Asus P5W DH / Core2 E6600 / No POST

[Devjon]

Hello folks,
Don't know if any of you can point me in the right direction. I am building a system with the following kit from novatech.
Asus P5W DH
Conroe E6600
2x corsair Value select VS1GB667D2 chips
2x 300 GB HDD
Nvidia 7600GS PCI-E graphics card.
Well I assembled everything and find that the system will not boot.
The processor and video fans spin up but there is no video and no POST beeps.
I have tried a second PCI E card ( el cheapo from PCW~~d -sorry)
I have checked ( twice ) that the processor is seated correctly.
I have tried the RAM both singly and in pairs in every combination of slot.
I have removed the battery and cleared Cmos
The BIOS chip is 0701 which should be fine for Conroe.
I have run out of ideas, don't have a 775 celeron to try and cannot really run to another Mobo to rule that out.

Am i missing something here?
( on another note, friday was recycling day and my wife has recycled all the original packaging, not sure if Novatech will have any faulty kit back without the original packaging :( 0

Thanks for any input,

Devjon

[Taxation]

Some people have been complaining about the RAM causing problems.
if you have a spare system to run and test components,then check that they all work.

[Devjon]

Thanks taxation,
I have been searching the web and have noticed this, the thing that concerns me is no POST beeps. Even if I run the bare Mobo with no video/ Ram installed. Don't really want to buy a Celeron to rule that out or another motherboard. I considered the Asus with on board graphics for about £50 at Novatech, but I read of the need to update Bios problems as Conroe is so new. I can see myself ending up with enough kit to build a spare system the way things are going :(

[Coops]

According to CPU support table on asus support site.

This board is listed as needing BIOS version 1101 to support core 2 CPU.

If you board only has 701 then this may be the reason that it does not POST. Boards without the correct version will not always post which means the board needs to be updated first.

This may not be the reason but it is certainly the place to start as Asus have Core 2 Support listed " As from BIOS 1101"

[Nox]

According to cpu ('http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a561x1y0z1p0s0n0m0') support table on asus support site.

This board is listed as needing BIOS version 1101 to support core 2 cpu ('http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a561x1y0z1p0s0n0m0').

If you board only has 701 then this may be the reason that it does not POST. Boards without the correct version will not always post which means the board needs to be updated first.

This may not be the reason but it is certainly the place to start as Asus have Core 2 Support listed " As from BIOS 1101"

There have been a lot of complaints about this from people buying this (and a few other) motherboards, so I would say this is the most likely problem. Two choices, 1 is to buy a cheap 775 cpu, install that, and bios update, then flog it on ebay - will cost you a few quid. Other option will depend a bit on Novatech and their policy regarding this problem, but until they can look at it, it may just be faulty, in which case optio 1 won't work...

That said, I thought ASUS were shipping all their motherboards updated now after getting completely slammed for this.

Nox

[Coops]

They might be doing it now. But remember they will have produced thousands and thousands of boards already that do not have the updated BIOS.

Which means globally there will stock of this board with the older bios everywhere.

[Devjon]

Ok, thanks for the input, the lack of post beeps is of some concern though.
Will look at the cheapest 775 Celeron that Novatech do and take it from there.
Very impressed with the feedback and support I have received here,
Thanks again

[Nox]

Other option is to beg a lend off a mate or relative :D

Nox

[Devjon]

Just to update everyone, I bought a Celeron processor from Novatech and am still having the same problems ( see earlier post )
I have sent the board back, technical guy was helpful and explained that they will test the board " In House " as it is less than six weeks old and therefore does not need to be returned to ASUS.
It went back Friday 1st, I have emailed today, Wed 6th and have not yet had a response.
It is very frustrating having all the rest of the kit I purchased sat there doing nothing while I wait for the problem to be resolved.
Anyone recommend a cheapo MB just to get me going with Core2, at least until the replacement arrives?
( If tech are monitoring this, ticket was 1060488 )

Regards,

Devjon

[Taxation]

There are a few cheap AsRock boards about that support conroe

[Nox]

Give customer services a call - see if they can speed things along a bit. They might be able to send a replacement board out to you today if they have confirmed its faulty as it's so new and has never worked.

Nox

[Devjon]

Latest latest-- :)
Well taking the advice from Taxation ( again ) I bought a new Asrock Mobo as I was getting itchy fingers waiting for a reconciliation ( to be fair, the people at Novatech have been helpful, and being in a technical service industry myself I appreciate just what is involved with trouble shooting ).
I also realise that I am not their only customer and the poor guys and girls in returns must be snowed under at times doing what is often a thankless task, so thanks to them.
It is also refreshing to be able to pick up the phone or go online and interact with a real person, Novetech will get my ( and the Company I work for) business everytime.
Anyway, back to the new Mobo, fired up first time-- Yippee, but now do I stick with this board or wait for the replacement ASUS board?

[Taxation]

All depends on what you need it for.
With the asus board you will get a few extra fps in games. but with the extra money you can spend it on something else,eg. a thankyou card to the novatech returns team :wink:

[Devjon]

Yes Taxation, you are right,
Just got back from my Saturday morning run and there is a letter advising me of a full refund for the memory that I returned ( I ordered it wrong - my fault) and for the Faulty ASUS board.
What exceptional service, So thank you to Jackie Coles, thank you to Dan in support and thanks to you all for the helpful advice.
:D

Devjon

[Danc1978]

not sure which dan it was in tech support that helped you but glad you got it sorted