philo wrote:
> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>
> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>
> I've tried everything I can think up...
> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>
> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>
> even changed the cmos battery
>
>
> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo into
> the recycle bin...
>
>
> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
It could be in the motherboard or in the connections or it could
be that
you have a faulty power supply.
Make sure all the connections - right up to the wall power socket
- are very
firmly in place. First shut down the box and then pull each
connector out and push
it back firmly into place. Restart.
philo wrote:
> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>
> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>
> I've tried everything I can think up...
> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>
> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>
> even changed the cmos battery
>
>
> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo into
> the recycle bin...
>
>
> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
Exactly what happens when it _doesn't_ boot? Fans, lights, BIOS display,
tries to load OS, etc? I've got a machine in the basement which doesn't
boot every time but I know for a fact that it is simply a bad power switch
in the case and it doesn't make contact every time I press it. I've been
too lazy to see about replacing the switch for two years now and have
gotten quite used to it.
philo wrote:
> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>
> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>
> I've tried everything I can think up...
> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>
> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>
> even changed the cmos battery
>
>
> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo into
> the recycle bin...
>
>
> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
It has Dual BIOS, so you'd probably have to reflash it twice,
if you wanted to be absolutely certain both BIOS choices were
running the same version. As far as I know, the Gigabyte scheme
uses one boot block and two main BIOS code blocks, so there
is only one boot block to run the whole thing. Meaning, if
the boot block is damaged, then the dual BIOS won't work.
Check that the settings have returned to defaults.
Load setup defaults or whatever. Make sure the processor
used, is listed in the support chart.
There were a few AMD processors, that suffered from
electromigration due to overclocking. If you suspect
that is the case (user abuse), you can try running the processor
below stock speed, and see if that helps.
You can check the reviews on Newegg, and see if there
is a common theme.
It is possible the PCI Express slots are sensitive to static.
Carefully set the paddle card, to x8/x8 mode, on the
off chance that the video will work better if only
half the bus is being used. Use antistatic precautions,
like a wrist strap, while changing the paddlecard, just
in case.
It is kinda amazing, that a single chip Nvidia chipset solution,
can run without a cooling fan.
Your problem could be occurring while the boot block is doing
its thing, so in fact the problem could be entirely at stock
speeds. I don't know whether a board like that, does a double
restart to apply user settings or not. If it does do something
like that, there might not be much in fact that you can do with
the BIOS, to influence the problem.
John McGaw wrote:
> philo wrote:
>> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>>
>> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
>> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>>
>> I've tried everything I can think up...
>> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>>
>> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>>
>> even changed the cmos battery
>>
>>
>> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo
>> into the recycle bin...
>>
>>
>> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
>
> Exactly what happens when it _doesn't_ boot? Fans, lights, BIOS display,
> tries to load OS, etc? I've got a machine in the basement which doesn't
> boot every time but I know for a fact that it is simply a bad power
> switch in the case and it doesn't make contact every time I press it.
> I've been too lazy to see about replacing the switch for two years now
> and have gotten quite used to it.
>
All the fans spin up...
but the machine never posts
JD wrote:
> philo wrote:
>> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>>
>> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
>> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>>
>> I've tried everything I can think up...
>> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>>
>> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>>
>> even changed the cmos battery
>>
>>
>> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo
>> into the recycle bin...
>>
>>
>> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
>
>
> It could be in the motherboard or in the connections or it could be that
> you have a faulty power supply.
>
> Make sure all the connections - right up to the wall power socket - are
> very
> firmly in place. First shut down the box and then pull each connector
> out and push
> it back firmly into place. Restart.
>
> Good luck!
Paul wrote:
> philo wrote:
>> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>>
>> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
>> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>>
>> I've tried everything I can think up...
>> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>>
>> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>>
>> even changed the cmos battery
>>
>>
>> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo
>> into the recycle bin...
>>
>>
>> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
>
> It has Dual BIOS, so you'd probably have to reflash it twice,
> if you wanted to be absolutely certain both BIOS choices were
> running the same version. As far as I know, the Gigabyte scheme
> uses one boot block and two main BIOS code blocks, so there
> is only one boot block to run the whole thing. Meaning, if
> the boot block is damaged, then the dual BIOS won't work.
>
Well there may be something there...
as to access the recovery BIOS the prompt is to hit F9
I tried that prior to re-flashing the BIOS but hitting F9 did nothing...
I suppose that since the board is heading for the recycle bin anyway...
I might as well try re-flashing the BIOS again
Yep set it back to defaults
>
>
> There were a few AMD processors, that suffered from
> electromigration due to overclocking. If you suspect
> that is the case (user abuse), you can try running the processor
> below stock speed, and see if that helps.
>
Was not over-clocked but I might as well try under clocking it
> You can check the reviews on Newegg, and see if there
> is a common theme.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ting=-1&Page=1
>
>
> It is possible the PCI Express slots are sensitive to static.
> Carefully set the paddle card, to x8/x8 mode, on the
> off chance that the video will work better if only
> half the bus is being used. Use antistatic precautions,
> like a wrist strap, while changing the paddlecard, just
> in case.
>
Pulled all the PCIe cards
and was testing it with a PCI video card only
> It is kinda amazing, that a single chip Nvidia chipset solution,
> can run without a cooling fan.
>
> Your problem could be occurring while the boot block is doing
> its thing, so in fact the problem could be entirely at stock
> speeds. I don't know whether a board like that, does a double
> restart to apply user settings or not. If it does do something
> like that, there might not be much in fact that you can do with
> the BIOS, to influence the problem.
>
> Drop to one stick of RAM and see if that helps.
>
> Paul
Yep...even tried that too
thanks for the ideas...
I hate to give up...
but suspect this one is not going to be put back into service
a cooling fan.
>>
>> Your problem could be occurring while the boot block is doing
>> its thing, so in fact the problem could be entirely at stock
>> speeds. I don't know whether a board like that, does a double
>> restart to apply user settings or not. If it does do something
>> like that, there might not be much in fact that you can do with
>> the BIOS, to influence the problem.
>>
>> Drop to one stick of RAM and see if that helps.
>>
>> Paul
>
> Yep...even tried that too
>
>
> thanks for the ideas...
> I hate to give up...
> but suspect this one is not going to be put back into service
philo wrote:
> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>
> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>
> I've tried everything I can think up...
> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>
> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>
> even changed the cmos battery
>
>
> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo into
> the recycle bin...
>
> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
larry moe 'n curly wrote:
>
> philo wrote:
>> I've got a GA-K8N Pro-sli on the workbench
>>
>> It typically takes 8 - 12 tries to get it to boot up..
>> but once booted the machine runs fine.
>>
>> I've tried everything I can think up...
>> reflashed the bios with a newer one.
>>
>> Tried a different power supply / ram / video card etc
>>
>> even changed the cmos battery
>>
>>
>> Since the machine starts too unreliably I'm going to pitch the mobo into
>> the recycle bin...
>>
>> unless someone here has an idea I've missed
>
> Lots of good info and advice here: www.badcaps.net
>
> If any cylindrical capacitors are bulging or leaking on top, they and
> all the ones just like them have to be replaced.
>
>
>
Thanks
the first thing I did was look at the caps...
they all look fine.
Of course looks don't tell the whole story.
About a year ago I did once try replacing the obviously bad caps on
another mobo...
but it was still flaky...so I assumed there were still some bad ones
that just had not yet exhibited bulging.
Considering that I've gotten several new boards in the $50 price
range...to me, it's not worth it to bother with replacing caps...
Gigabyte mobo ? 
Linear Mode
