12V power connector required?

Both of my 8rda+ boards say FF after a successful post. They first count
up. When I boot them they go to 26 then to some other number and finish at
FF. So this is normal. I have heard of a problem where the digits go
straight to FF and that means a failure of some type.

You say you had it working for 60 minutes? If that be the case then I'd say
you don't need the extra power supply connector. Try this:

Remove the board for the case and inspect it for physical damage.
Take out the battery.
Set the cmos jumper to clear.
Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Put the battery back in and set the cmos jumper back to normal.
Put the board on a non conductive surface and hook up the power supply.
Install the video card.
Short the power switch connector with a small screw driver to turn it on.

Do you get a screen now?

Dave


"Keith Dawson" <kmdawson.TakeThisOut@mbnet.fi> wrote in message
news:405635CD.AF20F929@mbnet.fi...
 > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
 > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
 > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
 > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
 > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
 > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the 80GB
 > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused to
 > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF for
 > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
 > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
 > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
 > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the user's
 > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
 > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
 > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
 > Any thoughts?
 > TIA
 > Keith<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

Yeah, sorry I meant it counted up then stopped on FF once booted-up... when
it worked. Now it flashes only FF for a few milliseconds but is otherwise
dead. I'll have a go at shorting the PWR pins as a fault there still seems
the only logical explanation at this stage after poking around getting the
old HDD out and cabling up the newer one (now disconnected) in that corner.

I wondered about the statement about the 12V connector in the user manual -
assumed it would not have booted if it had been necessary to use it (as it
states), although there seems no hard and fast rule which CPUs or mobos need
it. BTW, the CPU is an Athlon 1.4Ghz which I believe earlier ran on an Abit
KT7, which I suspect does not have the 12V connector.

Inspection continues this evening.

Keith


"DaveL" <dave1027 DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:jfudnbF0ha1P5MvdRVn-tA@comcast.com...
 > Both of my 8rda+ boards say FF after a successful post. They first count
 > up. When I boot them they go to 26 then to some other number and finish
at
 > FF. So this is normal. I have heard of a problem where the digits go
 > straight to FF and that means a failure of some type.
 >
 > You say you had it working for 60 minutes? If that be the case then I'd
say
 > you don't need the extra power supply connector. Try this:
 >
 > Remove the board for the case and inspect it for physical damage.
 > Take out the battery.
 > Set the cmos jumper to clear.
 > Let it sit for 10 minutes.
 > Put the battery back in and set the cmos jumper back to normal.
 > Put the board on a non conductive surface and hook up the power supply.
 > Install the video card.
 > Short the power switch connector with a small screw driver to turn it on.
 >
 > Do you get a screen now?
 >
 > Dave
 >
 >
 > "Keith Dawson" <kmdawson DeleteThis @mbnet.fi> wrote in message
 > news:405635CD.AF20F929@mbnet.fi...
  > > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
  > > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
  > > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
  > > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
  > > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
  > > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the 80GB
  > > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused to
  > > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF for
  > > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
  > > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
  > > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
  > > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the user's
  > > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
  > > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
  > > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
  > > Any thoughts?
  > > TIA
  > > Keith
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

Last night it booted first time and after one repeat occurence has again
been OK with up to four drives connected. Been checking up on +12V
requirements and I reckon this PSU just on the limit at 10A, so I suspect
there is a current/heat overload circuit tripping and (eventually)
resetting. If it happens too often a new case and PSU are on the shopping
list.
I did notice the BIOS reports a "flashing" prompt for some reason first time
after a reset - did it when booted-up first time and again last night after
I'd having cleared the CMOS earlier. This to be normal, right?
Thanks for the advice.

