Help!

[Gamerguy68]

Ok, here is the situation..

Just bought a XP2000+, stick of Crucial 128mb PC-133 and a Maxtor 80G to do an upgrade on my old system. Installed everything and booted..bios detects all (flashed to 1009), set to jumperless and 133fsb..12.5x
Then the trouble begins..
Upon installing windows XP, it randomly reboots. First time was when I was installing my printer driver, then when I was do windows updates. CPU temp is 51c.

Pulling my hair out trying to figure what is up

 

[Texun]

Is the 128 the only stick you have? Might try to reset the memory or even another stick if you can get it. If this is a clean install and the BIOS is at default it might be your memory. Just a guess. Each time I've had funky problems with a build it was usually the BIOS or the memory.

The random reboot sounds like memory or maybe a voltage problem. Do you have some type of motherboard monitoring installed that will show you how the PSU is handling the upgrade?

 

[Gamerguy68]

I have 3 sticks installed.. 128, 256 and the new 128. All are Crucial. I checked the hardware monitor within the BIOS, and all the voltages look fine. It might be the memory..maybe a bad stick or needs reseated. Will have to try that.

 

[Texun]

Try one at a time until you know it is stable, then do another and another until you find out which one is bad. I've read that some boards don't like more than 2 DIMMS regardless of what they claim to support. I had one board that would run 3- 256's with no problem and another that would crash whith three were installed. Since 512 was enough I didn't fight it too hard.

 

[Gamerguy68]

I tried the memory..still no difference. It just might be heat related. I am using a Chrome Orb from the old CPU, and when idle it shows as 51c in the BIOS. It does the reboots whenever I am installing something. I just ordered a Volcano 8 and some thermal paste. BTW, what is a good monitoring program for CPU temps etc?

 

[Texun]

A CPU temp of 51C shouldn't cause it to crash... if that is an accurate temp. Most people use Motherboard Monitor or Speed Fan. MBM is free and I believe Speed Fan is also but I have never used it.

 

[nick1985]

make sure your heatsink isnt on backwards

 

[Texun]

You mentioned 51C in the BIOS.... after what length of time are you seeing this? Watch this for a few minutes and see if it might be creeping up after several minutes. People often enter the BIOS at boot up, check the settings and then reboot and go about their business. A temp of 51C after a couple of minutes would suggest to that the HS isn't able to keep up. It should gradually climb to a reasonable temperature, something in the 30's or 40's would be expected, then level off.

 

[zCypher]

When I first power up machines here at work, they are NEVER above 30c, and that is with a bone stock P4 or Tbird fan! So if that reading of 51c is truly your IDLE temp then you definitely have a problem. 50-70c should be FINE, during usage.... but an idle that warm can't be good, that probably means it goes a lot hotter than that when you're actually using it (ie, installing programs or whatever). That could potentially cause reboots.

 

[Gamerguy68]

Yes, when I first bootup and go into the BIOS, it shows as 51c. I am awaiting my Volcano 8 and some thermal paste and then see what happens. BTW, would I need to remove the thermal pad from the HSF and apply paste to it and the CPU? Here is the HSF > Volcano 8

What would I use to remove the pad without damaging the copper base? Also, since I have never used paste before, how do I apply properly

I just downloaded MM 5, and will use it to keep an eye on temps.

 

[emjem]

Yeah, you have to clean off every last trace of the old heat pad stuff. I use cig lighter fluid. Look for a web site by your thermal paste manufacturer -- many of these have instructions.

But I don't think temperature is your problem. 51 degrees idle isn't pretty but it's not a catastrophe either.

Try turning off the WinXP 'reboot on error' feature to get rid of the reboots. And look at the error log to see if you can see what's causing the crashes.

PS: The edge of a credit card is a good 'no scratch' tool for removing the old heat pad.

 

[Texun]

A temp of 51C in the BIOS at boot up is certainly a problem. It won't cause a crash but it is probably creeping up on you as you enter and begin working in Windows causing instability.

About the thermal compound: When you have time, run through the cooling forum for more information that you ever wanted to know about HS's and cooling. The popular choice for users is Arctic Silver 3. You will need to remove the thermal pad with alcohol and a credit card - or something that will remove the sticky compound without scratching the HS. Get it CLEAN, then clean it again.

Arctic Silver Link

Follow the instructions on the above link when applying the AS3. Do you have to use AS3? No- it's considered the best but I accidentally got a tube of the fake product with the red cap that they list as a fraud and it has worked fine for me. My XP2400 never hits 40C even under load but I have the Thermalright SLK-800 which does an excellent job.

