680LT hangs on boot

[JHV]

I just upgraded my HD to a WD SATA 500GB. I partitioned the drive 50/50 and proceeded to reinstall my programs. Everything worked flawlessly up until this evening (running for 2 days no problems) when I turned the computer back on and all I get is the XFX PLAY HARD screen. I have tried all the usual tricks, remove memory sticks, rearrange memory, unplug power from rear of case, from mobo nearest the CPU, removed video card etc. No luck. I can't boot to safe mode or even get to the BIOS just XFX PLAY HARD.

I am out of ideas on how to get this up and running Hard disk is running but no boot.

System specs

XFX 680LT MOBO
XFX 8800 ULtra 768MB
4GB OCZl Memory
WD SATA 500GB drive partitioned 50/50
250GB WD Mybook external aux drive (removed for test)
850W PSU

[david.hill64]

I had a similar problem when one stick of memory died. Have you tried just using 1 stick? (Perhaps you have as you say you have removed memory?) I could then boot OK so long as it was not the dead stick that was installed.

[JHV]

Yes, I tried one stick, two sticks, 4 sticks etc. I finally got the thing to boot but only after I removed the extra USB port that came with the MOBO. I had just attached it to the blue connectors on the MOBO as indicated in the instruction manual. It appears that there is some conflict that prevents the system from booting if I have the USB connected. I am going to try a cheap USB card and see if I still have the problem.

This seems like a pretty stupid problem for a pretty sophisticated system.
Oh the joy of rolling your own.....

[xfxsupport]

Do you have the latest BIOS for the motherboard?

[JHV]

I have the Bios that was installed when I bought the MOBO. I'm assuming that there is an update? I'll check on XFX's website?

[xfxsupport]

Yeah, I think the one on the web is a newer BIOS update.