help me with my asus a7n8x-vm400, please :(

[alaciouss]

This ASUS A7N8X-VM400 can die.

Originally I had CMOS CHECKSUM BAD errors and constant crashes / lockups and really weird glitches in windows, like the ASUS Probe programs wouldn't see that I had an ASUS board.

I fixed the weird video glitches / crashing problems (it was the Infineon ram, I replaced it with Kingston) and now the computer runs great once it's in windows.

However, I still get CMOS CHECKSUM BAD errors on occasion when it starts up, and I have to reset all the BIOS settings. Usually it happens if I unplug the computer, but it also happens if I use the reset button, and I can pretty much MAKE it happen by mashing the reset button a couple of times.

I am really. Really. Really. pissed off. I've:

Swapped the board for a new one: same result
New ram, twice: same result
New powersupply: same result
Removed the board and sat it by its lonesome: same result

There are no add-in cards, as it's all integrated. It does it if I have the harddrive plugged in, or the cdrom, or the floppy, or none of them at all.

I am beyond confused why this is happening. CMOS battery maybe? I've heard things about the 3v batteries sucking and maybe replacing it with a 3.3 or something would fix it, but I really don't know.

Right now I have:

Asus A7N8X-VM/400 (obviously )
512mb 2700 DDR Kingston
Athlon 2000+
Generic 400w power supply (although I have tried other power supplies, including a dandy Antec and it didn't seem to fix it)
80gb Maxtor HD
Lite-On CDRW
Floppy Drive


Help, please god help. Do you think it's the battery? Any ideas? I'd say it was the battery, but this is a brand new board and I've already replaced it once to no avail :\

 

[mechBgon]

What memory timings, memory speed and memory voltage are you using? I will have to download the manual to see if you have control over all of those options (voltage may not be available for tweaking). In the meantime, try setting your memory to run synchronously with your CPU like it ought to be. If you're not sure how that's done, I will be able to help once I have the manual in front of me... just holler

 

[alaciouss]

That's the thing, the BIOS is terrible, there really isn't any options in it whatsoever :\

It's supposed to be a budget system for my brother, but I didn't think ASUS would chintz out on the BIOS like that.. heh

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: alaciouss
That's the thing, the BIOS is terrible, there really isn't any options in it whatsoever :\

It's supposed to be a budget system for my brother, but I didn't think ASUS would chintz out on the BIOS like that.. heh

Whoa! I just looked through the manual and you pretty much hit it on the head :Q Most Featureless BIOS EVAR!!! (other than Dell/Gateway etc)

If you do happen to have any PC2100 modules laying around, try one of those. The CPU is built for a 133MHz bus speed, so PC2100 memory would sync with it. I can't believe Asus has dumbed the board down THAT bad! :disgust: If you want another option, those Shuttle MN31N's are a more feature-ful, tweakable board at a lower price, the main disadvantage being that they don't support the 400MHz-based AthlonXPs like the 3200+, only the 200/266/333-based ones.

Good luck, hope it works out for you

 

[alaciouss]

Yeah, pretty bad huh?

I don't think it's the RAM, since it seems to operate pretty well now... just the cmos checksum bad part :\

I think it may be the CMOS battery, since I hear so much about there being problems.. I just don't know how to check the power of the battery..

I have a voltmetre, but it's been years since I've used it and I don't remember how to work it

 

[mechBgon]

But you put a fresh battery in, so it's not very likely to be that You might just confirm that the power supplies have their slide switches set to the proper voltage for your region (115 volts or 230 volts). If your case has USB wiring plugged into the motherboard, unplug it for a week and use it like that, to see if that changes anything. It could be you just have a bad board, too.

 

[alaciouss]

Sorry, I dunno if I was all that clear I haven't replaced the battery yet, I want to but I need to wait until tomorrow so I can go find one.

I've replaced the actual motherboard, and it's still doing it, though :\ Maybe it's just a bad batch, but I can't figure it out

 

[mechBgon]

Your local supermarket will have the battery you need, it should be around $2. Do try that... I remember the original release of the Asus A7N8X Deluxe and guess what...? Yeah. There was a fair number of people whose mobos came with weak batteries.

 

[alaciouss]

Well, I hope that works :\

Anybody else have any ideas before I run off and do this? I don't wanna have to replace the mobo AGAIN, but hey..

 

[alaciouss]

Just so anyone who reads this knows:

I have replaced 3 of these mobos already. I am returning it tomorrow again to exchange for an MSI mobo. I will never buy another ASUS product ever again.

3 boards with CMOS CHECKSUM errors, and the last one's onboard NIC doesn't work. Plus it gets CHECKSUM errors.

Never. Again.