Problems with motherboard (A7N8X-X)

[Opus132]

Hi there, i was wondering if anybody here could help me with this.

I have a friend with a brand new Asus A7N8X-X with a Athlon 2800+ and 3 sticks of 333mhz memory (1 of 512mb, 3 of 256mb), for a total of 1gb.

The problem i'm having with this is that the BIOS won't reconize the correct speed of the CPU, and always sets it for 1.2ghz by default (frond bus of 100mhz). I can manually change the front bus to 166mhz with a multiplier of 12.5 (everything else auto), and post will show the correct speed (actually says 2800+) and everything, but if i do this the system becomes very unstable, sometimes doesn't boot, and always hangs after a reset.

Right now i'm assuming the memory is messing the system up (i wasn't allowed to open the box, so i couldn't try to swap or pull the memory around) , but i'm still perplexed as to the why the BIOS won't reconize the correct speed on auto. The motherboard is supposed to support up to a 3000+, and it already came with the most updated BIOS (v. 1010), what gives ?

 

[Harvey]

I've seen similar problems with a couple of friends' Asus A7N8X series boards. Check the FSB setting and multiplier to make sure they are correct for your CPU (133 x 21). Two things to try:

1. Check the box that allows you to set the FSB and multiplier manually, and set it to the values for your CPU. You may find that, if you later reset it to auto, it will recognize the chip correctly, but if not, stay with the manual setting.

2. Clear the CMOS, and reboot. Your system may now recognize the chip correctly. You'll have to reset the rest of your preferences in the CMOS.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[mechBgon]

If the mobo fails to complete a POST, it reverts to "Safe Mode" of 100MHz bus on the subsequent POST attempt as a safety valve. From what you said, I'm guessing your power supply might not be powerful enough, or it might be low quality. Or your RAM may want a little more voltage.

Regarding the PSU idea, list your full system specs (including all cards and drives) and the brand & model of your PSU (be specific).

You can also try raising the memory voltage to 2.7 volts in the BIOS (Advanced > JumperFree Config if I remember right) if people give you the green light on your PSU being suitable to your system.

 

[Opus132]

Originally posted by: Harvey
1. Check the box that allows you to set the FSB and multiplier manually, and set it to the values for your CPU. You may find that, if you later reset it to auto, it will recognize the chip correctly, but if not, stay with the manual setting.

That's what i did (set the front bus at 166 and multiplier at 12.5), and it reconizes the CPU fine, it just makes the system unstable.

I'll try the CMOS or the 2.7 memory voltage boost (what should the correct voltage be for 333hrz memory anyway ?).

BTW, i'm pretty sure the PSU is a 350w...

 

[mechBgon]

BTW, i'm pretty sure the PSU is a 350w...

Ok, but that's like saying your car's engine has four cylinders. Doesn't tell much about its quality or capabilities. What brand and model is the PSU?

 

[ForumMaster]

is the processor an xp mobile? if it is, the mobo doesn't recognize it.