GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

[Baylan]

I am building my first PC and am having issues getting it to actually visibly boot to BIOS.

When I power up the system, both the system, power supply, and processor fans boot up. I get two beeps from the motherboard as it initially starts, and then another a few seconds later indicating a CMOS error, according to the manual.

I currently have it hooked up to an acer 20inch LCD monitor via VGA. Have tried with both DVD and HD connected via SATA and disconnected. Have pulled the battery and that did not successfully change anything. Everything appears (to my novice eye) to be working, except for getting the video to work. I've heard of a "video issue" by searching these boards, and via NewEgg's customer reviews where the initial BIOS settings would not use the on-board video to start. Is this the problem I'm running into? I don't have a spare video card lying around, so it would make my life much more difficult if this were the case.

Thank you!
-Baylan

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

Try clearing the CMOS using the long method I post in post #2 here

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

I am not sure if it wont work with onboard GFX to start with, it should otherwise that would just be silly!

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

I've heard of a "video issue" by searching these boards, and via NewEgg's customer reviews where the initial BIOS settings would not use the on-board video to start. Is this the problem I'm running into?

No This could happen if the onboard graphics were disabled in bios and saved, but when you clear CMOS the onboard graphics will be enabled.
That error message could be the memory, sounds like improperly installed or the wrong memory. What is the part number for the memory? Clear cmos first. Check the monitor and your memory.

[Baylan]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

Full specs on my memory are:
Rendition by Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model RM25664AA667

I've attempted to clear the CMOS several times - taking out the battery for an extended period, as well as following the motherboard's manual to use a screwdriver (I don't have a jumper) and touch both ends at the same time. Neither was successful.

Is it my memory? I'm getting pretty frustrated at this point, heh.

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

GA-MA785GM-US2H (rev. ?.?) They make 3 revisions on that motherboard. I need your motherboard revision number and the CPU installed.

[Baylan]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

Revision 1.3 on the motherboard,

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

OK I'm just trying to eliminate some things. That motherboard only offers 1 BIOS at this time. The cpu is supported with that BIOS. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Socket AM2+ - AMD 785G - GA-MA785GM-US2H (rev. 1.3)

[Baylan]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

I appreciate the help. I'm at my wits end at this point in terms of what to do. I'll try my best to answer any questions you have about my specs/parts but I've got to leave for work in less than an hour, so it might get difficult after that.

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

OK one more question What type of power supply do you have? Below is a pdf of your motherboard manual. Pay close attention to the connections. Does the power supply have a ATX_12V_2X4 pin cpu connector?
Page 24 shows a diagram of this. We have seen where sometimes the ATX_12V_1X4 pin connector was not strong enough. Some changed PSU's to one with the 2x4 and it boost the amperage. Just a few more possibilities for you to consider.

http://download.gigabyte.ru/manual/mb_manual_ga-ma785g(p)m-ud(s)2h_e.pdf

It could be the motherboard. Before sending it back you may want to try a out of case bench P.O.S.T. test. Just to be sure it's not the computer case. We have seen this happen before.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/how-perform-p-o-s-t-bench-test-38512/

[Baylan]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

The power supply I purchased is a hec HP485D 485W. I was using the 20+4 connectors in order to get the fans going on the motherboard and the system as a whole. My understanding reading the mobo manual is that this was an alternative to the 2x4 connectors. Am I wrong in this?

This might be the issue that I'm having. Unfortunately I'm no longer even getting the beeping when starting the mobo, I'm afraid that I've fried it with all the jumbling and attempting to get it working... Grr.

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

Yes it could be. I would get a better unit. Honestly I could'nt say for sure, but we have seen this to be the fix on others with a P.O.S.T. problem. We have seen some setups require more amperage then others. With a 1x4 pin connector you are sending about half the amperage as a 2X4 pin connector. Naturally a stronger power supply with a 12v ATX1X4pin may have sufficient amps. This is why in some cases you can use a 1x4pin. To be sure borrow, or try another stronger power supply. The below quote is from your motherboard manual page 24

1/2) ATX_12V_2X4/ATX (2x4 12V Power Connector and 2x12 Main Power Connector500W or greater

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

The power supply I purchased is a hec HP485D 485W. I was using the 20+4 connectors in order to get the fans going on the motherboard and the system as a whole. My understanding reading the mobo manual is that this was an alternative to the 2x4 connectors. Am I wrong in this?

This might be the issue that I'm having. Unfortunately I'm no longer even getting the beeping when starting the mobo, I'm afraid that I've fried it with all the jumbling and attempting to get it working... Grr.

20+4/24 pin must be connected to the ATX 12V 24 pin slot on the board, and then a 4 pin or 8 pin cable must also be connected. This cable is separate from the 20+4 pin cable, and you should not attempt to use the 4 pin from the 20+4 in any other place on the board except in the 24 pin slot.

[artdrivers]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

and you should not attempt to use the 4 pin from the 20+4 in any other place on the board except in the 24 pin slot.

Yes if you tried plugging the 4pin end of the 20+4 into the 12V_ATX_2X4 pin connection. I dont know what would happen, but the outcome could not be good. The 1x4 or 2x4 are 2yellow(12V) and 2black(Ground) or 4yellow(12V) and 4black(Ground) The 4pin for the 20plus4 pin is yellow(12V),red(5V),orange(3.3V), and black(Ground)
Look at your motherboard manual page 24. It shows a drawing with 2 perimeters to point out where these connections are on your motherboard. You will want them connected properly. Below is a pdf of your motherboard manual. Just click on it. The PDF may take a bit to load.

http://download.gigabyte.ru/manual/mb_manual_ga-ma785g(p)m-ud(s)2h_e.pdf

By artdrivers at 2010-06-06
By artdrivers at 2010-06-06

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

So have you had a chance to try a new PSU yet?

Just checking in

[Baylan]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H "No Signal" on first boot.

After a couple of things moving in and around, I managed to get it all working with the original components, thankfully.

I've now moved on to another problem - my HD is a SATA harddrive and the current OS install that I have is WinXP - which is obviously problematic given XP's inability to recognize SATA harddrives. I've been searching, messing with BIOS, and trying several different things but have yet to reach a conclusion that allows me to install WinXP.

I don't have a floppy drive lying around, as I'm pretty new to this building computer business, and have tried several CD workarounds such as this one: Install Windows XP on SATA without a Floppy (F6) - No Floppy...no Windows on SATA? Wrong! - Softpedia

The furthest I've managed to get along via an install is while it is setting up, then I get a "jraid.sys file is corrupted" error and am forced to restart.

Any ideas or suggestions, or should I just order a Win7 OEM install from Newegg and call it a day?