another ECS K7S5A problem thread!! UPDATE problem solved = new mobo :)

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

just wondering if any of you ecs owners have had problems with multiple sticks of DDR memory. i know there were lots of problems with SDRAM, but didn't know of any with DDR.

to make a long story short, a while back i bought some memory on sale to boost my performance (would have 2x 256). well the computer would load up to the XP loading screen and then give me a blue screen of death and crash. i just figured the memory was incompatable so i got my money back. i bought a different brand of memory that just arrived today and got the same problem. my roomate tested all the memory in his motherboard and it checked out ok.

i was just wondering if you guys have heard of problems with multiple ddr sticks in this mobo. i've had so many problems with it i'm ready to just give up and move on (maybe to nforce 2).

majewski9 · Jan 16, 2003

Never heard that of that problem. I have no problem running two sticks of DDR or SDRAM. I have ran two sticks of DDR flawlessly. Do you have the current Bios ?

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

after doing a bad flash on the mobo, i bought a new chip with the latest BIOS, so i know that isn't the problem.

ScrapSilicon · Jan 16, 2003

try setting to spd and enable your ESCD to be reset..gl

hope this helps and who's mem module(s) ..? btw

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

the BIOS has had the memory setting to spd throughout all of this.

enable your ESCD to be reset.

how do i do this??

and the memory that came with it has Micron on the label. i don't know what brand that is. I have tried it with 256 MB PNY, 256 MB Kingston, and 512 MB Samsung.

Bovinicus · Jan 16, 2003

If you have two sticks of memory I would try running each of them one at a time. If each module can run on it's own, then you know it is the motherboard (Or some other component). I have heard that very good power supplies are needed with the K7S5A or you will have many problems.

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

Originally posted by: Bovinicus
If you have two sticks of memory I would try running each of them one at a time. If each module can run on it's own, then you know it is the motherboard (Or some other component). I have heard that very good power supplies are needed with the K7S5A or you will have many problems.

i have tried running them seperately and havent had any problems. ive switched which slot they go into and had them work fine. i have a 350 watt supply and haven't had any problems at all.

in fact, i first had the problem with 2 sticks before i installed another harddrive. i haven't had any power problems after installing it or a cd burner, either.

Bovinicus · Jan 16, 2003

Well, all I can suggest is that you buy a single 512MB DIMM and sell the current DIMM you have to make up for some of the cost. It does sound like a motherboard stability problem with both slots occupied.

johnjkr1 · Jan 16, 2003

I've had some ram problems with the board (not exactly like yours), but updating to the latest bios fixed most of my issues. The board seemed a little more sensitive to the mixing of ram types/brands than other (more pricier) boards I have tried in the past.

OS · Jan 16, 2003

unless you're buying this in like a Fry's bundle, there really isn't a good reason to buy this mobo over competing ones, especially given it's spotty history.

You can get an nforce 2 board for under 100.

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

Originally posted by: johnjkr1
I've had some ram problems with the board (not exactly like yours), but updating to the latest bios fixed most of my issues. The board seemed a little more sensitive to the mixing of ram types/brands than other (more pricier) boards I have tried in the past.

i have the latest BIOS.

and OS, it came bundled. thinking back i wish i would have just built a system from scratch and saved myself the hassle with ECS.

human2k · Jan 16, 2003

built atleast 6 systems with K7S5A with almost every possible CPU/RAM scenerio........PC100 128MB + durong Etc. Used cheap $30 chassis's from newegg with 300W PSU's. All run rock stable and still running fine. RMA the board or check your hardware.........or better yet.........go learn to build a comp?

OS · Jan 16, 2003

Originally posted by: hdeck

i have the latest BIOS.

and OS, it came bundled. thinking back i wish i would have just built a system from scratch and saved myself the hassle with ECS.

ocworkbench.com has a k7s5a guide, read up on the power supply guide. If your power supply meets the guidelines, and the rest of your equipment checks out on other systems, I'd just take it back and get something else.

Snoop · Jan 16, 2003

i have the latest BIOS.

