A7N8X issues

fripple · § #1 01-10-2005, 12:18 PM

I bought this board thinking I would have 0 install issues, but it turned out to be a different story.

Below are the specs...

A7N8X
2700 XP
Thermal Take 420w ps
Lite-on 16x DVD-RW
512mb Kingston PC2100
WD 40gb HD
BIOS V. 1010

Here is the issue...

The box keeps blue screening when trying to install XP. Sometimes it will blue screen and sometimes it won't. I have gotten it to the point where I can format the drive, but then it errors out. I've even tried two different drives, replacing the cables, removing all pci devices, ran memtest on the memory (0 errors), changed ATA cables, unplugged cd-roms, I think I've tried just about everything.

I also tried to just boot up with the previous drive that was in the machine, but I get "Inaccessable boot decive". I know that drive is good b\c I can hook it up to another machine and windows boots fine...LOL...this is driving me mad! Any ideas on what else I can try? If I've confused anyone, just let me know and I'll try to re-explain

Thanks for the help....

olblue · § #2 01-10-2005, 12:50 PM

Have you reset the bios to defaults - or flashed it?

fripple · § #3 01-10-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olblue

Have you reset the bios to defaults - or flashed it?

I've set the bios to the defaults, but I haven't flashed it.

AMDIT · § #4 01-10-2005, 02:20 PM

Welcome to the forums fripple

Can you swap your memory and try another type as i have had issues with this on the Asus board previously. I do believe the A7N8X (most versions) are picky with memory.

AMDIT

Currently running 3 A7N8X Deluxes

fripple · § #5 01-10-2005, 02:30 PM

I'll try to find some more DDR and I'll give that a shot. Even when I "try" to install WINXP it's soooo slooooooow.

**Senor Panadero** · § #6 01-10-2005, 02:49 PM

I see you have run memtest. I still think that is the problem as that is 133 (266) memory and a 166 (333) cpu. Also could be an incompatibility. You could try manually setting the CPU External Frequency to 133.

AMDIT · § #7 01-10-2005, 03:02 PM

Tried to get to the memory link approved list on asus site but it has a server error at the mo>

http://www.asus.com.tw/mb/socketa/a7n8x/A7N8Xqvl.htm

**Senor Panadero** · § #8 01-10-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdit

Tried to get to the memory link approved list on asus site but it has a server error at the mo>

http://www.asus.com.tw/mb/socketa/a7n8x/A7N8Xqvl.htm

That is going to be an old list, with old chips that aren't around much now. For example, much of it is Winbond BH-5, which hasn't been made for a year or so.

Best course would be to go through the Ram Configurators sticky in the Memory Forum, see what manufacturers suggest for Nforce2, or specifically for the board. Or, do some shopping, and then go back to the manufacturers site, see if what you want to buy is recommended. They (the manufacturer) will be the ones that handle the warranty and replacements, so they should know.

fripple · § #9 01-10-2005, 03:29 PM

I noticed when it first boots up, I believe I saw something that said 100mhz and it pertained to the memory. I'll try setting it at 133 and see what happens.

The ram was on Asus' approval list..so far this thing has stumped me. Thanks for the help guys!

fripple · § #10 01-10-2005, 11:49 PM

I dropped it down to 133 and i changed the jumper settings on the board to 200 fsb only. Still no go. I'm going to try some different ram tomorrow. It still blue screens when doing the install of XP. I can't even get it to come up to the spot where i accept the license agreement...this sucks! LOL...

fripple · § #11 01-11-2005, 10:42 PM

Tried different ram tonight and still no go. It also only shows my processor as a XP 1500 when it is a 2700....Guess I'll have to RMA it...

**Senor Panadero** · § #12 01-11-2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fripple

Tried different ram tonight and still no go. It also only shows my processor as a XP 1500 when it is a 2700....Guess I'll have to RMA it...

What makes you feel that the processor is at fault? Memory compatibility is the issue with Nforce2.

The normal boot for a new cpu in an nforce2 board is the default muliplier at 100 MHz "safety" bus. The safety 100 MHz bus also kicks in when there are too many errors to boot at the default settings.

The XP2700 has a default multiplier of 13. 13 *100 =1300. An XP1500 is a 1300 MHz CPU. Sounds like normal behavior here.

What memory did you try?

fripple · § #13 01-11-2005, 11:05 PM

I'm not sure whether it is the processor or not. I tried a stick of 256mb PC2100 and the Kingston 512mb that I ordered with the board. The kingston is on their approved ram list for the board. Do you have anything else that I could try? I tried another HD tonight, new video card, no pci devices and still i get blue screens when trying to install XP. In the past I've had nothing but good from Asus products. This one just has me stumped!

**Senor Panadero** · § #14 01-11-2005, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fripple

I'm not sure whether it is the processor or not. I tried a stick of 256mb PC2100 and the Kingston 512mb that I ordered with the board. The kingston is on their approved ram list for the board. Do you have anything else that I could try? I tried another HD tonight, new video card, no pci devices and still i get blue screens when trying to install XP. In the past I've had nothing but good from Asus products. This one just has me stumped!

Is the Kingston the PC2100 that you show in your list?
the PC2100 is not 166 memory. That is a 166 CPU. You have to use 166 memory or you will probably have problems like those that you are having. The system tries to start up with it, gets errors, and gives you a 100 MHz bus. That all sounds normal and expected. You would need to try PC2700 (also known as DDR 333, for a 166 bus) or greater memory.

fripple · § #15 01-11-2005, 11:35 PM

Ok I'll try to find some PC2700 or PC3200 and I'll let you know if it works. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!

So I guess it really doesn't matter that the board supports 1600 and 2100 also..