Replacement for my Epox 8RDA+?

[TipsyMcStagger]

About 3 years ago, I built my 1st (and only) machine using MySuperPc.com as a guide along with some much needed help from this site. The machine was very stable and performed better than any I’d ever owned.

Back in March of this year, my Epox 8RDA+ board failed as a result of faulty capacitors. I managed to get Epox to repair the board but after reassembling the machine, I get a FF code. Basically, I think this board is fried and I don’t have the experience or knowledge for further troubleshooting. Nor do I have the patience to try to get Epox to swap the board (I first reassembled the machine back in April and I have been living with my notebook since then).

The time has come to bring my desktop back to life. I’m thinking I’ll just get a new MB all together. Again, I have little experience. I basically followed the MySuperPC guide step-by-step to build this machine so I’d like find a replacement board that will allow me to get up and running using my existing components with as little tweaking as possible

The current version of MySuperPC recommends the MSI K8N Neo Platinum. To the best of my recollection, the rest of my build consists of:

Antec Life Style Series Sonata Case w/Antec TRUE380 380W PSU
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB Processor CPU
Western Digital "Special Edition" 120GB 7200RPM EIDE HD #WD1200JB
(2) Crucial 512MB PC3200 DDR 400 RAM
Chaintech Geforce FX 5200 128MB DDR Video Card
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW Model LTR-52246S
Sony DVD Burner
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Sony 1.44MB 3.5 INCH Internal FDD Drive
US Robotics 5699B 56k V.92 Internal Fax Modem PCI

So, should I go with the MSI board or is there something better (better means fewer compatibility issues)?

I’m not a gamer. Onboard sound is more than adequate. I don’t overclock either.

Thanks a lot for your time.

Tipsy

[fishybawb]

While that MSI board looks very nice, it's a Socket 754 motherboard (Athlon 64) - you'll need a Socket 462 (also called Socket "A") board if you want to reuse your current CPU.

They're probably getting a little thin on the ground now, but popular boards from that era were the Abit NF7-S and Asus A7N8X. Both are based on nVidia's nForce 2 chipset, which is a very good choice for Socket A platforms.

Where will you be buying from? If online, someone can probably find some links for you to consider :)

[naptownman]

Newegg only shows a Jetway motherboard with two reviews - both bad. I looked at axiontech.com and they show only one motherboard and it's a refurb. Like fishybawb said if you can google the chipset (nforce 2) for retailers with stock and stay with that chipset your path to a working desktop will consist of little more than swapping out the motherboard and at worst a repair install of xp (assuming that's what your os is).

[BipolarBill]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=abit+nf7-s

http://cgi.ebay.com/ABIT-NF7-S-nvidia-nforce2-Socket-A-Motherboard_W0QQitemZ170019145259QQihZ007QQcategor yZ42010QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ABIT-NF7-S-Ver-2-0-NVidia-nForce2-Motherboard-Socket-A_W0QQitemZ120021481849QQihZ002QQcategoryZ42010QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Peter M]

I've been replacing the few dying K7 boards I got to work on with PC-Chips M848A - solid performer, rock bottom price. Doesn't need extra 4-pin power either. $32 at newegg.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I will buy online...most likely from newegg.com but I’m not limiting myself only to them.

If I were to upgrade to a later Socket 754 board and processor, could I still use my existing memory and remaining components? I’m not opposed to this idea, but I don’t want to spend a bundle of $$$. (I’ll define “a bundle” as not more than $200).

The Abit NF7-S and Asus A7N8X are both boards I’d considered during my original build, so I’m somewhat familiar with them. But it seems more logical to rebuild with components that are currently supported.

Tipsy

[BipolarBill]

The Abit NF7-S and Asus A7N8X are both boards I’d considered during my original build, so I’m somewhat familiar with them. But it seems more logical to rebuild with components that are currently supported.Supported? They are all obsolete. There is no support. You can use any nForce2 motherboard for a direct swap. The two you mentioned are commonly available used and sometimes new. You won't find any at Newegg or any other major retailer.

You can swap in an nForce3 or 4 motherboard with little hassle, but you have to mind the AGP slot. Otherwise you may end up needing a video card too.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Supported? They are all obsolete. There is no support.
Yeah...that was pretty much my point. If I'm going to spend the money, I figure I should use components that are currently being produced.

You can use any nForce2 motherboard for a direct swap. The two you mentioned are commonly available used and sometimes new. You won't find any at Newegg or any other major retailer.

