Xeon E5450 doesn't work on Foxconn G31MXP

[scritous]

Xeon E5450 doesn't work on Foxconn G31MXP. Actually it does, I mean it must. I know a few peoples uses this motherboard and this CPU. I tried E5450 on G41M-Combo and it worked and I'm using G31MXP with E4600, it works too.

G31MXP BIOS updated to official latest version then updated microcode added BIOS and fully reset BIOS. When I push start, CPU fan turns for half second then stops. It doesn't boot. I do not have problem with GPU, RAM, PSU or something else. They all works with E5450 on GA-G41M-Combo and Core2 Duo E4600 on G31MXP.

Waiting for your help. Thank you.

 

[Obakasama]

A quick search turned up two points:

(1) The Foxconn G31MXP is a Socket T (LGA775) motherboard. http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDetail.aspx?T=motherboard&U=en-us0000416
(2) The Xeon E5450 is supported by LGA771. http://ark.intel.com/products/33083/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5450-12M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

From this information, I would not expect the Xeon E5450 to work with the Foxconn G31MXP; they're not meant to be compatible.

 

[scritous]

A quick search turned up two points:

(1) The Foxconn G31MXP is a Socket T (LGA775) motherboard. http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDetail.aspx?T=motherboard&U=en-us0000416
(2) The Xeon E5450 is supported by LGA771. http://ark.intel.com/products/33083/Intel-Xeon-Processor-E5450-12M-Cache-3_00-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

From this information, I would not expect the Xeon E5450 to work with the Foxconn G31MXP; they're not meant to be compatible.

Ohh. I have to be more clear. It's modded E5450 fully compatible with LGA 775 socket. This guy put same CPU to same motherboard and it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Nn9QvwAX8

 

[Obakasama]

That would depend on the mod you underwent then. As I understand it, there isn't a guarantee modding a CPU will work (even though some have had success). Too much can seemingly go wrong during the process. Insofar as the socket, I'd imagine that would need to be modded for the CPU to work (I've read of cases where both have to be modded). I wonder if it's a power issue due to the fan not spinning. Have you checked the wattage of your PSU and how much power your system supposedly draws? (PCPartPicker has a rough estimate which might be a good starting point.)

Truthfully you'd need someone with modding experience to really be able to help you. (Perhaps the person whose youtube clip you've linked? Or others in the comments thread?) I'm just facilitating the troubleshooting process as it were. Insofar you've verified the individual components do work, then something about that particular combination isn't working.

Have you checked the POST issues sticky? http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems
Most issues can be resolved from that (a lot of experience condensed down). The actual techs can then aid the troubleshooting process afterwards if those things don't work.

 

[scritous]

That would depend on the mod you underwent then. As I understand it, there isn't a guarantee modding a CPU will work (even though some have had success). Too much can seemingly go wrong during the process. Insofar as the socket, I'd imagine that would need to be modded for the CPU to work (I've read of cases where both have to be modded). I wonder if it's a power issue due to the fan not spinning. Have you checked the wattage of your PSU and how much power your system supposedly draws? (PCPartPicker has a rough estimate which might be a good starting point.)

Truthfully you'd need someone with modding experience to really be able to help you. (Perhaps the person whose youtube clip you've linked? Or others in the comments thread?) I'm just facilitating the troubleshooting process as it were. Insofar you've verified the individual components do work, then something about that particular combination isn't working.

Have you checked the POST issues sticky? http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems
Most issues can be resolved from that (a lot of experience condensed down). The actual techs can then aid the troubleshooting process afterwards if those things don't work.

I just take a look on that thread but its really elementary level for me. As you said I need someone with experience on lga771 xeon modding. All of parts works with Gigabyte GA-G41M-Combo. CPU (E5450), RAM, GPU, PSU all of them works correctly with Gigabyte motherboard. But these same parts don't work with Foxconn G31MXP motherboard. I'm trying to figure out: there is no problem with G31MXP (with Core2 Duo E4600) and no problem with Xeon E5450 (on Gigabyte GA-G41M-Combo) either. But they don't work together.

EDIT: By the way I have talked with youtube guy but he told me things like I am ignorant of technology. I dont think there is a hardware problem but I did everything with BIOS and BIOS resetting etc. I'm really unideaed.

 

[Obakasama]

Shame about the youtube person then.

There was another thread by another forum member. I recall noticing some who had modded CPUs, so there are some on the forums here. Attracting their attention is part of the issue though.

But as a final thought, is the RAM compatible? Having built a few PCs, motherboard vendors have a list of compatible RAM. Could that be an issue to look at?

Good luck all the same.

 

[scritous]

Shame about the youtube person then.

There was another thread by another forum member. I recall noticing some who had modded CPUs, so there are some on the forums here. Attracting their attention is part of the issue though.

But as a final thought, is the RAM compatible? Having built a few PCs, motherboard vendors have a list of compatible RAM. Could that be an issue to look at?

Good luck all the same.

Yes. I have 2 x 1 GB DDR2 667MHz RAM. RAMs works with C2 Duo E4600 + Foxconn G31MXP and Xeon E5450 + GA-G41M-Combo motherboard.

 

[Obakasama]

Your tech knowledge exceeds my own, but in my searching... http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-775-cpus/

Have you come across that linked site?

The G31XMP is one of the few motherboards they haven't verified yet (that's not to say it won't work given other evidence to the contrary).

I was going to mention something about FSB but I hardly know the impact of such things. It does mention the Xeon you want to mod having to be very similar to an officially supported CPU. Not knowing enough about the chipsets and the CPUs at play, it might be something you could check out to see if there is a potential mismatch. Then there's something about microcode....

Plus there's a troubleshooting page there too if you haven't come across it.

EDIT: looking around, that microcode thing may be something to look at. It might come under a modded BIOS.

