S3420GPLX won't POST

[idata]

Hi

I have a S3420GPLX motherboard that had been working fine for several months. I had previously purchased and installed the RMM3 module but never got around to setting it up. The other day I decided to set it up and booted into the BIOS to change the IP address of the RMM3 from Static to DHCP. I then saved and rebooted the computer. That's when my problems started.

The computer lights, fans and HDDs all started up but I got no display (LCD) and no lights on my keyboard or optical mouse.

I tried a full cold boot and even a new monitor(LCD), keyboard and mouse. Same result all dead.

I removed the RMM3 module and the only other add-in card - a dual port ethernet adapter.

I tried another power supply.

I removed the memory and got the 3 beeps.

When powering off the computer I get the 1-5-4-2 beep sequence.

CPU is Xeon X3450

Memory is Kingston KVR1066D3Q8R7S/8G

The POST Code Diagnostic LEDs show on-on-on-off on-on-off-off

which according to the manual is either:

0xEAh Flash Update; or

0xEEh Calling Int 19.

It looks like to me like the video and USB ports are not getting any power / signal.

I tried putting the BIOS in recovery mode and the LEDs showed off-off-on-on off-on-off-off

which is meant to be 0x34h Loading crisis recovery capsule.

Without a working video, keyboard or mouse I am pretty stumped.

[DSilv11 · Accepted solution]

Makes it tought when the symptoms don't really make any sense. Setting an RMM3 to DHCP should have zero impact on the systems ability to boot.

First guess:

CMOS corrupted. Try clearing CMOS http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/s3420gp/sb/sr1695gprx_tps_r1_5.pdf http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/s3420gp/sb/sr1695gprx_tps_r1_5.pdf page 58

On BIOS recovery,

A few hints which are well buried in the documentation.

1) You need a DOS bootable USB keyfob. ( the system will boot to EFI , but for some reason it looks for a bootable partition)

2) You need to extract the code package to the root directory of the key fob. http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20220/eng/S3420GPLXLC_EFI_BIOS49_BMC124_FRUSDR20.zip&lang=eng&Dwnldid=20220&DownloadType=Firmware&OSFullname=OS+Independent http://downloadcenter.intel.com/confirm.aspx?httpDown=http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20220/eng/S3420GPLXLC_EFI_BIOS49_BMC124_FRUSDR20.zip&lang=eng&Dwnldid=20220&DownloadType=Firmware&OSFullname=OS+Independent

These files are required to be in the root:

• fvmain.fv
• R0049REC.CAP
• IFlashx64.efi
• and a startup.nsh (which needs to be edited to just contain the line: iFlashx64 R0049REC.CAP /u )

3) Set the recovery jumper

4) Power -up and take a break. It takes a LOOOOOOONG time to complete. ( give it 10 minutes or more)

[idata]

Mate you are a genius!

I had tried to recover the BIOS but was unsuccessful.

Your steps were the answer and worked perfectly.

Thanks again.