New Asus P8Z68-V won't Post,VGA Led comes on

[plusmate]

Hi,
I have similar problem to Dath747 on my new ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (board revision 1.01 and BIOS revision is 0501 x64).
CPU is i5 2400S and I am using the integrated GPU.

Initially I had success with installing Win XP on a Seagate hard drive.
I then went into BIOS to adjust booting preferences and to set the SATA mode to IDE.

Then I am not sure … but may have exit the BIOS to the defaults – can't tell because no longer able to access the BIOS - from then onwards POST is never completed.

The mobo features POST State red LEDs which are sequenced in the order: CPU, DRAM, VGA, HDD.

Designating the problem activity by the name “falsestart” … this is what happens ….
At switch-on or restart of the mobo red LEDS for CPU and DRAM rapidly light and then extinguish (quite correct).
Next pause of 6secs and red VGA LED then comes on solid. At same moment as the VGA LED lights, the CPU fan speed slows marginally.
No further activity, No display, No beeps.

I have tried moving the CLRTC jumper back and forth >> still get “falsestart”

I have tried fitting an ASUS ENGT520 graphics card >> still get “falsestart”. ASUS say the POST should find either the iGPU or any inserted graphics card.

I have tried removing and replacing the “CMOS battery” (the cell measures 3.02V) >> still get “falsestart”

Observations (that I have tried in looking for clues) … battery removed, and jumper removed >> computer dead.
Battery removed and jumper fitted >> still get “falsestart”.

Is the battery purely for “real time clock” - and does it play any part In POST and BIOS?
Are the POST and BIOS settings all in non-volatile RAM?
What am I doing when moving the CLRTC jumper back and forth – does it perhaps just reset the RTC?

There is a BIOS socketed chip on the mobo …. DIL 8 pin …. might this contain all of POST, BIOS, &RTC or just some of these …. could some or all of the POST be elsewhere on the mobo?

So above are my thoughts and am wondering whether there is any simple action that might restore normal operation... and whether the BIOS chip needs reprogramming/replacement or indeed whether the mobo itself has gone defunct. It is under guarantee but, so far, ASUS support hasn't been helpful and I have yet to contact the mobo supplier.

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

Dath747 - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/300675-30-asus-p8z68-post

First, most folks rarely do a 'Clear CMOS' correctly, use the Jumper method as shown here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

Next, until the problem get sorted-out remove the ASUS GT 520 GPU and use the iGPU ports.

 

[plusmate]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

Dath747 - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/300675-30-asus-p8z68-post

First, most folks rarely do a 'Clear CMOS' correctly, use the Jumper method as shown here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

Next, until the problem get sorted-out remove the ASUS GT 520 GPU and use the iGPU ports.

Good to hear from you Jaquith

I have removed the ASUS GT 520 GPU and have my VGA monitor connected to the iGPU port on the main board.

I have carried out the youtube jumper routine for clearing the CMOS.

Still get the "falsestart" namely ...
At switch-on or restart of the mobo red LEDS for CPU and DRAM rapidly light and then extinguish (quite correct).
Next pause of 6secs and red VGA LED then comes on solid. At same moment as the VGA LED lights, the CPU fan speed slows marginally.
No further activity, No display, No beeps.

Anything further to try?
I have read that a POST may hand some of the duties to other programs designed to initialize peripheral devices... notably for video - so where might the duty specific video program reside:
On the BIOS chip itself?
or somewhere else on the main board?

Cheers

 

[jaquith]

False Start's are often caused by a corrupted hiberfil.sys file. However, the BIOS version after your has a significant list of updates.

Therefore, the next step is to update your BIOS. Only use ASUS EZ Flash 2 and BIOS version 1101:

EZ Flash 2 is a built-in App to allow the BIOS to be upgraded and USB Flash Drive is the storage for the BIOS ROM file to be stored/accessed from with BIOS EZ Flash 2. The USB Flash drive must be formatted in FAT-32.

Link -> http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20070215223109668&board_id=1&model=P5B+Deluxe
Video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQKQj_aASCQ

If that fails the following will be to initially disable the Hibernation and then if needed delete the hiberfil.sys file before enabling Hibernation again.