Also: http://www.overclock.net/t/1431723/mod-lga775-support-for-lga771-xeon-cpus

 

[scritous]

Your tech knowledge exceeds my own, but in my searching... http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-775-cpus/

Have you come across that linked site?

The G31XMP is one of the few motherboards they haven't verified yet (that's not to say it won't work given other evidence to the contrary).

I was going to mention something about FSB but I hardly know the impact of such things. It does mention the Xeon you want to mod having to be very similar to an officially supported CPU. Not knowing enough about the chipsets and the CPUs at play, it might be something you could check out to see if there is a potential mismatch. Then there's something about microcode....

Plus there's a troubleshooting page there too if you haven't come across it.

EDIT: looking around, that microcode thing may be something to look at. It might come under a modded BIOS.

Also: http://www.overclock.net/t/1431723/mod-lga775-support-for-lga771-xeon-cpus

I got my theorical knowledge from delidded.com also I have a comment on responses section. I used this site for download modded BIOS (http://genius239239.myweb.hinet.net/771/) but as I know, actually this motherboard doesn't need modded BIOS for work with Xeons ( proved by youtube guy 🙁 ). I think it's unsolvable problem because I have no idea about about identification of the problem.

 

[Obakasama]

Right... you've verified each individual component is in working order, the RAM is compatible, there's evidence which shows that Xeon and that motherboard can work together with a BIOS update alone without the microcode, and you've also checked the POST issues checklist.

If it's possible, then perhaps the mod kit you used for the Xeon is the only factor which hasn't been ruled out. One of the sites/threads mentions that as a possibility. Is there a way in which you could check it? (Contact seller about a replacement kit perhaps?)

At this point I'm only bouncing ideas around...

 

[scritous]

Right... you've verified each individual component is in working order, the RAM is compatible, there's evidence which shows that Xeon and that motherboard can work together with a BIOS update alone without the microcode, and you've also checked the POST issues checklist.

If it's possible, then perhaps the mod kit you used for the Xeon is the only factor which hasn't been ruled out. One of the sites/threads mentions that as a possibility. Is there a way in which you could check it? (Contact seller about a replacement kit perhaps?)

At this point I'm only bouncing ideas around...

Do you mention the "xeon mod sticker"? By the way I didn't cut any part of motherboards. Xeon CPU came with LGA775 compatible cuts and mod sticker also I verified CPU is working without problems.

 

[Obakasama]

Honestly, I haven't checked the minute details of the mod (tech noobie here). But I am trying to see what we've missed investigating to see if it helps you solve the issue. My issue isn't with the Xeon itself, but the mod. (I know you've tested it on an officially supported motherboard, so it isn't an issue. The listing of things we know wasn't meant to be exhaustive, but working individual components would have covered anything which wasn't mentioned.)

I didn't realise the Xeon required cuts, though I assume your Xeon matches the picture you've posted. (I believe you'd notice if it didn't.) My concern then would be with these stickers which cover the contact points (or however they work). I've noticed people mentioning having to mod the socket itself as well, though I don't know whether you'd need to for yours. (I should really check out that youtube clip....)

And by process of elimination for trouble shooting purposes it seems to be the only thing which hasn't been eliminated. How we'd go about eliminating it as an issue though is trickier. (Actually, another sticker to replace the one already on your Xeon...)

Sorry, waffling now...

EDIT: I had hoped there would be more info on that youtube clip. At least I've watched it now. The cuts are there to eliminate the need to make that motherboard modification from what I can tell, so the Xeon can drop into the socket as if it was an officially supported CPU.

Reading through your original post... to me it still looks like the actual mod itself is the only thing we haven't been able to verify either way, seeing that you've tried everything else.

I have to admit I'm a bit wary of Foxconn, because the only time I've had a Foxconn motherboard was in a prebuilt PC and they tend to be slightly... nerfed versions of the proper motherboard. My personal concern, if I was doing this, is whether a nerfed motherboard would allow this.

 

[scritous]

Honestly, I haven't checked the minute details of the mod (tech noobie here). But I am trying to see what we've missed investigating to see if it helps you solve the issue. My issue isn't with the Xeon itself, but the mod. (I know you've tested it on an officially supported motherboard, so it isn't an issue. The listing of things we know wasn't meant to be exhaustive, but working individual components would have covered anything which wasn't mentioned.)

I didn't realise the Xeon required cuts, though I assume your Xeon matches the picture you've posted. (I believe you'd notice if it didn't.) My concern then would be with these stickers which cover the contact points (or however they work). I've noticed people mentioning having to mod the socket itself as well, though I don't know whether you'd need to for yours. (I should really check out that youtube clip....)

And by process of elimination for trouble shooting purposes it seems to be the only thing which hasn't been eliminated. How we'd go about eliminating it as an issue though is trickier. (Actually, another sticker to replace the one already on your Xeon...)

Sorry, waffling now...

EDIT: I had hoped there would be more info on that youtube clip. At least I've watched it now. The cuts are there to eliminate the need to make that motherboard modification from what I can tell, so the Xeon can drop into the socket as if it was an officially supported CPU.

Reading through your original post... to me it still looks like the actual mod itself is the only thing we haven't been able to verify either way, seeing that you've tried everything else.

I have to admit I'm a bit wary of Foxconn, because the only time I've had a Foxconn motherboard was in a prebuilt PC and they tend to be slightly... nerfed versions of the proper motherboard. My personal concern, if I was doing this, is whether a nerfed motherboard would allow this.

Actually, I'm grateful for your all replies and friendship. I gave up totally right now. I assume my motherboard is poor quality. I want to belive it and close the case. I'm trying to sell me Xeon. Thanks for all of your effort again.

 

[Obakasama]

No problem. Only wish we could have been able to get it working.