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[Blesslot]

hi, I am new to the forum and need some advice.

I have here an MSI G31M3 motherboard and it is giving me hell and I think the only solution is to update the BIOS or flash it. I'm thinking theyh both mean the same thing. What it does is that it wont post. I am running it on a bench and without any peripherals attached (HDD, ODD. GPU) just the PS/2 keyboard. I have bought new PSU for it and still it gives me problems. It is about a year old. Upon meddling with it to load OS, it will just restart or freeze. to eliminate  problems or troubleshoot, I removed the peripherals and acquired a new psu for it and then it pointed to the Mobo as the problem. Upon further tinkering, i successfully managed to  get it to post by clearing the cmos which I did by way of adjusting the cmos jumper then upon clearing it, I started the pc and then it posted with the post messaging all blue in color. and then i got into the bios and then when i go to system information there is nothing. So i go out and set the time and remove the floppy as a device and then save and restart. And then it wont post...again. I did this 12 times and the only time it posts is when i clear the cmos and even when i do not set the date and time, it won't post again....which is until i clear the cmos again.

i am at my wits'end. so i wanna know. Am I a moron to want to flash?

thanks

[Froggy Gremlin]

In order to be of any genuine assistance, please provide more details of the systems components. Details of the RAM and PSU +12V amps and number of rails, etc., are important.

[flobelix]

>>Posting Guide<<

[Blesslot]

ok. i am dealing with a bad connectection because i sent the details abt an hour ago. lemme try again.

Mobo: MSI G31 M3
Bios: 686 AMIBIOS DZ31 8178
CPU: Intel Pentium E5200 @ 2.5Ghz
RAM: 4GB (2x2GB Kingmax DDR2-800) but I am currently using just oone of the sticks.
HDD: 250GB SataII & Maxtor 40GB IDE
ODD: Sony DVD-RAM Sata
GPU: Nvidia GT210 1GB DDR3 64bit
Screen: LG 19inch Flatron via D-Sub connection
PSU: Huntkey 400W. Voltage: 220v-240v, Current: 33A, Frequency: 50/60Hz. The new one is a Gigabyte ODIN 550W which I have borrowed to a friend since it didnt stack up.

I am pretty much prepared to trash the mobo and acquire a new one should I not be a moron to flash.

[xmad]

I would try different ram first if you have any laying around or switch sticks / dimms and see if there is any change.
Do you have a different cpu you can try or try that cpu in a different computer?
See if you can get memtest to run. >>Memtest86<<
You already eliminated the psu as the problem by trying a known working psu correct?

then i got into the bios and then when i go to system information there is nothing

.
So it doesn't even tell you what cpu is installed?

I wouldn't suggest a bios update for an unstable machine as its a big risk so I would try the stuff above first.

Good luck

[Blesslot]

To correct a mistake, on the current for the PSU specs, I meant to input 3A instead of 33A. Sorry.

@Xmad, yes. i have eliminated the PSU as the culprit because all of the PSUs i have tested the setup on work with their respective original setup. i have since borrowed my friend the new PSU that i had thought would come to my aid. I have about 8 DDR2 sticks of varying sizes and two sets of speeds and all of them fail to work here. iam slotting in another cpu (an E2200 and the ram sticks from its setup which is an Acer Extensa machine and willl let u knw how it goes). Clearing the cmos makes the setup to post but the font is all in blue and in the bios it shows no Setup information (No cpu details, no bios ver details, nothing...just empty and then when i restart it will not post.) The rams are fine and the original cpu is now running on the Acer board with the 4GB ram without a problem.

So u say i must not flash?

[xmad]

So u say i must not flash?

I would resist, unless you can get it more stable. Too bad you can't use onboard graphics to knock that out as well. (I didn't look up the cpu you are trying, if it supports onboard graphics, try that while it's hooked up. If all else fails, a flash can't hurt since it could only be a bad mobo or bios. (sounds like the mobo though)
Here are the links for the flash tool and msi downloads if nessesary
>>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
>>MSI Downloads<<

Good night and good luck.
 

[Blesslot]

I been doing all this using the onboard graphics (on the mobo), I just fitted the E2200 in and the 1GB ddr2-667 stick and no post, just the cooler spinning and that's all. Swapped the other two stcks in one at a time. no luck. or maybe the motherboard was saying goodbye all the while i dont know. thanks for the links. lemme try that. what the heck hey...thank. Night