I rebuilt an old rig for the wife and have run into an error that has been driving me crazy for two days. I have an Epox 8K7A+ with a 1.4 T-Bird that will rarely get past the initial bios post screen. The Epox board has an digital readout on the board that shows the codes during the bootup process and is supposed to let you know what is wrong if it hangs.

Well, I keep getting an error code of 52 on the board. Like I said everything powers and the bios screen shows, then that's it. After several power cyclings it may boot, but if I have to reboot it does the same thing.

I thought it may be a bad or underpowered PS, so I swapped the 300W with another one, same thing. I then thought 300W may not be enough so I threw another 300W AT in to run all the drives and fans and had the ATX powering the mobo only, but still the same thing.

Epox has no documentation on an error post code of 52. I looked all over the net and on AMDMB.com and couldn't find any info on this code. I've pulled all the hardware out and reinstalled it one by one, but it still only boots intermittently.

Tonight I will tear it completely apart again and test each piece of equipment in another system before I install it in this rig, but I am positive that all the equipment is good. It acts like a power problem, but this same configuration ran fine on 300W before. If any of you guys find anything that helps I'd appreciate it.

Have you found any refrence to error 52? I have looked all over the place online for you and cant find it, checking the online manual now.

According to the PDF online version of the manual for that motherboard, the closest postcode of that kind is

Quote: 52h Test all memory (clear all extended memory to 0)

http://www.epox.nl/manuals/mu-8k7a&+15.pdf Link to the manual

I saw that and swapped memory sticks and memory slots, but no difference. I don't think the reference to 52h is the same as error code 52, but thanks. The memory thing doesn't explain intermittant booting. When it does ocassionally boot, I get no errors at all while running any programs, including benchmarks.

Well, I got the day off tomorrow so I'll be spending this evening with a screwdriver and a 12 pack. One thing I have thought of is a possible short from a stand-off. I will insulate the stand-offs before I but the mobo back in. Any other suggestions?

What BIOS is it running one BA??

5/29/2002. I remember the date but can't get in to get the version.

Ya'll gave up on the dog. That hurts. I still can't find any references to this error on the net. Posted to Epox but I don't expect an answer. We all know tech support.

Just a suggestion- Have you tried swapping the CMOS battery? If that doesn't work, perhaps try reflashing the BIOS if you have not done so already. If that doesn't work, perhaps try replacing the BIOS chip. (I am just throwing things at you; I have no idea whatsoever if any thing that I have said is even the slightest bit relevent to the issue at hand.)

-Scott

still searching BA....get back to ya

Scott, I gotta love ya for trying. Reflashing isn't really an option since I can't get beyond the bios boot screen. That is really the problem.

I honestly think I have a power problem (even with 600W combined). I believe that one of the rails isn't giving the juice my T-Bird is asking for.

I have had three different PS's in there now and got pissed off, I ordered a 450W PS and will see if that makes a difference.

If worse comes to worse, you may have to sacrifice your dignity and take it into a store and pay for a professional diagnosis. There they could try different T-Birds, and other parts to try to isolate the problem. I honestly think buying all of these different power supplies is a waste of money, and it could be related to the Motherboard distributing the power.

-Scott

Srry BA, all i can say is that i made a spare g00d comp with that same board , run a 1.3 0c'd at 1.45 great board tho , so stable ...sorry i cant help

Quote: Originally posted by bigakita Scott, I gotta love ya for trying. Reflashing isn't really an option since I can't get beyond the bios boot screen. That is really the problem. I honestly think I have a power problem (even with 600W combined). I believe that one of the rails isn't giving the juice my T-Bird is asking for. I have had three different PS's in there now and got pissed off, I ordered a 450W PS and will see if that makes a difference.

Well a big problem & i'm not sure if i can help you , but & i think that Scott had a good going with swapping the Cmos battery but it would be better if your board have the option Clear Cmos usely a jumper on the board near the Bios with 3 pins , 1-2 Normal , 2-3 Clear Cmos.
IF you got one on your board try it , put the jumper to Clear Cmos power up the computer for about 5 to10 sec. after that turn off the computer and then put back the jumper to Nomal.

Now you're ready to try again but i'm sure that you knew & or allready try this option and many more , anyway i'm just (like Scott) trying to help you here.

I've cleared the CMOS, I swapped power supplies, changed out the ram, pulled the CPU and cleaned all the traces, put better cooling on it...still have error 52. I've had this board ever since it was first released, it's served it's purpose. I will replace it with the same board, found it for around $50 on ebay.

I had two "incidents" with this board before and I believe after all this time the ramifications of those are finally showing up. I had already lost one PCI slot about six months ago, I think the board is toast. I hate to give up without knowing exactly what the cause or effect is, but I've already wasted too much time trying to run this one down.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

yeah but did you enjoy the six pack BA. Thats the real reason for trying.

Dude, 6? Try 18. That's the effort I put into this one. Can't really remember exactly what I found out though....It didn't boot the next morning so I guess I wasn't successful.

Well I think , it be the best buying a new board and if you can have it for around $50.xx it's not to much expensive that sound like a good deal.