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Mobo failure - FF code - fix or replace?

Post Date: 2018-01-18
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Muz View Drop Down
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Mobo failure - FF code - fix or replace?
    Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 6:28am
Hey all. Well I think after 8 strong and wonderful years, my motherboard (EVGA X58 LE Edition SLI) may have finally bit the dust. I am still using my DS from 2010 and it was still rockin' (made a couple of upgrades throughout the life such as new video card, more ram and another SSD). But this morning, I went to start it up and got no beeps and saw an FF code on the chip. I took it apart to clean it out and didn't notice anything unusual(burnt or charred). So I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I want to get underneath the Noctua cooling heatsink that's on the CPU but I feel like I may snap it off or worse.

See below for my build. The updates I did are as follows: (Replaced RAM with 3x4GB GSKILL DDR3 12gb total RAM in 2014)

(Replaced Video card with GIGABYTE GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready G-SYNC Support Video Card in 2014)

(ADDED 2nd SSD 256 GB Samsung in 2014)

Windows 10 upgrade pro.


Worse case is I would like to just replace the motherboard with something that is compatible that what I have already and if possible, get the same board if they still make it. Any suggestions?

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master HAF 932
Processor: Intel Core i7 930 2.88GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 LE Edition SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System:
1x (128GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: CMFSSD-128GBG2D)
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - 1x (1TB Seagate/Hitachi/Western Digital (7200 RPM) (32MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 22x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Sound Card: Creative Labs X-Fi Fatality Champion (Includes Front I/O) (PCI-Express Slot Based)
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 Extreme Performance (Does NOT fit on the regular EVGA X58 3X SLI)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 7:40am
Hi Muz...You still running that mobo ?  Hahaha   Good for you, definitely got your moneys worth.

Couple of things...  The FF code could be any hardware hooked to the mobo.  TRy unhooking the drives, video card etc and see if it at least gets to Bios.  If so then could be what you unplugged.

Reseat the 24 pin and 6/8 pin connector from psu to mobo, both ends if the TX supply is modular.

Remove that sound card and try it.  Sound cards used to be a good source of issues years ago.

Last, remove the CMOS battery for 10-20 minutes, rig unplugged, and then reinstall and power up.  Doing this wipes the Bios but it is what it is.

Good luck and get back to us.  Big%20Smile
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 8:07am
Still running it like a champ haha. Ok great thanks. I will try it out tonight. I couldn't find the CMOS battery as I believe it is under that heatsink. Anyway to get access to it if I need to without removing that?
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 8:15am
Just pulled up the manual for your board, if I got it right, and the battery appears to be below the ram slots on right side of board.  You also have Clear Cmos buttons on the back and mid-board, inside the case.   Page 15 of the manual shows the board components.   Page 32 explains the buttons.

Hope this helps. Big%20Smile
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 9:23am
Sensational, thanks!
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 6:31pm
Well I tried it all and still get the FF on the mobo. I think it just wanted to be retired. Maybe I can find the same mobo and replace it. Or maybe I just need to get a whole new system.. Things to ponder.

Edited by Muz - 18 Jan 2018 at 6:42pm
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Jan 2018 at 7:19pm
Probably dead mobo if you got ff out of the blue. Contact evga but I doubt you can find one

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 2:15am
Looks like a new rig is in your immediate future.    You had a great run.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 2:51am
Ya plus you can keep a bunch of stuff out of this one to use on new pc.

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 4:11am
That is correct. I'll have to do some research to see what's available here. I know I will keep the video card and the harddrives/ssd along with the dvd. Not sure if the ram is compatible with these newer mobos. I also am not sure I need the sound card either. Well thanks for the help. I'll browse around the forums and see what's out there. Cheers!
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 4:30am
You can probably keep noctua you just need the adapter for the new cpu, you can keep the psu.

The ram/cpu yiu have to let go.

The lights, DVD drive even you can put in new pc, plus the case.

Really all you need is mobo/ram/cpu if you think about, just remove the mobo that has the ram/cpu on it, and drop in evga mobo, 8700k, and 16gb of ram, the 8700k has great turbo boost so just enable that in bios.