 

[plusmate]

False Start's are often caused by a corrupted hiberfil.sys file. However, the BIOS version after your has a significant list of updates.

Therefore, the next step is to update your BIOS. Only use ASUS EZ Flash 2 and BIOS version 1101:

EZ Flash 2 is a built-in App to allow the BIOS to be upgraded and USB Flash Drive is the storage for the BIOS ROM file to be stored/accessed from with BIOS EZ Flash 2. The USB Flash drive must be formatted in FAT-32.

Link -> http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20070215223109668&board_id=1&model=P5B+Deluxe
Video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQKQj_aASCQ

If that fails the following will be to initially disable the Hibernation and then if needed delete the hiberfil.sys file before enabling Hibernation again.

I now have the file P8Z68-V-PRO-ASUS-1101.ROM in preparation for putting it on USB Flash Drive and using built in mobo EZ Flash 2.

First question:
Do ROM files contain ALL of the POST routine as well as the actual BIOS info itself?

Second question:
When the computer starts up does it immediately access BIOS or might there be the beginning of a POST routine held somewhere else on the motherboard?

 

[jaquith]

The ROM (software) is the BIOS. There are series of 'routines' (IRQ, SATA, RAM, etc checks) or checks run by the BIOS however some 'now' are so fast they're flickers on the screen. Often pressing the TAB pauses the screen(s) so you can at least see the basic checks. Quick Start eliminates some additional checking.

Follow the linked post to the letter and watch the video again and you'll perform the flash successfully and do it better than 99% of the folks out there...

 

[plusmate]

The ROM (software) is the BIOS. There are series of 'routines' (IRQ, SATA, RAM, etc checks) or checks run by the BIOS however some 'now' are so fast they're flickers on the screen. Often pressing the TAB pauses the screen(s) so you can at least see the basic checks. Quick Start eliminates some additional checking.

Follow the linked post to the letter and watch the video again and you'll perform the flash successfully and do it better than 99% of the folks out there...

Hi,
The ROM software is on USB stick formatted to FAT-32 and plugged into a rear USB port

Also to a USB port there is a USB to PS/2 adapter which breaks out into two PS/2 connectors for my keyboard and mouse. A VGA monitor connects to the VGA port.

Inside the new computer I have disconnected all drives - so there is just memory and CPU present.

When switching on get the usual routine: CPU and memory accepted but stuck with red VGA permanently lit.

No VGA present on monitor - nothing to view.

The next step in the routine would be the HDD red LED lighting - but things are not getting as far as that.

So I guess:

Drives including USB ports are not being recognised - so inserted USB stick and keyboard and mouse are not being accessed. So EZ Flash 2 is also not happening.

This seems like a chicken and egg situation ... no way to update BIOS?

The computer was working ... albeit for a short while

Cheers

 

[jaquith]

I assume as mentioned above that you: 1. Cleared CMOS as described, 2. Removed the GPU and the monitor is only connected to the MOBO's VGA port; see below:

If you cannot access the BIOS to updated the BIOS, I assume you both read the information of the link and watched the video. The you'll need to remover the MOBO from it's case and breadboard the MOBO. The USB must be FAT-32 and the BIOS ROM file unzipped, the file downloaded is a (.zip) file 'compressed' and will not work -- extract it. USB shows up as a HDD in the BIOS.

 

[plusmate]

I assume as mentioned above that you: 1. Cleared CMOS as described, 2. Removed the GPU and the monitor is only connected to the MOBO's VGA port; see below:
http://www.asus.com/websites/Global/products/JjlGHLJGJPFfGCFA/tyTu5XLFUAmGU3wl_500.jpg

If you cannot access the BIOS to updated the BIOS, I assume you both read the information of the link and watched the video. The you'll need to remover the MOBO from it's case and breadboard the MOBO. The USB must be FAT-32 and the BIOS ROM file unzipped, the file downloaded is a (.zip) file 'compressed' and will not work -- extract it. USB shows up as a HDD in the BIOS.

YES to all this and indeed the ROM file was unzipped.