Keith

"John Smith" <someone.TakeThisOut@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1aE5c.393$906.55@reader1.news.jippii.net...
 > Yeah, sorry I meant it counted up then stopped on FF once booted-up...
when
 > it worked. Now it flashes only FF for a few milliseconds but is otherwise
 > dead. I'll have a go at shorting the PWR pins as a fault there still seems
 > the only logical explanation at this stage after poking around getting the
 > old HDD out and cabling up the newer one (now disconnected) in that
corner.
 >
 > I wondered about the statement about the 12V connector in the user
manual -
 > assumed it would not have booted if it had been necessary to use it (as it
 > states), although there seems no hard and fast rule which CPUs or mobos
need
 > it. BTW, the CPU is an Athlon 1.4Ghz which I believe earlier ran on an
Abit
 > KT7, which I suspect does not have the 12V connector.
 >
 > Inspection continues this evening.
 >
 > Keith
 >
 >
 > "DaveL" <dave1027.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
 > news:jfudnbF0ha1P5MvdRVn-tA@comcast.com...
  > > Both of my 8rda+ boards say FF after a successful post. They first
count
  > > up. When I boot them they go to 26 then to some other number and finish
 > at
  > > FF. So this is normal. I have heard of a problem where the digits go
  > > straight to FF and that means a failure of some type.
  > >
  > > You say you had it working for 60 minutes? If that be the case then I'd
 > say
  > > you don't need the extra power supply connector. Try this:
  > >
  > > Remove the board for the case and inspect it for physical damage.
  > > Take out the battery.
  > > Set the cmos jumper to clear.
  > > Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  > > Put the battery back in and set the cmos jumper back to normal.
  > > Put the board on a non conductive surface and hook up the power supply.
  > > Install the video card.
  > > Short the power switch connector with a small screw driver to turn it
on.
  > >
  > > Do you get a screen now?
  > >
  > > Dave
  > >
  > >
  > > "Keith Dawson" <kmdawson.TakeThisOut@mbnet.fi> wrote in message
  > > news:405635CD.AF20F929@mbnet.fi...
   > > > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
   > > > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
   > > > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
   > > > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
   > > > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
   > > > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the
80GB
   > > > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused
to
   > > > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF
for
   > > > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
   > > > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
   > > > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
   > > > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the
user's
   > > > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
   > > > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
   > > > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
   > > > Any thoughts?
   > > > TIA
   > > > Keith
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

Previously John Smith <someone.TakeThisOut@microsoft.com> wrote:
 > Yeah, sorry I meant it counted up then stopped on FF once booted-up... when
 > it worked. Now it flashes only FF for a few milliseconds but is otherwise
 > dead. I'll have a go at shorting the PWR pins as a fault there still seems
 > the only logical explanation at this stage after poking around getting the
 > old HDD out and cabling up the newer one (now disconnected) in that corner.

 > I wondered about the statement about the 12V connector in the user manual -
 > assumed it would not have booted if it had been necessary to use it (as it
 > states), although there seems no hard and fast rule which CPUs or mobos need
 > it.

Actully booting it should be uncritical, since the voltage regulators
will compensate for the voltage drop. But the contacts will heat up.
If they are new, it might not happen, but when they get older, the
resistance increases and they may start to get hot enough to melt the
solder.

 > BTW, the CPU is an Athlon 1.4Ghz which I believe earlier ran on an Abit
 > KT7, which I suspect does not have the 12V connector.

There are two possibilities: Generate CPU power from 5V lines (the
mainboard connector has 5 of those, no problem) or from 12V
(the standard conector has just a single one of these!). 12V is
cheaper (due to some details for switching regulator details),
and a standard PSU's 5V line may already be severely loaded from
the GFX card. But using the single 12V line is risk and usually
done.

There are 5 5V lines to the mainboard, they can take 5 times the
current of the 12V line. That means you can get roughly 2 times
the power to the mainboard than with the 12V line. The problem is
that you don't get a failure immediately if you overload a connector.
It just heats up.

 > Inspection continues this evening.

Best of luck!
Arno

 > Keith


 > "DaveL" <dave1027.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
 > news:jfudnbF0ha1P5MvdRVn-tA@comcast.com...
  >> Both of my 8rda+ boards say FF after a successful post. They first count
  >> up. When I boot them they go to 26 then to some other number and finish
 > at
  >> FF. So this is normal. I have heard of a problem where the digits go
  >> straight to FF and that means a failure of some type.
  >>
  >> You say you had it working for 60 minutes? If that be the case then I'd
 > say
  >> you don't need the extra power supply connector. Try this:
  >>
  >> Remove the board for the case and inspect it for physical damage.
  >> Take out the battery.
  >> Set the cmos jumper to clear.
  >> Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  >> Put the battery back in and set the cmos jumper back to normal.
  >> Put the board on a non conductive surface and hook up the power supply.
  >> Install the video card.
  >> Short the power switch connector with a small screw driver to turn it on.
  >>
  >> Do you get a screen now?
  >>
  >> Dave
  >>
  >>
  >> "Keith Dawson" <kmdawson.TakeThisOut@mbnet.fi> wrote in message
  >> news:405635CD.AF20F929@mbnet.fi...
   >> > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
   >> > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
   >> > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
   >> > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
   >> > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
   >> > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the 80GB
   >> > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused to
   >> > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF for
   >> > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
   >> > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
   >> > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
   >> > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the user's
   >> > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
   >> > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
   >> > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
   >> > Any thoughts?
   >> > TIA
   >> > Keith
  >>



--
For email address: lastname AT tik DOT ee DOT ethz DOT ch
GnuPG: ID:1E25338F FP:0C30 5782 9D93 F785 E79C 0296 797F 6B50 1E25 338F
"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws" - Tacitus<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

Keith Dawson <kmdawson DeleteThis @mbnet.fi> wrote in message news:<405635CD.AF20F929 DeleteThis @mbnet.fi>...
 > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
 > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
 > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
 > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
 > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
 > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the 80GB
 > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused to
 > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF for
 > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
 > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
 > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
 > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the user's
 > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
 > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
 > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
 > Any thoughts?
 > TIA
 > Keith

Keith

1) Once POST completes FF is normal. FF is the last stage of BIOS
execution during boot.

