7NJL3 POST Problems

[renraku_abx]

My specs are a Chaintech 7NJL3 running in all-default mode.

1 512 stick of Corsair value PC3200

Chaintech GeForce FX 5700LE (256MB)

480w Power supply.

Upon boot of the machine after a while of not using it, it seems to POST just fine. It won't make it into XP, but that's for a later discussion. Upon reboot, the keyboard stops responding. USB or PS2, same thing. The lights flash and numlock comes on, but there's no response.

Removing the keyboard yields a no keyboard error upon POSTing.

Also, the CPU speed in the POST screen changes from 1100MHz to 3200+ (the AMD rating) and back again when rebooting.

This is within the case (mounted with only the plastic standoffs), and on an anti-static bag (the grid-type, but i don't know if that's safe, considering it might very well be electrically conductive).

Also, the PS2 block had a little metal 'bridge' that went over the keyboard port but under the mouse port, that connected to the innards of the PS2 block by going under it. Not sure if it has anything to do with it, but I pulled it out (not that it required much force at all, way less than what's required to lift a processor socket handle), to no avail.

Anyone have any idea what the issue is? The keyboard WILL work until I reboot, but only once every few minutes (half hour?) This is consistant with the manual refering to the poly-phase-something or another keyboard/USB fuse.

[renraku_abx]

Yeah, the grounding stuff I realized..but I didn't consider the very nature of antistatic bags until I had rebooted a few times...

Now if I can get my mind powers working, I'll just levitate it. There really isn't an empty safe surface in my entire house to lay the thing on. I oughta bring it to work and whip it out here on my desk..the tech guys would ask me, "WTF?" but I'd let them know that the board was lame.

This was with two different power supplies, too.

Lets not forget about the time in school someone's comp wasn't grounded, I touched the case and had to fight it like Vegita to let go of it because the main was running into the case.

[Sierra_abx]

I believe the anti-static bag is conductive. If you're testing the board, I'd suggest putting it on a non-conductive surface like the motherboard's cardboard box.

Those metal tabs on the I/O bracket are used to help ground the motherboard.

Have you tried resetting the CMOS?

[renraku_abx]

I figured thats what that metal tab was for, but it was bent to hell and obstructing the actual port. Is it electrically safe/sound to just have a piece of metal running from the chasis to the PS2 port?

I did notice that if I messed with the tab when it was still in, the PC would reboot, leading me to believe something funky could be going on with the grounding and/or power paths.

[Sierra_abx]

I don't think you need that tab at all. If you bend it back and forth, it will probably come off. There are plenty of tabs on the I/O bracket for grounding the board. What you want to avoid is having metal touching any of the chips or circuit traces.

[renraku_abx]

Yeah, its on a piece of cardboard now.

Here's what I've done today. Remount CPU/RAM/Video card, being extra careful. Plugged in PSU. Shorted out the power-switch pins to turn it on.

Board POSTs, no keyboard response from either PS2 or USB keyboard. If I unplug said keyboards, it gives a no keyboard error.

Also, CPU speed is stuck at 1100MHz right now, no matter what I set the FSB jumper to.

I cleared the CMOS with the jumper, and by removal of the battery, but to no avail. I even get lights on the keyboard (sometimes) on boot, just no response.

Hot swapping them does nothing.

I'm out of ideas, really. Something inside of me says that this isn't a bad board. That there is a way to work around it, even if my PS2 block is mauled.

Anyone else got any ideas? ^^