ASUS AM1I-A - black screen, single beep?

[basilisku]

Hi all,

I have an ASUS AM1I-A mITX mobo. It replaced a previous one (same model) which I had to RMA as it went faulty.

My CPU is an AMD Kabini Sempron 3850, PSU is a 300w Silverstone SFX 80+ Bronze (tested, known good).

I have the system breadboarded with a known good 4GB RAM stick installed in the correct slot (DIMM_A2) and a motherboard speaker connected. When I power it up I get nothing on the screen, it's just black. The CPU fan stays spinning, the motherboard led remains on and there is a single short beep from the motherboard. I have a keyboard hooked up which has power (the function led comes on) but the caps, scroll and num lock keys are not responsive.

Please could someone advise what to check to find out what's faulty? Does it sound the like the replacement motherboard might be faulty too?

 

[Thelps]

Start by resetting the CMOS Switch or removing the CMOS Battery with the PSU switched off and waiting two minutes before replacing it.

Try booting the system with the RAM installed in the first RAM slot rather than DIMM_A2. Also try system boots with the RAM in other slots. You could also try booting with a matched pair of RAM in the 2nd and 4th slots or 1st and 3rd. That would rule out some form of single-channel RAM access error in the event the system still won't give you a BIOS splash screen.

If the POST code (beeps) disappear but you are still getting a black screen remove any installed Graphics Card and boot with the Monitor attached to the Integrated Graphics Port. You should then be able to configure your BIOS settings correctly for your PCI-E x16 slot and/or update your BIOS to recognise your Graphics Card.

 

[basilisku]

Thanks for replying Thelps.

I have reset the CMOS and I still get a black screen with a single beep. I have also tried the RAM in the first slot (the board only has 2 RAM slots) and still get the same results (black screen, single beep). I don't think I'll be able to get a matched pair of RAM sticks to test that out but I'm sure the AM1 platform is single channel only so I don't think that would make a difference.

I'm not using a discrete gpu as the Sempron has an igpu. I'll try to borrow a graphics card to see if that would work. I'll post back the results when I do. In the meantime I'd be grateful for more suggestions.

ETA. I've done some googling on beep codes and it looks like ASUS uses IBM beep codes. I get: "One Beep, Blank or Incorrect Display" which relates to an error in "Video Display Circuitry." Does that mean the Sempron is faulty or the motherboard?

 

[Thelps]

It's strange you mention that an IBM POST Code indicates "Blank or Incorrect Display". I'm reading it indicates a normal, successful system start. What is your source of information?

Here's where I'm reading this: http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

It's possible (though unlikely) that your Monitor does not support the default resolution the Motherboard is outputting. If you have another Monitor in the house it's worth trying that just to rule out this possibility.

 

[Paul NZ]

And you connected the 4/8 pin ATX, the CPU fan and 24 pin?

 

[Thelps]

+1 to Paul NZ for checking the basics.

 

[Paul NZ]

If you think you've connected everything properly, I would try another higher PSU

 

[basilisku]

It's strange you mention that an IBM POST Code indicates "Blank or Incorrect Display". I'm reading it indicates a normal, successful system start. What is your source of information?

Here's where I'm reading this: http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

It's possible (though unlikely) that your Monitor does not support the default resolution the Motherboard is outputting. If you have another Monitor in the house it's worth trying that just to rule out this possibility.

Hi, been a bit busy so I've just had time today to tinker with the PC. Thanks again for the suggestions.

I actually read about the beep code on the site you linked to, it's at the bottom of the IBM table: "One Beep, Blank or Incorrect Display" indicates an error in the "Video Display Circuitry".

I've cleared the CMOS and still get a black screen. Also I've tried the RAM in both slots - same result. All the cables, headers and leads are fine and I've tested my PSU on a more power hungry PC without problem.

I tried a graphics card in the pcie slot (Geforce g210 512mb) to see if that produces an output and it does. I'm not sure what to make of that really. I can get into the BIOS and I've run memtest86 off a USB drive just to see if the memory's ok in the board and it's passed all the tests on multiple runs. Is there any way I can find out what's causing the problems with the integrated graphics as I can't use a discrete card in this system because I need that slot for a TV Tuner card?

ETA. Okay so I've been reading customer reviews on Amazon US for the AM1I-A and it appears someone else has experienced exactly the same single beep, blank screen problem as me. His situation occurred after a BIOS flash whereas mine has happened straight out of the box but I'm leaning towards this being another duff board. What do you guys reckon?

 

[Thelps]

If you still have a Graphics Card to let you test the system I'd confirm that your Integrated Graphics is set to Enabled in the BIOS and that it displays under Device Manager > Display Adapters in Windows.

You may want to try updating the Integrated Graphics Drivers via Display Adapters > Right-Click IG > Select 'Properties' > 'Drivers' Tab > Update Driver. You could also try updating the BIOS firmware via BIOS Flashing using the tools provided by the Manufacturer on the included CD.

Your priority is to ensure that the Onboard Graphics Chipset is set to Enabled.

 

[basilisku]

I've set the IGPU to forced in the BIOS, primary output is set to PCIe (discrete card) and multimonitor is enabled. I don't have windows but with this config I can boot into a live USB of Ubuntu but it hangs before the desktop can load. When I set multimonitor to disabled Ubuntu loads fine but the only sign of a VGA device is the discrete card.

I've also flashed the BIOS to the latest version but it's the same as before.

 

[basilisku]

I've ordered another mobo to see if I have the same issues with that (it's an MSI AM1I board). If it works ok I'll RMA the Asus board, if it has the same issue I'll RMA the APU.

 

[basilisku]

Looks like the Asus board was faulty; the MSI is outputting video fine so my CPU's ok.

 

[PsY4]

Just had the same problem ! RMA the first but finaly found a solution : Plug a graphic card !

With a graphic card, it boots ! You just have to go in BIOS and enable integrated GPU, and voilà !
After that you can remove the graphic card and use the integrated one !

In fact, you just need a graphic card to tell the motherboard you don't want to use a graphic card ! Thx ASUS !