freezing!!

[Rain_of_Fire]

Hi

I have an EPoX 8rda3+ rev 1.1. My specs are as follows:

AMD Duron 1300 (13x100MHz) (for now)
Sapphire Radeon 9600 128MB
256MB Samsung DDR400
EpoX 8RDA3+
1 x Maxtor S-ATA 120Gb Hdd
1 x Maxtor IDE 80Gb Hdd
1 x Maxtor IDE 9Gb Hdd
Teac 4X CD-RW drive.
Generic DVD-ROM drive.
Tagan 480W PSU.
Zalman Al-Cu flower Heat sink - Arctic Silver 3.
3 x 80 mm Case fans
1 x 92 mm CPU fan.
Videologic Sonic Fury Soundcard
Broadband USB modem.
Windows XP (Build 2600) – I cannot install SP1.

I have recently purchased an AMD XP2400 form a reputable online PC retailer. However when I change my Duron for this XP2400, the problems begin.

For some reason my system freezes after I install the XP2400. I am running everything at stock speeds. I.e. 15 x 133 MHz @1.65 V. The system is freezing when I run graphics intensive applications – in particular, 3Dmark 2003 and Games. It also occasionally freezes when just doing office applications.

I have successfully ran memtest86 for 18 hours, without any errors. I have also ran CPU testing software (the one with the latest Omega drivers) and this has successfully ran for 8 hours without any errors.

When I run 3Dmark 2003, it freezes on the second CPU test. If I run Prime 95 on Torture test, it freezes after about 20 secs. However, it will happily run Prime95 on normal mode. Do these tests indicate that the CPU and Memory are working properly?

I have tried changing all the bios settings, changing the voltages, 8X AGP enable/disable and fast writes on/off. The only time I did get the XP2400 to complete 3Dmark 2003 was when I whacked the Vcore, Vdimm, Vagp all to maximum. But I don’t feel comfortable with doing that permanently.

So I am back with my Duron 1300. Everything is working super – no freezing. I think there may be a problem with either the CPU or my Mobo, not being able to support 133MHz.

One thing I don’t quite understand is that my Mobo has two fsb jumper positions: 100/133MHz and 133/166/200MHz. Why? I have tried both positions for running the XP2400 but to no avail.

I will post Voltages form PSU, bios version and drivers version when I get home from work, this evening.

I have posted my problem on many forums, and this will be my last post before I approach the manufacturer of my CPU and Mobo.

Any advice would be much appreciated on what the problem may be.

PjC

[robbie]

What kinda temps are you getting? Do you have the latest bios installed?
Rob

[Rain_of_Fire]

Hi, With both the Duron and the XP2400 TBred, Temps are a max of 53 degrees under full load, 45 idle.

I do not have the latest Bios installed. The last time I ttried to update it via floppy disk, a bad flash occured. I am a little reluctant to try it agin unless absolutly critical.

The newest Bios is 8RDA4212.BIN (FD00) BIOS Date: 02/12/2004. I believe I have the previous one installed.

[robbie]

Well BEFORE you flash via floppy you may wanna read this. Also there usually a setting in the bios that will keep you from flashing your bios UNTIL you enable it. You may wanna check that. Other than that, I don't think I've EVER had a bad flash yet..............yet

Load temps are a tad high especially if that was on the Duron. Double check to make sure your HSF is mounted properly and DON'T use a ton of Artic Silver (or equivilent). Or you case temps might be a little high and all your doing is pumping hot air into your HSF.
Rob

[Rain_of_Fire]

Thanks foir the reply.

Lol yes maybe I should have been more caerful when flashing from floppy. Luckily I Could purcahse a new eeprom form EPoX for about £10, so it was easily replaced.

If i do update, I will do it using Magic flash utility!! I currently have BIOS version 6?A61BPACC-00 09/30/2003.

I have:
DirectX 9.0b
Omega 2.5.36a

Voltages from PSU are
+3.3V - 3.37V
+5.00V - 5.08V
+12V - 11.98V
-12V - -7.09V
-5V - -1.22V

Regarding my temps, MBM reports CPU temp 47C case temp 32C. This is very similar as to when i have the XP2400 in.

Someone in another forum has suggested it could be the voltage reulator on the board???

Thanks

PjC

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Rain_of_Fire

Thanks foir the reply.


Voltages from PSU are
+3.3V - 2.37V
+5.00V - 5.08V
+12V - 11.98V
-12V - -7.09V
-5V - -1.22V

Someone in another forum has suggested it could be the voltage reulator on the board???

Thanks

PjC

Yep!!! Look at your 3.3v rail. I had a P4 box that I once built and the 3.3v rail dipped down that low as well. I'd say it's your PS (power supply) As far as your -12v and -5v, I'd say MBM probably just isn't reading it correctly. If you can take it back, if not get a new one. I won't say that all is completely lost with that PS I just wouldn't use it in any more "high end" systems.
$.02
Rob

[mookydooky]

Where are you getting the voltages from? MBM or from the BIOS screen? If you are using MBM, the 3.3V line is probably mislabled. You're probably getting the VDimm in there. Try raising your VDimm in the BIOS before you go buying a new PSU.

