Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P No boot no sound prompts

[dimitriid]

Hi:

I hope you guys can help me figure this out since I have only limited time before my 30 days for refund expires and if so I want to be able to do refund for newegg.

I am building a Phenom II X2 550 system and I choose a gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P. Now went ahead and installed and attached CPU, GPU ( full specs at the bottom ) and PSU as well. I hooked up the case fans to the motherboard, connected everything and attempted to boot.

What I realize is that a) I must have plugged in the internal speaker wrong cause I got no audible prompts and b) I get no video.

CPU and case fans seem to be working fine, optical drive tray opens and closes normally, the GPU fan ( evga 260gtx core 216 ) is not moving. I quickly turned it off and there was no heat or anything on the gpu.

I tried switching my ram to different slots ( I am running two crucial 2gb ddr3 dims, full specs at the bottom ) and no luck. I even try only booting with one dimm testing both but the exact same results.

I then try to use my older video card, a BFG 7600gt and I got the exact same results: all fans turn on, optical opens, no video no sound. This card is most definitely working since I am using it on my backup rig right now and it works fine.

Since I never even got a single boot I don't know if I should still attempt to reset CMOS/Remove the battery, also I might need to use slots 1 and 2 for the DDR ( I was using 3 and 4 and then 2 and 4 and then all of them with a single ram dimm ). But so far its looking like the mobo is D.O.A. and I might need to RMA it, unless I am doing something completely wrong.

Any advise?

Full Specs:

gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
phenom II x2 550
evga gtx 260 core 216
corsai cmpsu 650tx
Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) x2
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

 

[Atlas445]

I'm having almost the exact same thing happen to me. I'm using a Gigabyte MA790GP-UD4H with an AMD Phenom II X3 720 black edition CPU and a GTX 260 core 216 video card from ASUS. I assembled everything last night and when I turn on the power button to my case, all the fans, LEDs and things power on and work. The disc drive opens and closes and the CPU fan spins but the fan on the graphics card doesn't move and the there's no display, no POST. I removed the graphics card and tried to boot with just the motherboard's on-board graphics card and still no display, no POST. I took out all but one stick of RAM and still nothing.

The thing that's frustrating about running into this type of problem when assembling a system is that it can be very difficult to pinpoint the actual origin of the problem. The CPU could just as easily be non-functional, but what leads me to believe that it's actually the motherboard is that the video card fan doesn't spin when in the PCI slot and fails to POST, as does the motherboard when there's no video card installed. Again, this can occur with a malfunctioning CPU, but because of the fact that the video card fan doesn't spin when in the PCI slot leads me to believe that this is likely an issue that rests with the motherboard and not the CPU. Again though, TigerDirect has a 30 day policy just like Newegg (I got most my stuff from Newegg lol) and that's not a lot of time to sort this issue out and pinpoint the problem so returning it to TigerDirect may just be easier...

I'm guessing that the motherboard is dead and will probably need to be returned, although I did make an inquiry to the tech support on the Gigabyte website since the motherboard has a 3 year warranty. I purchased mine from TigerDirect and based on the Terms of Agreement on their return policy it seems as though it might almost be better to see what Gigabyte is willing to do for me. I would suggest you make an inquiry to Gigabyte's tech support as well. No telling how soon they'll get back to you, but it's worth a try. The problem with them is that if they repair or replace your motherboard it can take as long as 3-4 weeks to get through that whole process.

My specs are as follows:
Gigabyte MA790GP-UD4H Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition
ASUS ENGTX260/HTDI/896M GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C7(x2 for 8gigs of RAM)
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
LINKSYS WMP54G IEEE 802.11b/g, PCI 2.2 and 2.3 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless-G Adapter
Apevia / Iceberg / 680-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / 20/24 Pin / SLI-Ready / SATA-Ready / Blue / Power Supply

 

[dimitriid]

Im still waiting to hear from gigabyte, my email has been left "unopened" by them for hours now ( phone call is not an option for me at this time cause of long distance rates ).

So where you able to test your system without a GPU? This mobo does not has an on board GPU so that is not an option for me.

