Asus motherboard - not posting with different CPU. Help! Wit's end :(

[Mike486DX]

If anybody can solve this, I'll give you an e-hug. I want to use my i7, but my new motherboard isn't letting me.

Motherboard: ASUS P7H55-M/USB3

CPU: Intel i5-650 (Clarkdale)

CPU I want to use: Intel i7-870 (Lynnfield) Verified working in another board.

GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970. Verified working.

Motherboard + old i5 chip = fine. POST and boot to windows.
Motherboard + old i5 + gpu = fine. POST and boot to windows. Can use integrated graphics or install drivers and use NVIDIA card.

...but

Motherboard + i7 chip = No POST. (expected as i7 has no onboard graphics)

Motherboard + i7 + PCIE graphics card = No POST Blank screen. No beeps. No keyboard lights. Motherboard powering - case fans spinning etc.

PSU = fine.
RAM = fine. Tried using 1 stick, in all slots, no difference.

After lack of POST with i7 chip, flashed BIOS 0312 as recommended for use with i7. No change, i5 still works, i7 doesn't.

Is there a BIOS setting I need to enable to get the i7 working?

I really can't get my head around this. The board supports both chips, whats going on? Please somebody help me! Thanks in advance0

 

[alexoiu]

Have you tried clearing the CMOS after installing the new CPU?
Can you attach a case speaker to the motherboard?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Are you set for Boot PCIe Graphics only in your BIO's with the i7?

 

[Mike486DX]

Have you tried clearing the CMOS after installing the new CPU?
Can you attach a case speaker to the motherboard?

I've cleared the CMOS in between taking the old CPU out and putting the new one in, to no avail.

When you say case speaker - is that the one for warning beeps? I didn't get one as my motherboard isn't new.

 

[Mike486DX]

Hello... Are you set for Boot PCIe Graphics only in your BIO's with the i7?

That doesn't seem to be an option in my BIOS, I have PEG, is this the same thing? Allow me to take a picture and write back in a moment.

 

[alexoiu]

Yes, for beeps. Try getting one and attach it to the motherboard. Start the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed. If no beeps, you'd know that the CPU does not work on the motherboard. Why... that's a different question, but let's firstly see if any beeps.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Yes, PEG is the same.

 

[Mike486DX]

Hello... Yes, PEG is the same.

So in your opinion, which of these is optimal? Thanks.

 

[Mike486DX]

Yes, for beeps. Try getting one and attach it to the motherboard. Start the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed. If no beeps, you'd know that the CPU does not work on the motherboard. Why... that's a different question, but let's firstly see if any beeps.

I'll see if I can find a used aftermarket one.

I'm inclined to think that this is somehow a BIOS issue though.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... PEG/PCI Save and Exit and plug into the Video card-Monitor .
What is your Location? Any Radio Shack has a Plug in MB Beep speaker.
AS suggested it is a Good idea to Determine if the CPU is not defective or being read by your MB... If the Bios settings won't help.

 

[gofasterstripes]

Maplin: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/motherboard-testing-switch-set-a31gf

 

[Mike486DX]

Hello... PEG/PCI and plug into the Video card-Monitor

I wonder if having this setting wrong would prevent a POST. I'll give it a try.

Maplin: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/motherboard-testing-switch-set-a31gf

Ahh such a shame, Maplin is 5 minutes from here but closed at 8pm :/

 

[Mike486DX]

Have you tried clearing the CMOS after installing the new CPU?
Can you attach a case speaker to the motherboard?

Problem solved. A problem somewhat of my own making.

I can't believe it was this simple. Although I had cleared the CMOS by taking the battery out for 30 seconds, I hadn't done it properly.

I decided to try using the correct jumper method to clear CMOS after installing the CPU for like the hundredth time. Sure enough, it worked! I guess removing the battery hadn't been sufficient.

System posted with i7, everything working fine.

Having Googled this, it seems quite common that back in the day people were having the exact same issue with this board and CPU, so in case there's anybody out there that stumbles into this problem, what worked for me was to:

- Flash the BIOS update relevant to the processor you're using.
- Clear the CMOS after you've installed the CPU and before you've powered on.

Thanks to everybody who posted. Delighted.

 

[alexoiu]

All's well that ends well.
Good luck!

 

[gofasterstripes]

Everybody loves a happy ending!