Before I RMA . . . have I missed something?

[Rike]

Update 6/01/06: The RMA return board is Prime95 stable at 24 hours. Thanks to the DFI Service and Tech departments for the prompt service on the RMA.

 

Update 5/31/06: RMA return is Prime95ing on the bench. Good turn around on the RMA. The board returned to me has a different serial number than the one I returned, but I took that as a good thing.

 

Update 5/16/06: I've tried everything listed in this thread and then some to no avail. Please point me in the right direction for an RMA through DFI.

 

 

**Original Post Below**

OK, I’m new to DFI boards, but I’ve built more than a dozen systems over the past several years. I’ve done lots of trouble shooting on my builds and others, but I never had this much trouble with a board.

 

Specs:

DFI LanpartyUT nF4 Ultra-D

AMD Opteron 148 (2.2 GHz 1MB L2 Cache)

2 x 1GB DDR (500) PC-4000 Corsair

Nvidia EVGA 7900GT

NEC Black DVD+/-RW ND-3540A

WD 160gb - SATA

Antec TruePower 2.0 550 watt EPS12V

 

Basics: The board is sitting on its bag, on its box, on my work bench. All 4 power connectors are connected. Onboard speaker is enabled. All other jumpers are in the default position. All heat sinks are secure and cool or slightly warm to the touch. Nothing else is plugged into the board except a 6600GT that’s been good for over a year and a single stick of RAM in the top orange slot.

 

The system will POST intermittently as described below and I haven’t even gotten close to a Windows install yet. I’ve switched out every part except the CPU and mobo with parts that are known to work on my other system that been running great for over a year.

 

Here’s what happens:

1. Power on

2. POST

3. delete key into BIOS

4. Try to set time/date and F7 for default settings

5. After being to the BIOS for about 20 secs, the keyboard stops responding. This happens either with a USB or a P/S2 keyboard. Unpluging and repluging has no effect.

6. Hit reset button on mobo

7. the system cycles for a restart and the system hangs at three red LEDs on the mobo with long, intermittent beeps

8. A 24 hour CMOS clear will get me back to step 1, then everything repeats.

 

I’ve done this over and over again with different RAM (always one stick in the top orange slot), different vid cards, different PSU’s, even three different keyboards. It’s the same every time. The only thing I haven’t tried is switching out the CPU to a different board to make sure it’s OK but if the CPU is bad, the board shouldn’t even POST once.

 

So what haven’t I tried that I should try before I RMA? :confused:

[blackzeus90]

Did you enable USB Keyboard support?

 

I have a USB Mouse and Keyboard.

 

Keyboard would do the same exact thing you described. Would not work after a minute or so, whether in PS/2 mode or not. Just try to get into bios and enable that A.S.A.P. save settings and see if that helps.

 

-BZ

[Rike]

Did you enable USB Keyboard support?

 

I have a USB Mouse and Keyboard.

 

Keyboard would do the same exact thing you described. Would not work after a minute or so, whether in PS/2 mode or not. Just try to get into bios and enable that A.S.A.P. save settings and see if that helps.

 

-BZ

USB keyboard or not, keyboard will fail to be recognized after a few moments. When I first booted, I started a windows install seemingly without issue. However, by the time I got to the “F8 – I agree” part, the keyboard would not work. Again, multiple configurations with different parts have had the same effect.

[blackzeus90]

doh! Sorry bud, was worth a shot though =)

 

 

I'm sure some of the DFI genious's around here will be able to help you out! Just give it a day or so and see if you get some progress!

 

Good luck!

[Rike]

Thanks, I could use some good luck. I'm used to getting things fixed in short order and I've been going around and around with this board for over two weeks.

 

If anyone else has ideas, by all means let it rip. I just want to get this system running.

[red930]

Try the Corsair memory timings in the Stock Speed Database section.

 

As soon as you get into the BIOS enter the timings.

[Rike]

OK, all part have been stress tested with prime95 (blend test for RAM, in-place large FFT's for CPU, and blend for both) on another stable system, both one at a time and together and everything checks out fine. Not a single error. [Edit: opty 148 and corsair RAM in dual channel Prime 95 stable at 26h 5min on an MSI Neo4-F.]

 

On the DFI mobo, I can't get through the BIOS fast enough enter the stable settings before the keyboard stops working.

 

Unless I missed something HUGE, it's RMA time.

 

I have to say, this was not a good first time experience with a DFI board, however I'm hopeful that the RMA service will be good and I'll be up and running soon.

 

I'll post updates as things change.

[Rike]

I'm asking for an RMA from MonarchComputer.com, the company I purchased the board from. We'll see how they handle it.

 

Again, I'll update as things change.

[-aDaM^]

I'm asking for an RMA from MonarchComputer.com, the company I purchased the board from. We'll see how they handle it.

 

Again, I'll update as things change.

 

goodluck!

[Rike]

So Monarch will not help. I knew that I was out of their "15 day warranty" period (nearly useless), but I thought I'd give it a shot and see what kind of customer service they would provide.

 

They stayed with their policies and provided no additional help. At least their quick response is in their favor. A link to DFI service would have been nice but I guess they're not in to above and beyond service. If I order from them again and have issues, I guess I'll just RMA the whole thing ASAP and not do so much trouble shooting. I guess that what I get for being a DIYer.

 

A copy of the Monarch's email is below. It's a form letter all the way, not that I expected something different.

 

Good Afternoon-

I have reviewed your file and unfortunately you are beyond the Monarch

15 day warranty. Please contact the manufacturer directly for replacement of this item.

 

Thank you,

(Name Deleted) / Monarch Support Team

Customer Service Specialist

 

Please include copies of all previous conversations when you reply to Monarch Tech Support e-mails. These will help us greatly.

 

Monarch Computer Systems:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/

 

So I still need an RMA on this board and the DFI main site isn't very helpful. How should I proceed?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Addiarmadar]

USB keyboard or not, keyboard will fail to be recognized after a few moments. When I first booted, I started a windows install seemingly without issue. However, by the time I got to the “F8 – I agree” part, the keyboard would not work. Again, multiple configurations with different parts have had the same effect.

 

 

Installed the 04-06-2006 BIOS update yet?

[Rike]

Installed the 04-06-2006 BIOS update yet?

No, but then I'm not sure what Bios I have right now.

 

Can I update the BIOS without a craptional keyboard? If at any point I need to do anything with the keyboard, especally at the end of the update, my experience so far is that I will not have an operational keyboard.

 

Is this what you suggest I try?

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.j...TYPE=US&SITE=US

 

I'm concerned about step five. I doubt the keyboard will be working by the time a flash is done.

 

5. Press "F1" as instructed when completing the flashing.

 

If the flash fails, then what?