Can SYNTAX SV266A run 133MHz ?

[Mark_H]

Hi, I have recently assembled a new computer for my daughter based on
SYNTAX SV266A Mobo. I would like to ask some other users of this MoBo
if they can run it at 133MHz ? My machine is crushing consistently. I
have Win XP Pro with SP1 so it reboots automatically. When I disable
automatic reboot it sometimes report some errors like "…
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL …" "… STOP : 0 x 00000000A ( 0 x F9E4FFC4, 0 x
000000002, 0 x 00000001, 0 x 804EC1B9) …" , but sometimes there is no
message or it is different.
I downloaded and flashed the BIOS from Syntax.usa.com ( but I think it
is the same BIOS as on the CD supplied with MoBo ) Did not help.
I changed the jumper into 100MHz and so far I did not have a single
crash/reboot.
In my opinion this motherboard my have a problem with running at
133MHz.
Has anyone have running at 133MHz ? If yeas what is your other
hardware ?
I have :
Syntax SV266A ( VIA KT266A and VT8235 chipset )
Athlon 2200+ ( suppose to run at 1.8GHz )
Leadtek WinFast 32MB AGP ( x 4 ) graphic card
SDRAM 133MHz 3.3V ( 2 modules x 128MB = 256MB )
old Fujitsu 4.1Gb ATA 100 drive connect with 80m pin cable on primary
IDE
old Samsung x 48 MAX CD-Rom drive connected on secondary IDE
case PSU 300W.

Please share your experience.
Thanks, Mark

 

[Mr. Slow]

Hi, I have recently assembled a new computer for my daughter based on
SYNTAX SV266A Mobo. I would like to ask some other users of this MoBo
if they can run it at 133MHz ? My machine is crushing consistently. I
have Win XP Pro with SP1 so it reboots automatically. When I disable
automatic reboot it sometimes report some errors like ".
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL ." ". STOP : 0 x 00000000A ( 0 x F9E4FFC4, 0 x
000000002, 0 x 00000001, 0 x 804EC1B9) ." , but sometimes there is no
message or it is different.
I downloaded and flashed the BIOS from Syntax.usa.com ( but I think it
is the same BIOS as on the CD supplied with MoBo ) Did not help.
I changed the jumper into 100MHz and so far I did not have a single
crash/reboot.
In my opinion this motherboard my have a problem with running at
133MHz.
Has anyone have running at 133MHz ? If yeas what is your other
hardware ?
I have :
Syntax SV266A ( VIA KT266A and VT8235 chipset )
Athlon 2200+ ( suppose to run at 1.8GHz )
Leadtek WinFast 32MB AGP ( x 4 ) graphic card
SDRAM 133MHz 3.3V ( 2 modules x 128MB = 256MB )
old Fujitsu 4.1Gb ATA 100 drive connect with 80m pin cable on primary
IDE
old Samsung x 48 MAX CD-Rom drive connected on secondary IDE
case PSU 300W.

Please share your experience.
Thanks, Mark

I have four of these boards, all running at 133 mhz. Absolutely trouble free
with win 98 & Win 2K.
I would check

Your RAM. Run MEMTEST86................... I take it that you have removed
the jumpers to enable the use of SDR SDRAM rather than DDR SDRAM?

Your PSU. Try something bigger. Some 300w generic PSUs are not up to running
an Athlon 2200+

Another thought. Uniquely amongst motherboard manufacturers, Syntax do
actually provide e mail tech support. Tell them of your problem and see if
they can help.

 

[Mark_H]

Thanks Mr.Slow,
SDRAM I use came from my old machine and it used to work OK. But I
will try test it with MEMTEST86, this a good idea. SDRAM/DDR jumpers
are set correctly.
PSU – this is the only item I did not try, yet. I will swap SPU and
try.
Did you flash in a new BIOS ? Which memory stick do you use ?
Thanks again, Mark

 

[Mr. Slow]

Thanks Mr.Slow,
SDRAM I use came from my old machine and it used to work OK. But I
will try test it with MEMTEST86, this a good idea. SDRAM/DDR jumpers
are set correctly.
PSU - this is the only item I did not try, yet. I will swap SPU and
try.
Did you flash in a new BIOS ? Which memory stick do you use ?
Thanks again, Mark

I am using both BIOSes. The only problem that I have found with the older
BIOS is that it does not correctly detect the new Duron CPUs. This has been
fixed in the new version. I have machines using both DDR and SDR SDRAM (but
not together in the same board, obviously....)

Another thought. Are your memory timings too aggressive in the BIOS?
Something else to think about............

MS

 

[Mark_H]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I don't know now to distinguish that ? Can point it to me, where
should I look in the BIOS?
Thanks again

 

[Mr. Slow]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I don't know now to distinguish that ? Can point it to me, where
should I look in the BIOS?
Thanks again

In the advanced chipset setup in the BIOS, under DRAM clock/Drive Control.
DRAM Clock and DRAM Timing are probably best set to "By SPD" which uses the
memory chip's own information.

 

[Mark_H]

Hi,
Thanks again. I don't know how to distinguish in the BIOS if memory is
"timing too aggressive" . Can you guide me into it, please. I have run
a test with MemTest-86. At 100MHz ( set by jumper ) the was no errors.
But when I set the speed into 133MHZ it shows plenty of errors !
Any comment on this, please.
Regards, Mark

 

[Mr. Slow]

Hi,
Thanks again. I don't know how to distinguish in the BIOS if memory is
"timing too aggressive" . Can you guide me into it, please. I have run
a test with MemTest-86. At 100MHz ( set by jumper ) the was no errors.
But when I set the speed into 133MHZ it shows plenty of errors !
Any comment on this, please.
Regards, Mark

This may or may not point to faulty RAM. Are you SURE that it is PC133 RAM?
And not PC100? Have you had it running at 133 Mhz. in another machine? Did
you take ESD precautions when building the machine?

Best try a known good stick of PC133 and see if the problem is cured. But
this could also be a PSU problem. Inadequate current on one particular
voltage rail can manifest itself in memory errors. You will have to swap out
one component at a time to find the culprit. Good luck!

 

[Mark_H]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I have already tried these :
3 different SDRAM modules 133MHz for sure, 1 DDR 2700,
Duron 1300, Athlon 1800+, Ahlon 2600+
1 different HDD, 2 different AGP ( x2 ) and ( x4 ) cards. Today I even
swapped SPU. Upgraded BIOS. Bloody hell, nothing more to try ! I
strongly suspect faulty MoBo. Thanks again.

 

[Mr. Slow]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I have already tried these :
3 different SDRAM modules 133MHz for sure, 1 DDR 2700,
Duron 1300, Athlon 1800+, Ahlon 2600+
1 different HDD, 2 different AGP ( x2 ) and ( x4 ) cards. Today I even
swapped SPU. Upgraded BIOS. Bloody hell, nothing more to try ! I
strongly suspect faulty MoBo. Thanks again.

Power Supply???

 

[Mark_H]

Hi,
Yesterday I swapped PSU from my other machine. The same thing. The
system is very unstable at 133MHz. Automatic reboots, freezes…ect. I
am giving it up. I spoke to my supplier. He said, he can replace or
re-found, following his own test. What a hassle for 25 GBP ! I have
read some messages about other people quite happy with this board, but
for me it just bad luck.
Thank you very much for your support.