weird issues with Asus nForce 220D mobo

[acejj26]

okay, guys, i have a few issues with the aforementioned motherboard, and i was hoping someone could help.

i am building a computer for a buddy of mine. i went with this board cuz it has built in everything, he doesn't need fast 3D and i was trying to hit a price point.

anyways, the system runs fine and cool with an AXP 1900+, 512 MB DDR (2 x 256), a Seagate 60 GB HDD, Toshiba 16x DVD, Lite-On 32x CD-RW and a cheapo PCI 56k modem. however there are a few little things that irritate me, and i was wondering if anyone can help.

i can run Vulpine GLMark all day, i can run the Sandra benches all day too. when i open up sandra, i try to look at the CPU/BIOS info, and it locks up. also, when i try to look at the Motherboard info in sandra, it locks up. i can look at/run anything else. all benchmarks come back fine. also, it won't run 3DMark 2001 SE2 for more than about 4 minutes before locking up. i can close out of sandra, but i have to reset when 3DMark locks up the machine.

i loaded the latest nForce drivers, so i don't think that is the issue. Vulpine GL runs like a champ (though God-awful slow at 10x7x32 using the integrated video, which is to be expected).

CPU temps stay below 50C, the case runs around 35C. i have one exhaust fan in the back for case cooling. i'm using an Allied 300 watt power supply, which surpassed my expectations. this is a $40 case, so i thought the voltages on this PS would be shoddy...but they were dead on, even during testing.

anyone have any ideas why this is happening??

 

[thorin]

1) What temp is it running at? (CPU) .... DOH ferget it I didn't read far enough.......
2) Have you tested the RAM? (MemTest86)
3) Have you tried the system with only 1 stick of RAM?
4) Have you updated the BIOS?
5) Have you updated to the latest nForce drivers? (1.05 I think).

Thorin

 

[acejj26]

thorin,

newest drivers are loaded. cpu temps are fine. i haven't tested with just 1 stick. i haven't tested the memory outside of looping sandra benchmarks. also, the bios is the original bios, so i know i can update it.

i got it all built last night, did some preliminary testing and found these bugs, but i didn't have time to start really digging in. i was hoping someone would say "i've had the same problem...i updated the BIOS and now it's fixed" or something like that.

i appreciate your ideas. keep 'em coming guys.

EDIT: is it possible that the fact that i'm using older versions of these software utilities is causing the crashes. i see that there are several revisions of 3dMark 2001 SE in which they say the updates concern compatability issues with new hardware. i will try using the latest versions of both utilities tonight and i will update after testing this hypothesis.

 

[thorin]

Is the system demonstrating any other instability? (ie: During regular use) If not then who gives a flying <bleep> about whether the information screens of a benchmark die? (It's likely [as you've suggested] that you simply have outdated benchmark software that doesn't properly interface with the new chipset etc...)

Thorin

 

[acejj26]

i was thinking the same thing, but i'm not sure if these issues are with the system or the software. i couldn't care less if benchmark utilities crash if the system itself is fine. but i haven't run any other demanding applications on it to know if it is the system or the utilities.

i may install some 3D games (both DX and OGL) and run them to see how it does. my concern with the 3DMark lockup is i don't want to sell a system that has a tough time with Direct X. nor do i want to sell a system that locks up with other software.

i'll try loading the newest versions of the software and try them tonight or tomorrow. hopefully, it's just a compatability issue.

 

[RanDum72]

No, Sandra doesn't really lock up, it just takes a LONG time. Same thing with my A7N266-C. Just leave it for a while, go do some errands, and when you come back it should be there. What versions are you using? I just tried the newest version (SP1?) and it seems to scan things faster.

Also, if you are using the built-in video, make sure you have really good memory since the video uses them. Try experimenting with the memory settings in the BIOS.

 

[acejj26]

update: new versions of Sandra and 3DMark2001 SE worked flawlessly. i thought i'd share that with you all, in case anyone else was having the same problems.

the onboard video doesn't exactly rip through the benchmarks on 3DM at 10x7x32, but at 8x6x16 or 6x4x32, it performs just fine. the 2D output of the 220D chipset on the Asus board leaves a little something to be desired, but considering i got a motherboard, sound card, network card, and tolerable 3D video card for $89, i'm not gonna bitch too much.

thanks to the guys who gave feedback on the issue. i appreciate it.

 

[thorin]

Kewl....thanks for the update.

Thorin