Advice please?

[Ghisy]

Hello,

As some of you may have seen my post in the tech section, it seems like I'm gonna need a new mobo. (I have an AMD Athlon Xp 1600+, 2*256 ddram PC2100)
But I'm not sure which one I should take.
I like the Asus ones cause they're usually reliable and all but I've read a lot of reviews about the new (well in France lol) A7N8X Deluxe (Nforce2) and they're not all good.
This one is supposed to be a top-notch mobo but a lot of people seems to have had big problems with it (died after a few days of use, no posting, etc...)
So please, if anyone knows about a good Asus mobo, for a system where Win XP Pro is already installed and all, let me know!
Thanks a lot guys!

[bushmaster]

If your going to install a completely different mobo then the one you have now you would be best advised to do a fresh install of XP pro.

I'm using an MSI K7N2-L It's had some glitches but with the new bios revision it's running great now.

[BipolarBill]

I agree. MSI (Microstar) motherboards work as well as Asus boards, if not better. Another good brand is Epox. Those are the best and easiest nForce2 boards. Soltek boards are pretty good too.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

the Asus' do seem to work remarkably well or nto at all sadly :(

I would choose an Epox 8rda+/8rda3+ simply because its a fast, simple to set up and feature packed board that overclocks liek nobody's business.

Having said that im also a fan of MSI and although it wouldnt be my own weapon of choice, i would be hard pressed to critisise em

--Jakk:t

[cwin]

I like Asus because of all their features

CrashFree BIOS
Q-fan
C.O.P. - Athlons only
JumperFree
Stepless overclocking
Speech POST reporter

[bushmaster]

with my new bios revision and memory settings stock the benchmark on my memory read is at 2504MB/s. Thats while surfing and with AVG and sygate and whatever processes XP pro has running in the background.

[Ghisy]

So, after asking around, I've bought the Asus A7V8X.
I wanted to get the A7N8X but couldn't find it in my area.
Hopefully this one should work ok.

[Izdaari]

Yeah, it should do the job. Since it has a Via chipset, expect some minor hardware compatibility glitches, but usually a BIOS update will fix them.

[Ghisy]

Alright....it's not working! lol
I mean I've put everything back together.
When I turned the comp on, I saw the Asus green logo and then it shut down.
And everytime I try to turn it on, it shuts itself down after a few seconds!!
What did I miss??

(sorry if this belongs in the tech problem section but since I originally posted here about the MB...)

[fishybawb]

Check that the heatsink is sitting on the CPU properly and that you plugged the fan in the right motherboard connector.

[Strawbs]

Are you sure you don't have the HSF on backwards and it's not overheating.

BTW. if you wish to bring your thread to ppl's attention don't start a new thread (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139938), just add "^BUMP^" to this one to bring it up the radar. :t

[r8500]

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a heat issue. Make sure the heat sink is on correctly, and that the fans are running. Be careful not to overheat your processor or it could result in permanent damage.

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by Strawbs
Are you sure you don't have the HSF on backwards and it's not overheating.

BTW. if you wish to bring your thread to ppl's attention don't start a new thread (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=139938), just add "^BUMP^" to this one to bring it up the radar. :t

Hehe, sorry, I deleted the other post.
What do you call the HSF??
fishybawb -> well, the CPU fan seems to be plugged ok since it's working. (I checked the MB manual to plug it in the right connector!)

[r8500]

HSF is the heat sink, it rests on top of the processor.

[Strawbs]

HSF=Heatsink Fan, sometimes it's all too easy to put them on backwards and they don't sit flush on the processor, They will go on backwards, but they won't cool the processor efficiently if that's the case. Make sure yours is on the right way around.

[Ghisy]

Oh ok, thanks for the info. I didn't know the fan could be put backwards!
I'll check that, but tomorrow since it's already midnight here and I've been working on the comp all night long!
More tomorrow!

