2/13/2004 - Update: My new, 480 watt Thermaltake power supply arrived from NewEgg today. 
I just completed the process of pulling out the old Apollo power supply. After about 15 minutes of work with installing the new power supply, applying new cable ties, etc., I hit the power button and things are singing once again in my system. I then went through the process of several shut-downs and power-ups. The ills that plagued my system are now behind me.
- Now, I get to have some fun by going back to the computer dealer who told me my issue was a graphics card - and then charged me $179 for a new Radeon 9600XT board. Also, I paid $45 in diagnosis fees, but I'll be happy to just be able to return the video card and avoid the 20% restocking/return fees.
- Also, below, it was mentioned that when I hit the "reset" button, my system would start up because the drives were already spun up to operating speeds. However, on thing has left a question in my mind. When I was having the initial issues over a week ago, I had the board out of my case. I only installed the video card and one stick of memory. All of my drives were left disconnected and the board still would not post. I have a suspicion that the nForce2 boards really like their power. After all, I was using a motherboard with the Via 266 chipset and the same components along with the same power supply for over the past year. Just the installation of the motherboard threw everything into a tailspin. Finally, for those of you who are debating whether to purchase the Shuttle AN35N Ultra board, I say go for it. However, ensure you have an adequate power supply to handle your upgrade.
Well, I've owned this board for one week now and there is a "love-hate" relationship going on. I can appreciate all of the options that Shuttle has provided us with in regards to the settings in the BIOS, but I've had some issues with this board that has made me wonder ...
1) Last Saturday, I purchased this board and installed it.
2) It would not post when using my 2 sticks of Crucial 2100 memory and Radeon 9000 video card.
3) I checked the power supply - it was OK.
4) I then bought an FX5600 video card - again, not post.
5) I then got a 2nd AN35N Ultra board (rev. 1.1 like my current one) and both bios versions of 12/5/2003 on them. Again, no post with the 2nd board.
6) Finally, got the board to post with my Radeon 9000 video card.
7) I returned the 2nd Ultra and the FX5600 card.
8) Things worked smooth for the past 5 days.
Fast forward to today.
1) I make an attempt to install my new Sapphire Radeon 9600 card.
2) Again, the board will not post.
3) Put my Radeon 9000 back in - now, it won't post either.
4) I call the shop where I purchased the motherboard from and also some other parts. He suggested that I bring it in.
5) Tech looks at my system. Says there is a conflict between the mobo and Radeon 9600 video board.
6) I ask for the MSI Nforce2 board. Same thing - no post.
7) Finally, the Shuttle posts when they install a new ATI Radeon 9600 board - in their shop.
8) I get the system home - appears to have trouble posting.
9) After hitting the reset button about 3 times, it finally posts - and here I am.
Some things I've thought about -
1) Going back a version or 2 with the BIOS and check if it will recognize my Sapphire Radeon card.
2) Maybe this Crucial memory isn't doing so good with my system?
3) Maybe the CPU is starting to flake out?
It really seems kind of odd that I've had so many issues with 3 AGP video boards on this motherboard. I really want to keep the Shuttle board in my system, because I've had quite good success with them. Any ideas?
Thanks!!
I just completed the process of pulling out the old Apollo power supply. After about 15 minutes of work with installing the new power supply, applying new cable ties, etc., I hit the power button and things are singing once again in my system. I then went through the process of several shut-downs and power-ups. The ills that plagued my system are now behind me. - Now, I get to have some fun by going back to the computer dealer who told me my issue was a graphics card - and then charged me $179 for a new Radeon 9600XT board. Also, I paid $45 in diagnosis fees, but I'll be happy to just be able to return the video card and avoid the 20% restocking/return fees.
- Also, below, it was mentioned that when I hit the "reset" button, my system would start up because the drives were already spun up to operating speeds. However, on thing has left a question in my mind. When I was having the initial issues over a week ago, I had the board out of my case. I only installed the video card and one stick of memory. All of my drives were left disconnected and the board still would not post. I have a suspicion that the nForce2 boards really like their power. After all, I was using a motherboard with the Via 266 chipset and the same components along with the same power supply for over the past year. Just the installation of the motherboard threw everything into a tailspin. Finally, for those of you who are debating whether to purchase the Shuttle AN35N Ultra board, I say go for it. However, ensure you have an adequate power supply to handle your upgrade.
Well, I've owned this board for one week now and there is a "love-hate" relationship going on. I can appreciate all of the options that Shuttle has provided us with in regards to the settings in the BIOS, but I've had some issues with this board that has made me wonder ...
1) Last Saturday, I purchased this board and installed it.
2) It would not post when using my 2 sticks of Crucial 2100 memory and Radeon 9000 video card.
3) I checked the power supply - it was OK.
4) I then bought an FX5600 video card - again, not post.
5) I then got a 2nd AN35N Ultra board (rev. 1.1 like my current one) and both bios versions of 12/5/2003 on them. Again, no post with the 2nd board.
6) Finally, got the board to post with my Radeon 9000 video card.
7) I returned the 2nd Ultra and the FX5600 card.
8) Things worked smooth for the past 5 days.
Fast forward to today.
1) I make an attempt to install my new Sapphire Radeon 9600 card.
2) Again, the board will not post.
3) Put my Radeon 9000 back in - now, it won't post either.
4) I call the shop where I purchased the motherboard from and also some other parts. He suggested that I bring it in.
5) Tech looks at my system. Says there is a conflict between the mobo and Radeon 9600 video board.
6) I ask for the MSI Nforce2 board. Same thing - no post.
7) Finally, the Shuttle posts when they install a new ATI Radeon 9600 board - in their shop.
8) I get the system home - appears to have trouble posting.
9) After hitting the reset button about 3 times, it finally posts - and here I am.
Some things I've thought about -
1) Going back a version or 2 with the BIOS and check if it will recognize my Sapphire Radeon card.
2) Maybe this Crucial memory isn't doing so good with my system?
3) Maybe the CPU is starting to flake out?
It really seems kind of odd that I've had so many issues with 3 AGP video boards on this motherboard. I really want to keep the Shuttle board in my system, because I've had quite good success with them. Any ideas?
Thanks!!
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