GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 x Phenom 9950

Hi Everyone,
I'm in a awkward position at the moment. I ordered this mobo and CPU. The mobo says it is compatible with the CPU and might be at some point. I get absolutely no video, POST, or even speaker beeps.

I've contacted Gigabyte and they tell me that out of the box the mobo needs the BIOS updated. However I have no way to update the BIOS on a non-functioning system. They suggested using an older CPU but I don't have one.

Not to mention it's a very time consuming process Gigabyte has in trading mails to correspond.

Any suggestions or should I just dump the mobo back on the seller and get something different?

Thanks.

Same or similar here.
MA790X-DS4 with with the 2.3 9600 cpu.

I think I have some single core chips in my shop. ?? I will try tomorrow and will post back.

My issue goes a little deeper -
I have already returned this board to Gigabyte because of no POST at all. When the power was connected all I got was a short fan spin. I tried 2 cpu's a 9350 and a 9600 which both are working in other systems.

Gigabyte issued an ra and after 2 weeks returned this one with a comical note inside. It said
"If you send the MB back to fix the no display or noPOST problem, please test the repaired board on the test bench to make sure the board functions before placing it back into the case/chassis. To test the board for POST, follow the simple steps below."

do you believe this???

Well now the "repaired" board will power up, but guess what? -- no video!

It's like they new this.

thanks for the post about the bios issue - I will try wth a didderent cpu.

Yep also seen this myself after building 2 stock DS4 motherboards and Phenom II CPU's. Needed to get retailer to pop in an older AM2 slot CPU and flash the bios to the F6 (Dec 08) version using its Q BIOS USB stick BIOS update option. After that both worked a treat.

Note : Be careful taking the CPU out again, on one of mine the thermal compound stuck to the CPU and took it out of the slot with the Fan unit attached. Best to work the Fan unit off the CPU with a rotating movement, whilst trying to take it out. Oh and buy some more Thermal Compound to make sure its good to put back in.

Gigabyte really should try harder to allow the board to boot in a safe mode to allow BIOS updates.