New Shuttle SN41G2 system built...tons of problems

[dquan97]

Finally finished building that system...

Specs:
Shuttle SN41G2 $289
AMD 2000+ $70.43
Viewsonic VA520 $289 AR
512MB DDR PC2700 $89
XP Pro Full OEM $150
Office XP Full $109
Maxtor 40GB HD $45
Generic CD-RW $20

Planning and purchase (from BBY and Fry's) took a couple hours, but setting it up took about 6-8hrs due to numerous complications. First, system wouldn't POST, so it took an hour to figure out how to clear the CMOS. Then the OS wouldn't install, and that took another 2 hours to find out that we got a bad stick of RAM. After that, I had to install Win2K first in order to update the BIOS, since WinXP wouldn't load with the default BIOS. After working that out (2hrs later), everything else went smoothly and I finally went to bed at 3am.

 

[loup garou]

Wow, that sucks. I built my SN41G2 system last week and it went smooth as silk...probably the simplest system I've ever built.

 

[SLCentral]

MY SN41G2 installation was also fairly smooth. But, when I first set it up, I didn't put enough thermal on the CPU, so the computer would shut down when the Installation of XP was loaded up. Just added more thermal, and I was good to go.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
MY SN41G2 installation was also fairly smooth. But, when I first set it up, I didn't put enough thermal on the CPU, so the computer would shut down when the Installation of XP was loaded up. Just added more thermal, and I was good to go.

Gotta love the screw-down heatpipe mount. The days of heatsink clips and gouging my mobo with screwdrivers are over for me.

 

[Psychosylph]

Another vote for a quick and easy install. Easiest of all my nForce2 installs (done 4).

Btw, I assume that you know you can update the BIOS without an OS installed. Don't tell me you didn't have access to another system to download it...

 

[dquan97]

I had access to another system, but when we made the purchase of the machine, we didn't realize that the BIOS may need to be updated...was planning on putting a memory card reader in the 3.5inch slot. Therefore, I took the floppy drive off my main computer and used that for the bootdisk with the BIOS update.

 

[Coherence]

I have been really tempted to build a Shuttle XPC system. (I wish the SN41G2 had Soundstorm, though. If I do build one, I'll probably get a regular sound card like an Audigy2 or TurtleBeach.) I'm surprised to hear some of you say it was so easy; some resellers won't even take returns of XPC's because so many people seem to have trouble with them.

My next system was going to be fairly "big" and fast. Has anyone here really loaded their XPC up with a top-end CPU, video card, sound card, RAM, HD, etc? Any heat problems?

I hear the XPC has fairly explicit instructions on running the cables inside. Has anyone used rounded IDE cables instead of folding the ribbon cables as they instruct?

 

[Armoth]

My install was also smooth as silk. SN41G2's are awesome. I've got a Plextor CD-RW and two hard drives in there. No heat problems whatsoever. I still need to play with speedfan and possibly get some different fans. Still investigating that...

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Coherence
I have been really tempted to build a Shuttle XPC system. (I wish the SN41G2 had Soundstorm, though. If I do build one, I'll probably get a regular sound card like an Audigy2 or TurtleBeach.) I'm surprised to hear some of you say it was so easy; some resellers won't even take returns of XPC's because so many people seem to have trouble with them.

My next system was going to be fairly "big" and fast. Has anyone here really loaded their XPC up with a top-end CPU, video card, sound card, RAM, HD, etc? Any heat problems?

I hear the XPC has fairly explicit instructions on running the cables inside. Has anyone used rounded IDE cables instead of folding the ribbon cables as they instruct?

I'm running a 1600XP, Ti4200, 30GB 7200 hd, 48x burner, 512MB PC2700. Using rounded cables instead of the provided cables. I know that stuff isn't top-end, but I have no heat problems. I was very surprised about how easy my setup was as well after reading some of the problems at the Sudhian forums.

 

[swNYC]

I wish the SN41G2 had Soundstorm

It does have soundstorm, it uses the MCP-T Southbridge and has Digital Optical Out. So go ahead and buy it

 

[nmcglennon]

Thats my next upgrade. I am running a KT333 right now, but it is really buggy, so I am switching up to an XPC and giving my brother the old mobos... anyone know if I can use my old proc (AMD Athlon XP 2100+) from the KT333 system in the new XPC? or would I have to go out and buy a new one?

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: nmcglennon
Thats my next upgrade. I am running a KT333 right now, but it is really buggy, so I am switching up to an XPC and giving my brother the old mobos... anyone know if I can use my old proc (AMD Athlon XP 2100+) from the KT333 system in the new XPC? or would I have to go out and buy a new one?

Yep, your xp2100 will work fine in an SN41G2.

 

[Psychosylph]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: nmcglennon
Thats my next upgrade. I am running a KT333 right now, but it is really buggy, so I am switching up to an XPC and giving my brother the old mobos... anyone know if I can use my old proc (AMD Athlon XP 2100+) from the KT333 system in the new XPC? or would I have to go out and buy a new one?

Yep, your xp2100 will work fine in an SN41G2.

Mine does...

 

[drquest]

Running an XP2400+ in mine right now along with an ATI AIW 9700..... very cool machine...

mrpeabody

 

[simms]

Where would you buy these parts? I can't find a single site that sells XPC components. Wait, I'll check new egg before I say anything more.


nvm

 

[mistaxazn]

Anyone having issues with fan noise? Mine sounds like a jet engine...