[Update2 - Not IGP?] WTF is wrong with my computer? "Soft-Locks"

[MercenaryForHire]

-Have you tried using an AGP card?
No, because I'm trying to make it a highly integrated system. If it works, then great, it works, but it doesn't help my cause.

It's been a long while since I've had an nForce2 IGP (8RGA+), but I recall having IGP overclocking adjustments in that bios that would foul the chipset up if pushed too far. Being unfamiliar with the Biostar, does it have any such settings in BIOS?
What's the stock speed? Coolbits showed it at 200MHz.

Also, I was considering this board for a system buid, but never followed through. While researching it, I had found threads/reviews that stated using the IGP over fsb=166 caused alot of problems. Although rated 200(400), it's actually limited to 166(333) when using the IGP. Are you running over 166? Edit: missed it, 6x166
That's an issue with all nF2 IGP boards, and not something I'm concerned about. I'd be delighted to run at "only" 166FSB if it would only do it stably. I'm at 6x100 now and still crashing.

Not necessarily. Memtest passed the GeIL RAM just fine, which helped make it such a tough case to solve. Knoppix booted fine too. However, a Linux Mandrake install wasn't able to finish.
This same type of RAM hasn't given me any crap in several other builds - including an ASUS nF2 IGP board, and an Abit nF2 SPP board at 2.5-3-3-7 / 200MHz. I don't know why it would do that now.

I had bad caps on that exact board, long after the problem was supposed to be gone from manufacturing channels. I'd suggest having a look.
Took a look. None there.

- M4H

 

[TStep]

Like I said, it's been a long time since I had nForce2 IGP, but I do think the adjustments were 200-230, so 200 sounds about right.

Suggested the AGP card to help isolate the onboard graphics part of the motherboard/chipset as the culprit.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: TStep
Like I said, it's been a long time since I had nForce2 IGP, but I do think the adjustments were 200-230, so 200 sounds about right.

Suggested the AGP card to help isolate the onboard graphics part of the motherboard/chipset as the culprit.

Excellent suggestion. It's dissassembled on my desk right now and lifted on anti-static. No grounding issues, tried some nice Kingston HyperX that I got on loan ... neither solved the problem.

I haven't had time to slap an AGP card in yet, but what I am trying right now is a huge underclock of the IGP (now at 45MHz) - that sucker was hot. Also aiming an 80mm Panaflo at the NB. I haven't crashed yet - and time-delayed failure would imply thermal issues. Maybe it's time to have a looksee underneath that orange heatsink and see what kinda hackjob the OEM did with the thermal paste.

Edit - Okay, it locked, even at 45MHz with a fan pointed at it. Trying the Old Standby AGP gF2MX.

- M4H

 

[TStep]

Outcome? Has the $50 bundle-o-joy taken it's maiden flight yet? Short of testing all the components individually in a known working system, I wouldn't know what else to suggest.

 

[imported_Phil]

Buying a Biostar board? Ban!

 

[Jeff7]

Not necessarily. Memtest passed the GeIL RAM just fine, which helped make it such a tough case to solve. Knoppix booted fine too. However, a Linux Mandrake install wasn't able to finish.
This same type of RAM hasn't given me any crap in several other builds - including an ASUS nF2 IGP board, and an Abit nF2 SPP board at 2.5-3-3-7 / 200MHz. I don't know why it would do that now.

- M4H

But did you try this RAM on any other Biostar M7NCG-400 motherboards?


And I see that you tried another stick of RAM. Well, that might still be it. Go to Newegg's site, and read over the customer reviews for this board. Here are some relevant clips:


-- "Had to load with crucial ram instead of the kingston value but it took it after setup"

-- "Great mobo, stable as a rock, good features, even though I could NOT use the onboard video with KingMax PC-3200 ram"

-- "Definitely picky about the RAM. Paired it with 2 PC-3200 256MB sticks of Crucial Value RAM and the system was unstable. Lots of video problems. 3dMark would restart the computer, artifacting and restarting during videos.
Took out the Crucial and put in some Elixer RAM and it works beautifully."

-- "The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is it has had problems playing DVD movies with the on-board video. Could be my Geil Ultra 400 RAM."

-- "I noticed that Geek Machiner had problems with this board and the Corsair Value select RAM that I was also trying to use. I switched for some Kingston Value RAM from a friends machine and my problems disappeared."

-- "I suspected either a bad IGP on the mobo or memory incompatibility. Found it to be the memory which was Corsair Value select PC-3200.
Tried Corsair 3200 XMS memory, which worked flawlessly, and just stuck a stick of Kingston Value Ram in that has so far worked well. Stay away from Corsair Value select with this board!!!"

-- "I finally decided to read these reviews, and noticed that some people had problems with the ram they were using. I had a generic stick of 512MB DDR 400mhz cl2.5 in it, and replaced it with a KByte 512MB 333 stick and the problem vanished."



Etc, etc....however, some people will recommend using one brand, but another review will indicate that that kind is not compatible.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Things I do with nF2 IGP boards

1. Set system to expert and manually set FSB and ram to run synch. For your board 166 synch mode is the way to fly so you are set there.

2. remove NB cooler and add good T.I.M. or just install a Vantec copper Iceberg kit because I like active cooling for the G4MX core as I overclock it with coolbits, and passive on the SB never hurt chipset cooling can be very important with nF2 IGP

3. If not already available, look for modded bios or mod bios to unhide VDD chipset voltage so I can increase if possible.

4. boost DDR voltage and set timings manually.

5. set IGP to 64mb buffer and 64mb aperture.

6. Use 44.03's as they are the sweetest for G4MX IGP I have used.

7. Try single channel when TSing to be sure DC isn't causing issues. It does on my NF7-S when overclocking but no BFD given it don't need the bandwidth since it is a SPP board. Never had issues with DC on any nF1or2 IGP though.

8. Follow the install order of XP+service packs- windows updates- chipset drivers- vid card drivers- dealer's choice.

The fact it can handle P95 and pass looping memtest makes me lean toward improving chipset cooling, trying to get the VDD boosted, and using coolbits to underclock the IGP core speed to see if maybe the NB is borked but will run at reduced speed. You know your shat so I doubt it is a PICNIC Besides it is hard to help someone else that knows what to do already so all we can do is throw out stuff in case you missed something.

 

[xtknight]

Sounds like a chipset driver problem (beta and/or non-WHQL and/or poor coding), or another chipset-related problem, to me. Certainly something related to the Windows environment. Have you tried reinstalling Windows without installing any third-party drivers? You can probably find a new motherboard for that system dirt cheap also.

 

[mshan]

May I ask how you disable the IGP?

I installed a Matrox G450 AGP video card. Does this automatically disable the IGP or do I have to adjust something in BIOS.

My M7NCG is also hanging right after post when I tried to overclock my 2500+ to 3200+ and am wondering whether it may be some sort of IGP conflict (read somewhere about the IGP creating problems when trying to get 200 fsb)