As for temperatures, until you're in the 60's don't worry about it. I run mine 24/7 at 58C and I don't bat an eye.

[Rain_of_Fire]

Mainly I am looking at the high / low readouts in MBM, and using the average. I'll post BIOS voltages later.

Those volatages are with my Duron 1300 installed. What I'll do is reinstall the XP2400 and get the voltages when installed.

by the way if my 3.3V rail is only showing 2.37V, isnt this a good thing? I mean, surely it is best to be underloaded rather than overloaded?

Also, I have a brand new top end 480W PSU.

Made by Tagan (a German manufacturer). Gets v. good reviews.

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Rain_of_Fire

Mainly I am looking at the high / low readouts in MBM, and using the average. I'll post BIOS voltages later.

Those volatages are with my Duron 1300 installed. What I'll do is reinstall the XP2400 and get the voltages when installed.

I think 53 full load is a tad to high for a Duron 1300

Originally Posted by Rain_of_Fire

by the way if my 3.3V rail is only showing 2.37V, isnt this a good thing? I mean, surely it is best to be underloaded rather than overloaded?.

Are you SURE that's your 3.3v rail?!?! Check the bios and report back. If it is then that is your problem.

Originally Posted by Rain_of_Fire

Also, I have a brand new top end 480W PSU.

Made by Tagan (a German manufacturer). Gets v. good reviews.

Just because it's top end doesn't mean that it might not be working correctly.
Rob

[Rain_of_Fire]

My Bios volatge readings are the same as MBM, although labelled differently.

Whereas MBM reports 3.3V rail at only 2.73V, my bios has Vdimm at 2.73V. Are these two the sdame thing?

[mookydooky]

3.3V line and VDimm are different. Due to way various manufacturers use the Winbond chip, MBM will frequently mislabel the readings. Default VDimm is 2.5V, at 2.73, it's a tad high. It shouldn't be a problem. Most consider anything under 2.9V to be safe.

Anyway, if your VDimm drops down to 2.37V as you stated in your previous post, that is probably your culprit. 2.37V is most likely too low to run your memory stable, even at stock speeds.

[Rain_of_Fire]

sorry, looks like 2.37V was a typo, and should have been 2.73V. Vdimm = 2.73V is the auto setting in BIOS. I assume that MBM5 reports Vdimm as the 3.3V line.

I have now put my XP2400 back in...(soon time to buy some more Arctic silver!!).

the temps are as follows:

XP2400 CPU idle 44C
Full load 51C

Duron1300 idle 45C
Full load 53C

Voltages for Duron and XP2400 are exactly the same (with the exception of the Vcore).

Prime95 has been running all night (not under torture mode) with no probs. mmm still freezes during games and 3Dmark. Also did a format C and a fresh install of winXP.

I will try setting Vdimm to the nearest setting of 2.5V and see what happens.

[Rain_of_Fire]

quick update...

I set all volatges to default, but upped the Vcore from 1.65V to 1.8V. I played Black Hawk Down for 35mins before a freeze.

Question, will running a CPU above the deisgned volatge cause it any harm? I only noticed a 5 degree increase in CPU temp.

I'll try upping the Vdd by one step and see what happens then.

[Gizmo]

Yes, increasing the CPU voltage can cause harm to the CPU, if you exceed the design voltages. As a practical matter, pretty much everyone seems to agree that you can pretty safely go to 1.8 or 1.9 volts on the Athlon XP CPUs without too much risk. Over that is pushing things.

It should be possible for you to get the system completely stable at stock settings. If not, you have a component or driver problem somewhere.

I'm highly suspicious of your PSU, given the readings that you posted previously for the -5 and -12v rails. There isn't much except the sound section that uses those, but we also don't know for sure what sensor MBM is reporting those voltages from, either.

[Recoil]

Originally Posted by Rain_of_Fire

quick update...

I set all volatges to default, but upped the Vcore from 1.65V to 1.8V. I played Black Hawk Down for 35mins before a freeze.

Question, will running a CPU above the deisgned volatge cause it any harm? I only noticed a 5 degree increase in CPU temp.

I'll try upping the Vdd by one step and see what happens then.

Hey buddy I have tested my system to death with two conclusions!
1) The mainboard has a compatabillity issue with the AMD Athlon XP
or
2) My 2nd AMD Athlon XP 2200+ out of the box is also faulty which i rather doubt but its not iim possible.

I have notested that they are upto REV 3.1 on this board so that leaves us a few revs behind i kind of suspect its a compatapility issue.
Im looking to having the supplier do something about it either getting it to work with the same CPU or better or replacing the board and getting it to work with the same CPU!

[piloteer81]

Have you tried simply lowering the Ram timings? I had an almost identical problem which seemed to come into play when I installed an XP over a duron. Worth a try!

[Recoil]

See you private messages
My PC is off being looked at!