Press power after shotdown, no post

[Gavin Storey]

I have an XFX 790i Ultra MB P05 BIOS, Corsair Dominator 1800 C7DF 7-7-7-20-2T at 2.0v, XFX 9800GTX Black Edition 760MHz core and a Quad 9450 at 2.66GHz processor.

When I power on the system, it boots without me having to press 'power' on the case. Then if I shutdown, it won't POST again until I leave it unplugged for a little while (without changing anything in the BIOS). All settings are at default except memory at 2v, JMicron and HD Audio disabled. It will run for hours without a hitch once I get it started, but having had so many problems with the Asus S2E (which got RMA'd), I would like somebody to help me sort this out. Is it a MB hardware problem, BIOS setting, memory etc. I have a CM Cosmos case, so cooling isn't an issue, and other than setting memory as unlinked 1800, everything is running at stock.

Is this a known hardware problem requiring another RMA (Asus board was my first ever RMA in about 15 years).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Methious]

Have you updated to the latest Bios?

[XFX Tech]

Do you get any message like running in Safe Mode or something? This is usually memory running too aggressive timings. Have you tried upping the timings to 8-8-8-24 2T. At those timings it may like 1.9v or 1.85v a little better. If it doesn't fix it at CAS8 than I would stop considering memory because I personally consider Corsair Dominator the best memory on the planet.

[Gavin Storey]

I am using P05 BIOS (was on P04 until 2 days ago). I have tried running the memory at JEDEC 1333MHz 9-9-9-24-1T still at 2v VDIMM and at Auto 1.5V, and the power problem is still there on P04, I haven't had time to test relaxed latencies on P05, I only had time to flash the BIOS and test the power (working to hard). I will first try at 1333 again, and then relax the latencies a bit, to see if that helps. I would agree that Corsair make the best memory, my previous memory was the DDR 2-2-2-5 XPert Modules. They were awesome!

I couldn't find the SLI-Ready C7DFNV1800 memory anywhere, so I had to settle on the C7DF1800. Could this be causing the problem (since it doesn't contain the NV profile in the SPD)?

I'll let you know the outcome.

Thanks

[Gavin Storey]

I set the timings at 8-8-8-24 2T, dropped the vdimm to 1.80v, and it booted (after a few attempts). Into Windows, cold resetted - started fine. Did this a few times with success (7 perfect boots in 8 attempts). Then I ran 3dMark06. Shutdown PC, didn't post.

Left it a while, came back and it still wouldn't post. After CMOS reset, and more waiting, I eventually got into BIOS and set back to 8-8-8-24 2T 1.8V (haven't tried 1.85v yet). System booted ok.

Now lets put in my 2nd XFX 9800GTX Black Edition (SLI - slot 3)... Nothing, nana, zilch. Took it out again, swapped with the other 9800, and after a few more attempts, it POSTed. Into Windows, card fine. SLI again... nothing (again).

So this is now two problems. Will setting vdimm to 1.85v help the first problem, and why will it not POST at all with two 9800GTXs?

I thought I was making some progress when it was booting more frequently, but...

Any suggestions?

[XFX Tech]

When you swapped was it in to the second slot? I would like to know if a single card in the second slot results in a display. We can try RMAing the board if you like. Make a support ticket at http://www.xfxforce.com/web/support/supportCentral.jspa and PM me the ticket number.

[Gavin Storey]

When I swapped the cards, I put the new(er) card in slot 1, in place of the other card.

I have started a ticket (I'll PM you the number) with XFX support, and I'm awaiting a response. I am probably still able to return the board since I bought it on 27th May. Do you think there is something physically wrong with the board (or just a BIOS issue)?

[XFX Tech]

If you don't get a display with a single card in the third slot than something is wrong with the board and all the other issues may just stem from that. Try a single card in the third slot to see if you get a display.

[Gavin Storey]

Thanks, I'll try that asap

[Gavin Storey]

I've been really busy, so last night when I got home, I went to try the third slot only. First, I thought lets try a single DIMM in slot 3 (furthest away from CPU), and what do you know... booted first time with 2 cards. Went into Windows, to enable SLI, but no option... I bet I connected the bridge to the wrong SLI connectors (while last trying to get it working). Yip, that's the case. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to boot again.

