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Possible CPU/Motherboard Failure


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Ok, heres the deal. I just got my OCZ RAM back from an RMA, so I know the stuff is good, and upon getting it back, I tried changing the SPD timings to 2.5-4-7-3. Next thing I know, the machine won't turn on and I get 3 LEDs and a blinking Power On light. It was running fine with some old Corsair RAM at 3-4-4-8 while waiting for my OCZ to get back, so I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm inclined to think that I may have a problem with my memory controller, due to the old Clawhammer core.

 

I also had problems running the OCZ RAM, it wasn't stable in WinXP, and it would frequently BSOD or restart. I got it to work, sorta, but running Prime95 showed that there were errors.

 

 

I've tried doing an 8hr CMOS reset and switching out RAM, but I still can't get this thing to show any life. Any suggestions? Could it be the motherboard?

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Guest Dynamic

Why don't you look into the STOCK DATABASE for some more info on your memory and CPU first. Try to get your system stable at default speeds before anything else. Plus make sure all your temps/htt/voltages are in spec and running well. Also just run one CPU/ Two dual channel memory/video card and one Hard drive, either one of your SATA or IDE for testing purposes. Hope to hear from you....

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I would, except that I can't get get the system to POST. Nothing that I've tried seems to fix it(8hr CMOS Flash, swapping RAM). It seems to me that theres a CPU failure(possibly due to the old clawhammer core)....

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If I were you, I wouldn't try flashing the BIOS until your system is stable, except as a last resort before taking out the BIOS chip and sending it in for reprogramming. On the other hand, from your description, you probably couldn't even get your system to recognize a floppy to do the BIOS flash in the first place.

 

Sometimes if an 8 hour CMOS clear doesn't work, a longer one will -- 24 hours or more. Don't know why this is, exactly, but others have reported success with the longer clear. Make sure you move the jumper to the proper position for a clear and also remove the battery and turn off/unplug your PSU. Once this is done, press the power button a couple of times to discharge the capacitors. BTW, if you overlooked doing any one of these things when you did your 8 hour clear, that could be why it didn't work. In other words, just moving the jumper is not enough.

 

If none of that helps, I'd suspect a borked BIOS chip before I would suspect the CPU unless you are doing something strange with it like pouring in way more voltage than it can live with... If nothing works, look into getting the BIOS chip reprogrammed or getting a new one. Take a look at Tmod's www.biosmedic.com site for BIOS chip services.

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Ok, I tried booting up with only 1 drive, no luck. During the 8hr CMOS flash, I pressed the power button once or twice. I'll try a 24hr flush, but my BIOS seems fine. It worked perfectly until I tried to change the RAM timings from 2-2-5-2 to 2.5-3-7-3. Again, I get no monitor signal, only the 3 Diagnostic LEDs light up and the power button keeps on flashing.

 

Oh, also, I should note that I had problems with my OCZ before. I couldn't get it to run at anything other than CL2. I thought it was the RAM, but I'm still having the problem w/new, RMA'ed RAM. I also read a post that being unable to run @ different CLs can be a sign of a bad memory controller.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Add: I'm running the 704-2bt BIOS I got off of Tmod's CD.

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