ECS k7s5a - Is it the MBoard, or something else?

[BigTimMN]

I have been plagued by problems with my system since i got it. (ECS k7s5a, Athlon 1700XP, Win XP, see below on the RAM)

My problems are BSOD's. (Bad Pool, Page Fault, etc)

I first thought it was XP conflicts, and went thru a couple of reinstalls. Still no help.

All my drivers are XP certified.

I was originally SDRAM, I got the system with 128 sdram, i had 512 of SDram in another system, I was planning on using some of that to upgrade the amount of RAM until DDR prices dropped. Unfortunately, both sticks of 256 didnt want to even let the system boot up.

I could get the 128 i got with the system to be fairly stable by lowering the Win XP graphics setting for best performance, and also lowering the Bios speed to 100/100.

Earlier this week, wiht DDR prices down, to fairly tolerable prices, i picked up 256mb for $50, and put it into this system, I still have the same issues.

I brought it in and had the latest BIOS flashed for me at the place i bought it, we ran some stuff at the shop, it seemed working fine, but now that i have it home, I still have the same issues, except, its not as stable at the SDram was at 100/100. I still get occasional (hourly, sometimes more often) BSOD's. It also sometimes takes 3-4 attempts to even get the system to boot up, it will drop off to BSOD on boot.

I think it may be the board, but i am not sure, I am asking to see if you guys around here can give me some ideas of things to do to get this working, the tech guys i am dealing with keep telling me its a driver conflict, but I have redid everything i can think of to make sure they are running fine.

BigTim

 

[Buz2b]

We're going to need a lot more info to help. Who makes the RAM, what make, model # and wattage your PS is, what HSF you are using, video card, etc, etc. Please post and maybe someone can help.

 

[Boonesmi]

first guess would be your power supply needs to be replaced

what temp has the cpu been running at? have you made sure its not overheating?

 

[Duvie]

I would have guessed power issue, be it power supply or power regualtor on mobo, or ram...but since you have tested multiple sticks I will rule that one out....

Cpu overheating likely would have been restarts or freezes but not usually BSOD....

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

sounds like another K7S5A/powersupply issue...That is where I would start.

 

[BigTimMN]

Processor temp isnt the problem, as it sometimes gives me the problems just starting it up

Could someone explain to me how the Power Supply could cause my system to run ok at 100/100 but not at 133/133, and why does it cause BSOD's? I thought that would cause reboots?

I plan on going back to the place that built my system in the next couple of days, so any info i can have as to what they should be looking at would be appreciated, or anything i can do to help pinpoint the problem before i go in, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...

 

[Boonesmi]

100/100 (ram/cpu) requires less power to run then 133/133 so its very possible to have a borderline powersupply work for 100/100 and not for 133/133

also the k7s5a is notorious for being very finicky about powersupplies... your best bet is to get a new powersupply that is appoved on amd's list link

 

[Buz2b]

<< anything i can do to help pinpoint the problem before i go in, would be greatly appreciated. >>

How about answering some of the questions I asked earlier. That would go a long way to help be more specific.
"Who makes the RAM, what make, model # and wattage your PS is, what HSF you are using, video card, etc, etc"

 

[bowie71]

I suspect it's memory/SDRAM problem, it's not because of the mobo, my old EPoX 8KTA2+ doesn't like any SDRAM memory with Kingston brand, single or pair even, it will work only with Crucial or Micron or generic one, no problem when combaining the Kingston with other brands though. I used to install 3 sticks of memory (256MBx3) with Crucial, Kingston and generic brand. My old MSI MPV3C+ with K62-550 had the same problem.

My present ECS K7S5A can accept only single Kingston DDR RAM or generic one, If I combine them with my Crucial the Blue Screen will appear many times, sometimes it won't start at all while booting up. My friend whom I helped building his computer also has the same problem with his EPoX 8KHA+. It seems that only ABIT or ASUS mobo that never have this kinda problem, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Please give us the specs of memory, PSU, Heatsink/Fan so we can help you figure the problem out.

 

[BigTimMN]

Sorry i didnt get all the info up before, but i didnt have access to it until i could power down and tear into my system:

Here is all the info i could get:

Power supply TTGI tt-300ss (according the the Athlon site this is a certified PS)

PC23100 DDR Spectek sticker on it (I got it as a generic OEM special)
I dont know what these numbers mean but i wrote down all that i could.
ML 041202
p32m6416hh7
s80016vh75w

I had used previously

133 sdram ML 020102 MT on the chips, no manufacturer readily apparent.
ML020102
48Lc16m8a2


I have a coolmaster cm12 HSF

I am running a Visiontek GEForce 3 ti 200 video card with 64mbddr

Athlon 1700 xp

Win XP

Cable modem thru the Ethernet.

Anything else you guys want to know, just ask....

Thanks again for the help...

BigTim

 

[Boonesmi]

what are the temps?

 

[rarotonga]

Your initial memory "Mt" was the good stuff as that is Micron Technology IC's. Spectek is considerably lower in quality than either Samsung, Micron or Infineon. I always insist on Samsung/Samsung (IC's/board) when purchasing memory but will settle for Samsung on a non-samsung 6-layer board. Cost a few buks more but well worth it.

The best stress testing software for memory is from Ultra-X www.uxd.com try to locate a shop that has been willing to buy the best and have them stress it for you. It will take about 30 minutes to run.

If your power supply says "allied" or "deer" on it you can be in for trouble. I have seen many of these units with leaking compacitors and only on these units. They are seldom more than a year old. I've looked in side many ps and can say that Sparkle and Enermax produce very clean well organized board layouts. If you ever look inside a deer and compare to the aforementioned you'll see what I mean. Antec's are made by Dynapower and very good but not to the level of the Sparkle or Enermax.

 

[BigTimMN]

Ok - My temps System 33 deg C CPU 45 deg C


As for the memory, the 128 Sdram (Micron) gave me the same issues that this DDR is giving me. I cannot get my system to be stable for very long at anything other than 100/100, and even then i still get occasional BSOD's.

I had tried some 256MB micron out of another system i had, and that was even worse in this MBoard, i couldnt even get the system to boot up... but that was also before i knew about lowering the system speed to 100/100.


Not sure about the "deer" or "allied" thing on the PSU, but i will check that out next time i get into my case... which will pry be sometime tmrw.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I would suggest getting a better PSU for starters since the K7S5A is picky about the juice it gets and a good PSU can last through several mobo/CPU upgrades. Next you can try choosing "optimal bios settings" in the bios. If that doesn't help try removing the heatsink from the chipset and applying ASIII and then putting a blue orb or other good HS/F on the chipset because I've read many posts where the user credited it with resolving the FSB issue and others even credit it with allowing them to break the 150FSB barrier that had previously eluded them.

 

[BigTimMN]

I have tried the "optimal" bios settings... and it makes it a bit more stable., but i still have issues.

now i am even having problems getting the system to run at 100/110,, right now i set it at 100/133 and i could get it to boot up.

I guess i need to bring it back in again tonight, and i will bring up the PSU issues as well as Ram issues with them, and also the MBoard. I hope i can get by with just having them replace something, under warranty, as i cant afford to buy new parts at the moment.