 

[Atlas445]

Yeah my motherboard has an on-board GPU and I tested with it too, and still no luck. Again, the difficult part is knowing whether it's the motherboard or the CPU, but my instinct leans towards this being a motherboard issue. I also haven't heard anything back from Gigabyte. If I don't hear from them by tonight then I'm probably going to try and return this motherboard. TigerDirect doesn't have the option to exchange it for another, I can only return it so bleh... I may order the same motherboard from Newegg, then again, I may want to try a different brand. Maybe something from ASUS with similar offerings and better tech support lol. ASUS at least has forums like these where you can ask for help.

 

[bilbat]

Please don't be insulted if this is a little too simplistic - I never have any idea of people's 'level of competency' or range of experience when dealing with issues like this...

The first thing to do when 'firing up' a new MOBO for the first time is to do it outside the case:

I use a piece of open-cell foam to lay it on; the box it came in is ideal - the bag it came in is not - being 'antistat', it is somewhat conductive...

You want plugged in:
one stick of ram in the slot closest the CPU;
your video card, again, if you have two PCIe slots, in the one closest to the CPU;
all the power plugs - the 24/20+4, the 2x4 diagonal from the CPU, and the pair of six pins to the GPU - I checked both your power supplies, and each has the requisite connectors - Atlas, your PSU 'link' comes up bad - I'm assuming it's this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148030
http://www.apevia.com/ProductsInfo.asp?KEY=ATX-IB680W-BL
monitor and monitor cable;
case speaker - this should be a four pin header with the center two pins empty - I recently disposed of a couple old ones with two pin headers - older standard - won't work on new-style MOBOs; both of your front panel headers are identical:

keyboard;
and that's it!

now, either touch a jumper, or a screwdriver, carefully and momentarily, to the 'Power Switch' pins (6&8) on the front panel header; see if she 'wakes up'...
If so, you can move 'er to your case. Check that you have only standoffs in positions with holes in the MOBO! I recently got a Cosmos 1000, and it came with a cute little template to tell you where to mount standoffs for different spec MOBOs - unfortunately, it placed an 'extra' one under the board - which certainly would have shorted something out, if not ruined the motherboard completely... Do not use insulating washers on your standoffs - if you examine the mounting holes in the MOBO, you will see a series of radially oriented solder pads surrounding the holes - this is for good contact to 'case ground'; I take the extra step of ensuring that my PSUs are absolutely well-grounded by adding a short jumper wire:

Let me know how this goes, and we'll proceed from there...

Good luck!

Bill

 

[Atlas445]

I simply hooked up the front panel connectors and powered it on with the power switch, is that ok? I had it hooked up correctly, but what leads me to believe that it's a dead motherboard is the fact that the video card fan wouldn't spin when in the PCI slot, and the on-board video card wouldn't post either. Again, it could be a dead CPU, but even with that I should get some sort of error beeping sound or something. I'm going to RMA the motherboard today and have already ordered a new one from Newegg.com that doesn't have an onboard video card, so it will be harder to test. But I'll keep you guys posted.

Also, if the mobo has an on-board audio card, do you need to install cables into the audio header? Or does the on-board card just work?

 

[bilbat]

Again, it could be a dead CPU, but even with that I should get some sort of error beeping sound or something.

If you have a DOA processor, you will get nothing - no beeps, no POST, nothing; the CPU is what does the power on self test; if it's defunct - there are no diagnostics...

Also, if the mobo has an on-board audio card, do you need to install cables into the audio header? Or does the on-board card just work?

The rear panel jacks (on the MOBO) will work with no connection to the audio header; the front panel headphone/microphone jacks are what get connected to the header...

 

[Atlas445]

Well I RMA'd the motherboard and have another one on the way that doesn't have an on-board video card. This will make testing a little more difficult, but will probably shed some light on a few more issues. I'm thinking that if the same thing happens this time it's likely an issue that can be traced to the CPU. However, the fact that the fan on the video card (GTX 260 core 216) wouldn't turn when powered on is what makes me think that the issue is actually a motherboard issue. The fan is simply attached to the card which is attached to the motherboard through the PCI slot. The CPU fan worked, but it's plugged into a header on the motherboard that will receive current even if the motherboard is dead. The PCI slot doesn't work this way though, which is why the fan probably would not turn on a video card plugged into a dead motherboard, unless the card was dead. But since the on-board video card didn't POST either I'm left with the conclusion that the motherboard is dead. Otherwise it's a combination for MoBo - Video Card, or CPU - Video Card, or MoBo - CPU, or all three... But that seems highly unlikely.

