Acer Predator motherboard unknown BIOS beep codes

MazterJedi
MazterJedi Member Posts: 2 New User

Greetings,

 

I recently acquired an Acer Predator motherboard, model MBSAS01002. I dont know what model Predator exactly it is from. It has an Intel Q9300 and 8GB or DDR2 installed. I watched this board boot up yesterday, and today I got nothing. It produces an error beep code I have never heard of...1 long and 1 short. Searches for this code have proved fruitless. I have swapped RAM, power supply, removed from case...the only thing I cant do is swap the CPU or mobo...I dont have any sockey 775 motherboards or CPUs handy. ANY help would be greatly appreciaited.

Answers

  • Your motherboard is used in the Predator G7700 (and possibly others). I believe the error code you describe is a general code. It indicates 'Motherboard Failure'.

    However, as I'm sure you know, POST codes are not common between BIOS manufacturers. I may be wrong but I think the BIOS used in the Predator may be produced by Acer Inc. If that is the case, I can't be more specific as I've never seen codes for any Acer BIOS.

     

    If the board has failed (and it's not outside your comfort zone!), you may want to check the capacitors as they are a common cause.

     

  • MazterJedi
    MazterJedi Member Posts: 2 New User

    I have checked the caps, but they are the newer can style and it is difficult to tell if they have swelled or not. I would hate for this board to bad, but I have tried everything I know to try:

    1. Cleared the CMOS (I can only find the CL_CMOS button on the back panel. No jumpers on board) removed/replaced the battery

    2. Tried 3 different PCIe VGA cards and a PCI VGA card

    3. Tried different manufacturer/speed/size/combination RAM sticks

    4. Tried a different PSU (was running off an OCZ 650W)

    5. Spent some time reserach how to flash a dead mobo. I have a pal (the one I got this board from) that says the board was dead when he got it but was able to re-flash the BIOS thru the service port. I do notice there is a headed labeld SP1. He was apparetly able to push a BIOS down to the board thru a LPT port to the service port, and the board ran fine for him for years. Wasnt able to find much help on the interwebs to replicate this.

     

    ANY other help/ideas from ANYONE would be great. Just trying not to blow more $$$ on this thing. THANKS!!!

  • Yes, having looked at a picture of your board, all caps appears to be metal clad (smd?). While you may not detect swelling or seeping with this style of cap, it is unfortunately not an indication that they are OK. Sadly, test equipment (that can measure ESR rather than capacitance) would cost rather more than the board's value!

     

    I must admit that I don't fully understand how your pal managed to flash the BIOS in the way you describe but, as you say you had the board working OK the day before, I guess you needn't be concerned with that. Personally, I wouldn't concentrate on the BIOS at this stage plus I certainly wouldn't try to flash it blind.

     

    It's unfortunate that you don't have a compatible CPU available so you could rule that out but I would suggest that you remove your CPU and closely inspect the socket for any issues. (If your eyes are anything like mine you'll benefit from using a USB microscope if you have one! - In fact you may find one invaluable for fault finding if you do a lot of this sort of thing.)

     

    Have you removed/fitted the board? If you have, you could also try easing off the fixing screws just in case the board has flexed and cracked a track somewhere.

     

  • Waitin
    Waitin Member Posts: 6 New User

    I had a similar problem some years ago with an asus motherboard, switched everything (including CPU) and had no joy. Had a flash of inspiration, held the motherboard right way up on the flat of my hand and touched a radiator, then turned it over and touched the radiator again. Worked like a charm. In theory the static (assuming that was the problem) should have left everytime I plugged it into mains, but only this fixed it. Worth a try if at the end of your tether.

    Also, another thing to check is the RAM retention clips. Look at the line of gold of the RAM contacts poking just above the slot, if this seems "skew-whiff" at all then try re-aligning. Another bizarre problem that has cost me hours of my life, hopefully you will get it back in my stead Smiley Happy

     

    If nothing works, give it to your friend, he is seemingly a genius.

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