2) If your power supply has it - best to attach the cable.

Also try these steps if your system will not boot.

If you are having trouble booting the system and getting a screen try
the following multi-step procedure. Power off your system first before
completing any of the following tips.

1) Check CMOS clear jumper JP1 (JBAT1 on some systems). Set for CLEAR
for 5 seconds, then move back.
2) Check CPU host clock jumpers (if any) are properly set. Note: does
not control memory bus.
3) Check your power supply. Should be 110/115v for North America.
4) Unplug all data cables for IDE and FDD from the motherboard.
5) Unplug all power supply cables attaching to your IDE and FDD
drives.
6) Remove all cards and devices EXCEPT for video, RAM, CPU, CPU
heatsink/FAN.
7) Move memory into a different bank, if available.
Unplug the CPU and reattach.
9) Ensure your CPU heatsink/FAN is attached properly to the CPU.
10) If you use a variable RPM fan ensure its set for full speed.
11) Retest.

12) If 1-11 do not help power off and test the motherboard outside the
computer case to eliminate a case/motherboard power short.

13) Retest. If the board now works check for case problems. If the
system still is not working continue...
14) You may have a possible hardware problem. Any device in the system
may be a possible culprit. Use process of elimination to determine the
cause. Swap out as many components as possible starting with RAM, CPU,
POWER SUPPLY, VIDEO CARD (if present) and/or MOTHERBOARD.

Warranty notice: Please be aware that some dealers offer in-store
warranty policies. You should contact your dealer to verify the terms
of your warranty before performing any tips that EPoX tech support may
reply with. Some dealers do not allow much troubleshooting without
voiding their warranty. This is especially true if you purchased your
EPoX product as part of a system or build-to-order (BTO) package from
the dealer.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

"EPoX Tech" <support.TakeThisOut@epox.com> wrote in message
news:db1695b8.0403240920.313da9d2@posting.google.com...
 > Keith Dawson <kmdawson.TakeThisOut@mbnet.fi> wrote in message
news:<405635CD.AF20F929.TakeThisOut@mbnet.fi>...
  > > 1) I got my 8RDAE working for about 60 minutes, loaded W98SE onto a
  > > 2.5GB HDD to see all was OK before reformatting the 80GB HDD. I did
  > > note the POST debug LED sayed on after booting - reading "FF", but
  > > everything booted, loaded and worked fine. Is this normal or should it
  > > eventually go blank once booting is complete?
  > > 2) After I'd got through transferring some important files off the 80GB
  > > HDD (ie 2 HDDs operating) and recabled, the machine has since refused to
  > > boot, just stays completely dead, besides the debug LED showing FF for
  > > a few milliseconds after pressing the power button a few times for
  > > various lengths of time. I have cleared the BIOS and checked over the
  > > wiring. Maybe the (300W) PSU got stressed on this set-up although it
  > > meets the specs, or is there another reason? The only clue in the user's
  > > manual is that 20-pin and 4-pin power connectors should be connected
  > > simultaneously but I had understood a 12V connector wasn't compulsory
  > > with AMD CPUs - as the first 60 minutes proved.
  > > Any thoughts?
  > > TIA
  > > Keith
 >
 > Keith
 >
 > 1) Once POST completes FF is normal. FF is the last stage of BIOS
 > execution during boot.
 >
 > 2) If your power supply has it - best to attach the cable.
 >
 > Also try these steps if your system will not boot.
 >
 > If you are having trouble booting the system and getting a screen try
 > the following multi-step procedure. Power off your system first before
 > completing any of the following tips.
 >
 > 1) Check CMOS clear jumper JP1 (JBAT1 on some systems). Set for CLEAR
 > for 5 seconds, then move back.
 > 2) Check CPU host clock jumpers (if any) are properly set. Note: does
 > not control memory bus.
 > 3) Check your power supply. Should be 110/115v for North America.
 > 4) Unplug all data cables for IDE and FDD from the motherboard.
 > 5) Unplug all power supply cables attaching to your IDE and FDD
 > drives.
 > 6) Remove all cards and devices EXCEPT for video, RAM, CPU, CPU
 > heatsink/FAN.
 > 7) Move memory into a different bank, if available.
 > Unplug the CPU and reattach.
 > 9) Ensure your CPU heatsink/FAN is attached properly to the CPU.
 > 10) If you use a variable RPM fan ensure its set for full speed.
 > 11) Retest.
 >
 > 12) If 1-11 do not help power off and test the motherboard outside the
 > computer case to eliminate a case/motherboard power short.
 >
 > 13) Retest. If the board now works check for case problems. If the
 > system still is not working continue...
 > 14) You may have a possible hardware problem. Any device in the system
 > may be a possible culprit. Use process of elimination to determine the
 > cause. Swap out as many components as possible starting with RAM, CPU,
 > POWER SUPPLY, VIDEO CARD (if present) and/or MOTHERBOARD.
 >
 > Warranty notice: Please be aware that some dealers offer in-store
 > warranty policies. You should contact your dealer to verify the terms
 > of your warranty before performing any tips that EPoX tech support may
 > reply with. Some dealers do not allow much troubleshooting without
 > voiding their warranty. This is especially true if you purchased your
 > EPoX product as part of a system or build-to-order (BTO) package from
 > the dealer.

