Failing 1400 MHz AMD system

[Russell Silva]

I have a 1400 MHz AMD box I purchased a couple years ago from
X-Technology on Half.com -- 512 MB Ram, GeForce Ti4200.

I've had problems with it almost the whole time I've had it. The
problems include: trouble burning CDs, copying/downloading large
files, and playing newer 3d games. Basically anything involving heavy
RAM usage, I believe, has problems. The burned CDs are in some way
corrupt, copied/downloaded ZIP files will have different checksums
every time I download them, and Half-Life periodically will claim that
the loaded texture data is invalid.

For a long time I thought my RAM was bad. Memtest86 seemed to confirm
this, because it finds thousands of errors in my RAM. But swapping my
RAM stick out for another and running Memtest86 again, I got the same
errors. So it appears my RAM is not the problem.

My BIOS has a "CPU Plug n Play" section that allows you to change the
FSB speed from 100 to 133 MHz. I have it on 133 MHz most of the time
because otherwise the processor runs at a slower 1050 MHz.
Occasionally upon rebooting, the BIOS will complain that its checksum
is bad and that it has reset to defaults. The defaults have it on 100
Mhz bus speed. This has led me to suspect that my computer was sold
to me in some way overclocked and that this is the root of my problem.

Furthermore, Memtest86 finds errors within 5 minutes at 133 MHz bus
speed/1400 MHz processor speed, but no errors within half an hour at
100 MHz bus speed/1000 MHz processor speed.

The only other thing is that the computer seems to fail more
frequently at higher room temperatures. I've made efforts to
establish decent airflow through the box, adding a fan and checking
for dust in the proc heat sink. Still, the computer seems much more
unreliable as the room temperature pushes 80 degrees Fahrenheit / 27
degrees Celsius.

All in all, my diagnosis is as follows: the processor/FSB is running
at a speed for which it was not intended. Replacing the processor
and/or motherboard should solve (most of) the problems (unless I am
content with running at 1050 MHz). I'm not sure if I need to replace
both. Replacing the processor with an actual 1400 MHz or above
processor, as long as it still fit in the processor slot on the
motherboard, might work.

I'm looking for feedback -- am I totally off the mark here? Are there
other factors worth considering? Do I need to replace the
motherboard, processor, or both? Or neither? Or something else?

Thanks in advance,

Russell Silva

 

[Arend van Beek]

I have a 1400 MHz AMD box I purchased a couple years ago from
X-Technology on Half.com -- 512 MB Ram, GeForce Ti4200.

I've had problems with it almost the whole time I've had it. The
problems include: trouble burning CDs, copying/downloading large
files, and playing newer 3d games. Basically anything involving heavy
RAM usage, I believe, has problems. The burned CDs are in some way
corrupt, copied/downloaded ZIP files will have different checksums
every time I download them, and Half-Life periodically will claim that
the loaded texture data is invalid.

For a long time I thought my RAM was bad. Memtest86 seemed to confirm
this, because it finds thousands of errors in my RAM. But swapping my
RAM stick out for another and running Memtest86 again, I got the same
errors. So it appears my RAM is not the problem.

My BIOS has a "CPU Plug n Play" section that allows you to change the
FSB speed from 100 to 133 MHz. I have it on 133 MHz most of the time
because otherwise the processor runs at a slower 1050 MHz.
Occasionally upon rebooting, the BIOS will complain that its checksum
is bad and that it has reset to defaults. The defaults have it on 100
Mhz bus speed. This has led me to suspect that my computer was sold
to me in some way overclocked and that this is the root of my problem.

Not necessarily. Take off your heatsink/fan, remove the CPU and check
what model it is.

Furthermore, Memtest86 finds errors within 5 minutes at 133 MHz bus
speed/1400 MHz processor speed, but no errors within half an hour at
100 MHz bus speed/1000 MHz processor speed.

Could still be the memory. Are you sure it is capable of running at
133 MHz?

The only other thing is that the computer seems to fail more
frequently at higher room temperatures. I've made efforts to
establish decent airflow through the box, adding a fan and checking
for dust in the proc heat sink. Still, the computer seems much more
unreliable as the room temperature pushes 80 degrees Fahrenheit / 27
degrees Celsius.

All in all, my diagnosis is as follows: the processor/FSB is running
at a speed for which it was not intended. Replacing the processor
and/or motherboard should solve (most of) the problems (unless I am
content with running at 1050 MHz). I'm not sure if I need to replace
both. Replacing the processor with an actual 1400 MHz or above
processor, as long as it still fit in the processor slot on the
motherboard, might work.

I'm looking for feedback -- am I totally off the mark here? Are there
other factors worth considering? Do I need to replace the
motherboard, processor, or both? Or neither? Or something else?

Thanks in advance,

Russell Silva

Here's what i'd suggest:

1) Check your memory for it's speed (e.g. 100 or 133 MHz). If your
BIOS supports it: set your memory to 100 MHz and your CPU to 10,5 x
133 MHz.

2) Check the CPU. Is that one capable of handling 133 MHz? You might
try setting your busspeed to 100 MHz and your multiplier to 14.

3) Check your memory timings in your BIOS, try less agressive
settings (e.g. even "slower" settings than SPD suggests).

