weird problem with K7S5A

[lorlabnew]

Hello AMD gurus,

I have the most strange problem with this board I got today; the system POSTs normally, but when I try to setup OS (Win2k), it will start to format the drive, but will finish saying that "Setup is unable to format this partition etc..may be corrupt..."

When I run the format with utils from floppy, PartitionMagic7 first reports error, if I "ignore", it will let me format. Other utils let me format as well, but win2k will not setup, linux neither ...I was able to setup only MS-DOS ....I tried 3 different drives (the are all OK normally).

After reading about PS issues with this board, wonder if that's my problem. I'm using brand new Antec PP-303XP (300W) Athlon approved - peak combined output 180W; is this enough? Using AXP1800+, at 133/133, PC-133 2x256MB stick (tried as well 2x 256MB PC2700, no difference). I removed the AGP video and left low-demanding RageXL PCI 8MB only...

I saw some few other anomalies, can't recall right now ..been trying to resolve this a whole day 🙁

Thx for help in advance.

dave

 

[Bovinicus]

Have you done a surface scan of your HDD? If partition magic reported an error, but formatted anyway, then maybe there is some sort of problem.

 

[lorlabnew]

I had all 3 drives fully working before I tried them with this setup; no reason them to be suddenly, all 3 of them, bad....

It's something else.

thx anyway
dave

 

[JWMiddleton]

lorlabnew, I would try a different cable, then I would suspect the mobo.
I have a number of the K7S5A boards. One is running on a 250 Watt PS with an Athlon XP 1800+. It runs S@H 24/7 with no problems.

 

[lorlabnew]

Originally posted by: JWMiddleton
lorlabnew, I would try a different cable, then I would suspect the mobo.
I have a number of the K7S5A boards. One is running on a 250 Watt PS with an Athlon XP 1800+. It runs S@H 24/7 with no problems.

Thx for response.

That's interesting; now I'm actually unsure what to do... before I saw your reply, I was almost positive that my power supply is the reason for that problem (while not very excited about, I was about getting ready to go get 380W AntecTrue380 PS tomorrow). I've been reading this article.

I also noticed that while the box is kinda idling, all seems to be fine. I somehow managed to install Win98 (ahhh, really don't like this OS), beside mentioned MS-DOS before; after the reboot the CPU started to hit hard while finishing the installation and setting up the PnP devices etc., and my box actually rebooted, and then even went straight down (full power off) during next few attempts to finish Win98 installation...

For accuracy; I'm using K7S5A rev 3.1 & AXP1800+ Thoroughbred (both from Fry's today), with 2xPC133 256MB CL3 (tried 2x 256MB DDR2700 too, no difference), Antec PP-303XP (300W), peak combined output of +5V and +3.3V = 180W max, peak combined output of +5V and +3.3V+12V = 278W max. Only adapter in the system is ATI 8MB PCI videocard, and using WDC40GB 5400rpm drive, plus older 32x CD-ROM (tried several HDD's) . That's all. Regarding "different cable" I assume you mean HDD 80wire cable right? I changed that, no difference.

All RAM is correctly recognized.

CPU/RAM PnP setup: 133/133MHz
CPU Core Voltage: 1.504V

The voltage parameters in BIOS HW monitor read:
Vcore 1.504V
Vcc 2.5v 2.480V
Vcc 3.3v 3.312V
Vcc 5v 4.972V
+12V 12.160V
SB3V 3.472V
-12V -11.803
SB5V 5.080V
VBAT 3.472V
CPU fan 4560rpm
system temp 27C/80F
cpu temp 38C/100F

Sorry for longer post this time..would be glad to hear some more ideas if possible. Should I return this board, or get stronger PS?

thx in advance
dave

 

[bozo1]

Are you letting W2K partition the drive(s) or relying on partitions created by another OS or Partition Magic? Let W2K delete/recreate and format the partition(s).

 

[lorlabnew]

Originally posted by: bozo1
Are you letting W2K partition the drive(s) or relying on partitions created by another OS or Partition Magic? Let W2K delete/recreate and format the partition(s).

I tried all options, both from Win2k installer and 3rd party programs (as PM7 etc.). As I said, I was able to format small 2GB partition under MS-DOS (where the partition is closest to the head parking posotion, at the beginning of the drive. I personally think that there isn't enough juice in the PC to make a reliable format, not enough power to feed HDD heads with enough current for reliable formatting of the platters.

Never had PS problem except full dead one (where it's obvious), so I can't tell with certainity, but it is my best guess.

 

[lorlabnew]

The latest update:

I bought 350W Antec SL350, with combined output 230W/330W (more then sufficient I'd say), my problem persists......

If anyone could advice what could be the problem would be great; otherwise I'll just return the stuff to the store tomorrow.

thx
dave