ECS k7s5A Motherboard gets no video output.

[caliphe]

I bought an ECS K7S5A Motherboard from ebay for $76.09.
Anyway I tried to hook it up myself and nothing happened. It lit up but I got no video on the screen. Can someone tell me if this can be fixed or is there any hope? I tried to connect a savage 2000 video card to it.

Also it is rumored that there is a way to get a free copy of windows xp pro? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by caliphe
Also it is rumored that there is a way to get a free copy of windows xp pro? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Please don't even think of asking this type of question here.

Why did you pay $76 for an ECS K7S5A on eBaY when it's available new for $55?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1414&DEPA=1

It's been that price for months.

Back to the problem, having no video could be a number of problems. If you hear no hard drive activity, it's likely the motherboard. You may have screwed it in too tightly and grounded it. Loosen all screws and press down hard on the AGP card. If it POSTs, gently retighten the screws and finish assembly.

If not, remove the board from the case. Place it on a non-conductive surface. Plug in the keyboard, AGP card and monitor. Connect power. Find the power button pins and short them with your screwdriver while pressing down on the AGP card. If you get video, resume assembly and be gentle. Use the red paper washers on the motherboard screws.

If this failed, we have a problem Houston. Either the CPU, memory or AGP card is bad. If you applied power to the board without having the heatsink installed on the CPU correctly, the CPU will burn up in about 3.5 seconds - I kid you not! You won't even get to BIOS setup. The CPU should have had thermal coupling material (grease or a pad) and has to sit dead flat against the CPU die. If it was "kicked up" out of position and you turned the unit on, it's probably fried.

[caliphe]

Where can I get it for that price Brand NEW?

[caliphe]

I'll be kicking my own ***** now. Do you realize that uneducated people are getting ripped off on ebay? DAMNN!

[BipolarBill]

We live and learn - we hope. eBaY is for stuff you can't get through "normal" channels. It's not for buying flour and sugar, eh?

[caliphe]

I got the new board today and saw that the AGP slot joint was broken off. The board that I have now is in better condition and ready to go. Bipolar, do you know that link you put up to the boards for a low price? What's that other board and does it use the same memory? Is it new because I could have had that instead? And if possible can you post an illistration on the proper way to connect the ecs k7s5a board to a large ATX tower because I'm a Newbie? I know that's asking alot. Thanks though man for everything.

caliphe-

[BipolarBill]

Those other boards are not related. What type of memory are you using?

Test you motherboard outside of the case. Connect the CPU, memory, ATX power, video card and monitor. Place the board on a soft, non-conductive surface. Short the "power button" pins with a screwdriver. If it posts, place the board in the case gently and use only 3 screws (the cards will hold it in) with paper washers. The screws should go in the two corners close to the front and one goes near the AGP card. Make them snug - not tight. Now install everything else.

If you buy your board at retail, it has a manual. Use it. ;)

[caliphe]

I have yet another brand new board with the same problem.
The technician can't figure it out. I have told him to come to this post.

[BipolarBill]

Has he tried another AGP card?

[caliphe]

How can you tell that the processor is burned out? Could it be a memory? I have 2x128mb sdram. Bought from http://www.tiger direct.com I think that they are pny. No name on them though.

[$1500-P4 gamer]

The only way to tell if the cpu and or ram is bad is to swap it into either another sys or put a dif. cpu and mem into that board. Have the techy do it-he/she's bound to have the parts lying around. Thats the first thing a tech. should always do is swap out potentially bad parts-sometimes, no most times its the only way to find the bad part.;) :t

[grossclout]

I'm the tech working on caliphe's system. Yes, I tried a brand new AGP card with the same result, no video. After reviewing this thread, I checked the CPU. After removing the fan/heatsink, I noticed a blackened area in the center of the heatsink. I advised caliphe that the CPU was shot and that if he provided a replacement, I had plenty heat transfer grease to replace it properly. Will let you know how this all turns out.

[BipolarBill]

Welcome to SysOpt!

Yup - it's really easy to cook off an AMD CPU. Please advise Caliphe on the best ways to avoid this. :t

[MiguelAl]

Originally posted by $1500-P4 gamer
The only way to tell if the cpu and or ram is bad is to swap it into either another sys or put a dif. cpu and mem into that board. Have the techy do it-he/she's bound to have the parts lying around. Thats the first thing a tech. should always do is swap out potentially bad parts-sometimes, no most times its the only way to find the bad part.;) :t

Not the only way.

If you are sure the MB is OK and in doubt about the CPU and RAM then if you bootup the sys with only the CPU and speaker connected, if the CPU is OK the board will beep continuously. If it does the prob is RAM. If it doesn't the prob is CPU. No spare parts needed.

[caliphe]

A new processor the exact same model brand new is on the way. I will keep you posted.