A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

[Solder Boy]

This is an ASUS or HP motherboard, no bad capacitors on the board, confirmed by ESR meter. Motherboard boots to a degree, I get the HP Invent Splash Screen and that's as far as I get. If I hit F1, it takes me to the CMOS no problems, but doesn't fully boot.

I lifted the battery out and noticed it had leaked out, cleaned inside of the terminal with contact spray. Installed new battery.

I did notice in CMOS someone must have flashed this thing I'm thinking because it said the Rev number was 3.08 instead of 3.04.

So just looking for other's opinions.. would this board be toast because of an incorrect BIOS flashing?

The board does turn and stays on... good board to cannibalize?

[pfrcom]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Asus support doesn't list A7V-VM, perhaps because it's an OEM board they made for HP

You get a HP splash screen, so no-one's tried an Asus BIOS instead of the HP one

In CMOS there's probably an item which shows system specification, which should include model number or name that HP call it

Once you know this, you should be able to find a download of a suitable BIOS from HP

Try leaving the battery out overnight to ensure CMOS is cleared, then see if it'll boot with a diskette drive only

If it does, you have an opportunity to reflash with a suitable BIOS

I think Rev. 3.04 is hardware revision, whereas Rev. 3.08 is firmware (BIOS) revision

They're not necessarily the same, although hardware revision can limit which firmware revision you're able to use (maybe that's the problem)

[Toasty]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Can you get to BIOS screen where you are offered something like "Default Setup" or "Safe Default" or "Factory Default Settings"?

From HP's page-

Clearing the CMOS settings

The Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC solder points) allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. It also allows clearing of date, time, and system setup parameter memories in CMOS, by erasing the RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, including system setup information.

CAUTION: Do not change any jumper setting while the computer is on. Damage to the motherboard can result.

1. Turn off the PC and unplug the power cord.
2. Use a small screwdriver to cross the CLRTC solder point pins 2-3.
Remove screwdriver before powering up. - Toast
3. Start the PC and press F1 to enter the BIOS setup and change the BIOS settings.

"HP Montana" - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...bph07422#N1206

"HP Mocha" - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...bph07227#N1133

[Solder Boy]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Thanks for the info Toasty.. just looked at the board.. there are no pins where the CLRTC should be, just the solder holes. I will give that a try and see what happens.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

This is an ASUS or HP motherboard, no bad capacitors on the board, confirmed by ESR meter.

You can't test caps mounted in parallel without removing them from the circuit.

[Solder Boy]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

You can't test caps mounted in parallel without removing them from the circuit.

I don't understand why you say that.. I have come across bad caps in the VRM section using the ESR meter before without having to take them out. If you could please enlighten me

[PCBONEZ]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

If the caps are in parallel the you are measuring all of them together because they are connected through circuit board.
VRM caps are always in parallel.

[Toasty]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Yet he says that he has found them. Verrrry interesting...

On the other hand, if you find a bad one, you're gonna change them all anyway, aren't you?

[PCBONEZ]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Actually he said:

>>> no bad capacitors on the board, confirmed by ESR meter. <<<

You could have 9 bad ones in parallel with one good one and ESR meter would read all 10 as good.

.

[Harvey]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

How long are you waiting for it to complete the POST? If there's an IDE issue it can take a couple of minutes or more for each attempt at finding a drive to time out, so you want to be waiting 10 minutes or more to see if anything happens.

Also have a look for a 'Reset Configuration Data' option in the BIOS (normally in the PNP or PCI sections) and set it to Enable if its there, as if the ESCD data is scrambled it can cause POST failure.

[Toasty]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

@PCBONEZ
I was responding to his statement-
>>I have come across bad caps in the VRM section using the ESR meter before without having to take them out. <<
-and not disputing yours.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

@PCBONEZ
I was responding to his statement-
>>I have come across bad caps in the VRM section using the ESR meter before without having to take them out. <<
-and not disputing yours.

Well, yeah, is ALL of them are bad the ESR meter -might- read bad.

I'm trying to teach him the right way here.
Don't confuse him any more than he is.

.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: A7V-VM Rev.304 doesn't completely POST

Likely a bad HDD or wrong jumper setting for a PATA drive.