Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

[fed32169]

I've looked far and wide for an explanation of the beep code for my problem board, an asus a7v8x-x (which I got cheap on ebay and would love to get cranked up). The only time it stops its incessant bleating is when you don't have a processor in it. 2 seconds on .5 sec. off, unless you put mem in it, then it waits about .75 seconds to start beeping, and continues at the normal 2/.5 rate ad nauseum, variation free. The asus power light works perfectly it seems, as do all the fan connectors. I've a new box with 400w supply, the only thing I don't like about that is it shows 4.88v on the 5v supply line in the bios of another problem prone board (that I've already ordered replacements from badcaps for, though I wait and wait for them); I think I'll test that psu thoroughly tomorrow by hand, but I also think it will be fine, or at least within the usable range.
The caps do not look bad; the 3300's in the vrm group are a chemi-con brand (kmg or something), but the rest (about 15 in 2 sizes, very small for their ratings) are "ost", which I understand are generally just crap.

I get the feeling this board has some hope of life in it, but then again it could be I sense its desire to experience the afterlife instead.
Any help, eh? PLEEEEEEZE?
Thanks in advance, Steve.

[linuxguru]

Re: Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

Replace all the OSTs; they often fail silently without bulging. Chemicon KMG is a standard temperature (85c) GP cap - it's probably OK at the VRM input and a few other low-ripple bypass locations, but not at the VRM output or in any hot zone near the CPU. In particular, replace all the caps near the Northbridge and memory DIMMs - bad caps there will cause memory read/write errors, which can cause a whole range of symptoms of general flakiness.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

The Chemicon caps probably are KZE. Also, these motherboards are tough.

These motherboards are hard to kill, AFAIK. I OC'ed a lot with my A7V8X-X.

The only problems is the lack of a PCI and AGP lock. That justs means that you can't get the FSB beyond approximately 175 mhz without losing stability.

Because of the fact that it lacks a PCI and AGP lock, most people don't like these motherboards.

Because of the repeated bleeping, it's now time to reset the CMOS.

The settings probably are wrong when an A7V8X-X fails to POST.

[fed32169]

Re: Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

Thanks for that, but I already tried that, to no avail, fresh battery also.
My guess is something wrong(guess)with power distro on the board, but the weird thing is the power light works flawlessly.
There seem to be alot of caps on the board, so it's an expensive proposition to fix it and then find it doa anyway due to a fried northbridge or something, but its a chance I'm willing to take, moreso now that you've given me a heads up about the durability thing.
Could be the result of a bad flash (and I don't have any rig set up for this bios chip to swap out and reflash). In fact its likely as the guy who sold it to me said he bought it @ an auction of a computer store gone under.
Anyway, it's next to solve on my plate, & I thank you all for your input and any more you might be able to generate!!
Happy Cappin'!Steve Wallace fed32169@comcast.net

[kc8adu]

Re: Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

try known good ram.
often the single long beep is bad ram.
and ANY change REQUIRES a cmos reset.
i see a lot of no post issues on a7 boards that are resolved by clearing cmos.

[moddolicous]

Re: Mystery beep code a7v8x-x

If you know what type of bios it is use this page to help find out why its beeping:
http://www.amptron.com/html/bios.beepcodes.html