SAM 440EP Flex problem - Black screen

[Puni/Void]

Hi guys,

I sold a SAM 440EP Flex to Isense here on AmiBay. The whole setup was working great before I shipped it to the US. He has received the board, but it does not work.

He tells me the board receives power and so forth, but no Uboot on screen - only black screen. He has tried two 9250 graphics card.

Any ideas on what can be wrong? Thanks in advance for help.

I'm posting here to try to help him. If the board needs repairs, I will pay for ACube to do so.

 

[merlinkv]

Hello,

I have an SAM 440EP Flex and I will try to help you .....

Maybe stupid questions, but .....

The 9250's are the correct ones? (PCI "Universal" 3.3v-5v).

He tried both video outs? (VGA & DVI)


Also I think is better if @Isense can post here some pics of the mobo.

 

[Templar]

Tell him to read the manual thoroughly. You have to connect the HD and the optical drive in specific SATA connectors. The same goes for the USB keyboard and/or mouse, if I remember correctly is the lower USB hub on the back?

And as Pablo said, you have to check that he has the correct Radeon9250 gfx card.

 

[fitzsteve]

Tell him to read the manual thoroughly. You have to connect the HD and the optical drive in specific SATA connectors. The same goes for the USB keyboard and/or mouse, if I remember correctly is the lower USB hub on the back?

And as Pablo said, you have to check that he has the correct Radeon9250 gfx card.

+1 I had similar problems when I got a Sam, people expect them to be like a PC, i.e simple... But they're not!

 

[cpiace64]

use another psu

 

[Puni/Void]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I've passed them on to him now. He'll probably come here soon.

 

[Isense]

Here is the picture of the mobo attached. Light is on when pwr switch is off and it is going off when pwr swtch is on.

Isense

I have hooked sserial term through null cable and this is what I have got

Hello,

I have an SAM 440EP Flex and I will try to help you .....

Maybe stupid questions, but .....

The 9250's are the correct ones? (PCI "Universal" 3.3v-5v).

He tried both video outs? (VGA & DVI)


Also I think is better if @Isense can post here some pics of the mobo.

 

[merlinkv]

Hi @Isense

Thanks for the pics mate. I will check my system this evening/night.

Anyway follow the Anthoni's (Phantom) & Steve (fitzsteve) recommendations about HDD, DVD, USB, .....

......

I will inform you

 

[merlinkv]

Hello again,

@Isense take a look here https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?18063-My-Sam440ep-Flex/page2 mate. You can see in the first post my mobo, sound & video boards, HDD/DVD connections, ....

One question ..... It's possible for you to "reflash" the BootLoader?

 

[Phal7133]

had the same problem yesterday with my new Sam 440ep,blackscreen all the time with VGA -> DVI adaptor. I'm using now a Display with native DVI and all works fine now

 

[merlinkv]

- Burn the BootLoader ISO on a CD
- Disconnect the HDD and connect the CD unit in the first bootable SATA port
- Switch on the computer, wait two or three seconds and press ENTER, wait 2 seconds and press ENTER again
- If all is correct the reflashing process will auto start, and you see the CD unit working, wait until it stops and press SPACE
- Wait 10 or 15 seconds
- Switch off the computer and reconnect the HDD and the CD unit in their SATA ports
- Cross fingers & pray ......
- Switch on the computer

Remember:

"WARNING!
Upgrading the Sam440ep firmware is potentially dangerous.
If something should go wrong during the update, it might leave your system unusable.
In case this should happen, send an email to the following address:
support@acube-systems.com
and ask for help on how to solve the problem."

 

[Countraven]

I guess you should first try with another dvi adapter or monitor before flashing the machine again. Also follow the instructions that Phantom gave you about connections.

 

[merlinkv]

I guess you should first try with another dvi adapter or monitor befire flashing the machine again. Also follow the instructions that Phantom gave you about connections.

100% agree.

Update firmware in abnormal circumstances is a serious risk and must be the last "option".

Just another question ..... you can type shell commands from putty?

 

[Puni/Void]

Many, many thanks guys. Are you reading this, Isense?

 

[merlinkv]

Many, many thanks guys. Are you reading this, Isense?

Glad to help mate.

I hope the issues will be solved.

 

[Isense]

Many thanks but I am still did not manage to see the light. Switched VGA/DVI, video cards, sata conncections. Did not reflash yet waiting for ACube reply.

Many, many thanks guys. Are you reading this, Isense?

 

[fitzsteve]

You have USB Keyboard connected to the correct USB port?

 

[Countraven]

Take the radeon out and try with the on board gfx.

 

[Isense]

My board SAM440ep flex does not have onboard gfx unfortunately.

- - - Updated - - -

Yes the upper USB port following the manual recommendation.

 

[Puni/Void]

Hi all,

Received a message today from Isense. He wrote that the system is now working perfectly!

The problem was the PSU. It was working, but apparantly the SAM is a bit picky about its source of power. Isense connected another, stronger, PSU and then everything worked as it should.

Thanks to all for the great help!