Official- KR7A-Raid133- User Database/Problems etc... KEEP IT HERE!!

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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OK- RAM issues!!
This seems to be a common problem for a lot of people, so lets keep it here instead of having a million posts on the same topic.

Check here first for your systems problem-especially RAM issues.
Try setting up with 1 stick of RAM in DIMM1 first (closest to CPU). This will eliminate a badstick of RAM causing problems and confusing the problems further.

Note from Pauls FAQ: (some Crucial 256/512 ECC modules do not seem to be compatible)

A lot of people are having problems with CMOS checksum errors at bootup. This is due to either CPU setup or RAM settings. First clear CMOS properly:

Unplug cord
Remove CMOS battery
Cross jumper
WAIT 5 MINUTES
move jumper back to default
install CMOS battery
boot up

Configure you CPU manually with User defined settings- Start with default FSB and Multiplier for you CPU. Default voltage also.

Here are some RAM settings that cured my instability: I am using Bios 6G- I didn't see the need to update to 6N since I got it working.

From SoftmenuIII Setup:
DDR voltage= 2.75V


From Advanced Chipset Features/DRAM clock:
DRAM clock= 133
timing= manual
cas= 2
interleave= 4
Precharge to active(trp)= 2T
Active to Precharge (Tras)= 5T
Active to CMD= 2T
DDR DQS input= Auto
DDR DQS Output= Auto
DRAM que= 4 Level
Drive strength= Hi
DRAM Command= 2T (try this first- if stable then try 1T)
DCLK Feedback= 0ps

I also enabled the 15M-16M memory hole- probably not necessary.

Post back here if these settings work for you. Also if you have a different configuration settings that worked for you, post them here!! I had the same Checksum errors as many of you on installation, so try these first- it worked for me. This board is awesome, but I do think it has some instability/setup issues with the default RAM settings and proper CPU recognition.
 

NuovoTech

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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I have a KR7A-133 with 4x256mb Crucial PC2100 NonReg/NonECC. I tried just 1 stick in DIMM1, nothing, could run 1 in DIMM4 at 133mhz.
Adding next stick in DIMM3 would boot at 133mhz, but W98 was unstable. Adding more in DIMMs 1&2 made things worse.

I tried reapplying paste on chipset NB, under the heatsink, but 2 no avail. I can run at default settings at 100mhz reasonably stable with all 4 sticks. So that's where I'm at now...I emailed Abit bout this & will post a reply if I get one. Many of us are hoping 4 a BIOS update...
 

NuovoTech

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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On my my KR7A133 more aggressive DDR settings(including voltage) only make things worse. But it's probably good advice for most folks.
Thanx!
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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I also set PNP O/S to "YES". Paul's FAQ recommends this for Win98.
I also have PCI delay set to "disabled".

Other than these settings and my settings listed on the first post- all others are default.
 

billyjak

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,869
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I have the same settings on mine except the

DCLK Feedback= 0ps

15M-16M memory hole

Am running 2-256 Crucial pc 2100, no lockups or problems evident.
Extremely happy with my board.

It's about time we get an Official KR7A Raid Thread
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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Did all these problems go away for everyone or what?? Lets get a good user base going here for this great board!
 

ShinSa

Senior member
Jan 23, 2002
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Great board!!!! I always wondered why there was very few post about this great board.
 

NuovoTech

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
962
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Would help out if those who post state the number of, brand, size & type of DDR SDRAM they use. ie 4xCrucial 256mb PC2100 nonReg/nonECC...
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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Does anyone know 100% for sure (ie..they have done it themselves) if the Northbridge HSF is epoxied or has paste? I think it has paste by the look and feel of things.
 

NuovoTech

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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Abit put a dab of paste, but does not smear it around, in some cases blocking heat transfer. Many redo them, some say it helped their
memory problems. I did it but saw little improvement, tho I'm afraid I used 2 much paste. Best 2 remove mobo from case as U need access from the bottom of the PCB 2 release the white hold down clamps. From there U pinch the tabs 2gether that R extending thru PCB
holes.

I did a qwik messy job without removing mobo & regret it, so I will redo it correctly. Somehow I do think the NB cooling is crucial even when running CPU/RAM at defaults & I do believe it affects memory issues. Paul's FAQ concurs...
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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Going FSB OC testing this evening- I'll post results later. Only hoping for 140 tonight. I'll run it there for a day to test stability then continue on higher!!
 

