MSI K8T-NEO2-FIR problems

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Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.msi-microstar (More info?)

Last week I bought components for a new PC, but I have got problems by
installation.


The setup is:
CPU: Athlon64 3200
MB: MSI K8T-NEO2-FIR K8T880Pro GLAN bundkort
Mem: 1Gb RAM Dane-elec DDR333, 2 x 512 MB, Dual kit.
HD: 2 x Maxtor DM10 200GB SATA 7200 RPM 8 MB
Graphics: Club 3D All in Wonder ( Radeon 9800 SE)
DVD: LG DVD GDR-8163RBB
DVD RW LiteOn SOHW-1653S-09C

By first attempt the PC would not boot, power supply and fans started.
The 4 light diodes: 1 = grøn 2,3,4 = rød, supposed to mean "Early Chipset
Initialization"
Whatever that is.

The RAM was mounted in slot 2 & 4, dual channel mode, when I moved them to
slot 1 & 2 I could boot.
Suspected RAM failure as memtest86 found errors in test 0 (Adress test,
walking ones, no cache)

Failing adress good bad
error bit
1 0000002000 0.0MB ffffffff 00000000 20020000
2 0000002000 0.0MB 00000000 ffffffff 20020000

Same pattern each time

With only one RAM block the error bit is10020000, same result for both
blocks in slot 1 or 2

The two 512 MB blocks were only registrered as 512 when both wewr mounted,
and 256 with one.

I got new RAM up to last week-end, DDR 400 but memtest found the same
errors.
RAM test in boot finds only 524288 MB RAM (strange number)

Changed the PSU to 450W and the AIW graphics to an old GeForce 2 as the AIW
manual stated that drivers should be installed before the board.

Installing Win XP, pressing F6 to load SATA drivers, installed 2 drivers
from disk:
"VIA RAID controller" and "Promise Fast Track 571/519/579 controller"
Blue screen by restart:
Possible error in file ""Fejlen skyldes muligvis følgende fil FTSATA.SYS
DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS"

FTSATA.SYS was installed from the Promise driver disk.

New Win installation, without the Promise controller, everything seemed OK
until I installed the driver disk form MSI, same blue screen after reset.

New installation, MSI drivers installed without Promise controller.
Live BIOS update, no boot after reset, probably damaged BIOS.

The hardware pusher says that I have damaged the MB by the BIOS update.

I need an opinion:
Was the MB defective from the beginning og was it damaged by the BIOS
update?

Greetings Aksel

 

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Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.msi-microstar (More info?)

"Michael Paul" <michaelsspambox@despammed.com> skrev i en meddelelse
news:1bn80tpynq9ny$.mez0jaic3g64$.dlg@40tude.net...
> Am Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:13:17 +0100 schrieb Aksel:
>
> Hi,
>
> Wrong memory - you should take DDR400, my Infineon Original CL3 work fine.

I ordered a wrong type form the beginning.



> Did you try DIMM1 and DIMM3? This is the other combination that will
> support Dual Channel mode.

The manual do`nt mention slot 1 & 3 for two RAM modules


> What sort (brand) of memory is that? Yes, there is lot of memory sold,
> that is poor and won't work with AMD64.

Same brand as the first



> Would you please post the current the PSU will deliver on 12, 5,
> 3.3Volt? That information may be important.

+5V 35A
+12V 15A
+3,3V 26A
-5V 0,5A
-12V 0,8A
+5Vsb 2,0A



> Live BIOS should only be run if Windows runs rock solid. And that isn't
> the case with your system.

I know now.

>> The hardware pusher says that I have damaged the MB by the BIOS update.


> That is true. Maybe it can be rescued that way:
> You need a working floppy drive in your machine.
> Then go to MSI Website and get the BIOS (either Ver. 3.2 or 3.3, as you
> like). Unpack the BIOS package and create a copy of the A6702xxx.YYY
> (YYY=330 or 320) file. Rename that copy into AMIBOOT.ROM.
> Put that file onto a new formatted floppy - performing a chkdsk a: or
> scandisk a: on that media is a clever idea.
> Now insert that floppy into your computer with possibly damaged board
> and try to boot up from floppy. If you see anything on the screen, you
> may try pressing F10 key and follow the instructions given.

I do`nt get as far as any text on the display, the floppy is not working, no
beeps and four red diodes.

Thank you very much, i have written my list of problems and delivered the
complete PC in as RMA.

The german MSI website seems very good.

Aksel

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.msi-microstar (More info?)