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Its not the fan that could be o backwards causign the problem, its the heatsink being on backwards that would be the main cause.

Just to clear that up

--Jakk:t

[bushmaster]

It's does sound like the thermal protection is kicking in. Heres (http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23986.pdf) a link to an installation guide. it's a pdf file.

[$1500-P4 gamer]

LOL its easy. Just make sure the notch in HS bottem-yea that recess. faces the STEP in cpu socket. Yunno where it says Socket A on it. If not you wont even make contact with the cpu core. THank god for C.O.P. or you'd have a toasted cpu on yer hands from the sounds of it.;)

[bushmaster]

Hey P4, some folks just need pics. what can i tell ya. :D

[Ghisy]

Alright, you guys were right, I needed pics! lol
I actually put the HSF backwards...
Now it's powering up and all.
But no keyboard nor mouse when Windows XP starts! :eek:
Plus my usb dsl modem isn't powered either...
I've checked the bios, everything is enabled (USB and all).
I don't get it...Help again please!

[bushmaster]

Are you using USB keyboard and mouse ?... If so use the adapters that came with them if any to use the PS2 connections and then set up to use USB keyboard when in bios.

[BipolarBill]

It's easy to reverse the mouse and keyboard connections. Use blue-blue and grey-grey.

[bushmaster]

Purple is keyboard, green is mouse,
Wax on, wax off Danielsan.

[BipolarBill]

To a colorblind person (yours truly), they're grey and blue. :cool:

[Ghisy]

Both my keyboard and mouse are ps/2.
And yes, they were plugged on the right connectors.
That's why I don't get it...:confused:

[BipolarBill]

Try clearing CMOS on the motherboard. There should be a jumper for it next to the battery. Unplug the PC and shift the jumper over for a few seconds.

Switch the plugs just to be sure too.

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
Try clearing CMOS on the motherboard. There should be a jumper for it next to the battery. Unplug the PC and shift the jumper over for a few seconds.

Switch the plugs just to be sure too.

I did that. Nothing has changed: it won't recognize any of my PS/2 devices. And neither is my usb dsl modem.
Grrrrr! I think I'm gonna take it back tomorrow and go for the A7N8X Delux model.
Hopefully this one will work.
But if you have any late advice, I'll take them!

[Strawbs]

be sure the mobo isn't shorting out against the backing plate! This problem haunted me for 18 months with my first home build and I didn't solve it until the time came to sell the computer! :rolleyes:

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by Strawbs
be sure the mobo isn't shorting out against the backing plate! This problem haunted me for 18 months with my first home build and I didn't solve it until the time came to sell the computer! :rolleyes:

It's my second home built and the first one worked fine (well until the mobo died lol). The new mobo has the exact same size as the old one.
Anyway, I've called the store, I'm getting an A7N8X instead.

[bushmaster]

It maybe the same size, but it's best to pull it and make sure theres no stray stand-offs or something else hitting the Mobo.
Do try running it out of the case.

[Ghisy]

Alright, so I finally got the Asus A7N8X-X I special ordered from the store.
I'm gonna try to put back my comp together tonight.
Hopefully everything will work ok!
Wish me luck!!!

[Strawbs]

Let us know how it goes, just as soon as you can!

:t

[Terminator]

Thought you were going to get the deluxe version??? that version you quoted, the -X version has no firewire/Lans/Soundstorm nor is it Dual channel memory capable!!! It will support 400FSB CPU's though. Read the recent topics here about the A7N8X-X.

T

:t

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by Terminator
Thought you were going to get the deluxe version??? that version you quoted, the -X version has no firewire/Lans/Soundstorm nor is it Dual channel memory capable!!! It will support 400FSB CPU's though. Read the recent topics here about the A7N8X-X.

