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Hello again, same computer, new problem...

(A little precursor - dont think this is related but just for good measure... I just bought a UPS for my machine and had plugged my computer into it, turned it on, and it booted up fine. I let the scsi devices load and then reset it when it was about to load up windows because i wanted to change something in the bios i had been thinking about doing for a while (disabling hyperthreading. Then...)

Turned my computer on, it POSTs, but up to a point. I get the single beep, monitor comes on, the IWill logo, BIOS version and Press DEL to enter setup are displayed, along with Main Processor: Intel Xeon Processor 2.00GHZ, and then nothing. Usually it takes a few seconds, updates it to ", 2 CPU(s), then proceeds with memory check and drives etc. However now its just sitting at Main Processor: Intel Xeon Processor 2.00GHZ indefinately.

Thought at first it was somehow the UPS so i unplugged that, no go. Then thought it was the RAM but unfortunately its RDRAM and I don't have my placeholders so I cant pull out and test both pairs of sticks. Then tried pulling out processor #2, no go. Switched processors, no go. Put 'em both back in, no go. Pulled all my cards besides video, no go. Disconnected IDE, no go. So i'm thinking RAM, but cant test it, or motherboard, but it still boots up displays.

Any ideas?

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Dani AI

Generated

For — when a board hangs at POST (and then later refuses to POST with an erratic motherboard status LED) the most likely root causes are power-delivery faults, memory termination issues specific to Rambus designs, or BIOS/firmware corruption. The following focused checklist prioritizes the least-destructive, highest-yield checks first.

Recommended isolation checklist:

  1. Clear CMOS safely. Power down, unplug mains, remove the coin cell (or use the CMOS-clear jumper) for several minutes, and press the case power button briefly to discharge residual charge. Restore and attempt a cold boot.

  2. Minimal hardware boot. With power removed, reduce the system to the absolute minimum: primary CPU in the first socket, the smallest required RIMM population per the manual, and video. Leave all drives, controller cards and external peripherals disconnected. This isolates motherboard/CPU/memory interaction.

  3. Verify power rails and auxiliary CPU power. Swap in a known-good ATX power supply that has the correct auxiliary 12V connector(s) for the CPU sockets. If able, confirm +12V, +5V and +3.3V are in expected ranges with a multimeter. Irregular LED activity often tracks back to marginal rails or failing VRMs.

  4. Rambus memory specifics. RIMM-slot systems need proper termination/continuity devices in empty slots and strict population order. Missing CRIMMs or mis-populated RIMMs will stop POST. Handle RIMMs with ESD care and reseat firmly.

  5. Front-panel short and visual inspection. Disconnect case panel leads and try powering the board from the power pins directly to rule out a shorted switch. Inspect the board for bulging/leaking capacitors, cracked components or scorch marks—common failure points on older boards.

  6. BIOS/firmware failure. If the board still will not POST after the above, the BIOS could be corrupted or the motherboard power circuitry (VRMs) may be failing. Options are BIOS recovery/reflash if supported, a replacement BIOS chip, professional repair, or board replacement.

Prioritize CMOS reset, PSU swap, and minimal-configuration testing first. If an irregular LED persists under a known-good PSU and minimal parts, the motherboard (power delivery or flash) is the likely culprit.

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update:

now it turns on but wont POST at all... Have to unplug it to turn it off... motherboard fried?

another thing: the LED on the motherboard, under normal POST operation blinks at a set rate, and was doing so, until now. Now it is uneven and random. It turns off when i hold down the power or reset buttons.

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