Am Sat, 12 Feb 2005 22:47:03 +0100 schrieb Aksel:
Hi,

> "Michael Paul" <michaelsspambox@despammed.com> skrev:
>> Am Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:13:17 +0100 schrieb Aksel:

>> Wrong memory - you should take DDR400, my Infineon Original CL3 work fine.
>
> I ordered a wrong type form the beginning.

Then try other type with your next computer;-)
>
>> Did you try DIMM1 and DIMM3? This is the other combination that will
>> support Dual Channel mode.
>
> The manual do`nt mention slot 1 & 3 for two RAM modules

Hmm, I admit that MSI manuals are sometimes contradictual - my printed
manual mentions DIMM1+3 and recommends that for DC and CnQ. DIMM2+4 work
also, that is recommended in the english manual I have downloaded from
MSI Taiwan.

>> Would you please post the current the PSU will deliver on 12, 5,
>> 3.3Volt? That information may be important.

> +5V 35A

OK.

> +12V 15A

I have read statments, that the 12V rail should deliver at least 18A on
Athlon64 systems. But it is not mentioned officially in any MSI doc:-(

> +3,3V 26A

OK. But that PSU doesn't seem to be very powerful ;-)
My 350W HEC-350MR-PTD delivers 28A@3,3V, 33A@5V, 18A@12V.

[...]
>> Now insert that floppy into your computer with possibly damaged board
>> and try to boot up from floppy. If you see anything on the screen, you
>> may try pressing F10 key and follow the instructions given.
>
> I do`nt get as far as any text on the display, the floppy is not working, no
> beeps and four red diodes.

That's really bad:-(

regards,
Michael

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.msi-microstar (More info?)

Trying to compress two treads to one, I am confused already, no need to make
it worse.

>Seems to be the same problem

> Maybe. But I didn't find information about the BIOS that was installed
> on your mobo in your posting.
>
> greets,
> Michael


I changed the PS because the Radeon board has a plug for external power, the
PS may be weak on the 12 V

The posting i quoted seems to indicate that others have had similar RAM
problems with the MB as I have.

Sorry, I do`nt know the version of BIOS my MB was delivered with, I hoped to
upgrade to 3.3, it should support Radeon 9800 SE, one of the features
needed.

I bought the MB mainly because it got a very good rewiev in PCWelt,i am a
subscriber, and speaks quite good German, (for a dane that is)

Think my BIOS chip needs external flashing, I will call my hardware pusher
tomorrow and hear their verdict, they have had the PC for almost a week now,
normally they are very helpfull.

Thank you for your help, I might try again when I get the gear back.

Greetings Aksel

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.msi-microstar (More info?)

Am Sun, 13 Feb 2005 15:55:24 +0100 schrieb Aksel:

> Trying to compress two treads to one, I am confused already, no need to make
> it worse.

Sorry for that. I got confused, too;-)
[...]
>
> I changed the PS because the Radeon board has a plug for external power, the
> PS may be weak on the 12 V

Yes, it is. If you plan to use AMD64 together with a high performance
graphics adapter, then you should get a better PSU. Emermax, Fortron,
HEC should be a good choice.

> Sorry, I do`nt know the version of BIOS my MB was delivered with,

Yep. That's the problem. It seems to be impossible for normal users to
find that out without assembling the complete system.

When I bought my system, I also ordered assembly of the whole things.
And that was good, for the dealer told me, that they had to return the
mobo, because it was defective. Maybe the reason was only BIOS 3.0 that
doesn't support Winchester Core.

> I hoped to upgrade to 3.3, it should support Radeon 9800 SE, one of
> the features needed.

I did upgrade to 3.3 because I hoped, that fan control would work.
Result: Nothing. But despite of that, my system runs very stable.

> I bought the MB mainly because it got a very good rewiev in PCWelt,i
> am a subscriber, and speaks quite good German, (for a dane that is)

Fine. But I don't switch language now ;-)
Maybe you'll have a look at the newsgroup
de.comp.hardware.cpu+mainboard.amd?

Regarding reviews in magazines (paper and online) - if a product isn't
judged as totally bad you can forget those. Any review I read about that
board mentioned that there is a working fan control. But if you read the
support forums and the newsgroups, there are lots of users who (like me)
claim, that that feature is not working.

> Think my BIOS chip needs external flashing,

This is feasible, if the BIOS-chip is placed in a socket. On my board,
the BIOS-chip is soldered:-(

> Thank you for your help, I might try again when I get the gear back.

Okay, nice to read you again.

best regards,
Michael