Advice on a Athlon XP mobo...

[Ruel Smith]

Hi everyone,

This is the setup I have right now:

Athlon XP 2700+
Asus A7N8X Mobo
2 x 512 Mb DDR 333Mhz Premium RAM
2 x 160 Gig WD Caviar 8Mb Buffer
1 X LG 12x8x32 CD Burner

Now, the problem I have is that the computer randomly reboots on
startup at any time, sometimes 3 to 4 times in a row, up to the Login
screen. I know it mostly probably is a short circuit but decided it
was time to get a new Mobo anyway.

Only criteria I have is for it to have 4 USB ports in the back and
have room to grow for the future (SATA, 400 Mhz bus, etc).

So, Anyone have a seggestion for a new board?

Gotcha covered right here:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K7N2_Delta2_Platinum&class=mb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130458

 

[Eric Bouchard]

Hi everyone,

This is the setup I have right now:

Athlon XP 2700+
Asus A7N8X Mobo
2 x 512 Mb DDR 333Mhz Premium RAM
2 x 160 Gig WD Caviar 8Mb Buffer
1 X LG 12x8x32 CD Burner

Now, the problem I have is that the computer randomly reboots on
startup at any time, sometimes 3 to 4 times in a row, up to the Login
screen. I know it mostly probably is a short circuit but decided it
was time to get a new Mobo anyway.

Only criteria I have is for it to have 4 USB ports in the back and
have room to grow for the future (SATA, 400 Mhz bus, etc).

So, Anyone have a seggestion for a new board?

Thanks in advance!

 

[johns]

Gigabyte GA-7N400S-L ( nVidia chipset )

johns

 

[Apollo]

Hi everyone,

This is the setup I have right now:

Athlon XP 2700+
Asus A7N8X Mobo
2 x 512 Mb DDR 333Mhz Premium RAM
2 x 160 Gig WD Caviar 8Mb Buffer
1 X LG 12x8x32 CD Burner

Now, the problem I have is that the computer randomly reboots on
startup at any time, sometimes 3 to 4 times in a row, up to the
Login screen. I know it mostly probably is a short circuit but
decided it was time to get a new Mobo anyway.

Only criteria I have is for it to have 4 USB ports in the back
and have room to grow for the future (SATA, 400 Mhz bus, etc).

I know you have already decided to get a new mobo, but the
problems you describe could well be memory or psu. You need to
eliminate those as the source of the problem or replace at the
same time as the mobo.
memtest86 for memory testing and check the voltages with
motherboard monitor over a couple of hours looking for
fluctuations.

So, Anyone have a seggestion for a new board?

Abit NF7-s ver2

 

[Eric Bouchard]

I know you have already decided to get a new mobo, but the
problems you describe could well be memory or psu. You need to
eliminate those as the source of the problem or replace at the
same time as the mobo.
memtest86 for memory testing and check the voltages with
motherboard monitor over a couple of hours looking for
fluctuations.

I did think about a PSU problem but didn't see why it would be the
case. The thing is that it is the second time I have problems with my
A7N8X. The first time, I had to replace the board since my 2700+ just
wouldn't work and I would get a black screen w/ fans spinning so that
is why I assumed it was the Mobo the second time around.

I ran MBM for 7 hrs and this is what I have:

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Total number of readouts: 2404 CPU Speed: 1729 MHz
|
|Running from: 5/9/2005 9:49:01 AM until: 5/9/2005 4:29:51 PM
|
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Sensor | Current | Low | High |
Average |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Case | 31° C | 29° C | 31° C | 30° C
|
|CPU Diode | 45° C | 41° C | 53° C | 44° C
|
|CPU Socket | 47° C | 44° C | 51° C | 45° C
|
|Core 0 | 1.71 V | 1.66 V | 1.78 V | 1.72
V |
|Core 1 | 1.71 V | 1.66 V | 1.78 V | 1.72
V |
|+3.3 | 3.30 V | 3.20 V | 3.38 V | 3.30
V |
|+5.00 | 4.68 V | 4.44 V | 4.81 V | 4.72
V |
|+12.00 | 11.55 V | 11.49 V | 11.61 V | 11.55
V |
|-12.00 | -12.07 V | -12.13 V | -12.01 V | 12.07 V |
|-5.00 | -5.06 V | -5.09 V | -5.04 V | -5.07
V |
|Fan 1 | 12980 RPM| 12500 RPM| 12980 RPM| 12855
RPM|
|Fan 2 | 3375 RPM | 3214 RPM | 3552 RPM | 3294
RPM |
|Fan 3 | 0 RPM | 0 RPM | 0 RPM | 0 RPM
|
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Seems there is some fluctuations in the +3.3, and the -12 and -5 seems
to be high. I am not too familiar with PSUs, so would it mean my Antec
Trupower 330Watts would not be enough? If so, any suggestions?

Abit NF7-s ver2

And why that board more than another one?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Eric Bouchard]

Gigabyte GA-7N400S-L ( nVidia chipset )

Ok, and why this one more than another? Just want to be sure to make
the right choice

Thanks!