4) Check the voltage levels: is your CPU getting enough power? Do your
memory and chipset have the right voltage?

Let me know if these steps solve anything.

Regards,
Arend

 

[kony]

I have a 1400 MHz AMD box I purchased a couple years ago from
X-Technology on Half.com -- 512 MB Ram, GeForce Ti4200.

I've had problems with it almost the whole time I've had it. The
problems include: trouble burning CDs, copying/downloading large
files, and playing newer 3d games. Basically anything involving heavy
RAM usage, I believe, has problems. The burned CDs are in some way
corrupt, copied/downloaded ZIP files will have different checksums
every time I download them, and Half-Life periodically will claim that
the loaded texture data is invalid.

For a long time I thought my RAM was bad. Memtest86 seemed to confirm
this, because it finds thousands of errors in my RAM. But swapping my
RAM stick out for another and running Memtest86 again, I got the same
errors. So it appears my RAM is not the problem.

yes/no/maybe
It could be that both (either) module is the problem, or the
mianboard is defective/failing, or bios settings are wrong or
buggy.

My BIOS has a "CPU Plug n Play" section that allows you to change the
FSB speed from 100 to 133 MHz. I have it on 133 MHz most of the time
because otherwise the processor runs at a slower 1050 MHz.
Occasionally upon rebooting, the BIOS will complain that its checksum
is bad and that it has reset to defaults. The defaults have it on 100
Mhz bus speed. This has led me to suspect that my computer was sold
to me in some way overclocked and that this is the root of my problem.

Not necessarily, many boards default to 100MHz FSB simply because
it's the slowest bus speed, so system can POST with a new CPU no
matter what CPU it is. Then user sets FSB via jumper or bios
setting. You can check the printing on your CPU to determine if
it's a real 1400, (assuming it's not a counterfeit), but given
the memtest86 errors it seems memory/motherboard combination is
the main issue, not the CPU.

Furthermore, Memtest86 finds errors within 5 minutes at 133 MHz bus
speed/1400 MHz processor speed, but no errors within half an hour at
100 MHz bus speed/1000 MHz processor speed.

That's to be expected since the memory bus speed is also lower.
Have you ever updated the system bios? Often memory issues are
resolved with bios updates, but be SURE to set system to 100MHz
FSB prior to flashing, to keep system stable during that.

After the flash, enter bios and load the setup defaults.
Check that memory is set to "Auto" or "SPD" setting in bios menu.
Then test with memtest86 again. If it fails, go into bios and
manually set higher memory timings (keeping the FSB & Memory bus
at a fixed 133MHz).

The only other thing is that the computer seems to fail more
frequently at higher room temperatures. I've made efforts to
establish decent airflow through the box, adding a fan and checking
for dust in the proc heat sink. Still, the computer seems much more
unreliable as the room temperature pushes 80 degrees Fahrenheit / 27
degrees Celsius.

You could have multiple problems, memroy errors AND overheating,
but the memory may itself be slightly less stable at elevated
temp. If using only one memory module try it in different slots,
1st and last slot. If two modules, left middle slot empty. If
three modules, try without the 3rd module.

All in all, my diagnosis is as follows: the processor/FSB is running
at a speed for which it was not intended. Replacing the processor
and/or motherboard should solve (most of) the problems (unless I am
content with running at 1050 MHz). I'm not sure if I need to replace
both. Replacing the processor with an actual 1400 MHz or above
processor, as long as it still fit in the processor slot on the
motherboard, might work.

I can't pretend to know how good your memory is or the other
memory you tried. Since memtest is more stable at 100MHz FSB, it
would seem the module is physically intact, just that it or the
board itself is not stable that high.

Is this board using a Via KT133 chipset (not KT133A) ?
Contrary to it's name, it is not actually stable at 133MHz,
rather the "133A" version was the first that could do 133MHz
stable. Unfortunately some boards with that chipset had 133MHz
FSB settings, so with a CPU using that bus speed for 1400MHz your
board could simply be too old to support the CPU from a bus speed
standpoint. This only applies with the KT133 chipset, nothing
later.

I'm looking for feedback -- am I totally off the mark here? Are there
other factors worth considering? Do I need to replace the
motherboard, processor, or both? Or neither? Or something else?

Memtest86, ideally is supposed to detect memory errors but since
they are not occuring at same address every time, even not at all
when you reduce FSB speed, it's possible your memory is marginal
yet I can't assume whether the other memory was "better", good
enough that it should've worked IF board itself was stable or
not. Since you don't have other parts to swap in I suppose
playing the odds is the next move...

Odds are you need a different motherboard.
If your motherboard has CPU multiplier options you may be able to
keep FSB at 100MHz and raise CPU multiplier to 14X, so at least
CPU is running at correct speed even though overall performance
would be a half-dozen percent lower due to lower bus speeds.
IIRC those Athlons needed their bridges connected with a pencil,
a Google search for "Athlon pencil bridges unlock" should find
the info.

You might check the power supply voltages too, but what you
describe suggests a memory or motherboard problem... unless you
have more details that've been withheld.

Modern socket A motherboards are backwards compatible, you might
consider one with an nForce2-400 chipset.