T

:t

I don't need firewire/lans/soundstorm. And since I'm not sure about how interesting is the dual channel memory feature, I'm ok with my new mobo, as long as it works!
Plus the Dlx version costs like $50 more!!
Stay tuned, more to come tomorrow (I won't put things back together tonight, it's already late here and I've decided I shouldn't work on comp hardware when I'm tired!!).

[Terminator]

If it works for you then thats all any of us need really, it was just you did say in your post(page 2) that you were getting the deluxe version.

Hope all goes well with mobo

T

:t

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by Terminator
If it works for you then thats all any of us need really, it was just you did say in your post(page 2) that you were getting the deluxe version.

Hope all goes well with mobo

T

:t

Well I've decided that the Dlx version is not worth $50 more for me.
No time again tonight but I'm definitely gonna work on it this weekend!!

[Ghisy]

Ok, I've installed everything and the mobo works.
Now the thing is I have a problem with the USB ports.
My adsl usb modem won't work. I mean I install the drivers and all, then it tells me to plug it and when I do, there's nothing (the leds don't light up).
I don't know what's wrong...
I also had a problem when I first started the comp, the bios didn't recognize my Athlon 1600+ as a 1.4 ghz cpu but 1050 mhz. I changed the settings in the bios: I put 133 mhz for the cpu external freq. (default was 100 mhz) and I left the cpu freq. multiple on the default value (10.5x). Can you tell me if what I did is the right thing to do?
But the most important thing is my adsl modem (it's an ECI).
One last thing: when I try to run Nero, it freezes the comp! is there some imcompatibility between Nero and nforce2 chipsets??
Please help!!
Thanks!

[BipolarBill]

Your BIOS settings are fine.

Ge the latest BIOS update for the motherboard.

Install the modem according to instructions - it needs drivers.

[Terminator]

If you have a PCI card in slot 1 then move it because it could be 'interferring' with the USB's.

As for a problem with Nero and nForce 2 boards then no Nero 5.5 runs fine on mine.

T

:t

[BipolarBill]

Oh - don't forget to load the motherboard drivers from your CD or from here:

http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=winxp-2k_44.03

You also need the service pack and a trip to Windows Update.

[Ghisy]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
Your BIOS settings are fine.

Ge the latest BIOS update for the motherboard.

Install the modem according to instructions - it needs drivers.

Well I did install the drivers and at the end of the install, this is when you need to plug the modem and this is when nothing happens!
Hmm, I'm not too sure about flashing the bios right now. Isn't it dangerous for the mb?

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by Ghisy

Hmm, I'm not too sure about flashing the bios right now. Isn't it dangerous for the mb? It's only dangerous if the power goes out during the process.

Follow my other tips. You cannot just install Windows on a new motherboard without using the motherboard driver package - especially new nForce2 boards.

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by Ghisy


Thanks but I can't install the the Sp1 because my Windows isn't official
Do you think it won't work if I don't install it? I suggest that you get an "official" version.

[Ghisy]

Ok, I've installed the nforce2 drivers and I updated my bios with the latest version.
It's still not working.
This usb modem is a piece of cr**!! I've always thought it would annoy my someday!
It is an "ECI Smart CPE". It's white and kind of square-shaped.
If anyone has a solution, please let me know cause I'm out of ideas!
Thanks!

[bushmaster]

Have you installed SP1 for windows XP ? USB 2.0 and other features will be useless till you do so.

[BipolarBill]

Do other USB devices work? If so, the modem is goofy.

[Strawbs]

Have you tried the updated USB2 driver from the Asus Website (http://www.asus.com/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=A7N8X)?

:t

[Ghisy]

Ok, I tried to install the most recent driver for the modem but it didn't work.
BUT I decided to install the one released just before and guess what? it's working!!!!
Hopefully it'll still be working next time I restart the comp!
Thanks everyone for your precious help! :t

[Ghisy]

Ok now I don't get it! :confused:
It was working but now it won't work at all!
I'm back to square one....sheesh.
:(

[BipolarBill]

Return it to where you got it. Get an Ethernet modem.