MSI K7T Pro2-A LOCKUPS!

[DrSpock]

Every time i boot, my computer locks up. It doesn't matter where i am, either booting into windows, or even in the bios, it will still lock up. I have gutted the entire computer and it still is doing it. Could it be that my motherboard went to crap? I don't think it is any drive, because i have tested it and everything works. Any ideas?

 

[Adul]

you owna sblive? take it out and try. reset the bios has well.

 

[Buz2b]

What is your system configuration currently? Have you checked to see if the HSF is making proper contact and not at an "angle"? What changes have you made to the system lately? When you say you have "gutted" it, what does that mean to you? Have you tried taking out all PCI cards and unplugging all drives except for the HDD? Then booting into the BIOS to check your settings? Have you (as Adul asked) tried resetting the BIOS to "Default" settings and attempted to boot? Have you flashed the BIOS lately? Etc, etc, etc. More info please.

 

[DrSpock]

My system has been running for over a year. I have not touched any hardware at all in that year. I have removed all cards, drives, and all but one stick of ram and video card and HD. Either way, it will still lock up. It i go into the bios and change one setting, i won't have time to save it because the computer has already locked up. I'm running an AMD Athlon 800MHZ, 256MB ram w/ 300W PS. I do have a SBlive card and i will try adul's plan later on tonight. Do you need anymore information?

 

[Buz2b]

<< Do you need anymore information? >>

Not yet. Try the SB removal as stated but then try removing and reinstalling the HSF with fresh thermal paste. Have you tried changing or swapping the RAM also? See if you can get into Safe Mode and check to see if it will run for any length of time.

 

[Mist3rMischi3f]

That's funny...I've run the exact same mobo, with a 750 MHz T-Bird and 256MB RAM, and with a SB Live! Value card too, and NEVER ran into any lockups or anything...maybe it's the PSU?

 

[DrSpock]

i just removed the SB live card and it still locked up as it was booting. I'm going to reset the bios defaults and see if that fixes that problem. Also, i don't know if i mentioned this eariler, but after it locks up and i turn it off, if i try to turn it back on, i get nothing. The only thing that turns on are the fans. Nothing else. I have to wait about 5 min before it will actually begin to boot. Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[DrSpock]

well, i just loaded the bios defaults and i still get the same thing. It will lock up under a minute every time. Could it be a heat issue?

 

[Mem]

It will lock up under a minute every time. Could it be a heat issue?

Could be but it may also be a faulty board so you have to check everything,did you try the suggestion by
Buz2b about reseating the heatsink etc?

Also did you get the chance to go into the bios and have a quick cpu temperature check?

 

[DrSpock]

no, i did not try reseating the heatsink, but the temps in the bios says that the CPU is 22C and the motherboard is 21C. Those temps look just fine to me, they really didn't seem high at all. this is all from starting the system cold. I will try reseating the heaksink. my only other option is that i have a motherboard that has gone bad. Does anybody else have any ideas? Thanks to everybody for their help!

 

[KGB]

Spock,

Doesn't that board have the DLED feature?
If so, what do they indicate?

 

[morty69]

You'll probably be interested in this thread: http://cweb.msi.com.tw/eforum/?target=article&tid=538979395, going on at the MSI forums!
I have a MSI K7T Pro 2 that i have had similar problems like the ones described in this thread.You might want to consider sending it back where u bought it.

 

[DrSpock]

yea, it does have that feature, but they are all green when it locks up. It looks like i am going to order a new board. oh well. thanks for the link, i'll go read it right now.

 

[dirtonthenose]

I'm having a similar problem with my Epox. Try "underclocking" it.

I have a 1.4 G AMP Thunderbird but I had to turn my FSB down to 112 to get it to boot; my processor speed is now < 1.2 G, but everything is working fine. Did my MB go bad?

 

[dirtonthenose]

Epox again.

Did you ever try resetting your heatsink? I'm starting to wonder if that's my problem. Mine went on awfully hard, and it may be the case that our temperature readings are unreliable. Yours seem almost absurdly low.

 

[xroyal]

DrSpock: You'll see by the MSI forum thread that the Pro 2 A had a bad batch or so. MSI can be tough to get on the phone, but once I did I was able to get an RMA# on Pro 2A w/no trouble. They just received mine, so curious to see what I get back. One user got a Turbo in exchange, but lots didn't. I love my current K7T Turbo!

 

[presto]

RE: MSI K7T Pro 2-A

I had the same problem!

I installed this board when I built my last system about two years ago. I used an AMD Duron 750 processor and I have to say I was very happy with the system once I got the IRQ issues sorted out by disabling Windows PNP to allow the BIOS to assign resources. Fo a long time everything worked flawlessly (Including my SB PCI 512 sound card and nearly obsolete Diamond Viper II Z200 graphics card.)

After about a year I experienced a total system crash and couldn't even boot into BIOS. All 4 DLED's lit red. I suspected a BIOS virus so I went to the MSI website for the how-to on flashing the BIOS. I found numerous forum postings (at MSI and other tech sites) describing the identical problem from people whose MSI K7T Pro 2A board had up and died after about a year of use.

After trying everything else (Including a different HD, RAM and processor, I changed out the MSI board for a FIC AZ11EA and reinstalled everything, including the original RAM, Duron processor w/fan and HS, etc. Problem solved- it was definitely a toasted board.

A year doesn't seem like a long time for a mainboard to last, especially a pricey one like the MSI, just long enough for the retailer's warranty to be worthless. I tried to get some satisfaction from MSI- a partial refund, a replacement, whatever, but they never responded to my emails. Bottom line: they may be a great company but they lost one customer for good.