Is the mobo bad?

[unfaithfulsfan]

Just a quick ??? to hopefully confirm what I almost know.

Working on a new build (http://forums.legitreviews.com/about15202.html) and it won't boot. I know PSU is good (tested it). I'm assuming all other components are good since they are all new. (I don't have another socket 771 board to test the CPUs) I get a weak "erk" from the pc speaker upon pressing the power button and nothing else.

I've checked all jumpers and settings for the board.

To rule out the case power switch, I used a screwdriver on the power pins of the mobo. Get the same weak "erk."

I figure this $375 mobo is fried. Am I forgetting anything before I RMA it?

Thanks!
Jack

[DMB2000uk]

I presume you have stripped it down to just one CPU, and removed *everything* else to see if it will turn on then (even if to only give you post beep errors).

Else it could well just be DOA and need replacing.

Dan

[unfaithfulsfan]

Thanks Dan,
I even tried alternating the CPUs. I also removed video card. Zip. Nada. Nothing. Just "erk." So it's on its way back to Newegg with a new one being overnighted. Somehow I don't think this system is going to be ready by tomorrow.......

I appreciate the response. Everyone on this forum has helped me a lot. I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to get so deeply involved in analyzing a problem that I sometimes overlook something really simple. I feel pretty goofy afterwards but old habits are hard to break....

Thanks again!
Jack

[unfaithfulsfan]

OK Now I'm mystified (you say, and that's unusual why?)

Got the new board installed and got the same response. "erk"

Racking my brain now....The only thing I can come up other than two brand new Xeon CPUs are bad out of the box along with 2 sticks of Crucial 2 GB FB memory is this:

On the board there is an 8 pin CPU 12V socket (I'm assuming one 4 pin per cpu) and a 4 pin 12V socket (for PCIe slots). The mobo manual says the 8 pin is required but not necessarily the 4 pin (it's kinda vague on that one) The PSU has an 8 pin which can be split into 2 4 pins but no additional single 4 pin. So I have the 8 pin plugged into the proper socket but nothing in the single 4 pin. Surely that isn't the problem?!?

And this beast was supposed to be ready for delivery today!!!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[unfaithfulsfan]

Dumbass here decided to RTM a little better. There it was in black and white separate from all the other info on power connections:

Both 4-pin and 8-pin power connections must be used.

Duh

[DMB2000uk]

lol, well at least you've narrowed it down.

I wonder if something like the PC Power and cooling Silencer 610W with both a 8pin and 4pin would work ok? Do they do special server grade PSUs? I don't know if there are any limitations of using both of the connectors at once.

Dan

[unfaithfulsfan]

Neither my boss nor my uncle-in-law (who is a retired big-time hardware guy--20+ years building and installing servers for Unisys) has ever heard of a power supply with 8 + 4 pin 12v leads. We had to order an adaptor to make this work.

I looked over Newegg in my spare time at PSUs and saw none with that configuration. Even the "SSI Compliant" units. I know the case and the mobo support multiple PSUs but I think it's more towards back-up rather than tandem.

It's a mystery!!
Thanks again
Jack

[DMB2000uk]

On most 8pin PSUs you get the 8pin, and a redundant 4pin (in case the mobo doesn't have a 8pin), but I don't know if it is safe to use both at once, as I imagine they were designed as an either or connector.

At least you have a fairly cheap fix for the problem

Dan

[Methious]

Tagan 1100w and Seventeam 1200w both have 4 and 8 pin. The Tagan both are wired to the PSU, the Hurricane it has 2 8pin and 2 4 pin and is totally modular. The Tagan also has 4 pin molex mobo connector hard wired to the PSU.

Those are the only two I've seen thus far.

[unfaithfulsfan]

Thanks for the info, Methious! I'll remember that if I ever have to build another one of these monsters again. (I sincerely hope I don't have to!!!!)

Got the adaptor in and it still won't start up. SuperMicro support is not much help. Scratch that, they're no help.

Jack