You can swap in an nForce3 or 4 motherboard with little hassle, but you have to mind the AGP slot. Otherwise you may end up needing a video card too.
Okay, I'm doing some quick reading. If I go with a newer Socket 939 board and processor and replace my video card with a low-end PCI Express video card, am I back in the ball game with my remaining components (memory, modem, CD/DVD, HD, etc)?

Tipsy

[fishybawb]

Yes, you'll be able to re-use the RAM and other components if you took that route. You could consider an ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, which seems popular around here, and would let you keep your AGP graphics card for now, and give the option for a PCI-E upgrade later on.

[Rocketmech]

Considering your needs , I would suggest a socket AM2 mobo with a Nvidia 6150 chipset , from MSI , Asus or Biostar . The onboard features have everything you need and the video will exceed your current card with the option to add a PCI-e card later if you wish . They are also X2 (dual core) and Vista ready .



MSI 6150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130053

AM2 A64 3800 Orleans
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103631

[BipolarBill]

He has to buy new RAM if he goes AM2.

[TipsyMcStagger]

So this is what I'm thinking. (http://www.mwave.com/mwave/shoppingcart.asp?CartID=MWV@GMOQL2D7WKMZKNW4IRJ9S7 6QEPGIZJQMYWDR8318KU917O) (if the link doesn't work, it's the ASRock 939DUAL-SATA2 with an AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice processor). The 3800+ is only $10 additional.

All of the AMD 64 stuff is Greek to me, so I'm not really sure how any of these processors compare to mt current setup. Is the 3800+ worth an extra $10?

Also, I think I read somewhere in the last 24 hours that this board is a power hog. I have an Antec True 380S power supply. Is this adequate? So far the board and processor come in under the $200 mark, but adding a power supply with add another $75 or so.

Thanks again.

Tipsy

[BipolarBill]

It depends on your other components. List your video card and all drives.

[TipsyMcStagger]

It depends on your other components. List your video card and all drives.Sorry, they're all listed (to the best of my recollection) in the first post of this thread.

Tipsy

[BipolarBill]

I missed that.

Yeah - the 380W should be fine.

[TipsyMcStagger]

I missed that.

Yeah - the 380W should be fine.That's good to know. Thanks.

Any significant difference between the 3500+ and 3800+ Venice processors?

I'm searching Google right now (I want to place an order today) but most of the info is pretty technical and over my head.

Tipsy

[BipolarBill]

If they have the same core, the only difference is a wee bit of speed.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Done. Order placed with Mwave for the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 with an Athlon 64 3800+ Venice processor. I paid the extra $9 to have the processor mounted and tested. I figure it's one less place I can screw up.

Now I just hope I can figure out how to restore the OS (XP Pro) and set the BIOS properly. The last (and only) time I set a BIOS, I was following a step-by-step guide.

Thanks again for all of your help. I'll post back once the board arrives.

Tipsy

[BipolarBill]

Leave the BIOS at default initially. AMD processors have been self-configuring since the Athlon 64.

Install the motherboard and all components. Boot directly from the XP CD and repair:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

The repair process will break a lot of Windows security updates, so just be ready to re-download those.

[Imperion1]

Back to the original topic though,

FF is the normal code for the Epox 8rda+ boards. That is the code you'll see when the computer is finished booting up.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Back to the original topic though,

FF is the normal code for the Epox 8rda+ boards. That is the code you'll see when the computer is finished booting up.Yeah...I did some more reading and it looks like that's true. However, I can't get this thing to work.

Basically, it runs through the memory test and then stops and says, "WARNING! BIOS has been flash or the JCLK jumper been changed Please re-enter CPU settings in the CMOS and remember to save before quit. [sic]"

I've done that several times but it always stops with the same message. If I hit F1 and force it passed this point, I get a whole page about "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully..."

There are several options offered at this point, but the machine just freezes here and that's that.

Any ideas?

Tipsy

[fizur2002]

Try the Abit AN7 board, i used it back in the XP days and it was lightning fast.

http://www.shopbot.com.au/p-7835.html

[TipsyMcStagger]

Try the Abit AN7 board, i used it back in the XP days and it was lightning fast.

http://www.shopbot.com.au/p-7835.htmlAlready ordered the ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 and 3800+ Venice processor. Should be here today.

Tipsy

[Imperion1]

When you enter the Bios, is the date and time incorrect?
Could just be the battery needs to be replaced.

[TipsyMcStagger]

When you enter the Bios, is the date and time incorrect?
Could just be the battery needs to be replaced.The BIOS time and date were correct. It's moot though...the ASRock setup is now up and running!

Happy I was able to make it work :)

Tipsy