 

[Gamerguy68]

Thanks Texun. I will try this and monitor the temps and post my results. Hopefully this clears up the problem.

 

[Gamerguy68]

Installed Volcano 8 using Coolmaster thermal paste. Powered on system, and it would not post. Took out cpu and put in old 900 TB and system posted..went into BIOS and set to 133fsb (was at 100) and then set multiplier to 6.5x. Saved and exited. System froze. Powered off, and back on..no post!

To make a long story short..pulled out all cards except video and used post card. Shows as FF -- no problems. Still no beeps, or nothing??

Took out battery (after unplugging power) to reset BIOS. Still no post or beeps. Tried post card -- 00 shows.

HELP

 

[Texun]

You're running the TB900 at 133FSB? It should be 100. Try resetting the BIOS to defaults by discharging the CMOS - jumper or remove the battery, make sure the PSU is unplugged - and try again. The key here is to get it stable before upping the multiplier.

Let me see if I got this right... it posted and loaded with the XP2000 but crashed. Nothing was changed but the HS and now it won't post at all?

Are you 101% sure the HS is installed correctly? I am not familiar with the V-8 but make sure it is not riding up on the socket in any way. If it is placed too far forward (near the raised portion of the HS) it will not sit perfectly flat on the HS which would cause your cpu to go nuclear in about 3 seconds. I did that once so I know it can happen much easier than you think.

Reset the BIOS by discharging the CMOS.
Install the XP2000
Thermal compound - Just a tiny dab on the core is all that is needed, about the size of a grain of rice. Spread it evenly across the core.
Reinstall the HS and double check that it is perfectly flat and not resting or riding up on anything.
FSB should be 133 for the XP2000
When you ran the XP the first time did the BIOS see it as an XP2000?

 

[Gamerguy68]

Originally posted by: texun You're running the TB900 at 133FSB? It should be 100.

Whoops...thought it was supposed to be 133. I put old cpu in, set jumpers to 100fsb, 9x multiplier. System posted with no problems!

Tried XP2000+ with 133fsb, 12.5x and still no post. Not sure if the processor is bad or just not compatible. HSF is most definately installed correctly. When I initially installed it, the BIOS did detect it properly. Now nothing.

At least my old cpu still works

BTW, my A7V133 is revision 1.04. Been told that it should run the XP2000+ ok, but others say it needs to be 1.05. or higher? Could this be the issue?

 

[Gamerguy68]

Now according to MBM 5, my cpu is running at 59c. Yes, the HSF is mounted correctly. wtf..
I have two case fans, one at the back and one on the bottom. Mobo is 31c. No rebooting or crashes so far...

 

[Texun]

ASUS boards are known for reporting a higher temp. Opinions vary, some say 5C-10C. My A7V266C read 15C hotter than the Abit I am using now so I can't say for sure which one is actually the right one. Are your voltages stock? Do you have the latest BIOS?

If all else fails give it the feel test. Touch the HS or socket after running it at 59 and see if it feels somewhat warm or damn near hot. 59C is 138F.

If it runs stable and doesn't feel hot then you should be fine. Your case is 30C so air flow shouldn't be a problem. Not sure how well the Volcano 8 does but it should be able to take care of the TB900.

About the XP.... from what you have written this does not look good. It posted before, and you saw it in the BIOS but can't get to the BIOS with it now? According to the ASUS web site this board will not support the XP2000.

 

[Gamerguy68]

My voltages are as follows : +12 = 12.281, +5 = 4.945, +3.3 = 3.552, vcore = 1.808
Temps have stabilized at 58c and 30c.
BIOS was flashed to the latest..1009

Looks like I am stuck with the 900 on this board till next upgrade

Will try the feel test..just want to see if system will stay stable for a while first.

 

[Markfw]

It sounds like you have a memory problem. Just to eliminate the CPU, set the speed to 100 fsb at 12.5x (which is an underclock) and see what happens. Also make sure the CAS setting for the memory is at 3. If this works. Then try the 256 meg stick by itself at 133 fsb cas3. If that works, then try another 128 meg stick added to it. If that works then try adding the last 128 meg stick and see what happens.

 

[Gamerguy68]

I really need to get my CPU temps down. Any advice on a HSF..taking into consideration the close fit of it to the memory slot. Also, would going to round IDE/FDD cables help with air circulation? Also, being in the UK limits my choices because some US firms don't ship here.