 

[dimitriid]

I also tested out of the case and got the same results. I will definitely RMA the mobo but Im not sure if I should RMA the ram as well to be on the safe side.

Oh and by the way its been almost 3 days and Gigabyte has not even read my support email yet

So I will definitely not choose them for a replacement mobo.

 

[Atlas445]

Yeah they haven't read mine either. I've already RMA'd the board though so it's alright. Hopefully TigerDirect will give me a refund. A new board should be here tomorrow, so hopefully I won't have the same problem or I'll have to RMA the CPU or the video card...

 

[dimitriid]

Gigabyte replied, not that useful, they want me to rule out the processor as the cause which involves buying another motherboard or another processor at this point. I might be able to look into a local pc shop so they can test my processor for me but its a long shot since I need to do RMA by this monday.

Any ideas on how to rule out the processor without an extra AM2 processor or mobo?

 

[bilbat]

I really don't know a good way to tell short of having one to 'swap in'; I stick to Intels, and keep a spare, cheap ($45) Celeron for just that purpose (well, actually, one more purpose - if you get a board whose 'as shipped' BIOS doesn't support your 'brand-spanking-new' CPU, the spare comes in handy as the only safe method for burning the newer BIOS to support your desired processor's micro-code...)

 

[Ejas]

I have the exact same problem with my GA-MA770T-UD3P. CPU and case fans run fine, video card fan doesn't run. I did get one beep but the screen just stays black. The light on my video card is on. How did the 2 of you make out?

 

[Atlas445]

Well I got a new mobo and everything worked out fine...

 

[Ejas]

Thanks for the reply Atlas. I've spent the last couple of days testing everything I could think of with no success. I guess I'll just RMA it. Did you stick with the same exact board or did you get a different one?

 

[Atlas445]

I got essentially the same board, but without an onboard video card. To be honest the biggest difference was ordering it from Newegg.com instead of Tigerdirect.com. I got the first board from TigerDirect and the box for the board was damaged inside the packaging. Probably should've been the first sign of trouble. The board model I got from newegg.com the second time around was an MA790X-UD4P. Works great and have no complaints!

 

[Guest]

hey guys, i bought the ga-ma770t-ud3p board yesterday with phenom cpu, and i was having the same problems. after pulling some hair out, i started unplugging everything, until i found the problem. it seems that the reset switch was causing the pc to turn on, but nothing else, no bios, no beep, nothing. i removed the reset switch from the fpanel, and it works perferctly (without a reset switch).

the next problem i have run into, is i cant get the sound to work. its enabled in the bios, i did the usual thing with installing the realtek driver, but nothing...

 

[anakin876]

the next problem i have run into, is i cant get the sound to work. its enabled in the bios, i did the usual thing with installing the realtek driver, but nothing...

Check your audio settings in control panel - go to control panel, click "sounds and audio properties" click the "audio" tab and check and make sure the Realtek is your default audio device. That fixed it for me.

 

[mystiqu]

I have a similar problem.

I recently bought a GA-MA770T-UD3P, which suddenly just stopped booting after a reset.
It does not POST and there is no bios beep.

I´ve tried disconnecting everything and cleared the cmos - but nothing helps.

After searching through some other forums it seems it´s not a very uncommon problem, here is another thread on the same matter: http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ga-ma770t-ud3p-does-not-post-37867/index2.html

I´m just gonna try with another cpu to rule out the cpu being faulty before returning the motherboard.
I´ll keep you updated with the result.


//Mike

 

[bilbat]

Couple questions before advice:

What, exactly, happens when you try to power up?

Does the FP 'power' LED light up?

Do the fans spin up, even for a moment?

Can you hear drives spin up, when they are connected?

You have the right idea - once you've tried the board with single, different DIMMs, and nothing but the 'essentials' connected - you're pretty much down to substitution of the 'big three' - the CPU, the PSU, and the MOBO...