ASRockH170M-ITX/ac won't POST
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1716
Printed Date: 03 Apr 2025 at 9:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: ASRockH170M-ITX/ac won't POST
Posted By: permelquedon
Subject: ASRockH170M-ITX/ac won't POST
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 4:57am
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Hello, I have been banging my head trying to figure this one out. Here is the configuration I am trying to get to work: Motherboard: ASRock HM170M-ITX/ac CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 3.3 GHz (w/ stock Intel CPU cooler) RAM: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) CT2K4G4DFS8213 PSU: CORSAIR RM Series RM450 450W When I turn the power on, I hear a very faint click from the PSU, and then nothing happens. I tested the PSU separately (the "paperclip" test) and it is working. I have verified the power switch is connected to the correct headers. No other components (hard drives, usb, etc) are connected at this time. Any suggestions? I am at a loss as to what to try next.
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Replies:
Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 4:57am
| I should also note that I have already tried swapping out the RAM, so this system is failing to POST with 2 sets of RAM and a known good power supply. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 5:43am
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What version number is printed on the sticker on your BIOS chip? That board requires BIOS version 1.30 to support the G4400. Even then I am pretty sure the system should still power on even if it will not post. Is the 4 pin CPU power connector attached to the board? Also check and see if the clear CMOS jumper is set to clear, if it is restore it to it's correct position. Good luck
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Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 5:58am
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Thanks for the quick reply. It turns out I do have v1.10 of the BIOS so my CPU isn't supported. Is there a reasonable way to update the BIOS? And to your other questions, yes I do have the 4 pin power cable connected and the CMOS pin is in the default position.
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Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 7:48am
ASRock themselves sell BIOS chips for $15.00USD+shipping, but if you ask politely explaining your situation they've been known to send them for only shipping. Location dependent. http://www.asrock.com/support/index.asp?cat=RMA" rel="nofollow - http://www.asrock.com/support/index.asp?cat=RMA There's BIOS Depot on eBay. Also trustworthy, fast to ship, and reliable. I've used them many times. http://www.ebay.com/sch/biosdepot/m.html?item=381143067366" rel="nofollow - http://www.ebay.com/sch/biosdepot/m.html?item=381143067366 Leaving the least cost-worthy alternative. Buy a CPU that is supported by your current BIOS, install it, upflash, and then re-install that G4400. Them's all I know of in your predicament. edited: add "explaining your situation" |
permelquedon wrote:Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 7:52am
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Note: I you choose to use BIOS Depot on eBay and don't see your board/BIOS listed send them a message thru eBay and they usually respond within 12hrs, most times way less. |
Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2016 at 8:28am
| Thanks for the tips! I've reached out to both ASRock support as well as the Ebay vendor you mentioned. |
Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 5:16am
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Fast forward - I was able to obtain a new BIOS thanks to ASRock's (extremely) helpful support. I installed the new BIOS and unfortunately I am back to square one. With the components I listed above and a 1.4 BIOS, when I hit the power button on my chassis, I hear a faint "click" from the PSU but it still will not power on. At this point I am extremely confused about what the issue is. This is now my second motherboard (I RMA'd the original thinking I had a DOA). I have tested with 2 different types of RAM, one of which is specifically listed by both ASRock and Crucial as being supported. The PSU passes a "paper clip" test. At this point either there is some bizarre interaction with the PSU/motherboard or my CPU itself is dead, which doesn't past my gut test. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can troubleshoot this? I'm at my wit's end! Thanks!
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Posted By: granite
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 7:54am
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I'm having a similar problem (different board) although it didn't start out that way - system ran fine until the other day when it stopped powering on. In any case, have you checked whether your case's power button might be bad? You can try swapping the header with the reset button instead and see if the reset button works for you in powering on the system. You can also try shorting the power pins to "jump" the machine - search powering on motherboard without a case on youtube if you're not familiar with the process. These steps didn't help resolve my issue personally, I'm leaning towards thinking my mobo died.