What version is it? Just because you bought a new bios chip doesnt mean its the latest, it quite possiblly could be the release bios. Just check the bios version on bootup and tell us what it is.
The reason I say this is that some of the early bios versions had problems with ram, which they have now fixed.

hdeck · Jan 16, 2003

Originally posted by: Snoop

i have the latest BIOS.

Click to expand...

What version is it? Just because you bought a new bios chip doesnt mean its the latest, it quite possiblly could be the release bios. Just check the bios version on bootup and tell us what it is.
The reason I say this is that some of the early bios versions had problems with ram, which they have now fixed.

actually i specifically ordered a BIOS chip with the latest BIOS from badflash.com . this version of the BIOS was released 10/29/02.

go learn to build a comp?

that's just uncalled for. i would have built it in the first place, but i was under time constraints with school.

*edit* after a fresh install of windows XP, i tried to get both sticks to work again. this time it brought me all the way to the "welcome" screen before crapping out on me.

human2k · Jan 16, 2003

heh, sorry bou that comment....I have have a Shuttle AK31A which was resurrected also from badflash.com that I'll be willing to sell or trade if your inteterested.

Adul · Jan 16, 2003

put the ecs out of its misery

hdeck · Jan 17, 2003

Originally posted by: Adul
put the ecs out of its misery

give me the cash and i'll be happy to

and now that we are on the talk of a new motherboard, what is a good board? i'm thinking <$100 US. needs onboard lan, audio, usb.

HappyPuppy · Jan 17, 2003

Never had a problem with my ECS board. Either you got a bad mobo or you have some other hardware problem.

Adul · Jan 17, 2003

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

the leadtek mb is nice. my bro is running it, not much on it, just the nforce audio, lan, firewire

bocamojo · Jan 17, 2003

I've been able to run 2 256MB sticks of PC 2100 DDR in my K7S5A Rev 1 board with no problems. They both used Micron chips, so that is important, that the chips match. I would not try to run two sticks from different manufacturers. I was running one stick that was from Micron (uses Micron chips) and one from Crucial (uses Micron chips). Now I just run one, because it really is a waste of money IMO to run 512MB DDR in one system. 256MB is more than enough, unless you're doing user switching in XP or are a major graphics person (Photoshop, etc.).

hdeck · Jan 17, 2003

Originally posted by: bocamojo
I've been able to run 2 256MB sticks of PC 2100 DDR in my K7S5A Rev 1 board with no problems. They both used Micron chips, so that is important, that the chips match. I would not try to run two sticks from different manufacturers. I was running one stick that was from Micron (uses Micron chips) and one from Crucial (uses Micron chips). Now I just run one, because it really is a waste of money IMO to run 512MB DDR in one system. 256MB is more than enough, unless you're doing user switching in XP or are a major graphics person (Photoshop, etc.).

i would have thought that to be the problem, but the computer wouldn't boot when i had a 512 Samsung and a 256 Kingston in there (both samsung chips).

DimZiE · Jan 17, 2003

no problem here......... two sticks of pc 2100 DDR different brands and chips, same timings

there must be something wrong w/ the board

DimZiE · Jan 17, 2003

oh one more thing i used the CheepoMan BIOS ( forgot the version ) and my CPU/mem ratio are set to 150/150

hdeck · Jan 17, 2003

Originally posted by: DimZiE
oh one more thing i used the CheepoMan BIOS ( forgot the version ) and my CPU/mem ratio are set to 150/150

ever since i screw my bios on a bad flash, i'm pretty much anti-bios flashing; especially if its an unofficial one. i'm pretty torn on what to do, though. my mobo is probably screwed up and thus won't run 2 sticks, but if i shell out the money for a new mobo and the sticks i have give me compatibility issues, i just blew money. but if i stick with this mobo, seems like i will just have more problems down the line. i am going to have to do some more testing w/ these sticks and different machines. *sigh*

another ECS K7S5A problem thread!! *UPDATE* problem solved = new mobo :)

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another ECS K7S5A problem thread!! UPDATE problem solved = new mobo :)