Epox 8K7A cpu support?

[gummiely]

I have an EP-8K7A mobo, flashed to the latest bios: 3/4/02. According to Epox, it should support up to an XP 2200+ Tbred. I decided to upgrade from a Tbird 900mhz to an XP 1700+ from newegg. Alas, the dreaded "FF" led. 1 hour of troubleshooting later... still no go. I noticed a weird marking on the cpu core, so I thought the cpu was dead. Thus, RMA. I couldn't wait, so I placed another order for the same model cpu. Once again, "FF". On the following power-on, poof.. a terrible burning smell. I swap out the cpu and go back to the Tbird 900. It works just fine. So here's my dilemma... I really have no idea whether the mobo is accepting the 1700+ cpu or not. Have any of you guys had similar experiences?

 

[SpideyCU]

It should take it just fine - I used a 1600+ in an 8K7A+. Your problem is elsewhere, but I can't narrow it down for you with present information. Board might be going bad itself and only the symptoms only manifesting under certain situations right now. Can't say.

 

[gummiely]

Anyone else have a similar experience with this board?