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DIY problem


markf
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After unsucsessfully trying to get some help from the various manufacturer's and retail suppliers I'm going to post the minor problem that is keeping me from turning on my new system.

 

I got the Asus PC-DL MBoard. I got a Coolmax CT-450 power supply.

 

The power supply manual shows an optional 8 pin Processor Power Connector. The Mother Board manual says this optional 8 pin Processor Power Connector must be used.

 

The 8 pin Processor Power Connector is not on the CT-450 that I purchased. Newegg has no info on this. I tried browsing through the power supply choices at Newegg and checking the associated product links. I can't see where any of them specify the types of connectors that they come with. CoolMax has a phone number in China so.....

 

The power supply does have a 6-pin pentium 4 connector.

 

Also the main power connector from the supply to the Mboard is a 20 pin connector. The Mboard has a 24 -pin connector. The manual shows a dotted line around part of the connector diagram and a lable that says 20-pin.

 

Am I correct in thinking that I can put the 20 pin connector from the PS into the 24 pin connector on the MB?

 

Is there some kind of adapter that I could get to turn, for instance, two of the unsed 4-pin power connectors into the correct tyoe of 8-pin processor power connector?

 

Thanks in advance if anyone has any ideas that may help.

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Mark,

 

Your system requires a specific powersupply. The manual states its an SSI supply, or also an EPS one. These powersupplies have both a 24 pin connector, and a 8 pin connector for the motherboard.

 

These supplies are also significantly more expensive then general generic brands (which you bought with the coolmax). After checking I found their no longer significantly more expensive :)

 

Here's a link to the supply you need off of newegg. I'd return the old one, or use it for a normal system.

 

http://www.sparklepower.com/pdf/FSP460-60PFN.pdf

 

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1389&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

 

Its the Sparkle 460W EPS 12V 24+8 pin server/workstation psu.

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Greg,

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I had figured out(finally) that I needed to re-order.

 

I had just ordered the Sparkel when I got your reply. I followed your advice and changed my order to the Antec.

 

So far the components have gone together OK. I have an issue with the wires that come from the front of case 2-USB ports and IEEE1394 port not having compatable ends to attach to the mother board. This however is way secondary to getting the new system going.

 

Thank you.

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Greg,

 

The board has "two USB headers available for additional USB ports". manual further states,"Connect an optional (provided) USB 2.0/GAME module to this header. The module has two USB 2.0 ports that support....."

 

The module goes out the back of the case. I don't need/want to use it. It has two usb plugs with two cables coming out the back. The two cables join in a black sleeve, insulation ends and 8 wires come out. 8 wires go into connector that attaches to header on Mother Board.

 

In the front of case there are 2 usb and one IEEE port. From two usb ports there is one cabel. It's insulation ends in a black sleeve out of which 10 individual wires extend into 4 smaller connectors labled as :

 

3 wires into 3 pin connector. 1)+5V, 1)-D, 1)+D.

 

3 wires into 3 pin connector. 2)+5V, 2)-D, 2)+D

 

3 wires into 2 pin connector. 1)ground, 1)ground

 

1 wire into 1 pin connector. 2)ground

 

Each USB header on the board has two rows and 4.5 columns totalling 9 pins labeled in manual as

Top Row: +5V, P6-, P6+, GND, NC

Bot Row: +5V, P5-, P5+, GND

 

This is a long post so I will not go into the simialr incompatibility with the front IEEEport.

 

Thanks for your help. You warned me that trouble shooting by e-mail can be difficult. :)

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I got some more info

 

Connectors on Motherboard are called 10-1 pin USB

and 10-1 pin IEEE1394 in Mboard manual

 

Connector on case end (where you would attach your camera etc.)of USB cabel that came with case has what appears to be the same 10-1 pin connector that would fit on Mboard. Difference is the location of the one missing pin. On the Mboard it is a corner pin that is missing. On the case it is one in from corner.

 

The IEEE1394 connector on the case end of the cabel is a 6 pin connector.

 

Any idea if/where I can find a usb cabel with the two slightly different 10-1 pin connectors? Any idea if/whereI can find a IEEE1394 cable with 10-1 connector on one end and 6 pin connector on the other.

 

I tried contacting Chieftech , the case manuf., thier e-mail links and addresses are non-functional :(

 

It appears that in addition to ordering a power supply that didn't work with the Mboard, I also ordered a somewhat incompatable case. Live and learn

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Hi Mark

see you got your components already...

First, sorry for not seeing the PSU mistake in your list.

Now, I know Greg is gonna kill me here, but there is an adapter for it. True, The EPS PSUs are better, but an adapter such as this for $8 could probably be found in a local electronic shop as well. After all, your setup isnt really going to have too many power hungry components like the EPS PSU is built to feed.

As for the front panel issue - like you said - its not a big one, but you can just never predict which front panel connectors each case has. I was able to get mine connected (different mobo), but never use it (not even for DVcam or digicam). I guess it comes handy if you use the USB disk on key thing...

 

Good luck.

 

orangeno waiting for Greg's 'shower'... :ngeupset:

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Thank you both for your ongoing support.

