K7s5a issues (here we go again...)

[bigtimmn2]

Ok, I have had a k7s5a Mboard for about 10 months, and have been plagued by issues since the start.

It was virtually stable at 100/100, but would have problems starting up on occasion (BSOD's as Windows was trying to load), and at 133/133 it was fairly unstable, more frequent startup issues, and occasional BSOD's during lowerload usage (web surfing, while listening to MP3's, etc), and frequent BSOD's during games, etc.

From earlier questions I was told it may be my PSU. I had my local shop who built the system look at it, and of course while they were running tests on it, it didnt have any issues. But they did upgrade me to a Sparkle 300W PSU for free. My system ran better for a couple of days, but still puked at 133/133.

Over the weekend I helped my father-in-law build a system (Asus p4pe), and he ended up with 2 PSU's during the build process he bought an Antec Tru-Power 450W to put in the system, and ended up getting an Antec Case at a later point with a 330w Trupower in it.

I installed the 330W in my system this weekend, figuring that would for sure get me "over the hump" of borderline PSU's.

My system now seems very stable at 100/100, but i have had a couple of issues with startup BSOD's at 133/133, and it crashed out with a BSOD while running Sandra 2003.

Any ideas what my problem could still be?

Here is my system as it is right now:

k7s5a
256MB Samsung DDR
Athlon 1700xp
Sound Blaster Audigy
Geforce 3 200ti
Windows XP

any help that you guys can give will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Peter]

With the PSU ruled out, your next best suspects are an old BIOS, insufficient or poorly mounted CPU cooling, and bad RAM.

 

[bigtimmn2]

Ok, that goes along with what i was thinking.

I upgraded my video drivers last night (my old ones werent windows signed)
I tried to upgrade my Soundblaster drivers but was having issues with their damned website.
I also couldnt get into the download area on ECS website to get bios updates.
I will finish this route next Bios, drivers, etc.

as for the heatsink fan, I hate the one on my system, too damned noisy, I plan on replacing that as well.

Any suggestions for a good, semi-quiet, heat sink/fan combo?

 

[SwampsterFL]

I built three systems using this motherboard. All are AthlonXP 1800+. The first two worked perfectly, and the third did as you describe.

As it stood, I had changed the motherboard twice, the RAM and CUP once, and was installing a new motherboard, CPU/fan, and RAM that my supplier had bench tested before shipping so that he knew it would boot at 133/133.

The first time I booted it showed it being an 1800+, but by the time I got through reviewing the settings in CMOS, it had reverted to 100/100. The only thing that had not been replaced was the power supply, which tested perfect.

In desperation, I stuck in a used 300W PS and it worked and booted just fine . . . but, like yours, was just a little unstable. I went to a good 450W PS and have not had a bit of problem since. The only thing I can think of is some sort of issue with consistancy with the voltage regulators on the motherboard that cannot be tolerated by something as small as a 300W power supply.

Yes, I know . . . 300 used to be the standard! But, if you will start adding up what it takes for some of these video cards, our giant 7200rpm hard drives, bunches of case fans, multiple and various CD players, sound systems the will rival the stereo in your living room, etc. 300 watts just isn't a sufficient safety margin any more.

GARY

 

[joe4324]

I've ran k7s5a's on 230watt PS's before.

Yes the Watts are semi-important But not NEARLY as important aas how much the PS can dish out on the 3.3V,5V and 12V rails. Overal Wattage is good to know but rarely does someone actually have more then 300watts of gear in there box. You could have nothing in your system but a mobo and CPU. and if your processor demands more power on the (I think) 3.3 line then the ps can put out it wont work reguardless of how many more "watts" you have left on the 12 and 5v lines.

hope this makes sense...

 

[deerslayer]

I had terrible luck with Windows XP and my k7s5a. Now it's stable with Windows 2000, but I don't know if it was actually because of XP or if it was just some bad drivers or something.

 

[Cerb]

RAM and PSU...I haven't had any trouble w/ K7S5As, but due to knowing their pickiness, have been using good PSUs. Enlight 300w, Enermax 300w, and Enhance 300w (220w on the 3.3 and 5v lines!) are about minimum (and I'd put a 350 or 400 in if it were a gaming system). I've had bad luck in general with a couple Sparkles.

3 systems by me now, 10 by my dad, and 3 by various friends for their own machines...all with at least the PSUs listed above and non-generic RAM, and not a single problem except for the CMOS battery dying here and there

.

quiet HSF: Volcano 9 coolmod.
cheap quieter-than-retail HSF: Glacialtech Igloo 2320.

 

[bigtimmn2]

From everything I have read, the Antec Tru-Power 330W PSU is supposed to be one of the best in its range for power.

I hope the Bios, Driver updates i will be doing tonight, will do the trick.

If not, I will be ordering a new heatsink/fan.

Any suggestions for a good one, thats on the quiet side, the one i have now you can hear the system running in the next room...