• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Problems after mobo swap

drmcgahey

n00b
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
48
Hoping you guys can help a noob with a mobo swap.

Replaced MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI (socket 939) with Asus A8N32-SLI DELUXE Socket939/nForce4 SLI x16. Cleared the CMOS, reinstalled everything (the setup listed at bottom), and fired it back up. On the first start I made it as far as the bios setup, and then the machine turned itself off. Second start, made the start screen and then it turned off again. Each subsequent start, turned itself off faster (tried 3 or 4 times). Let it sit 10 mins and tried again. Exact same scenario as above.

I'm sure this is something simple, but I'm in early learning stage and haven't got a clue where to start. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
It's a different chipset and needs different drivers...not a 1:1 swap. Although not getting through the bios seems to point to a larger problem. Maybe a shorting problem somewhere or a HSF that's loose.
 
Did you forget to plug the CPU fan in :)

I hate to admit, but I have done it more than once when doing a mobo swap.
 
The problem is clearly nothing to do with windows so is down to basic hardware or configuration.
Possibly ram voltage not high enough.
As asked above, is the cpu fan attached to the right header and does the fan spin?

Attach a speaker to the motherboard and listen for beep codes.
 
Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately the comp is at the office so I won't be able to post progress until Monday.

HSF makes sense. I didn't realize the cpu could heat up so quickly...literally in a matter of 15-30 seconds, but that would make sense with the shorter and shorter 'on' times since the it would still be hot from the previous boot.

I used Arctic clean and silver to mount the HSF, but the setup is much different than my last mobo (no spacers, etc.). I will remount Monday and see what happens.

Once I get it going, what's the most effective/easiest way to change drivers for the new chipset?

Thanks again,

Cheers!
 
To keep the same windows running on a new mobo, you should uninstall all mobo drivers while running the old mobo.
Run driver cleaner to make sure they are all gone, power off.

Install new mobo, boot, install drivers.
 
To keep the same windows running on a new mobo, you should uninstall all mobo drivers while running the old mobo.
Run driver cleaner to make sure they are all gone, power off.

Install new mobo, boot, install drivers.

Exactly. Don't worry about the mobo settings. The chipset drivers are the issue. I have swapped mobos with completely different chipsets with success in the past, and most recently a 680i --> p35 switch without reinstalling Windows.

If you have sensitive data, doing this is not recommended. If your swap is successful, make sure that you backup, and a Win reinstall will definitely be in order down the road sooner than later.

I would boot into safe mode and Driver Clean all the chipset drivers. Then I would reboot into SM again, and load the new drivers. After that you can set the BIOS to you OC settings, and you should be good to go.

Keep us updated
 
If you still have problems after reinstalling the HS, then maybe this trouble shooting guide will help. It's a great guide for system builders.


1 Nothing but the power supply, CPU,installed on the motherboard, plug your power cord in and turn power on.
2 You should hear a series of long beeps & all your fans should be turning.
3 The board is looking for memory.
4 That tells you your 'board, CPU & power supply are working.
5 Unplug power cord and press power button on PC once to discharge capacitors. (very important to unplug, since an ATX power supply always has power to it when the cord is pluged in).
6 Install 1 stick of RAM in the first bank, it should be marked either 0 or 1
7 Plug your power cord in and turn your power on.
8 You should get 1 long and 3 short beeps. It will be looking for the video card.
9 That tells you your PS/'board/CPU/RAM are working.
10 Unplug power cord.
11 Install your video card and plug your monitor into your video card.
12 Plug your power cord in turn your power on.
13 You should get a power up test which is 1 short beep.
14 You should see your CPU/RAM/video reconized on the screen.
15 You will get a disk boot failure because you have no drives installed. In this case every thing you have installed is working.
16 Shut machine down and unplug power cord.
17 Install all your drives, set your BIOS up and install your operating system.



Easy
 
I got to the office today and checked the HSF. It appears it's not seating as well with the new mobo as it was with the old. There was a little bit of play with it, so I imagine when the board is on edge/PC upright, it wasn't making good contact with the CPU. Could certainly explain the heat issue and quick shut-downs.

Ordered a new unit. Will be back for help after booting at the end of the week. Thanks again for all the input. Cheers!
 
Back
Top