As you say the USB shows up as a HDD in the BIOS.
So because I have found that the the red LED on the mobo has not flashed (because POST has halted at VGA recognition) then as said above I am not surprised that things are not getting as far as ... the inserted USB stick and keyboard and mouse being accessed. Thus EZ Flash 2 is also not happening.... ???

Anyhow I can try the next step of removing the MOBO from it's case and "breadboard" the MOBO. Does this mean running the MOBO out of case on the floor with the power leads only connected as best as I can arrange?

What difference might this make and what could be proved?

Best regards

 

[jaquith]

Don't breadboard on the floor, do it on a table top or counter space. There are all sorts of oddball shorts & grounding shorts that can prevent a post. You name it, I've seen it -- prevent a post or abnormal behavior.

In a proper breadboard you do a minimal configuration: CPU, MOBO, Stock HSF, PSU, GPU or iGPU -- that's it. Even a faulty Power switch can be the problem, so look at the front panel and use a screwdriver or something to temporarily short the e.g. PWR+ / Ground to start the PC; yep you'll need to use the PSU power switch to turn-off or unplug. Success then start adding items per Post/Boot.

 

[chriscooper207]

Hi,

I have the exact same issue as the OP with pretty much the same parts and was wondering, how to actually update the bios when you cant actually get to POST with this issue.

Chris

 

[jaquith]

^Try breadboard - as listed above. If a minimal breadboard fails then RMA the MOBO, but keep in mind the only way to 100% know it's the MOBO is to swap out known good components. The ASUS P8Z68-V PRO is a very, very popular MOBO so seeing a few posts means little to conclude it's anything more than the typical <2% failure rate across ALL MOBO's.

I've built at least 5 systems off the ASUS P8Z68-V PRO with no problems, and have recommended it 100's of times with no 'blow-back' i.e. complaints.

Some delivery guy may have played Frisbee with your MOBO anytime during transit from Taiwan or China.

 

[chriscooper207]

Hi,

I forgot to mention i have tried breadboarding and i have already RMA'd the board which was returned to me as "fixed" and causes the exact same issue. Looks like its probably a true RMA this time since it clearly wasnt fixed, just as a side note how do you find the currently installed BIOS version withought actually ever being able to hit the bios screen ( or factory settings bios ).

Chris

 

[jaquith]

Two DOA is a 2% of 2% or 0.04% therefore, more than likely something you have, probably the PSU new or not, is killing the MOBO.

On ASUS the BIOS version is typically a 'sticker' on the box close to the S/N and is printed on the bottom of the MOBO next to the CPU backplate.

Only use ASUS EZ Flash 2 to update the BIOS; see my post 'How To' -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/289507-30-what-flash#t1976586

 

[plusmate]

Hi,

I forgot to mention i have tried breadboarding and i have already RMA'd the board which was returned to me as "fixed" and causes the exact same issue. Looks like its probably a true RMA this time since it clearly wasnt fixed, just as a side note how do you find the currently installed BIOS version withought actually ever being able to hit the bios screen ( or factory settings bios ).

Chris

Hi Chris,

What revision of P8Z68-VPRO do you have ?
Mine is revision 1.01

Of course the revision may or may not have a bearing on the problem we have.

Cheers
Gerald

 

[chriscooper207]

Same, but having had the mobo and memory checked the only thing i am led to beleive is it is the processor in my case, since my power supply was from my old pc. ( Got it 6 months ago after the old one blew up ). Waiting on my RMA to be answered, i dont thinks theres anything to do but hope its fixable, getting pretty tired of all this.

Regards
Chris.

 

[plusmate]

Same, but having had the mobo and memory checked the only thing i am led to beleive is it is the processor in my case, since my power supply was from my old pc. ( Got it 6 months ago after the old one blew up ). Waiting on my RMA to be answered, i dont thinks theres anything to do but hope its fixable, getting pretty tired of all this.

Regards
Chris.

Yes Chris it is all very frustrating.

So I gather your first mobo was revision 01 ... and when it came back first time was it the identical very same mobo or a replacement?

Regarding processors I am using i5 2400S 2.5GHz - what is yours please?

My PSU is Silentmaxx MX460 - a bit old but I have no reason to suspect it.

Regards
Gerald