Elitegroup K75SA won't start

[pmonett]

I'm trying to build a PC in order to initiate myself to Linux.
From my spare parts storage I have pulled a K75SA and plugged in a CPU, 2 sticks of 1GB DDR and a Radeon 8500.

When I hook up the PSU (SilenX 400W), nothing happens. At all. The CPU fan does not start, no lights, no noise, nothing.

The PSU works. The Radeon does too, the CPU has no problems and the RAM is fully functional.

Could it be that the RAM is not the right kind ? Should there not be at least a beep ?

Or do I have to hook up a hard disk for something to happen ?

Thanks for any ideas,

Pascal.

I've got nothing to hide, and I'd very much like to keep that away from prying eyes.

 

[wahnula]

The only thing you need to POST is a MB, CPU, RAM, & video. In fact, when building a PC, I usually stop at that point, connect a PSU to the ATX 20/24-pin and any extra MB power connectors, connect a monitor, and short across the "PWR" header to initiate POST.

In your case, we can eliminate the video card because we're not even getting into POST. After reading the manual I discovered that the maximum RAM for your MB is 1 GB, either 184-pin DDR 266 or 168-pin PC-133 SDRAM, depending on the slot available. Try a single stick and see what happens.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[wahnula]

Hey pmonett,

I just noticed that the K75SA MB accepts BOTH types of RAM (DDR & SDRAM), but you can only use one or the other. Sort of a "bridge" MB for its day...cool!

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[BadBigBen]

Could it be that the RAM is not the right kind ?

Yes...

Should there not be at least a beep ?

No...

as Tony, pointed out check the compatibility of the RAM, also see if it is ECC DDR RAM, then it will not work...

ClearCMOS will work wonders at times...

but from the statement: The CPU fan does not start, no lights, no noise, nothing.

I would tend to think that the mainboard may be toast, as even with wrong RAM most mobos will at least try to power the system, which is indicated through fans spinning...

but before we even consider that, make sure that GFX card and RAM (use just one stick at first) are seated correctly, unhook the front panel connector and jump start the mobo by shorting with a screwdriver...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[pmonett]

Thanks for the responses. Indeed, I goofed on the RAM. I had put in 2 sticks of 1GB DDR400. Way over spec.

Swapped those out for an old stick of 256MB DDR266 and tried again, but no luck.

Looks like that mobo is indeed toast. Sad. I don't remember having replaced that board for any malfunction. Oh well, now I'll just have to go dig through the cellar again to find the other one I didn't throw out and try with that one.

Thanks anyway,

Pascal.

I've got nothing to hide, and I'd very much like to keep that away from prying eyes.

 

[wahnula]

...even with wrong RAM most mobos will at least try to power the system, which is indicated through fans spinning

Not lately...I've had a run of bad luck with RAM, and if it's incompatible or dodgy then you get NOTHING at POST, no fans, lights, beeps, etc.

And remember, using only one stick of 1GB RAM is all the mobo can support...1GB max RAM per the manual.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[BadBigBen]

Thanks Tony,

for the clear up...

I forgot to mention that with the age of the board, that that was so, and that newer mainboards have logics that prevent (or try to) damage by powering the system...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[wahnula]

You should be able to use DDR 400, it would work on a DDR 266 machine, but at the slower speed. I call it "closet death" when a part that WAS working does not after a long hiatus...maybe the caps went bad or something similar. Just to be sure, try a "breadboard build", with the mobo out of the chassis and laying on a towel or piece of cardboard. This takes the case out of the equation.

You should be able to re-use that Sempron/Duron and the AGP card in another CHEAP mobo...they're still available on eBay, but with the low low price of modern boards I'd be tempted to spend about $100 for a modern mobo/CPU/DDR2 combo that would SMOKE the old ECS...

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[paparazi]

Coincidence..as I am working on an on machine as we speak fitted with the very same motherboard (K7S5A V3.1)
It does sound like it is dead but..a few points.
This board as others have hinted..supports AMD Duron/Athlon CPU's with front side bus up to 266...so all Durons but only 200/266fsb Athlons, Thorougbred/Palomino core, not the 333fsb Bartons.
Semprons are also out because they are also 333fsb.
With regards to memory..with this board being an early adopter of DDR those later 1gig PC3200 modules with high density chips are unlikely to work. Obviously the PC2100 256 you have fitted now should be fine.
If only you were in the UK? I would be happy to sort you out with a good Socket A board, no charge, I've got several I'm never likely to use...shame keeping them are spares but never using them.
Martin


On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[pmonett]

That's a really nice offer, Martin. Thanks for mentioning it. Too bad I'm on the continent, I would have taken you up on it .

Pascal.

I've got nothing to hide, and I'd very much like to keep that away from prying eyes.