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Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2016 at 8:36am
Seems everyone lately is doing the paper clip test. re: paper clip test, and looking at the other parts IMO you've ruled out in diagnosing this Keep in mind the paper clip test does not put a load against the PSU. It simply, SIMPLY, is a voltage ok test. Yet no real loading against the PSUs internals. Consider what all you've looked at and performed. Where does your PSU fall into what you've already done? Exactly! That's what I read here too. Borrow a proper sized PSU and check the last piece you haven't yet. |
Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 9:19am
| Much to my chagrin, I tested with a new power supply and I'm exactly where I started. I even tried a jumper on the power switch connector on the motherboard to rule out a faulty power switch on the case. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2016 at 10:58am
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Ok. Now it's time to remove it all from the case it's presently in, and build it up atop the BARE box the MB came in. |
Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 7:09am
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I got frustrated with the build so I had to let it alone for awhile, but I am coming back to it now with a vengeance. (This is literally the most trouble I've ever had trying to get a system built and I started in the 90s!) Anyway, I've got it out of the case with the power button jumpered and I'm still seeing the exact same behavior as before. When I turn on the power, I hear a faint "click" from the power supply and nothing else happens. I've tried 2 different power supplies, 2 different sets of power cables, 2 sets of RAM, 2 MOTHERBOARDS! And still the darn thing will not power on. This is after I had ASRock support send me a 1.3 BIOS that would supposedly support my Pentium G4400. So I've tried about everything I can think of now. Can anyone offer up what I should try next? Thanks!
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Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 1:22pm
Please try the following: First, so sorry but I must ask, do you have the power cable from the PSU to the four pin CPU power connector on the board connected? Remove the jumper from the power button pins on the system panel header, which I assume is how you are jumping the power button. You should only need to momentarily short the two pins on the system panel header to get the board running. Now that you have the new BIOS chip installed, at least do a BIOS clear with the jumper. You may want to do a full BIOS clear by removing the battery from the board and moving the BIOS jumper to the clear position. The full BIOS clear may be necessary, which may take some time. The capacitors in your board should not have much of a charge, so it may not take hours to completely clear. Replace battery and put the BIOS jumper on the normal position. With only the PSU, CPU, CPU cooler, and memory connected to the board, try and start it by shorting the power button pins with a screwdriver momentarily. Even with a BIOS version that did not support your CPU, I can't imagine the board just doing nothing, and all that happens is a click sound from the PSU. I'm not saying that did/does not happen! Yes it would fail to POST, and the POST beep speaker would give the CPU failure signal, but the board would at least start, fans would spin, etc. But in your case, the CPU cooler fan does not start to spin, or at most just jerks for a moment and then does nothing, right? Given all this, doesn't that seem like the PSU is shutting itself off due to a fault it is detecting? Its protection circuitry is shutting it off, right? If you agree, the question becomes, what is causing the PSU to protect itself? It sounds like you know enough to not let the board short itself out from the bottom, when just sitting outside of a PC case. So is the stock CPU cooler fan shorted? Or a cable from the keyboard or mouse? I know this is your second board of the same model, etc. But IMO something is stopping the PSU from starting. I know you used two PSUs, which is another reason why I feel something is keeping the PSU from starting. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2016 at 1:44pm
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In my experience the symptoms you are describing can only come from a few possible causes: 1. A bad PSU 2. A short somewhere 3. No CPU installed/detected Perform a full CMOS clear as Parsec suggested. If I pull the CPU from my H170 Combo board and try to power up the system without it I get the exact same result as you. Given you have tried 2 different PSUs and I am assuming you are running the board outside the case as Wardog suggested earlier in the thread I would start with checking the CPU is installed correctly. Remove the CPU from the board and check for any damaged/bent pins. Check to be sure there is no warping of the CPU itself, this can happen if it is installed in the wrong orientation and clamped down. If all is well on the CPU front then strip the board down to just the 4 pin power, 24 pin power, 1 stick of RAM is slot A1 or B1 and the CPU. Let us know how it goes. ------------- 
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Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2016 at 3:51am
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Thanks for the reply. The 4 pin CPU power connector is connected. I am doing a BIOS clear (I assume that means a jumper on pins 2 and 3) now, but strangely I can't find the battery on this particular board for the life of me. Anyway, I'll give it a bit of time and try again. Currently the only thing connected is the power connectors and 2 sticks of RAM (I'll try with 1 as well). You are correct about the CPU fan. It doesn't move at all when I power on. The only evidence is the click from the power supply which I am also assuming is the protection circuitry. I'm curious about what you mean with regards to the CPU fan being shorted? IT is well mounted and isn't touching any circuitry on the board. At this point the only thing I can guess is that I have a defective or physically damaged CPU. I'll try here again in a few minutes after doing the CMOS clear. Thanks!
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Posted By: permelquedon
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2016 at 6:14am
Well, I removed the CPU and inspected it and all looks well. I used a magnifying glass to inspect the pins on the socket and that all looks fine as well. I just tried a new CPU (an i3 instead of a Pentium) and I'm back at square zero. I've now tried: * 2 CPUs of differing types * 2 motherboards * 2 BIOSes * 2 sets of RAM * 2 different power supplies And all with the exact same results. I am at a loss ...
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