EwT Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I have a problem with either my PSU or my Motherboard. Which is why I'm posting my problem(s) on both the Corsair forums and the Asus forums. I've spend nearly three days trying to figure out this problem and right now I'm really lost, exhausted and somewhat disappointed in this allegedly high quality equipment. I'll try to set this aside for a moment to try and explain as clear as possible the problems occuring. 1. Both SATA hard disks are not recognized, while my SATA DVD drive is recognized just fine. 2. My MSI ATI Radeon RX300SE videocard does not work (anymore) with my new motherboard, while another videocard as well as the ATI videocard in another motherboard does work. The hardware: - Asus P5K3 Deluxe/Wifi AP motherboard - Corsair HX520W Modular PSU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 @ default 2.33 GHz - Corsair TWIN3X 1066MHz DDR3, 2GB, Kit w/two 1GB XMS3 modules, CL7-7-7-21 - Wester Digital Raptor 74 GB, WD740ADFD - WD Caviar GP 1 TB, 7200 Rpm, 16 MB, S-ATA II/300 - NEC DVD-RW AD-7173S S-ATA - MSI ATI RX300SE videocard - Samsung 930BF monitor Other hardware used for testing purposes: - Generic Chieftec GPS-400-AA-101A 400W PSU - MSI 945P Neo motherboard - XFX nVidia G70 GeForce 7600 GT - Samsung 226BW monitor 1. SATA harddisks not recognized My NEC DVD Drive is connected to the Corsair PSU and the Asus motherboard and functions with any SATA power cable, any SATA data cable and in any SATA slot on the motherboard. Neither of the above mentioned harddisks are recognized in the BIOS or spinning up when plugged in the Corsair and the Asus motherboard. Used multiple SATA data cables, used both generic molex power cables and the ordinary SATA power cables and plugged them in all of the SATA connectors on the MB and all of the connectors on the PSU. But, when powering up an neighbouring computer with the above stated Chieftec PSU the drives, at least the Raptor, does spin up and does get recognized by the Asus BIOS. So this problem looks to be somewhat of a PSU problem. Also the BIOS tells me that the 5V and 12V lines are atound 4.1 and 8.6 V respectively. I tried connecting the motherboard with the 8 pin instead of the 4 pin connector, but the voltage readings stay the same. 2. ATI videocard does not work (anymore). While the harddisks haven't worked yet in the past days, the ATI videocard did work at first. I have been able to use a Ubuntu Live CD for a day and after a couple of reboots it didn't give me any video signal anymore. It's plugged in the regular PCIe slot and should get power. The Asus motherboard reports it when I haven't fully pushed the ATI card in (red LED next to PCIe slot), but when fully pushed down I still get no signal at all on my monitor. I have connected another monitor, as the passive ATI videocard does not give me any feedback on whether it is powered up or not, but without any luck. I also tried using a VGA instead of DVI cable, but without any luck. When I plug in the ATI card in the MSI motherboard it does work and when I plug the XFX nVidia videocard in the Asus motherboard that works as well, which enables me to test problem number one while waiting to resolve this problem. --- Since I was also getting the Intel CPU uCode error on boot I figured I might as well update my BIOS, hoping that maybe one of the above problems would get fixed in the process. Unfortunately it didn't. Also, the CPU temperature of 15 degrees C seems a little low. The fahrenheit 55 degrees reading looks like a more sensible celcius reading, but that's just speculation on my part. Also: I have performed a MB CMOS reset two or three times, at least once I left the battery out for at least ten minutes. I also reset the settings to default and have not yet attempted any overclocking features. I have tried all combinations in the BIOS regarding SATA, from AHCI to EDI, to RAID, to JMicron on and off. Either way, I'm lost. Even though I feel that problem 1 is more PSU related and problem 2 is more motherboard related I'm not sure at all, which is why I post this to both the Corsair and Asus forums. Once posted I will edit or reply with crosslinks for easy navigation between the two topics. If anyone is able to give me some direction other than sending it in for repair (which shouldn't be necessary, right?) I'd be very gratefull. Many thanks in advance! Crosslinks: - Asus: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20071114201929765&board_id=1&model=P5K3%20Deluxe&SLanguage=en-us - Corsair: http://www.asktheramguy.com/forums/showthread.php?p=317190 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 14, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 14, 2007 2. My MSI ATI Radeon RX300SE videocard does not work (anymore) with my new motherboard, while another videocard as well as the ATI videocard in another motherboard does work. A: That would suggest a compatibility problem with that MB and the MSI Video Card. I would suggest contacting the respective manufacturers, ASUS and MSI have a long history of compatibility problems between their competing products. So I am not sure what will be the out come. I would suggest using a different brand of Video Card with the ASUS MB or use another brand of MB with the MSI Video Card. 1. Both SATA hard disks are not recognized, while my SATA DVD drive is recognized just fine. A: The fact the DVD is working would suggest the PSU and MB are working properly, but I would suggest testing the HDD's in another system to isolate them from this system, And have you tried using the 4-Pin Molex to S-ATA Power Adapter cable to see if the drives are working? If they will work that way then please contact our customer service and ask them to send you a new set of S-ATA Power cables, which I think I would do anyway to take that out of the equation. 888-222-4346 Ext "0" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwT Posted November 15, 2007 Author Share Posted November 15, 2007 First of all, thanks for the reply! :) A: That would suggest a compatibility problem with that Video Card and MSI Video Card. I would suggest contacting the respective manufacturers, ASUS and MSI have a long history of compatibility problems between their competing products. So I am not sure what will be the out come. I would suggest using a different brand of Video Card with the ASUS MB or use another brand of MB with the MSI Video Card. Well, the MSI ATI card was just something that wasn't being used and I didn't feel like buying a new card... But as I have already spent quite a bit on the MB and RAM, I simply bought a new ASUS nVidia card for the ASUS MB. Should arrive in a day or two. Even more waiting... A: The fact the DVD is working would suggest the PSU and MB are working properly, but I would suggest testing the HDD's in another system to isolate them from this system, And have you trying using the 4-Pin Molex to S-ATA Power Adapter cable to see if the drives are working? If they will work that way then please contact our customer service and ask them to send you a new set of S-ATA Power cables, which I think I would do anyway to take that out of the equation. 