what just happened to my mobo? (arg.....)

[Big Bwana]

Howdy all,

I've been running an Iwill DBL100 for a few months now rock solid with (2) P3 550's. All of a sudden last night the computer would not boot. It gets to the screen just before the ram check and freezes. Did some fiddling and finally ended up taking the second cpu out, and what do you know, the damn thing not only posts, but boots into win2k (only to crash because of a kernal error-duh). I checked the second cpu out in a seperate machine and it works fine. I tried switching positions of the two procs, and still same thing-no go with two cpus, fine with one.

My question is what the heck happened? I shut down the machine normally and then it wouldn't boot up with this proc problem! Any ideas?

BB

 

[compuwiz1]

Ram problem or corrupt win2k installation probably. I doubt it is the mobo.
Try a different stick of ram, or reseat the one you have. If that does not work, then reinstall win2k.

 

[XeonTux]

The OS installation would not have anything to do with problems during post compuwiz1.

Do you have another memory stick you can swap, or try removing some if you have more than one installed? Are you using good quality memory?

 

[compuwiz1]

XeonTux, you're right, I'm tired and fuzzy. Ram could though.

 

[Big Bwana]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I did try reseating the ram in there, but still nada. I'll swap sticks when I get home to see if that will do it. I am using 4 microm -8e 128 sticks so I don't think quality is a problem, but we'll see.

Thanks again-I'll keep ya posted as to what happens.

BB

 

[Big Bwana]

oops, one more question-is it still a ram problem if I can boot into win2k no problem with only 1 cpu plugged in?

Thanks,

BB

 

[Big Bwana]

Okay, here's what I got so far...

switched ram sticks, no change-no post with two cpus, post and boot into win2k with one
tested both cpus in different board-both work
switched positions of cpu on dual board, no change
unplugged everything except ram and vidcard, no change

is there a setting in the bios which would disable dual cpu's? the bios doesn't even acknowledge that there are two cpu's in the system. it's almost as if it is getting hung up while trying to detect the second cpu...

BB

 

[XeonTux]

is there a setting in the bios which would disable dual cpu's?
You are the one with the computer in front of you, does it?

switched ram sticks, no change
This was completely different RAM right, not just different order?

It sounds like you've tried quite a bit of trial-and-error swapping. If you have an extra pair of CPUs at your disposal it might not hurt to swap those in. This would eliminate the slight chance that for some reason your CPUs suddenly don't want to play together anymore...but that would be strange...especially prior to POST

It's sounding like it could be the mobo. You could be looking at a lengthy return process so anything else you can think of trying first will be worth it. Different video card? Flashing a new BIOS? I don't know. Strange things can interfere with SMP, but since it worked before this is a real brain teaser.

is it still a ram problem if I can boot into win2k no problem with only 1 cpu plugged in?
In your case, likely not since you can't get past post. I would definately try a completely different stick before RMA'ing your mobo tho. But yes, RAM that works flawless with 1 cpu could very well cause instability with SMP. That's why quality ECC is best when you plan SMP. I actually splurged and got corsair registered ECC, even tho I had the option of just using unbuffered ECC, because I wanted to eliminate any potential problems that inferior memory in SMP could cause. Overkill, maybe. But my systems stay up just as long as ComEd can power them, and I didn't want this one to be any different. Now as soon as my memory actually arrives I'll be in business

 

[Big Bwana]

Thanks for your input, XeonTux. I did indeed try totally different ram sticks-but all are non-ECC. I've got a couple of 333a celerons somewhere and I'll throw those in to see what happens.

As for the bios, I didn't see anything that would affect smp other than "spread spectrum" which I think lessens the noise from my other peripherals(?).

Thanks again!

BB

EDIT:geez...ARE slot1 333a's smp able? I just plugged both in and the board only detects one....posts fine, but only with one cpu...

 

[XeonTux]

I don't know what sperad spectrum is either

Beware the Celerons are not technically SMP-enabled. Boards like the BP6 get around this, and I think there are adapters you could use too. If your board is set at 100FSB at least you won't have to fsck around besides that.

 

[Big Bwana]

hmmm, I think I've narrowed it down to the motherboard....

the two 333a's don't work in dual, but they do work in single mode. plus, I figured out that the computer will post with one cpu in either slot. previously I had only tried booting with one cpu in the primary slot...

so both slots work, just not at the same time....I'll keep fiddling in the bios to see if anything can help there...

BB

 

[Big Bwana]

man...I'm waay of tonight...I thought slot1 celerons were smp-able up until 533....dang....

BB

 

[XeonTux]

nope, Intel crippled 'em (but not very well) so the PII would still sell. The celeron can actually have better performance in some circumstances because it's cache is full speed although only 128k. PII is half speed 256 or 512. (PII Xeons are full speed larger cache)

Did you buy your mobo locally?

 

[Big Bwana]

right, I knew that about the celerons....

and unfortunetly, no, I did not buy my board locally...I got it off these here boards....I wonder what iwill's repair charge is....

BB