Looking for an ECS K7S5A replacement

[xbassman]

Well, NewEgg has my ECS board I sent back to them and I am waiting to see what RMA options they give me.

I really don't want to waste any more time with another ECS board due the types of problems that seem to be popping up.
It's a shame though...for the whole week that it was up and runing, it screamed. I didn't get a chance to run any benchmarks though.

Well, anyway NewEgg has a KT266 board made by Jetway. Model J867AS
I haven't ever used any of their boards. So I don't have a clue about the quality of them.

They also have the Shuttle AK12A (KT133a). (I need to use SDRAM)

Too bad they can't all be like my Asus A7V133. Almost never crashes even @ 20% OC'd! Despite WinME or 98SE.

You guys like or dislike these boards/manufacturers?

Thanks!

 

[zzzz]

If I were you, I would get my money back from Newegg and buy a KT133a board from the sale/trade forum. You might be able to get a good board cheap.
I also regret selling my Asus A7v133 for $60 now.

 

[foofoo]

you might try the iwill kk266 plus. it's a grat board and a great overclocker.
good luck

 

[xbassman]

Actually I still have my A7V133...
The ECS was for my wife's system.
She just needed a basic computer for wordprocessing and that sort of thing.
The Iwill might be a little overkill. (Not for me though)
I just need another inexpensive (but reliable) mobo.
Getting my money back is outa the question. I bought the ECS in Nov. It was a Christmas present.

 

[Shippy]

Maybe you should give the ECS another try? It can't hurt too much. I just built my friend (2 weeks ago) an ECS K7S5A & duron 1g from newegg and it's been working great (with WinXP) ever since.

 

[xbassman]

I may have no other choice.....
I am waiting for another reply from NewEgg about my RMA status.
I would prefer not to get another ECS after reading through several forums and visiting ECS's website.
I am not gonna bash ECS though.... enough people have done it here already :-/

 

[cavemanmoron]

i had 2 k7s5a, AFter i flashed with a nov 01 bios both were fine,
put one in a case with a xp1500 for a friend,no prblems at all,
and i still have the other here with a duron 800 stable

 

[Arias74]

Well, I just sent my K7S5A back to Newegg.com. Unfortunately, it was a Xmas gift, so I can't get my money back. I did go ahead and order the Epox 8K7A. No RAID, didn't want it. Weird, but Newegg no longer sells this board. I guess I got the last one! =)

Anyway, I think that the problem I was having with the K7S5A (would not boot without resetting the BIOS) was a hardware conflict. I tried another K7S5A with a different video card, a different processor, different memory, different NIC, w/ and w/o audio (SBLive Value) and still the same problems. I think I'm cursed...

So, I've given up on this motherboard. Hopefully this next one will be a winner!

 

[AA0]

I think you pretty much answered your own question. If you likes the Asus board, get another. Price should not be something that is a concern for your motherboard, its too vital a part.

You get what you pay for.

 

[kmmatney]

I've been happy with my 2 K7S5A boards (been running for about 3 monthes and 1 month respectively).

For simple word processing work, you can look into the BIOSTAR M7VKS, which has built-in video. The video is trident Blade 3D which has decent 2D graphics. A better board is the MSI KM133A Pro5, with built-in Savage 2000 video.

I built my wife's system with the Epox KL133 board, with built-in Savage3D. NewEgg doesn't the board anymore. Here system is fully stable, running 24/7, with Team AnandTech projects running in the background. Her system has been zero maintenance, and the 2D is very good. The BIOSTAR board is the closest board to it at NewEgg.

Can't comment on the Jetway board, although the purple slots look cool.

 

[NetGuySC]

I am tireing of my K7S5a.. I have several random reboots everyday...I have tried all I know to do (newest drivers, newest bios). I am not saying it's the motherboard..it could very well be me...but anyways i have got my eye on the new Soltek board. Not very well known but sounds like a kick a$$ board. I will probably have it soon...

my .02 cents

 

[Jerboy]

<< Well, I just sent my K7S5A back to Newegg.com. Unfortunately, it was a Xmas gift, so I can't get my money back. I did go ahead and order the Epox 8K7A. No RAID, didn't want it. Weird, but Newegg no longer sells this board. I guess I got the last one! =)

Anyway, I think that the problem I was having with the K7S5A (would not boot without resetting the BIOS) was a hardware conflict. I tried another K7S5A with a different video card, a different processor, different memory, different NIC, w/ and w/o audio (SBLive Value) and still the same problems. I think I'm cursed...

So, I've given up on this motherboard. Hopefully this next one will be a winner! >>




Don't feel bad. You're not alone

K7S5A didn't treat me right

 

[fendel]

I must be on a lucky streak. Right now I have a K7S5A and a K7S6A purring happily, no problems whatsoever, haven't flashed the BIOS or installed any special drivers or done the motherboard appeasement ritual dance. Easiest system builds I've ever done, especially compared to the AK31v2 I just spent the last few months wrestling with. Not bragging---just baffled at all the K7S5A complaints I see.

 

[xbassman]

Thanks for the board suggestions kmmatney. I really don't need integrated video. (I bought her a geforce card.)
Looks like the Biostar kt133a board only has complaints about the manual being wrong. (nothing new about that ) It is the front runner for now.
Heck...they had an Asus with an Acer Labs chipset for sale about a week or so ago. I definately would have felt more comfortable buying that.

BTW- jerboy You are insane! I followed your link. <grin>

No comments on Jetway or Shuttle? (good or bad)..............

 

[osage]

I just RMAed a K7S6A to NewEgg and got a Shuttle AK31 v3 for my brothers comp.. nice board, install was a piece of cake, stable from the start. The price is OK, seems to most of the features you would want.

Still using and liking my 2 K7S5A boards for my own systems..also eazy and stable.

 

[VicLavigne]

A biostar or MSI board with integrated vid would work well for the tasks you describe, and are relatively cheap. I've built systems with both, and they were very stable, and still kickin'.