N3700-ITX cannot boot or flash

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   Dear All,

I'm an experienced system builder.  My first asrock motherboard and it is not going well.

Assistance would be appreciated.

N3700-ITX
Connected just memory and PSU and keyboard/mouse via USB, SSD on Port1 using cable provided in box
Tried 2 PSU have identical results:

(also tried 1 or two memory sticks,  and different memory, for since SODIMM inserted into A1 only)

When Power button is applied the system power starts and stops

If there is NO SSD connected then SOMETIMES I can get to the BIOS
Screen connected on HDMI
Not consistent.
However firmware upgrade  from installed 1.3 to 1.50 hangs  (using USB key with bios code)

What is this PSU fan starting and stopping trying to tell me?  Is the motherboard defective?

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marcusb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2016 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote marcusb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: N3700-ITX cannot boot or flash Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 7:56am
	Dear All, I'm an experienced system builder. My first asrock motherboard and it is not going well. Assistance would be appreciated. N3700-ITX Connected just memory and PSU and keyboard/mouse via USB, SSD on Port1 using cable provided in box Tried 2 PSU have identical results: (also tried 1 or two memory sticks, and different memory, for since SODIMM inserted into A1 only) When Power button is applied the system power starts and stops If there is NO SSD connected then SOMETIMES I can get to the BIOS Screen connected on HDMI Not consistent. However firmware upgrade from installed 1.3 to 1.50 hangs (using USB key with bios code) What is this PSU fan starting and stopping trying to tell me? Is the motherboard defective?

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 12:08pm
	You lost me on this: "However firmware upgrade from installed 1.3 to 1.50 hangs (using USB key with bios code)" Are you saying you tried to update the firmware/BIOS to version 1.50, and it "hangs" or fails to complete the update? That was using the Instant Flash method, with the unzipped UEFI file on a USB flash drive? If the firmware update failed, you may have a corrupted firmware now. Are you able to get into the UEFI/BIOS at this point? What memory are you using with this board? If the board shuts off right after starting (and the fan on the PSU starts and stops), that might indicate a short circuit that the PSU and/or board is detecting. The PSU is either shutting itself off or is getting a shutdown signal from the board. Until we know what happened with the firmware update as I asked above, there is not much else to ask until that is made clear.


marcusb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2016 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote marcusb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Apr 2016 at 6:47am
	Okay, After hours of effort and some witnesses to make sure I am not going mad: Firmware flash STILL busted have tried from a USB key, or from within Windows or from the BIOS where it cleverly downloads something from the internet. For the Internet and unpacked (obviously!) file it says 100% then totally hangs, well mouse does not move, and due to paranoia I leave it for a full 30 minutes, yes really. So then after a total hang, power off, disconnect, wait 10 seconds, reconnect, power on and BIOS (thanksfully!) is still operational at 1.30 -------- BOOTING Issue So the PSU starting and stopping is evidence that the PSU thinks there is a short. however I really checked carefully and NOTHING seen. I then found (wierdly) that connecting the SSD via an independent power supply meant that the motherboard PSU (1000W!!) did not cut out, so then I was able to install Windows and Ubuntu to the SSD as a test THEN I replaced the all metal bodied SSD with a regular 3.5" /normal/ spinning disk and used the original PSU and have had no problems for last 12 hours. SO, I have absolultely NO IDEA how the connected SSD, which works fine in 2 other systems, in this system seems to cause a PSU short. Hmm. SO, we are back to the flashing. In the old days a bad flash could brick your motherboard. Can someone tell me that this is impossible here? (it's got 2 sides for lastgood etc or some safe mechanism meaning that it can't be bricked?) Then I can continue to try an upgrade.

marcusb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2016 Status: Offline Points: 8	Post Options Post Reply Quote marcusb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Apr 2016 at 6:57am
	Flashing specific Just to be precisely clear what is not working Board is at P1.30 level Power on Select Tool Select Internet Flash Connection is made and a popup called Internet Flash starts Message Downloading firmware 100% At this point mouse cursor frozen and keyboard also inoperational Wait > 10 minutes (this time) Nothing C-A-D does not work Have to unplug power to power it off Reboot and it is still at P1.30