New UD5h build does not boot up properly, even into the BIOS

Kevin Ismail said:

I hope this is not too early, Brownix.
If you already did all right things and all best given advice but the problem persist, you might want to consider for board replacement.

Kevin

I am considering it at the moment. But will wait until monday.

fireberd said:

Mine goes through some numbers and then stays at "A0" on a normal boot.

The is a BIOS switch, to switch between the main and backup BIOS (in case the main is corrupt). There is also a CMOS clear button.

I have tried all those buttons. Reset, cleared, switched (the book doesn't indicate well which side is backup and which main, but i still tried both multiple times). This is why i keep considering that it must be the CPU.

fireberd said:

Do you have a separate Video card that you can use to test?

actually, i can take the 6450 out of my htpc.
but what would that help prove? if i get the same thing does that mean it is the motherboard or something else?

I have tried the separate GPU 4 times. All the times i saw no sign the static but it would always get stuck. Once it got stuck on an error (CPU initialization error). But the other times it seemed like it would get stuck on CPU extensive task or something.
Does the CPU work during the POST screen and BIOS? It instantly froze when i tried installing windows 7.

fireberd said:

The CPU is being used (worked) at all times, in the POST, BIOS, Windows, whatever. If there is no CPU then nothing will work.

Your symptoms could be motherboard, CPU or outside chance memory based on what you've posted. The only problem is, the only way to test for sure is component replacement (e.g. use a known good CPU, or motherboard).

Alright, thanks. I just do not know what part of the motherboard could be the problem.

Kevin Ismail said:

Brownix.
Sorry for asking more questions, but just to make sure all are properly done.
- How did you assemble the CPU?
- Is the processor seated cleanly and locked firmly? Need to ask this since some of recent architectures has integrated the north bridge into the processor.

When it says CPU initialization error, it is really something with the board and the setting

Here is another reading from Tomshardware (old one actually)

This is to help you all out with the INIT error

Here are some steps you can take to fix the problem:

1) Press and hold the CLR CMOS switch for 30 seconds, release, then leave your machine for 3 hours (this will revert all bios settings to default).

2) (After 3 Hours) Press and release your CLR CMOS switch then press the power button. If your machine doesn't boot, don't stress. Just keep doing it (press CLR CMOS, press power button) your machine will eventually post. It may take up to 60 times - I know it's a load of crap!

3) Once your computer posts, enter BIOS immediately and look for the over-voltage options for your memory. Assuming you have 3 with a good, try setting your memory voltage to 1.5V. This should fix your problem and you shouldn't have any problems in the future. You may have to repeat this process once or twice in a year, but hey - that's life when you are playing in the high-end pool!

FYI
----
The notorious CPU INIT error is caused when your CPU is not receiving enough power to initiate. This is because on most high performance RAM modules, they require a slightly higher level of voltage than most motherboards are defaulted to. When your RAM doesn't receive enough power, it will draw what is required from your source. This is the reason your CPU will not initiate (and without a CPU you can't use your machine of course) resulting in the CPU INIT error. This is a huge design flaw in boards which is quite suprising, considering the boards are designed for enthusiasts.

Another outside thread you might want to read on Overclocker's site

Kevin

Well thanks for the reading. I did not know I had to wait 3 hours before restarting.
I was very careful when installing the CPU. I did not even touch it with my hands. I used tweezers to grab the top plate of the CPU and placed it slowly in the socket. It was perfectly in place, it would not budge when i poked it. The water cooler was pressed firmly against the CPU. I could read the CPU temperature at 25 degrees in the BIOS.

Does the power have to be on when clearing CMOS?