ASUS M5A97 REV 2.0 No Beep from MOBO Speaker, No BIOS on Display

Thanks for replying everyone. Okay, let me answer this in this order, for a concise thread. Yes, all the plugs are seated in their respective sockets, firm and snug. Before originally posting this at all, I tried having only these connections from the PSU: 24 Pin motherboard plug, 8 pin CPU power and the two 6 pin connectors going into the GPU.

Additionally, I tried having only one of the two RAM modules seated, all of the case pins plugged in properly (including the MOBO speaker, which never makes a noise) and the Corsair H60 cooler fan plugs where they belong on the motherboard. And, as far as connection from the GPU, I am running an HDMI cable from it to a perfectly functioning monitor. I am assuming there is nothing wrong with using an HDMI cable.

And lastly, yes, once all of these connections are in order, I press the power button on the case -- the Corsair CPU fan behind the radiator spins, the GPU LEDs and fans come on, the green LED on the ASUS motherboard comes on. However, as mentioned above, hearing no beeps at all from the motherboard speaker is the only peculiarity at all outside of what appears to be normally working board.

And I know this power supply would make a better Ball-and-Chain in a street fight than a good gaming PSU, but it's all I have on hand at the moment without removing my HX750 out my current build, which I really do not relish having to undo the wire management I have going on. I mean, heck, I thought the Raidmax would at least give me a BIOS screen, especially with nearly everything disconnected from it.

But yeah, no display of an ASUS logo or BIOS screen. Monitor always indicates "No Signal". So I have provided as much info as I can about my troubleshooting efforts so far. Anymore clues?

Thanks

Ok, the RAM modules are G.Skill Ripjaws X 1866Mhz 8GB (2 X 4GB). They are on the list of compatible memory for the ASUS motherboard, and are brand new right out the pack from Newegg. Since it is a two pack kit I am able to try one or the other, separately. Doing this yields no results. I doubt both modules out of a kit would be bad. And I think G.Skill is great memory -- I don't buy different manufactures, if I can help it.

As for the GPU, I also tried an AMD Radeon HD 6870 that worked fine the last time I used it. No display with that either.

I just went out and got a new PSU to try. I got a [Thermaltake SP-850M Smart Series 850W]. It's 80 Plus Bronze. I want to keep this as the permenant PSU for the build. I don't want to go extremely high end on a GPU for this rig, but I think this one is significantly better than the Raidmax I was using to test it all out. I just got it a few hours ago and haven't tried it in the build. My prayers are that it solves the problem -- I'll post the results of this effort next.

Meanwhile, is everyone in agreement that this PSU, if functioning correctly, is sufficient to eliminate the power supply as the culprit? Basically, how do ya all feel about this choice of PSU so that I can take the Raidmax out of the equation?

And one other question, in an ideal situation if the set up is as follows:

1.) Have CPU seated in socket, and cooler mounted correctly
2.) Have RAM installed correctly
3.) Have PSU connected to all necessary plugs
4.) Install GPU, and run an HDMI cable to the monitor

Should I be able to push the power button on the case and see the BIOS screen -- or at least a logo . . . something? There isn't some other step outside of connectivity, such as updating BIOS, etc.?

Thanks for all your help so far, and I will respond after trying the configuration with the new PSU.

Hi, I have some news and two questions. I connected the new Thermaltake SP-850M Smart Series 850W to the ASUS M5A97 R2.0 Same results: board purred to life but no display. So I really thought it time to try another motherboard in order to rule out any of the other hardware.

I have a GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P stowed away in its box that I use from time to time for testing hardware. It's a cheap board, but has proven to be rather trusty. And, being a mini ATX form factor makes it nice to handle.

Anyway, I dropped the FX-6100 into the socket, and installed all the aforementioned hardware in the same configuration it was on the ASUS M5A97 R2.0. I ran an HDMI from the Sapphire TOXIC card and got a display.

In BIOS, I was able to quickly look over the status of all the hardware connected. It's all up to par. So, at this point, I could say problem solved -- something is wrong with the ASUS motherboard.

Although it is apparently true, it is the board, I am not yet thinking it belongs in a dumpster. I am still holding out hope that it works. How can it otherwise perform perfectly, excpet for no display?

This brings me to my questions. Could it be in need of a BIOS update? I read some advice while scouring the Net for solutions, in which someone stated that this board comes from factory with an older BIOS version not capable of recognizing newer AMD CPUs of the FX series.

A person posted a troubleshooting avenue in which socketing an older CPU, such as a Phenom II, would result in a display. Then, update the BIOS accordingly, remove the Phenom II, and socket the FX CPU. (This, by the way, was a post in which the person with the problem said he would try it and report the results, but never did. Could be that it worked and he went on his merry way? Who knows?)

Question #1: Does anyone know this to be true? That this board has a BIOS version not yet compatible with the AMD FX series? If this is true, wow, it sure would be nice if retailers would mention it.

Question #2: Would a board such as the ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 come equipped with the proper BIOS version? This board seems to be a veritable facsimile of the ASUS M5A97 as far as features, etc. Is the BIOS version ready for the FX series, and this subtlety the monumental difference?

Thanks, any knowleadgable replies will help in my decision of what to do next.