Problems with Asus P4T-E - Help!

[Markyoshi]

I'm using an ASUS P4T-E mobo with a 1.6a northwood processor both retail versions. I can't even get my PC to post! I have checked and double checked every relevant connection, including the mobo speaker cable, and I'm not getting so much as an error beep! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif The bios on my board is ver. 1004. Is it true that only the ver. 1005 bios is compatible with the northwood cpu's??

[mjc]

If you have the 1004 BIOS and a Northwood chip and the BIOS update info says that ver 1005 and up support the Northwood core, yeah I think it would be possible that it could cause a no boot/no POST problem....Intel chips/boards tend to have more safety features to prevent the CPU from burning out in case of errors and it could be possible that a combination of that and the lack of BIOS support is causing your problem. (This is not really something to taken as hard cold fact, but as speculation on my part).

If possible see if the venodr you purchased the board from will do the BIOS update or will exchange the board for one that is known to work with the Northwood chips.....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Markyoshi]

Thanks mjc!

The retailer (necx/gateway) said they could send another motherboard but they can't break the factory seal to see which Bios is on the board. It's pretty cheesy because the specs claim to support "the newest P4 processors" Perhaps they would be able to tell which bios a mobo has by serial number but I would probably have to wait for ASUS to get that info. As for an alternative, I really don't know of any other good mobo's that are i850 and good for overclocking...
Thanks for your help! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Whyzman]

Hello Markyoshi,

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

In the event you cannot get the supplier to upgrade your BIOS...

I've not had a bad experience flashing my BIOS yet! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif The flash utility provided by ASUS that allows you to do so through Windows was actually a breeze. I would make sure that you also download the image file for the version you currently have along with the upgrade. In the event you run into problems you can reflash to the earlier version...just be sure to follow the directions! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Do you have any other devices plugged into your board, and if so in what slots do you have them?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[mjc]

Yes, Whyzman...but you need the board to ba able to recognize the processor first in order to flash....especially if it is something like I suspect a "safety feature" that is preventing the POST from occurring (I'm pretty sure that the newest P4s are slightly differnt voltage that the last crop..which would trigger "safeties"...catch-22)

Markyoshi,

If you can borrow a somewhat slower, previous generation P4 and check to see if it boots then you will know for sure and also be able to flash the BIOS...or maybe you can get a BIOS chip from ASUS with the latest verson on it.....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Markyoshi]

All very true. Thanks for your suggestions. I've already written an email to asus tech support requesting a new bios chip (though I will have no #%*& clue how to install it :rolleyes http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Borrowing a Willamette processor would be ideal but I don't know anyone who has one. I just thought there might be some other way...

Thanks for your help whyz and mjc!