PC won't boot, 88 mobo code

[dagn]

Hi!

First, I did find another thread about a similar problem, but it seems like no solution has been found : http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26354.

I was building my new system and now I am stuck because it won't boot. The mobo displays code 88 and no other code before that.

The first 2 times I tried to boot it, it did get to the BIOS, but both times it froze/crashed (plain grey screen with fans still running) before I had time to adjust the clock+date... I did not have time to change anything else or to even save settings.

Since those 2 times, when I try to boot, all I get is the code 88 with the fans running. So I tried booting with only the mobo+RAM+PSU... and I still get the 88.

I tried to use a single RAM, and tried it in a few different slots. Nothing.
Also, I tried removing the board battery for 5-6 minutes. Nothing.
I would like to try a different PSU, but I don't have one and the one I have is 2 months new, it is powerful enough, and it works fine on with my old mobo and video card (BFG 8800GTS, but I'm not using it on my new PC yet).

My board is the 750a SLI
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=P450-9118

My memory is OCZ SLI 2x2048
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=O261-8038

My CPU is Athlon 64 x2 6000+
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=CP1-AM2-6000%20C

My PSU is Enermax FMA II 460w
http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_50&products_id=132

I hope someone can help me with that because I don't know what else to do now. I always built my own system, every 2-3 years, and usualy it always work at the first boot. But I usualy use a ASUS board.

Help!
And thanks! :)

(btw, I opened ticket #189210 on the xfx website)

[Victor]

are you using hte onboard video card? If so, try this, get the battery out for 15 min. Then put it back in and then put only 1 stick of ram. And see if you can go into the BIOS. If you can, change the voltage for your ram and set up the settings in teh BIOS before you put the other stick back into the mobo.

[dagn]

Yes, I am using the on-board video for the moment (until everything works!).

Ok, I will try removing the battery for 15 min... maybe 5-6 was not enough. I can't try it right away tho, because I have only 1 PS/case for my old and new PC...

[dagn]

Ok, I tried to remove it for 20 min, and used 1 RAM and it did the same 88 code... nothing changed. Maybe 20 min is not enough? Ill remove it for a few hours since I'm on my old computer at the moment... but I am not sur it would work.

(and yes I am using the on-board video)

[dagn]

Removing the battery for much longer changed nothing.

[Victor]

mmh, in that case, I am not sure what to do. Did you try to use the ram in diff slot? try a diff stick?

did it immediately go for 88 or does it go through whole bunch of number before settle for 88?

btw, which connector are you using on the back of your mobo for the display? if you are using hdmi or dvi, be sure to set the right jumper on the board. Try to use the vga and see if you can see anything.

[dagn]

Yes, I tried different RAM sticks (I have 2 of them) in different mem slots.

It goes straight to the 88. Nothing else is displayed on that "2-hexa" display.

Also, yes, am using the on-board VGA connector... and I have also tried the DVI one. (and previously I tried my video card too, but I removed it when I saw that it was not booting).

Thanks!

[Pablo 54]

88 is a BIOS initialization code. My guess is your BIOS may be corrupt which means most of your hardware cannot initialize. Now, that is my guess. How to fix it is a bit beyond me. Other than the standard “flash the BIOS” I am at a lose. I have had friends RMA boards because of corrupted BIOs’. Now, you may also have a component on the board itself that is bad that is interrupting the initialization process. Anyway you cut it, you may end up having to send the board back.

[GC3333]

While I don't remember what my post code was when it happened, I also had a problem like yours when I went to fire up my 750a for the first time. Turns out, it was a CPU overheating problem, as one of the power supply wires was in the way of my CPU fan blades, thus stopping the CPU fan from turning. I discovered the problem only by accident, but as soon as I moved the wire out of the way and tried starting up again, everything worked perfectly from then on. That was four months ago.

[dagn]

Hmmm corrupt BIOS... it never happened to me before, but it does look like the board (a component) is just broken. All the fans are turning fine, and it doesnt even have time to heat anyway.

The guy at support suggested I try with my old PSU, but it doesnt have a 8-pin power connector for the CPU... it has only 4 pins. And the other power connector has only 20 pins instead of 24. He seem to tell me I should try the 4-pin connector in the 8-pin board connector... would that make sense? And if I try that, could I use 2 PSU at the same time? The 4-pin from my old PSU and the 24 pins from my actual PSU? I'm pretty sure it would be dumb...... just asking..... :smile:

I will see what they suggest...... they don't reply very often :( If I have to return the board, I hope it will be fast and not too expensive :frown: (I have only 20 days left to send my mail-in rebate form).

[XFX Tech]

What is your ticket number dagn?

A four pin 12v connection should be fine to power on the board. There is also two BIOSes on this board to test the corrupted BIOS theory. To the left of the two BIOS chips is a jumper. Move that to the other location and try powering on.
http://www.motherboards.org/images/reviews/motherboards/1801_p3_9.jpg

If you get the same results than we can RMA the board.

[dagn]

What is your ticket number dagn?

A four pin 12v connection should be fine to power on the board. There is also two BIOSes on this board to test the corrupted BIOS theory. To the left of the two BIOS chips is a jumper. Move that to the other location and try powering on.

If you get the same results than we can RMA the board.

My ticket number is 189210.

I would try my old PSU with the 4-pins, but it does not have a 24-pins connector ; it only has a 20-pins one.

I tried yesterday to change the JBIOSSLC jumper to the 2-3 pins and I got the same result.

How long does a RMA take? Because I think I can return it to where I bought it from (tigerdirect.ca) too. The easier/quicker is the better! :)

Thank you!

[Pablo 54]

[QUOTE=XFX Tech;177393]What is your ticket number dagn?

A four pin 12v connection should be fine to power on the board. There is also two BIOSes on this board to test the corrupted BIOS theory. To the left of the two BIOS chips is a jumper. Move that to the other location and try powering on.
QUOTE]

Never knew that. Excuse my ignorance on this one but is this a common feature across board makers?

[XFX Tech]

Never knew that. Excuse my ignorance on this one but is this a common feature across board makers?
Yes and no. I think the last four boards that we have put out have it and a couple of other board makers have dual BIOSes. I would say that most of the time no though.

[nomeus]

this sounds like the problem i just posted that is awaiting mod review.....