A7N8X-X problems installing XP and 2k

[mikere]

I upgraded one of my old computers that was running 98SE with an A7N8X-X
mobo, 512mb ddr, xp2000+ cpu and a radeon 9000 I had lying around. After
updating with the asus drivers, I noticed some significant problems with
apps that run on startup crashing (some were fine, some borked every boot).
I decided to format and try XP on this box - only reason it hadn't been done
before is 98 had been extremely stable on that box and I didn't want to
screw with it. The install didn't go so I tried a 2k server install. Still
no luck.

The problem I get with installing xp or 2k is files not being found on the
cd during install. If I retry enough, they eventually get installed,
however, after a reboot, I get some error relating to the 'catalog' not
matching or some thing like that. Anyway, this is driving me nuts. I tried
a different cd drive to see if that was the problem, but no change in the
behavior. I'm starting to suspect that something's wrong with the board.
It guess I'll give my Mandrake 10.0 install CD's a shot next and see how
that goes.

 

[Driekes]

I think it's a mem problem. Run memtest (www.memtest.org) to find out.

 

[mikere]

Well, memtest is on Test #7 and has found 8101 errors. I guess I better try
reseating the ram and then swap it out for a known good stick from another
box and see if that narrows it down.

 

[Vogon Jeltz]

Well, memtest is on Test #7 and has found 8101 errors. I guess I better try
reseating the ram and then swap it out for a known good stick from another
box and see if that narrows it down.

Started looking at the speed setting for the ram and am now tweaking that
down. Changed to cas 2.5 and 133 instead of 166 bus speed for the PC2700
RAM. This seems to have lowered the number of errors significantly. I
might drop them more just to see what happens. Sure glad I have spare
computers to work on while I wait for these memory tests.

 

[Driekes]

One error only can couse systemcrashes. So if you have 8101 errors......

 

[JK ( at mail dot dk)]

Well, memtest is on Test #7 and has found 8101 errors. I guess I better try
reseating the ram and then swap it out for a known good stick from another
box and see if that narrows it down.

Just go into bios and set some reasonable ram speed settings. No Auto.
Take expert setting or user defined and set syncroneous, if you know
which speed that is.

best regards

John

 

[Dreamaker]

Just go into bios and set some reasonable ram speed settings. No Auto.
Take expert setting or user defined and set syncroneous, if you know
which speed that is.

best regards

John

Have you try updating the bios from 1004 to 1009

the bios version 1009 have more stability with some memory stick...

 

[mikere]

Have you try updating the bios from 1004 to 1009

the bios version 1009 have more stability with some memory stick...

No, but I'll do that right away. I got enough system stability to be able
to install an OS by adjusting the memory timings. I'm still wondering which
memory timings I should be using with Apacer PC2700 CL-2.5 RAM.

 

[mikere]

No, but I'll do that right away. I got enough system stability to be able
to install an OS by adjusting the memory timings. I'm still wondering which
memory timings I should be using with Apacer PC2700 CL-2.5 RAM.

Ok, interestingly enough, this motherboard appears to have bios version 1009
installed. The ASUS update utility reports version a7n8x-x acpi bios rev
1009 dated 02/03/2004. I'm wondering if they didn't sell me an RMA'd board.

 

[mikere]

Ok, interestingly enough, this motherboard appears to have bios version 1009
installed. The ASUS update utility reports version a7n8x-x acpi bios rev
1009 dated 02/03/2004. I'm wondering if they didn't sell me an RMA'd board.

Never mind, the bios has a 1009 sticker on it, so I assume this is a very
new revision board.

 

[mikere]

Never mind, the bios has a 1009 sticker on it, so I assume this is a very
new revision board.

Solution: bad stick of ram. Checked in my other box and it checks out
poorly there with memtest86. Damn, had to scavenge 512 mb from that box to
get the first one up and running and now I'm gonna have to buy another stick

 

[Dreamaker]

board.

It's possible, maybe they've switch the 1004bois to a new one and resell it after a rma.

Never mind, the bios has a 1009 sticker on it, so I assume this is a very
new revision board.

i got the board around the first of January the rev2. and at that time is was sell whit version bios
1004.

maybe it the memory that doesn't work well ??? set every thing to default and reboot. here i use a
512mb ddr 400 @360 Kingston memory stick whit a xp athlon 2600 overclock to 368fsb 2.12ghz and it's
mostly stable...

 

[Dreamaker]

Solution: bad stick of ram. Checked in my other box and it checks out
poorly there with memtest86. Damn, had to scavenge 512 mb from that box to
get the first one up and running and now I'm gonna have to buy another stick

You should try to exchange it whit a more reliable brand of memory that work well whit the board.(
less spent pessos)huh!
http://www.valueram.com/config/modelTest2.asp?mfr=ASU
http://www.valueram.com/config/ModelsInfoTest2.asp

 

[mikere]

You should try to exchange it whit a more reliable brand of memory that work well whit the board.(
less spent pessos)huh!
http://www.valueram.com/config/modelTest2.asp?mfr=ASU
http://www.valueram.com/config/ModelsInfoTest2.asp

I'm using a stick of Samsung DDR 400/PC3200 and it seems to be working well
with that. Still going to have to get another stick to add to the computer
I scavenged this from - I want a gig in that one still.