888-222-4346 Ext "0" Well, I have been trying the following that doesn't work (drives not detected in BIOS): - The 1TB and Raptor with the ASUS MB and Corsair PSU, using the same SATA power- and datacables as the working DVD drive. - The 1TB and Raptor with the ASUS MB and Corsair PSU, using different SATA power- and datacables as the working DVD drive. - The 1TB and Raptor with the ASUS MB and Corsair PSU, as above, using different slots on the MB and PSU. - The Raptor with the ASUS MB and Corsair PSU, using molex connector instead of SATA powercable. The following did work (drives detected in BIOS): - The 1TB and Raptor with the ASUS MB and Corsair PSU on ASUS MB, but powering the HD with Chieftec PSU. - The 1TB and Raptor on MSI MB and powered using Chieftec PSU. Also, in reply to a post on the Asus forum: besides the MB there is the Core 2 Duo non-OC processor, the 2 sticks DDR3 RAM, 4 x 120MM case fans, the two HD (not working), a 7600GT nVidia card, and the DVD drive. When calculating this setup using the recommended setting, I come to 228 Watt. When calculating a max 100% load, using theoretical 6 SATA disks, and adding two USB devices (just for the equation, don't have anything present) I come to 375 Watt. Either way the Corsair HX520W should be more than sufficient. Right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 15, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 15, 2007 Please ask our customer service to get you another set of S-ATA cables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwT Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 Please ask our customer service to get you another set of S-ATA cables. Well, I'm actually more and more starting to think the problem is in the PSU itself rather than the cables. Whether I use any of the SATA modular cables or one of the molex modular cables using the molex connector on the HD or the SATA connector on the HD using a molex-to-SATA powercable, neither is supplying the disks with any power. I tried formatting/partitioning both disks, which enables me to read and write to them in another workstation, yet still not using the ASUS MB/Corsair PSU. What does work though, is powering the disks using the Chieftec PSU. Then the ASUS MB does recognize both the Raptor and 1TB disk. What also worries me is the voltage readings in the ASUS MB BIOS. Both the 5V and 12V have readings that are off. The 5V is supposedly down to around 4.1V and the 12V has readings of around 8 or 8.6V. I tried plugging the PSU in different wall sockets, as I thought that it might not get sufficient power, but that did not change anything. Anyway, I did send in a service request to Corsair for SATA cables, but am I way off when I consider it might be the PSU itself? I also sent another reply to my thread on the ASUS boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 19, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 19, 2007 If the 12v and 5v rails were really at the values that your BIOS is reading, your system would not boot, BIOS readings can be off by quite a bit and the only way to know for sure would be to use an electronic volt meter. I would try the new sata cables if possible, and if that does not resolve the issue, then lets get the unit replaced! Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part! Or “Tech Support Express” and we will be happy to replace them or it, please note that you are posting from the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwT Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 Well, I haven't received a response to my service request yet, but the 48 hour period isn't over yet. Still, all of this is rather disappointing as I kind of need the PSU/hard disks to finally start enjoying my brand new system. Any idea what amount of time a delivery of SATA cables would take when sending to Europe? How long am I looking at when considering a replacement through Corsair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 20, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 20, 2007 Please contact our customer service at 888-222-4346 and dial "0", (510) 657-8747 or email rmaservice@corsairmemory.com and they should be able to help you with the RMA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwT Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 Well, the videocard problems were solved with the new ASUS video card.. The whole harddisk not spinning up remains... I'm mailing the shop I bought the PSU from right now as I haven't heard anything from Corsair yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 28, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 28, 2007 If you still have not received a reply from us, please email ramguy@corsairmemory.com with your contact information and we will get back to you ASAP. Please use "ATT: Ramguy" in the subject line and include a link to this thread! I just sent them an email but you did not specify what you wanted in the email so they may not know what to ask you, ask them to send you the cable set got the S-ATA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EwT Posted December 6, 2007 Author Share Posted December 6, 2007 Well, if you really think new SATA cables will solve the problem, then please, I would like to receive a set. It's kind of annoying to be sitting with a 1000+ euro computer and unable to install anything since the harddisks are without any power. If chances are big that the new cables won't fix it, than I'd rather have my PSU swapped for a new one... Either way, thanks for contacting them for me. I haven't received any response or follow-up questions from them though :[pouts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 8, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 8, 2007 Either way, thanks for contacting them for me. I haven't received any response or follow-up questions from them though I am not sure what you are talking about I have answered every question and or directed you on what to do? Can you be more specific? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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