Issue with old 775 Socket rig

[Devastator0]

Hi All,

So, I have an old Core2 Quad Q9650 paired with a EVGA 790i FTW mobo and 8GB of Corsair XMS3 (Big silver heatsinks) RAM and the issue I'm having with the machine is that I cannot get a video display out of it (using the old GTX 285 with it). From memory, the last time this rig was used, it was working fine with no issues (it was the wife's old PC). I've just recently pulled it out of my storage and have moved it into a new case and changed the CPU cooler (from the stock cooler because the fan had stopped was making horrible noises) to a spare Cryorig R1 Ultimate (Was a very tight fit with the huge heatsinks on the board) I had lying around and for some reason, as mentioned, I cannot get a display out of it. The mobo displays the post codes of FF on it, and from the manual for the board, it just means "boot" which I take to mean as good.

I've tried booting the system with all the different configurations of the RAM that I can (1 stick, 2 sticks, etc etc) but that's made no difference. Also tried booting the machine with only the minimums attached, no drives or SSD's, only the GPU in addition to what needs to be on the board, again, no difference. At the timing of this post, I've removed the BIOS battery and am leaving the machine disconnected for a while to discharge it to see if that helps at all, but I'm not 100% sure what else I can try on the hardware. I would welcome any suggestions/recommendations.

If any further information is required, please let me know and I'll post.

Cheers!!

 

[Sasqui]

mobo displays the post codes of FF on it, and from the manual for the board, it just means "boot"

This may help... https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=58590

 

[Devastator0]

This may help... https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=58590

@Sasqui, that actually is incredibly useful!!! Thank you so much for that mate!! Looks like I may need to get my hands on another power supply and test using that and see what happens. I currently have the whole set up hooked up outside of case using a mobo box as a test bench base so not as though it's the stand offs short circuiting something...and I just hope it's not the damn CPU cooler as it's a great one to have on it (cool & quiet) and I don't believe that when I installed it, I put it on SUPER tight. Also hope it's not the CPU. But nevertheless, thanks for that, again, very helpful. Will have to see how I go.

Edit: So, it's not a power supply issue. I got hold of another one and it does exactly the same thing as the previous one....

 

[kastriot]

Use another gpu(PCI if you have it!) and see what happens or test GTX 285 on another rig.

 

[eidairaman1]

@Sasqui, that actually is incredibly useful!!! Thank you so much for that mate!! Looks like I may need to get my hands on another power supply and test using that and see what happens. I currently have the whole set up hooked up outside of case using a mobo box as a test bench base so not as though it's the stand offs short circuiting something...and I just hope it's not the damn CPU cooler as it's a great one to have on it (cool & quiet) and I don't believe that when I installed it, I put it on SUPER tight. Also hope it's not the CPU. But nevertheless, thanks for that, again, very helpful. Will have to see how I go.

Edit: So, it's not a power supply issue. I got hold of another one and it does exactly the same thing as the previous one....

Breadboard the rig

 

[Devastator0]

Breadboard the rig

Breadboard?

 

[Sasqui]

Breadboard?

Tabletop build out in the open, no case, no chance for a short and really easy to swap components.

I have an ASUS Px58 that just plain died. The only thing left to try is flashing the BIOS backdoor style.

 

[dorsetknob]

Tabletop build out in the open, no case, no chance for a short and really easy to swap components.

Start with known good graphics card 1 stick of ram and keyboard
does it display bios screen ?

 

[Sasqui]

does it display bios screen ?

He said bellow in the first post, so no ...yea, trying a known good vid card would be the next logical step.

I cannot get a display out of it. The mobo displays the post codes of FF on it, and from the manual for the board, it just means "boot" which I take to mean as good.

 

[dorsetknob]

trying a known good vid card would be the next logical step.

Guess I Should have queried "Will it then Display a Bios Screen" with a known working GPU

 

[Devastator0]

Ok, so a bit of an update about this...I've tried 2 separate known working GPU's and still no output, mobo still is going into FF mode. I, luckily, had a spare E8400 lying around so I've thrown that into the set up but the issue still persists. The only thing, at this stage, going by the link @Sasqui posted, is to potentially try a different CPU cooler as the one currently on the machine is either exerting too much pressure on the CPU socket or some other weirdness with it. I just don't have another socket 775 cooler on hand to try, will need to see what I can scrounge up....

 

[agent_x007]

Put Celeron 4x0 inside and try to power on without a cooler.

 

[crispysilicon]

Did you pull the board from the case?

 

[Devastator0]

Did you pull the board from the case?

Yeah, it was originally in a Bitfenix case, but I removed it from that and it’s currently sitting in pieces on my dining table...

 

[Sasqui]

Ok, so a bit of an update about this...I've tried 2 separate known working GPU's and still no output, mobo still is going into FF mode. I, luckily, had a spare E8400 lying around so I've thrown that into the set up but the issue still persists. The only thing, at this stage, going by the link @Sasqui posted, is to potentially try a different CPU cooler as the one currently on the machine is either exerting too much pressure on the CPU socket or some other weirdness with it. I just don't have another socket 775 cooler on hand to try, will need to see what I can scrounge up....

I got fed up with my ASUS x58 not posting, so I slapped an i7 970 CPU in WITHOUT a cooler. Put my finger on the IHS as it tried to boot, it never ever got warm.

 

[crispysilicon]

Try plugging a spare fan into the CPU header instead?

 

[agent_x007]

Stab chokes/inductors with DMM, and see if they supply Vcore/IMC(QPI) voltages to your CPU.

 

[eidairaman1]

Sometimes cases cause weird angles with pci/pcie devices, that is why breadboarding allows you to know you pushed the card in fully and squared.

I've heard though on some motherboards you may need to do the oppossite, raise the card out of slot just slightly.

Check for bent socket pins, use electronic contact cleaner to blow all dust out of socket/slots.

 

[jaggerwild]

Did u try another PCI-e slot? Pretty sure the 790 with a FF code means you shit out of luck. Does it cycle through oter post codes or go straight to the FF?

 

[eidairaman1]

Try bios battery, inexpensive

 

[Devastator0]

So, upon further testing, yes, I think the board is, for lack of a better word, fucked. I’ve tried different CPU’s, different power supplies, got my hands on a stock socket 775 cooler, different GPU’s and the board is still stuck on FF on boot. Damn.

Well, given that, do the experts here have any recommendations on a good socket 775 ATX board I can replace this with? I know it can be said to just ditch this machine but legit every other part works & I have a use planned for this machine so I would welcome any solid suggestions for a replacement full ATX 775 mobo.

Cheers all & thanks to all who have been providing help so far, I really am appreciative of it.

 

[dorsetknob]

any Asus P38 or preferably P45 chipset board you can find localy or ebay/gumtree /online forums should see you ok

 

[Devastator0]

any Asus P38 or preferably P45 chipset board you can find localy or ebay/gumtree /online forums should see you ok

Any specific P45 chipset board you may recommend?

 

[dorsetknob]

i have a P5q pro turbo
Bios and Board good for overclocking
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5Q_PRO_Turbo/

good place to post a wanted ad would be here
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forums/buy-sell-trade-giveaway-forum.43/

 

[Devastator0]

i have a P5q pro turbo
Bios and Board good for overclocking
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5Q_PRO_Turbo/

good place to post a wanted ad would be here
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forums/buy-sell-trade-giveaway-forum.43/

Far out, must be a good board, the one listing I found on eBay for it has it for like $200AUD lol

Also, thanks for that, I'll post up in that area of the forums