Fry's ECS K7S5A and AthlonXP 2400 combo for $89 - YMMV

[Callaway]

At least in Vegas, this is true. This mornings (7/12) Fry's ad on the back of the Sports page (LasVegas RJ) has the ECS K7S5A Pro mobo with AthlonXP 2400 process for a cool $89. They had a nice huge box full of brand new mobos, so no need to worry about the repackaged issues. One per customer and I'll make the assumption this is not a one day deal.

Processor alone runs 99 on outpost.com



Athlon 2400 link

ECS K7S5A Mobo Link

 

[RichC]

It's hit this price a few times in the past month or so. I think it's finally time for me to jump on this one.

 

[oLLie]

It was $79.99 last Friday I believe (in OC, CA).

*edit* still a good deal though!

 

[fastman]

It was $79.99 last Friday I believe (in OC, CA).

Still is.

 

[SnoopCat]

is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

 

[nautiazn85]

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

I would suspect your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive first.

 

[dahunan]

Originally posted by: nautiazn85

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

I would suspect your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive first.

Yes.. either that or possibly a piece of memory that does not like...

 

[simo]

I got on this when it was a 2000+ (TBred A) for $69.99 with a free HSF, I think the $79.99 in CA was for the 2200+ not the 2400+ (that's $89.99).

I found the K7S5a Pro to be a great board - XP loves it, the only thing I had to install manually was the USB2.0 (high speed) drivers. Mine was a Rev. 5 board, so these are not old boards. Make sure you're getting the Pro board as the non-Pro is crap.

People have said that it needs a good PSU (I have a 400W) and sometimes has issues with SDRAM - although I am using a mix of PC150 and PC133 and it works fine - in fact the PC150 won't work on my KK266-R, and you can always use DDR....

Also, I've heard USB2.0 only works reliably with XP although there are 98SE and 2000 drivers - but there area shedload of USB1.1 ports anyway....

Personally I've not seen any of these issues and am very pleased, I'm actually thinking of taking up this new deal

Edit: as far as the install problems go - what OS are you trying, as I never needed the CD in XP Pro. Also, I had to set the reset CMOS jumper to even get the board to POST.....

 

[DPG0wnz]

Confirmed in Houston, Tx for 7/13.

 

[Tegeril]

Damn, would they please make a Fry's on the east coast!

 

[EDiT]

Originally posted by: dahunan

Originally posted by: nautiazn85

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

I would suspect your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive first.

Yes.. either that or possibly a piece of memory that does not like...

It's most likely the RAM in my experience. I had the EXACT same problem on several k7s5as which would always choke on different files during install. I replaced the RAM, and it works great.

-Eric

 

[MortimRex]

Yeah, we could use one here in Tampa!!!!!!!

 

[Cybordolphin]

I have built two systems using this combo. I was extremely skeptical.... but I am VERY VERY VERY happy with the results. Not a single issue with the motherboards. This makes for a very fast system. I am also impressed with the way the motherboard runs using some of my cheaper ps. I thought for sure I would have issues, but nothing.
So much snappier than my Intel 845PEBT2 and P 2.53. Get the combo. You will have spent the $89 wisely.


Snoopcat..... it sounds like you are having a driver conflict. Just install one cdrom drive, and the bare minimum of periphs until you get the OS installed. What you have described is very common, and most think it is the drive or something else. It sounds like it is just a conflict of driver/resources. I often have the same problem when I have multiple cdrom/cdrw/dvd etc., drives installed. Just try the above, and you should be alright.

 

[dryKill]

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd.

Had the same problem one time with an Epox board. Turned out to be the hard drive causing the problem.

 

[ericlp]

Originally posted by: dahunan

Originally posted by: nautiazn85

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

I would suspect your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive first.

Yes.. either that or possibly a piece of memory that does not like...

I agree... Just because you got a 20.00 motherboard doens't mean you can abuse it with 19.00 512 stick of ram. Go to Crucial yeah you see it above adverstised and get yourself a decent ddr 2100 ram chip. Anyone know the fastest chip that this board can handle? I saw 3200 listed? Didn't know the k7s5a could go that fast...?

 

[Cybordolphin]

I don't agree.... I am running very cheap ram on one of these boards just fine. Spateck chips I believe.

This problem (as mentioned above), when I have had it, has always turned out to be due to hardware/driver conflicts. Files do not transfer properly on the install of the OS, and it appears to be a faulty cdrom. Errors occur during the OS installation (corrupt or incomplete files, etc). The OS installation is halted due to bad/corrupt files.

 

[IronOxide]

Originally posted by: SnoopCat
is this motherboard working for everyone? i tried it and I couldnt even install an operating system. It complains it cant find a file on a cd. I know for sure the cd is good adn the motherboard is good because I used the same one on a different motherboard and it worked. Ive tried 2 of them and both were similarly unstable.

Hey, I had the same problem bro, I switched the slot that the ram was in (on the right) and that fixed it. Hopefully that'll do for you.

P.S. I had this board and the crucial memory

 

[ericlp]

Originally posted by: Cybordolphin
I don't agree.... I am running very cheap ram on one of these boards just fine. Spateck chips I believe.

I was not implying that CHEAP RAM won't work on your board. Just a likly cause. All I am saying is that just like cheap crappy ass power supplys. You'll have a higher failure rate when you stick in cheap ram since cheap ram "no name" brand ram really isn't tested like brand name. Anyway, if you can't figure out what the problem is... Maybe you should have bought a gateway or a dell?

I've built probably 20-30 systems using cheap ecs boards any never had any problems... Luck of the draw maybe? Tho, I've used antec p/s & kingston ram on all of them.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

This combo is also available the Fountain Valley Fry's. Good combo, even though i couldn't oc it much(2.2ghz).

 

[BlackMamba]

anyone know if they have this at the LA Fry's?

 

[KKCC]

Sorry to sound dumb, but which store is OC, CA

 

[rudeguy]

anyone know how to get a deal like this online? I have been waiting for a good combo deal to come around

 

[degeester]

OC = Orange County, CA= California. There are two store in Orange County, CA; 1. Anaheim (home of disneyland) and 2. Fountain Valley. By the way, this deal is in Monday's LA TIMES ad, so it's available at all So Cal Fry's.Link

 

[Callaway]

This deal is back for any Vegas folk. Fry's changed their Sunday ad and then put it back in today's ad 7/14.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Callaway
This deal is back for any Vegas folk. Fry's changed their Sunday ad and then put it back in today's ad 7/14.

anyone have a link to their ads? i'm goping to be in vegas 7/30-8/5 and want to upgrade