

alexoiu · Jan 2, 2014

You're welcome. Please post back the result.

howardad · Jan 24, 2014

UPDATE: I RMA'd the motherboard first. I got a new one back earlier this week, but the symptoms were exactly the same. I currently have the CPU on its way back to Amazon. Hopefully I'll be back early next week with good news. If swapping the CPU doesn't fix it, I'm going to have to assume it is the RAM as that is the only other component I'm actually replacing--everything else is working fine in my current box.

howardad · Feb 4, 2014

When the new CPU came, I was having the same symptoms. That narrowed it down to the RAM or something weird that I wasn't thinking of. I bought some different, more generic RAM at a local shop and it POSTed on the first try. I'm not sure whether the RAM I had before was bad or just not 100% compatible (even though Crucial's tool said it should be). Anyway, I will never ever recommend Crucial Ballistix Sport sticks to anybody.

alexoiu · Feb 4, 2014

Thank you for the follow up. Good to know.

No POST, CPU fan acting weird

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