DFI Expert Video/Boot Issues

[MikalCarbine]

I decided to start working on overclocking my video card today. I turned off the PC, upped the potentiometer (7800gt volt mod) a little bit and booted (raised memory from 2.18 to 2.19, in the past I ran 2.3). I shut down and turn it one or two more times and try to boot. The computer won't post and the mobo is stuck on the 2nd LED Diag, which refers to video. Now I am thinking I just fried my card. I slapped in 2 different PCI cards and the same problem occured, except one card booted at first but after a BSOD it rebooted and the same problem occurs. I am assuming it is now the motherboard but I have no clue where to start. I've seen others with video problems on this motherboard too, I've tried clearing CMOS, switching out my memory, took out all my add in cards, etc

Any suggestions?

Edit:

When I boot, all 4 of the LED Diags flash on and off, I don't know if this is normal either

Edit2:

Well I got it to boot, I took out everything, let it sit for 10 minutes to discharge completely, and booted with just the video card in, but the problem is intermittent, upon rebooting or changing the BIOS settings it started doing it again... It also happened when I added another stick of ram in the other OJ slot. I would like to note that I am using some crappy 512mb kingston value memory

[g0dM@n]

For Edit2, did you boot with the vmodded video card and it worked? If so, throw that card back onto stock volts, and see how she goes. If your problem persists, it is likely that it's your mobo; although, it's still likely that you damaged something on the card, and the card is becoming flakey...

[MikalCarbine]

Yes, it was with the 7800GT and it booted. The thing is, I tried 2 different PCI cards and the problem persisted with the motherboard, indicating that is the problem..

The power went out 2 days ago and when it came back up, the computer booted fine lol, I'll check today to see what is up

[MikalCarbine]

Just tried it out today again, same problem, even with the PCI cards still. I found if I turn the PSU on (the power in the back so the mobo standby lights are on) and leave it for a good 5-10 minutes it will boot fine, otherwise it is a no go.

[g0dM@n]

It's the mobo... my guess. You should try swapping PSUs also and see if it makes a change. Again, my guess is it's the mobo. I have a power issue currently with my 2nd rig. It's a SLI-DR that won't turn on with any power switches (whether it's mobo switches or the case power switch). Only way to turn on mobo is by jumping my PSU... yes, I've tried different PSUs as well.

It's DFI man... they are notorious with power issues. Although, when the thing turns on, it still flies...

[MikalCarbine]

Never had a single issue with my Ultra-D, I guess it is luck of the draw, I can't wait for my Ultra-D to come back from its RMA, hopefully it'll be the same board or a AD0, then I will RMA this and sell it new

[g0dM@n]

Never had a single issue with my Ultra-D, I guess it is luck of the draw, I can't wait for my Ultra-D to come back from its RMA, hopefully it'll be the same board or a AD0, then I will RMA this and sell it new

You never had a single issue with your Ultra-D, but it's on its way back from RMA? Did I miss something?

[MikalCarbine]

It was rock solid then an inductor started to make a whining/singing noise at load, even though it was still rock solid, I didn't want to risk something going and frying something else or unwanted downtime

[g0dM@n]

Wow... that reminds me... my DFI SLI-DR (2nd rig) makes a funky screetch sound whenever the nvidia firewall manager pops up to ask for ALLOW or DENY to a website/download...

Weird or normal? It goes SCREETCH SCREETCH... but ONLY with that popup... it's not through PC speakers either... it's somewhere from inside the case.

plz don't laugh!!! it's weird1

[MikalCarbine]

Open up your case and see if it is near where the ATX connectors plug into the motherboard, mine would do it REALLY loud only at CERTAIN times also (like the press any key to start in COD2) but it would still make a noise at load.

I think my expert problem might be the crappy value ram I have in it now, still waiting on my cronus though, won't be here till wednesday

[g0dM@n]

Cronus?

Also, if it were by the ATX plug, what would that mean... is there a special something there to look at specifically?

[MikalCarbine]

The new TeamGroup Cronus Micron based memory, as for the motherboard problem, the inductor (ceramic disc with copper coiled around it) was the source of my noise, and was the one near the ATX connectors, I'm curious if you are having the same problem.

As for my Expert, turns out it was the memory, doesn't like that crappy value memory :P I tried one of my friends G.Skill HZ 1G stick and it boots flawlessy, now I can't wait for my new memory to come even more!

[g0dM@n]

I know what an inductor is , but I do appreciate you explaining it anyways..

I'll take a look when I get home (been at gf's since right after work yesterday)...

[Tulatin]

Hold insert while you boot. Just the machine being a about coldbooting.

[MikalCarbine]

What's holding insert do while booting? I used to know but I forget hahah

[trodas]

Hmmm, so the DFI board still have the whinning coils?
I tell you what, guys. I had the same annoing problem (having fanless watercooling setup and beyond belief quiet computer) and I tried to fix it by hi-temp silicone, but it won't help and later caps exploded on the mobo. So, this indicate the DFI design generate excess noise and did not filter parazite and resonation frequency well (if at all), witch make it pretty poor mobo choice
And you are right to RMA it. It mostly (increased whinning) indicating the end of the lifetime for some caps... and believe me or not, the mobo won't run w/o them And start run pretty erratic, when they lost 50% of their capacitance...