Fast cheap powerful, congratulations

Edited by DST4ME - 19 Jan 2018 at 4:33am

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 6:47am
Sounds like a plan. Thanks!
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 11:21am
Our pleasure and good luck

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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 12:32pm
Let us know what you end up with.     
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 5:19pm
I'll be in touch. Right now im leaning toward replacing the mobo parts. I know years ago DS used to sell individual parts..not anymore it looks like?
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Jan 2018 at 10:17pm
You're better off getting it from Newegg or Amazon

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Jan 2018 at 8:30am
I need some advice on a mobo since I will go with the 8700k and the 2x8gb ram dd4. Which mobo would yous recommend as the 3 I see seem to be pretty much all in line.. I am leaning toward the EVGA one however. Thoughts?

EVGA 134-KS-E377-KR LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel Z370 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel Z370 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard

MSI Z370 GAMING PRO CARBON AC LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel Z370 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard


**edit

Or my wife tells me to just buy a new one. Marriage.. gotta love it. Nothing like being torn in 2. I can use the old ds for downstairs and replace my Dell xps from 2005 which I use to putts around with stuff and just find a used basic mobo. Decisions decisions.


Edited by Muz - 20 Jan 2018 at 12:15pm
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Posts: 7966 		  Quote hoserator Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Jan 2018 at 12:30pm
Don't know individual specs or reviews but EVGA is the brand of preference for their service. More so if DIY. Good case and cooler. Personally I would go with a new psu, but that's me. Keep us posted. Smile
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jan 2018 at 12:31am
My avatar says it all

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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jan 2018 at 3:15am
Saw your new pc build in other thread.   Gotta love new.   
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jan 2018 at 5:23am
Thanks! Figured why not.
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 10:19am
Here's a question: I am going to remove the Noctua NH-D14 and possibly reuse it on my new mobo I am about to pick up(same one used). DO I need to re-apply thermal paste onto to the new cpu? Or can I just attach the heatsink without it? I was also thinking about not using it since the new used mobo and cpu will not be overclocked(stock).
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:55am
Definitely use new thermal paste.   Taking off the old Noctua might take a little jockeying being old, or it could pop off if the paste is dried up.

You need some kind of a cpu cooler, overclocking or not.     Noctua reigns supreme so I’d reuse it. You could use something smaller, like the Corsair H series coolers but then you’re looking at failure in a few years, possibly.    

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Posts: 7966 		  Quote hoserator Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2018 at 3:15am
Use the Noctua.  Awesome
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2018 at 4:29am
ok sounds good. thanks!
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2018 at 5:01am
Make sure you clean both block and cpu free form any old paste first then apply new paste, not too much just enough.

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Feb 2018 at 5:07pm
i read that you can use like 90% rubbing alcohol and a q-tip for that I believe
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 1:47am
Q tip can work but just make sure there’s no cotton filament left behind.   A foam makeup pad, not that I use makeup , or cloth.   Use only a pea size drop of paste.   You don’t want it to ooze over the edge.

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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 1:59am
Ditto ^

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 4:59pm
You got it. Just found and purchased the same exact mobo so mid week I'll do the replacement. I'm gonna toss the dice and see if I can use the same cpu however cause why not. Also got replacement thermal for the noctua as well. I'll let yous know how it goes next week.
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Posts: 7966 		  Quote hoserator Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 5:20pm
 Awesome
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 2:16am
Good luck with the repair.    

Stay static free with a wrist strap if you can.    Those little arcs from the finger, especially during winter from dry heat, can smoke circuits.

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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 6:08am
I just picked one up at best buy along with a replacement video card for this one, the NVidia Geforce gt 710 2gb. enough to run the older games and it was 50 bucks. I am excite
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Posts: 246 		  Quote Muz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 09 Feb 2018 at 8:03pm
I wanted to give an update and the replacement mobo works just fine. Using the same CPU..
**EDIT**

Spoke too soon. Went to go replace the graphic card to the GeForce 710 I got the other day new so I can get everything ready annnnd now it doesn't work again..FF. the same.. I don't get it. Maybe it is the cpu? I mean I had it working for a good hour and a half after I installed everything and repaired windows. I'll try again tomorrow to tinker with it.

Edited by Muz - 09 Feb 2018 at 9:11pm
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 10 Feb 2018 at 2:03am
Sorry to hear.    At this point it’s a swap this , swap that and try it.    Sounds like a new rig might be in your future.   
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