Wow! Thanks for that thorough reply.
All seems to be OK now. It booted first time next day but then did the same
trick at next boot-up. But after that it has ran fine. I still suspect the
is some overheating protection circuit in the PSU, that is tripping. If it
starts to re-occur, if the ATX connector starts to warm-up too much, or
otherwise the case needs replacing (USB and audio front connections would be
nice) then a new case/PSU are next on the shopping list.

BTW, my next question is soon on the NG, for you.
Go Epox!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required? 

  > >
  > > Keith
  > >
  > > 1) Once POST completes FF is normal. FF is the last stage of BIOS
  > > execution during boot.
  > >
  > > 2) If your power supply has it - best to attach the cable.
  > >
  > > Also try these steps if your system will not boot.
  > >
  > > If you are having trouble booting the system and getting a screen try
  > > the following multi-step procedure. Power off your system first before
  > > completing any of the following tips.
  > >
  > > 1) Check CMOS clear jumper JP1 (JBAT1 on some systems). Set for CLEAR
  > > for 5 seconds, then move back.
  > > 2) Check CPU host clock jumpers (if any) are properly set. Note: does
  > > not control memory bus.
  > > 3) Check your power supply. Should be 110/115v for North America.
  > > 4) Unplug all data cables for IDE and FDD from the motherboard.
  > > 5) Unplug all power supply cables attaching to your IDE and FDD
  > > drives.
  > > 6) Remove all cards and devices EXCEPT for video, RAM, CPU, CPU
  > > heatsink/FAN.
  > > 7) Move memory into a different bank, if available.
  > > Unplug the CPU and reattach.
  > > 9) Ensure your CPU heatsink/FAN is attached properly to the CPU.
  > > 10) If you use a variable RPM fan ensure its set for full speed.
  > > 11) Retest.
  > >
  > > 12) If 1-11 do not help power off and test the motherboard outside the
  > > computer case to eliminate a case/motherboard power short.
  > >
  > > 13) Retest. If the board now works check for case problems. If the
  > > system still is not working continue...
  > > 14) You may have a possible hardware problem. Any device in the system
  > > may be a possible culprit. Use process of elimination to determine the
  > > cause. Swap out as many components as possible starting with RAM, CPU,
  > > POWER SUPPLY, VIDEO CARD (if present) and/or MOTHERBOARD.
  > >
  > > Warranty notice: Please be aware that some dealers offer in-store
  > > warranty policies. You should contact your dealer to verify the terms
  > > of your warranty before performing any tips that EPoX tech support may
  > > reply with. Some dealers do not allow much troubleshooting without
  > > voiding their warranty. This is especially true if you purchased your
  > > EPoX product as part of a system or build-to-order (BTO) package from
  > > the dealer.
 >
 > Wow! Thanks for that thorough reply.
 > All seems to be OK now. It booted first time next day but then did the same
 > trick at next boot-up. But after that it has ran fine. I still suspect the
 > is some overheating protection circuit in the PSU, that is tripping. If it
 > starts to re-occur, if the ATX connector starts to warm-up too much, or
 > otherwise the case needs replacing (USB and audio front connections would be
 > nice) then a new case/PSU are next on the shopping list.
 >
 > BTW, my next question is soon on the NG, for you.
 > Go Epox!

Hi

Glad it helped. Thanks!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 12V power connector required?