Need a MB replacement

[macampbell]

Hi folks, please give me your ideas.

I want to replace my motherboard Asus A7N8X.

Rest of the system: AMD 2.2 processor, 512 DDR ram 80 Gig HD, XP Home.

I would like a board that will make a simple swop over using my existing components with little disturbance of the system.

Thanks

[Lgbpop]

The only simple swap you could make would be using another A7N8X. Otherwise, you'll be doing a repair install of XP at the very least to make sure the new mobo drivers are loaded into the OS. Also, there aren't many places around selling new Socket A (462) mobos, so you'd have to go to overstockers/remainderers or eBay for any decent selection.

Maybe if you let us know why you want/need to replace the mobo, we could narrow things down a bit for you?

[pandaz4]

EPoX 8RDA6+Pro is a real winner, It has the improved NF2 Ultra 400 chipset, with native Gigabit Lan (Not that Gigabit seems all that useful,) but EPoX did build a new design when others were shying away from Socket A, it has a lot of premium features. This is IMHO a better choice than Abit's super duper NF7-S or even Abit's better AN7 (My next choice)

I still have two of the EPoX boards and Abit NF7-S, KV7 and finally a DFI NFII-400AL running. (Folding)

Generally speaking you want a NF2 Ultra 400 board.

I too, am curious why you need another board after all this time.

[Lgbpop]

I agree with the KV7, and NF7S (v.2 especially). The NF7S is the better board; the KV7's VIA chipset (KT400) was pretty basic, the NF7S has dual-channel capability like your Asus mobo does. I've had systems with both boards, very stable and packed with good features. (I just gave the NF7S board with an Athlon XP 3000+ to my nephew for the foundation of a new (for him) computer. It's still quite a potent setup even if it's not dual-core.) Your 3200 can take advantage of the 400FSB as well.

[macampbell]

my reason is in response to my earlier thread.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198394

[Lgbpop]

You say it "goes down;" do you mean it cuts out suddenly and without warning while running? If so, that sounds like a bad PSU more than a bad mobo; have you tested the PSU?

[macampbell]

Sorry,

I mean it fails to boot, most times it goes straight into the CMOS and find settings all changed.

The PSU is already changed, the hard disk and ribbon cable was also changed.

Sometimes after a ghost restore, it works for a few days then packs up, this last restore has'nt brought it up, It posts OK, just can't get windows up, and if I do a clean reinstall the same thing happens all over again.

[Lgbpop]

Gotta be honest with you, if it posts I wouldn't suspect the mobo first. However, if you wanted to test it an exact swap for another A7N8X would be the simplest and easiest. Anything else will require some degree of installing new drivers or a repair install.

Didn't mean to get you off the original subject, sorry!

[bruceb]

I have to agree with the other posters. The issue here does not seem to indicate
a bad motherboard just yet. First, if you say the CMOS Settings are changing, then
I would replace the Battery on the Motherboard first and see what happens.

Allso check the mobo for bad capacitors .. sometimes they leak or bulge
and if they did, they will not function properly and neither will the mobo.
It is also possible the BIOS Chip is defective and on most desktop mobos, you
can replace it easily. If it is the BIOS Chip you can get one from here:

http://www.badflash.com/

Have you checked the hard drive ? ? ? ?