AlucardX

Senior member
May 20, 2000
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abit kr7a latest bios
crucial 256mb pc2100
coolermaster hc-002 heatsink
amd xp1900+
enermax 350w p/s
i originally thought the motherboard was shorted but even after taking everything outta the case then trying it still did this some times. the yellow LED light on the mobo is on but no matter what the power will not come on. sometimes it would start right up only after i turned the p/s off then on, then hit the power button on the case. however once i turned it off from here, it would never start up again. i've been at this for 2 days and can not figure it out. i hooked up my enermax 350w p/s to my roommates computer who has a 1gig duron setup and it worked fine, 3 boots right in a row.
also i only had the bare essentials installed, ram cpu/heatsink and motherboard. i gave my new parts to a computer shop today to have them test them out and see which one is at fault, i'm at wits end at this point. also i rechecked my cpu thermal paste and it was fine, i cleaned and reapplied a good layer.

 

geek167

Senior member
Aug 14, 2001
516
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My KR7A-Raid performed like a KT266 motherboard.

Tried different memory, but to no avail. I then returned it and got a Soyo Dragon+. [but with a 15% restocking fee, I hate ATACOM, never buy from Atacom].
 

billyjak

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,869
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I hear Ethermax has a problem with their PS because of the extra cable length.
I run a PC Power Turbo Cool 450 and it's been very good. I replaced it from a PC Power supply Turbo Cool 300w which was fine also.
I did have a problem with the 15 gig ata 66 hard drive though.
It seems the KR7A dosen't like them., dumped it for a new WD 120 JB and alls well.
I bought my 2- 256 Crucial about 4 months ago, maybe the new stuff isin't as good as quality.
I did notice that the power supply made a huge difference in the stability of my machine.
I tried it with an Antec 300w and no go.
I'de suspect it's the Power supply giving you the trouble.
I;m using Pauls modified bios.
 

Tanner

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2001
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My KR7A is aight. I had about 8 hours of trying to get it NOT ground out. I don't know Y it constantly did that...but it's finally done doing that from what I can tell.

I'm running this:
KR7A-RAID 12/27/01 BIOS
Crucial PC2100 DDR nonreg/nonECC
GF2 GTS
SBLive!
Acton/SMC NIC
Samsung 4.3Gb HD 5400rpm
WD 100Gb 7200rpm

has anyone else had problems w/ the first PCI slot (closest to the AGP slot) not working?

please, LMK

It also seems as though lots of others have had grounding problems w/ their boards too.

God Bless

Tanner

AIM: CTanner2
ICQ: 20600610
 

tazdevl

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2000
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How many people are actually getting a RPM signal from their fan showing up in BIOS? Seems like most boards are having problems with Fan headers 1 & 2.

Tried 4 fans, 2 with 3/4 pin splits... no luck.
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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Sandra 2002 reports my PSU fan (on fan2) as cpu fan in "Mainboard Information" module. However in the "CPU/Bios" module it reports correctly (fan1 as CPU and fan2 as PSU).

Tanner- were did you determine (if you did) that your board was grounding? I noticed the Mounting holes were awfully close to some traces on my setup, but attributed it to my case standoffs. Either way I used mounting grommets to isolate the board from the chassis.
 

zogg

Senior member
Dec 13, 1999
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What is the difference between an Abit KR7A raid and a KR7a Raid133?

I have the KR7A raid and had some memory problems with a Mushkin high perf 512 module and a 256 meg stick of Micron while running them together. If I ran them together the board would only detect the 256 meg stick. Then I would have to unplug the machine, unplug the cable from PS to Mobo, then clear CMOS, then it would detect either the 512 or256 stick but not both.
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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Here appears to be the difference (from Paul's FAQ)

The boards use different Southbridges- kr7a Raid uses 8233 while the kr7a-Raid133 uses the 8233A. The "A" is probably an improved version with better potential for ATA133.

I also believe the kr7a-Raid133 can use ATA133 on all IDE channels while the non133 version only has ATA133 capability on the HPT controller (IDE 3 & 4).

Hope this helps.




By the looks of this thread, not many are having problems with this board.
 

Tanner

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2001
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I don't know if I posted it, but I didn't exactly KNOW that the board was shorting out on the Antec sx830, but I think that was the cause b/c the PII dually board did it. So, I figured the case was acting up again :) Anyway, did anyone else try installing XP prof on this board WITHOUTinstalling the new 4in1 drivers? DAAAAAAAAAAAANG that was sloooooooooW! wow! Anyway, now, it's incredibly FASTER! So, has anyone had this thing overclocked? I'm just wondering, b/c I haven't been able to get jack done on this thing! :) I'm going to search for a thread in the OC forum now on this board. btw: I have an XP1700 chip.

God Bless

Tanner
 

JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
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those are some hardcore overclocks, but I like my hdd's and don't feel like being at "computer god's" mercy when it comes to trashing my PCI components, not to mention a XP1700+. My system runs 24/7 crunching Seti and it is absolutely 100% stable with the most aggressive memory timings. Who really "needs" to OC a XP1700+ anyways?? This isn't a year ago when the greatest "value" cpu was an AXIA t-bird. I imagine in a year when this is outdated, I'll OC it and get some more satisfaction from it. I was content with my KT7-Raid, but this is MUCH nicer than that.