 

[Ruel Smith]

That was one of the choices I was considering, alongside the A7N8X-E
Deluxe. It looks pretty solid as far as Mobo goes.

But, any good suggestions for PSUs? Have to replace the Antec Trupower
330 Watts as well... something suited for the K7N2 Platinum

Why do you have to replace the Antec PSU? Is it bad? I saw your other post
on your voltages, but feel those are normal.

Honesly, I don't buy anything but Antec power supplies. The one time I
didn't, it bit me in the arse. I'm completely sold on Antec PSUs.

 

[Eric Bouchard]

Gotcha covered right here:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K7N2_Delta2_Platinum&class=mb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130458

That was one of the choices I was considering, alongside the A7N8X-E
Deluxe. It looks pretty solid as far as Mobo goes.

But, any good suggestions for PSUs? Have to replace the Antec Trupower
330 Watts as well... something suited for the K7N2 Platinum

Thanks!

 

[Apollo]

I did think about a PSU problem but didn't see why it would be
the case. The thing is that it is the second time I have
problems with my A7N8X. The first time, I had to replace the
board since my 2700+ just wouldn't work and I would get a black
screen w/ fans spinning so that is why I assumed it was the Mobo
the second time around.

I ran MBM for 7 hrs and this is what I have:

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Total number of readouts: 2404 CPU Speed: 1729 MHz |
|Running from: 5/9/2005 9:49:01 AM until: 5/9/2005 4:29:51
PM |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Sensor | Current | Low | High |
Average |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|Case | 31° C | 29° C | 31° C |
30° C |
|CPU Diode | 45° C | 41° C | 53° C |
44° C |
|CPU Socket | 47° C | 44° C | 51° C |
45° C |
|Core 0 | 1.71 V | 1.66 V | 1.78 V |
1.72 V |
|Core 1 | 1.71 V | 1.66 V | 1.78 V |
1.72 V |
|+3.3 | 3.30 V | 3.20 V | 3.38 V |
3.30 V |
|+5.00 | 4.68 V | 4.44 V | 4.81 V |
4.72 V |
|+12.00 | 11.55 V | 11.49 V | 11.61 V |
11.55 V |
|-12.00 | -12.07 V | -12.13 V | -12.01 V |
12.07 V |
|-5.00 | -5.06 V | -5.09 V | -5.04 V
| -5.07 V |
|Fan 1 | 12980 RPM| 12500 RPM| 12980 RPM|
12855 RPM|
|Fan 2 | 3375 RPM | 3214 RPM | 3552 RPM |
3294 RPM |
|Fan 3 | 0 RPM | 0 RPM | 0 RPM |
0 RPM |
+-----------------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Seems there is some fluctuations in the +3.3, and the -12 and -5
seems to be high. I am not too familiar with PSUs, so would it
mean my Antec Trupower 330Watts would not be enough? If so, any
suggestions?

The +5 rail looks a little low, I can't see you having a problem
with an Antec psu though. Did you test the memory with memtest86
for a couple of hours with zero errors?

And why that board more than another one?

Er, because I run a couple of them with no problems. I did use
A7N8X dlx ver1.04 but they were plagued by bios corruption, (I
overclock a bit).

 

[Eric Bouchard]

Why do you have to replace the Antec PSU? Is it bad? I saw your other post
on your voltages, but feel those are normal.

I just remembered I left an important detail out: That was taken while
my 2700+ was underclocked at the level of a 2100+ (133Mhz). Even
then, There was some instability involved with it, so I had to
underclock at 1500+ to have a stable system with no reboot problems.
It is almost impossible to boot with the CPU at full speed.

Honesly, I don't buy anything but Antec power supplies. The one time I
didn't, it bit me in the arse. I'm completely sold on Antec PSUs.

I was leaning for Antec or Enermax. Might wanna go for the 480 Watts
TruePower. Sounds like a solid choice.

 

[Eric Bouchard]

I forgot to say that this was taking while my CPU was running at 2100+
speed (133 Mhz) instead of the 2700+ speed. It is almost impossible to
boot at 166Mhz (2700+). So, I guess that changes a few things eh?

The +5 rail looks a little low, I can't see you having a problem
with an Antec psu though. Did you test the memory with memtest86
for a couple of hours with zero errors?

Not yet, but I plan to do this today. I don't think it is the memory,
since it started as soon as I added some new ware inside the PC, so
surely, it is the PSU.

Er, because I run a couple of them with no problems. I did use
A7N8X dlx ver1.04 but they were plagued by bios corruption, (I
overclock a bit).

Had problems before with the A7N8X Ver 1.0 and it just didn't like my
2700+. They replaced it with a Ver 2.0 and it worked flawlessly since
then. The reason I want to change it is to be able to add new features
to the PC and get SATA. That board is interesting, but someone
mentionned the MSI Delta2 Platinum and that was one of those was
considering

Thanks!