Epox 8KHA+ Help - Won't boot past C1 on Post Code LED

Help!!

MOBO was new out of a box.

Has used 1700 AMD
PC2700DDR @256 MB
20 GB WD HD
16XDVD
Floppy
Nvidia MX 400SE 64 MB DDR AGP

Assembled computer with new case & 400W Powmax PS. When booted, the fans
run but the Post code LED displays FF then C0 for a fraction of a second
then goes to C1 and stays there. The fans are still running, but the board
goes nowhere from here.

Pulled mobo out of case set up on breadboard - no drives, cabling, or wires
attached.. Swapped RAM with known good from other computer - no change.
Pulled AGP card - inserted old SIS 6326 PCI 8 MB card - no change, Swapped
CPU with 2 known goods (1600 and T-Bird 1400 - (both at 266) - no change
Hooked up known good 400 watt Powmax power supply - no change, replaced
CMOS battery with new battery - no change,

Inspected board with magnafying glass - all caps are new, shiny, and look
properly soldered (don't move when touched lightly) - looks normal - no
abnormally long leads on back- no bent leads - all solder traces look
normal... Then again this board is out of the case and on a breadboard
still not working.

BTW - I had 6 mobs at work that had the same brand name and types of caps
swell and barf all over the computers after 1 year and 2 weeks of use - MFR
did replace mobos...


Any suggestions or any takers for this problem????

Thanks,
Bill

 

does screen come on; if so what do u see (temps, etc.)?

have u tried putting ram in different slots? c1 = memory detection phase of
boot

have u rest bios (i guess swapping out battery will do that)

rma time? dead mobo? sounds like you've eliminated everything but the
mobo.

 

Hi Bill,

Post code C1 implies the mobo is having difficulties with the memory
modules.

You mentioned trying different ram, known to be good. Did you try different
memory positions (one module at a time), and make certain it is seated well
?
I've seen many installations where you need to push the ram so hard it gives
you the impression the board is about to snap.

You've tried about all other troubleshooting techniques. Sounds like you
may have a faulty mobo requiring replacement.

 

I don't get anything on the screen. Normally, this would be RMA
time, but I got this new in the box from a friend of mine. He had it
for quite some time.

Bill

 

Thanks for the suggestions - I have tried different combinations -
seating the modules quite well etc. I am out of troublehsooting
steps/ideas at this point.

It just doesn't want to fly...

Normally, this would be RMA time, but I got this new in the box from a
friend of mine. He had it for quite some time.

Bill

 

Pardon me Jim on my first reply to you,

Thank you very much for your comments/information & suggestions. My
mother did try to raise me right...

Bill

 

Epox's warranty extends to 2 years . . . maybe there's a chance.

One other idea: are you sure your reset and pwr buttons are working
properly on the case you installed the mobo in? You said you set the board
up with no wires attached but you need the power button's wire in order to
turn it on, yes?

 

I just used a small screwdriver to jump the two pins. I did the same
thing on the reset - btw the reset does work. The board does the same
thing that it does from a cold start.

Thanks,
bill

 

Did you try holding down the <Insert> key while powering up? This loads
workable values into the BIOS settings in the case of an o/c lock-up.

And/or use the 'Clear CMOS' jumper while the mains plug is out.

HTH

 

Homie, the guy that fixes motherboards in the Abit newsgroup, reckons the
bad caps fail after a while whether the board is in use or not - maybe the
caps are dud if you had so many of this board at work with dud caps..?

[UK]_Nick...

 

Hi HTH,

I replaced the CMOS battery earlier with a new one. I also used the
Clear CMOS jumper - no change.

I did try holding down the INSERT key while powering up - no change.

Thank you for the suggestions....

Bill

 

Hi Nick,

The caps look perfectly fine. The boards at work were MSI - all the
same board from the same model of computer (book PC type) bought at
the same time. The same company manufactured the caps though - had an
ECS K7VZA pop the caps about 2 months ago again same mfr of the caps.

I think it is time to just work on getting the board replaced
somehow...

Thanks for your help,

Bill

 

hey, there ya go. check out those caps . . . replace 'em!

 

LOL - HTH = 'Hope This Helps!'

OK, I concur with Nick and Jim that the best course of action is to
get the board replaced.

 

Replaced it today - The new one boots just great.
Thanks,
Bill