P4C800 problems

[Bob Davis]

A friend owns a P4C800 system that I constructed with AMI bios and after 10
months of reliable operation is having problems I have been unable to solve.
Not sure of bios version.

Original symptoms: Lockups during heavy CPU loads, occasional random
reboots

1st checks, operations performed:

(1) Reseated video card

(2) Checked PSU output using Asus-packaged app called PROBE. All voltages
and temps are okay.

(3) Pulled unnecessary card (1) from bus

(4) Pulled memory in pairs (512mb x 4).

(5) Ran MEMTEST86 v3.1a: Repeatedly locks up before completing all tests

Replaced mobo, same problems exist.

2nd Checks with new mobo, same results as above, except after running
MEMTEST86 (locking up as usual) the computer will now not POST. I am
getting one long and six short beeps, and it will not boot or even show a
display on the monitor. Pulling video and other cards and memory modules
(always leaving at least one inserted) gives same result. I cannot find any
mention in AMI beep code listings that mention 1 long and 6 short beeps.

One thing not yet replaced is the PSU (Antec TrueBlue 480w), and that'll be
my next test. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Michael Williams]

i would first clear the BIOS settings by placing the Clear RTC jumper to
pins 2-3 and then back to 1-2. Hopefully that will give you enough to get
back into your BIOS. Once there, try to set everything the way it was
before. But one option you NEED to check...go into USB configuration and
make sure that legacy USB support is disabled. Once ticked that might cure
the instabilities. Disabling this has increased stability on both my A7N8X
and P4C800-E Deluxe on which i used to suffer the very same symptoms you
described. So I'd try that.

 

[Micana]

disable "ich delayed transaction" and or "spread spectrum" in bios.

check under the heatsink holder under the board could be a solder bulb.

Micana

 

[Bob Davis]

I've been discounting bios problems since we've used two different mobos,
manufactured months apart, and there were no problems until very recently.
I still want to swap PSU's.

 

[Mistoffolees]

A friend owns a P4C800 system that I constructed with AMI bios and after 10
months of reliable operation is having problems I have been unable to solve.
Not sure of bios version.

Original symptoms: Lockups during heavy CPU loads, occasional random
reboots

1st checks, operations performed:

(1) Reseated video card

(2) Checked PSU output using Asus-packaged app called PROBE. All voltages
and temps are okay.

(3) Pulled unnecessary card (1) from bus

(4) Pulled memory in pairs (512mb x 4).

(5) Ran MEMTEST86 v3.1a: Repeatedly locks up before completing all tests

Replaced mobo, same problems exist.

2nd Checks with new mobo, same results as above, except after running
MEMTEST86 (locking up as usual) the computer will now not POST. I am
getting one long and six short beeps, and it will not boot or even show a
display on the monitor. Pulling video and other cards and memory modules
(always leaving at least one inserted) gives same result. I cannot find any
mention in AMI beep code listings that mention 1 long and 6 short beeps.

One thing not yet replaced is the PSU (Antec TrueBlue 480w), and that'll be
my next test. Any help would be appreciated.

The first symptom of locking up under heavy load might
have been indicating a failing or clogged HSF and/or a
deteriorating bond between the HSF and the CPU. Any CPU-
intensive activity would have tripped the thermal sensor,
reducing CPU activity or shutting it down.

But after reinstalling into the new motherboard, was the
HSF separated from the CPU, their surfaces cleaned of
thermal bonding material and new material (e.g., Arctic
Silver) re-applied? Swapping CPU's is more than taking
the CPU-HSF combination from one motherboard and putting
it into another and, IIRC, most HSF's need to be removed
in order to release the Socket locking lever. If not done,
then the probability of cooking the CPU increases and 6
beeps from an AMI bios is an ominous sign.

 

[Paul]

A friend owns a P4C800 system that I constructed with AMI bios and after 10
months of reliable operation is having problems I have been unable to solve.
Not sure of bios version.

Original symptoms: Lockups during heavy CPU loads, occasional random
reboots

1st checks, operations performed:

(1) Reseated video card

(2) Checked PSU output using Asus-packaged app called PROBE. All voltages
and temps are okay.

(3) Pulled unnecessary card (1) from bus

(4) Pulled memory in pairs (512mb x 4).

(5) Ran MEMTEST86 v3.1a: Repeatedly locks up before completing all tests

Replaced mobo, same problems exist.

2nd Checks with new mobo, same results as above, except after running
MEMTEST86 (locking up as usual) the computer will now not POST. I am
getting one long and six short beeps, and it will not boot or even show a
display on the monitor. Pulling video and other cards and memory modules
(always leaving at least one inserted) gives same result. I cannot find any
mention in AMI beep code listings that mention 1 long and 6 short beeps.

One thing not yet replaced is the PSU (Antec TrueBlue 480w), and that'll be
my next test. Any help would be appreciated.

There is a beep code list here, for what it is worth...

http://www.ami.com/support/doc/AMIBIOS-Codes.pdf

HTH,
Paul