There were 2 9800GTXs in device manager... does this mean that that slot 3 is okay?

I will still try just slot 3, to see if I can get it booting regularly, but that is likely to be later this week (I'm really busy at work).

[TypicalBill]

I have almost the exact same system and am having the same problem only thing is it's not booting at all for me. Tried everything nothing seems to work. Jumper, one vga (tried in all slots) 1 memory stick 2 memory sticks... nothing worked for me.

Same mobo, same ram, same processor, the only difference is i have 2 8800GT's in sli. Wasn't thrilled with the support i got after starting a ticket.

[XFX Tech]

Asia RMAs are usually handled through the retailer. Were they able to swap the board out for you? If not than if you let the Asia support know than they should be able to do something.

[Gavin Storey]

I'm back, and I have some news.

My system is up and running with two 9800GTXs (SLI), and it boots. What I discovered is that if you discharge the memory AND turn off the monitor, it will boot nearly every time. I know that it doesn't really make any sense turning off the monitor, but honestly that's the case with my system. I am still on P05 BIOS, running at 1333MHz 9-9-9-24-1T at 1.85V, but at least I can use it when I need to.

I'm hoping that the next BIOS release will improve things further, and then I can get the memory to run somewhere near its rated speed and timings. Here's hoping!

If anyone's got any ideas why turning off the monitor works, please feel free to put in your two pennies worth. I personally think it might have something to do with 'Plug n Play' monitor, DDC1/2B ACPI or something, putting the board into some weird suspend mode when I shut down instead of turning it off.

[Zep]

Hi Gavin,

Firstly the issue of the pc powering up before you press the the on switch. To fix this go into the bios > Power Management Setup and set 'PWRON after PWRfail' to OFF, I think this feature is there so you can still boot your pc if the case power button fails, not very likely though.

Trouble when plugging both your gcards in together may be to do with your power supply. Not sure what you already use but i would recommend a 1000w model like the Enermax Galaxy for a 790i SLI setup.

As for getting your system running stable with high speed DDR3 i played around allot with this myself. I have DDR3 2000 and experience allot of problems running it near stock speeds with an unclocked fsb. First i would suggest turning off all the 'spread spectrum' settings off in the bios and setting the FSB to 1600, i have the same cpu as you and its a quick and stable overclock, you'll have to up the voltages for this though. Set cpu to 1.3v, FSB 1,25v,SB 1.35v, NB 1.5v. I would set your ram to stock timings and voltage but run it at 1600, linked and synced with your FSB.

You should have no problem running this configuration with some decent air cooling, you can also try tightning the ram timings afterwards as its running below spec, 7,7,7,18 1T is what i use.

Now you have a 1600 fsb up and running hitting the rams stock speeds will be allot easier, although in my experience not really worth doing unless you have some serious cooling installed. On my system when i unlinked the fsb and ram speeds to 1600/1800 i incurred a dip in performance over the 1600/1600 linked & synced option, while having to run more voltage through the ram to keep it stable.

I've found keeping the fsb & ram at the same speed is really the key, so if you want to run the ram at 1800, you'll have to up the fsb to 1800 too. However to do this you'll have to put allot more juice through your mb, i got myn running for about 6 hours under full load at 1800/1800 but then i started getting blue screening so i pulled it back a bit. to be honest i wouldn't go above 1700/1700 without watercooling if a dependable system is more important to you.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Gavin Storey]

Thanks Zep,

I have a Thermaltake ToughPower 1500W power supply (3-SLI certified), so I have more than enough juice for the system. Thanks for the info on the system booting straight away, that has been a bit annoying. I still experienced the same problem when at 1333FSB and linked DDR3 at 1333 (that's how I originally had it set). I'll try at 1600, and try your suggested voltages, if nothing else, I'll at least have a slightly faster system.

I'll let you know the outcome (in a couple of weeks - I'm on holiday).

Gavin

[DragonMaster]

It might sound stupid, but it looks like the power button is shorted or there's something wrong with the Power ON PSU pin somewhere.