Problems with EPOX 8K7A+....

[rdredge]

I just purchased a 8K7A+ and here are my specs:
-Athlon 1.33 266mhz FSB
-512mb PC2100 Crucial RAM
-ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon AGP
-2 30gig IBM Deskstar 75gx running RAID
-1 Quantum 9gig HD
-1 cd-rom
-1 cd-rw
-1 tape backup
-1 network card
-1 sound card
-300w Antec PP-303X Powersupply
-3 Case Fans
-1 CPU Fan (Orb type, have a new one on the way that is better)

I installed everything, and then attempted to install win2k with the
RAID drives. I had problems with the original RAID driver that came
with the board, so I downloaded the latest drivers for win2k, used
them, no problems anymore. I then got the system up and running, and
everything was running great. I spent the evening installing
software, and having fun with the new system. Then I started to watch
TV on my All-In-Wonder card, and fell asleep with the TV on, and woke
up about 4 hours later to find that I had a blank screen with no
signal. I attempted to reboot, and the system would do NOTHING. The
POST display read FF, and nothing I could do would do something. I
ended up pulling the battery off the motherboard, and that seemed to
get things up to attempt to boot to the OS. However the RAID HD's
seemed to be corrupted because it wouldnt' boot to the OS, it would
attempt to boot, then reboot automatically before it got to the
colorful "Starting win2k pro" loading screen.

I ended up re-installing the OS, got things rolling again. I began
installing software. While I was working, my screen went blank, and I
immediately tried to reboot, and the system would do NOTHING again.
The POST display would show 25, however that is not listed in the
manual. This has happened 2 times so far. This is discouraging. But
there is more...

I thought these problems could be because of buggy drivers, so I
downloaded all the latest drivers for ALL my hardware. Latest AGP,
Video, IDE both RAID and regular VIA southbridge. Then I attempted to
install the TV software, and it doesn't let me start the TV program,
tells me "failure to initialize video card" or something rather. I
then uninstalled the new video drivers, and attempted to install the
old drivers that came with the card on CD. To my discovery, the
CD-ROM no longer works! I get an error saying something like "Failure
to read from CD-Rom, I/O error". I've tried reinstalling all drivers
for the VIA southbridge, and still no luck.

I've been reading posts about getting a larger power supply, do i have
too much hardware for the 300w PSU? Perhaps getting the 400w one
would help? I'm really stuck on this right now because I feel I have
tried everything with it. Any ideas out there? Thanks for any help!

-Rich Dredge

 

[rdredge]

I just purchased a 400w power supply hoping this will fix some of the problems. I have read that my power supply should be used for CPU's of 1gighz or less. Any thoughts?

 

[DietDrThunder]

What is your cpu temps? With the all-in-wonder card could it possibly be that it is getting a little hot in your case?

 

[rdredge]

I think the case temp is around 43C, its pretty low. CPU runs around 55C.

 

[AnimEva]

did that 400w ps help solve the problem? also how much did you pay for your MB, i been thinking of purchasing the exact same MB and i have mostly the same setup as you as well.

 

[Zuluwarrior]

two hd's and a 1.3 tbird "IS"
a little much for that PSU which
is why it's not on amd's approved list.

I'd see if u can return the case itself and order
the SX840 instead as that will run you less than
buying the 400 watter and having the 300 to sell.

I had a problem with the same "INSTANT DEATH" syndrome
with my MSI board, running a 250 watter and a Tbird 850

I've got the 400 psu now and so far no problems,
except for some usb issues discussed elsewhere.

 

[rdredge]

I have not hooked the 400 watt up yet. I'm currently at work right now and will try it when i get home.

-R

 

[AnimEva]

rdredge, can you tell me or show me where you got your MB, i really want one, but i think it might be just out of my range, please pm me or something

 

[rdredge]

I got it at www.tigerdirect.com. It was about 200 bucks.

 

[rdredge]

I just installed the 400w power supply, and that seem to solve the "printer connected? computer won't boot" and I assume this will solve a bunch of other problems i was experiencing. lesson learn: Get lots of power!