 

I have already return shipped the first PSU and the new EPS one should arrive today. With increased cost of unit, restock fee and extra shipping, plus an extra $25 for rush/overnight probably cost an extra $100. Not too expensive of a learning fee.

 

I'm not sure about these front usb and firewire ports but will continue searching for correct cabels or adapters. Any ideas on good sources for these types of things?

 

Aside from the two processor fans, I have a question regarding all of the other fans. I've got two rear and one side fan that came with the case and a hard drive cooling kit(2 fans-one connector). All of these have four pin power connectors. The MBoard has three, 3-pin, fan connectors. Chasis Fan1, Sys Fan1 and Sys Fan2.

 

The MBoard manual says that the settings for these fan connectors "are auto controlled by the bios and not user configurable." The manual says in another area that "the system fan RPM is monitored for timely failure detection."

 

Given this I'm not sure if I should get some 4pin to 3pin adapters and connect some of the fans to the MBoard. My inclination is to attach the hard drive cooler to Sys Fan1 and one of the case fans to Chasis Fan1. Any advice on this?

 

I have room and a provided mounting bracket at the front of the case for yet another fan. I'm wondering if all of the other fans will create a vacume in the case and if so should I add a fan to the front of case that sucks air in?

 

Lastly the BIOS allows me to set an "automatic adjustment of the CPU fan speeds to maintain the temperature that you set". I can choose from Disabled, 50C, 55C, 60C and 65C. I'm inclined to select the coolest temp, is this wise?

 

I hope these long posts are not too ridiculous. Thanks alot for helping a rookie with all of this stuff.

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As long as you dont connect a realy big and fast fan to the mobo 3 pin header you'll be alright with any combination. I have all those onboard 3 pin headers connected to 80mm sleave fans with no probs.

With good case cooling, like it seems your about to have, I dont see a problem with CPU temps. I'd set the "automatic adjustment of the CPU fan speeds to maintain the temperature that you set" to disable and learn the system. Check yor temps at full load for a few hours. You'll have a better feel for it then, and you'll know that these are the real temps and not a result of any auto fan speed changes.

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Hey Biga,

 

Do you know if there are converts for both EPS plugs? Or just the main one? (I'm just curious).

 

Mark,

 

Most important is the exhaust fans. Intake fans help of course, but you can be by without them.

 

I would however, if you have a bunch of drives, try to setup some sort of airflow over the drive bay.

 

I remember you saying you have a chieftech, so you could easily do this by mounting the drives in the removable bay with the fan clip :) .

 

I usually try and avoid plugging fans into the motherboard (sans cpu fan). Of course it works fine, but anything I can do to reduce power fluxuation I'm going to.

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I think I have the fan and frontpanel usb/1394 ports figured out.

 

I have started the machine and got the following message in POST

 

Warning: Non matching MP processor. Multi processing capable processors have been detected in your system. However, both processors must be the same model and frequency to run in multi processor-mode. Your sytem will continue to boot in uni-processor mode.

 

I bought to of the same procs from newegg at the same time. The boxes say the same thing on them.

 

Edit- Yikes. The support guy at Asus says I need to take out one proc. and try booting than put it back and try taking out the other. I tried while I had him on the phone but getting the retaining clips loose took so long I had to hang up and I need to call back in the AM.

 

I went to the intel site and checked my processor codes heres what came back. They look different. I 'm wondering if you guys can tell if this is the problem and if so which one I should send back? Xeon01 Xeon02

 

[ September 30, 2003, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: markf ]

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Oh nuts mark, you got two different core steppings. (Sometimes this can cause SMP problems). Basically means one chip was made months apart from another.

 

Yes I'd call newegg immediately and start complaining.

 

Make sure to tell them that you called asus tech support and they pointed out the second cpu isn't working with the first.

 

Newegg should drop ship you a new one hopefully. They have pretty good support.

 

Thanks for the link biga, I was unaware of that. I'll do some more research and get back to you.

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I guess I'm learning the hard way.Nothing like trial by fire. Reminds me of how I got started with Max etc. I would rather be advancing my artistic skills, or out be out in the fall colors(peak may have been yesterday), but I feel it's a good thing to have this better understanding of the equipment I use.

 

Can you tell which one of the processors I should send back? Or should I send both back ?

 

Thanks again for your help

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Though you probably won't want to do this...

 

I'd probably just send both back and ask for the "SAME stepping" and if possible "subsequent chip ID's" for the replacement shipment.

 

It would suck to send one back, and find out it was another problem with the processor you didn't return.

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Mark

dont think I can help here. 2 things I'd do:

1. Go and post that question on the 2cpu.com forum

2. Consider calling up newegg with a "not too happy at all" approach (if there is a reason for it after figuring on 2cpu) and if applies - sending back both and get 2 new matching xeons.

 

Greg

sorry I didnt see the first time you asked... yes, there is such an adapter http://www.highpowersupply.com/product-ac.htm

 

*edit* same product, same guys... lower price ...

 

[ October 01, 2003, 12:42 AM: Message edited by: bigcahunak ]

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