AXIA C 1.0G challenges - can anybody help please?

[rickh]

Upgraded from P3 @733/Asus combo to Tbird/Abit/PC150.. specs:
Abit KT7A
Tbird AXIA C 1.g
Kingmax 128mb PC150 ("new" version 1 (16x8 - supercedes the old 8x8 PC150 Rev 1.2)
rest out of original config:
Gforce 2 GTS 32
SB PCI64
DE500 10/100 NIC
IBM GXP 30Gb ATA100 7200...
32x CD etc etc
W98

Problem - installed new MB/axia/mem ok. Used bios defaults initially to "get things going" BUT... Defaulted first to Athlon 500?.. ok I thought to start with anyway.... Got W98 stable (don't start on me you W2000 guys!), loaded VIA 4.31 up, still ok, flashed ABIT BIOS to ZT. still ok. And then..........
Used softmenu to set CPU/FSB to 7.5x133 (default for 1.gig C) and voila - posts ok but stalls at w98 load. Backed off to 500 again, ok. I'll cut a long story short. I simply CANNOT get this thing to get into w98 past 7.5x100. I have unlocked cpu so can mess with multipliers - got it to 1300 'n something @130 FSB but it will not restart at that speed. In fact the ONLY way I can restart at ANY speed greater than 750 is power off, back on, wait, then push Reset to kickstart the damn thing) Issue though seems to be with ANY multipler at 133FSB. It will boot ok off FDD at any FSB - its W98 that upset. - all kinds of weird erors like stack overflows etc, also tried using a spare HDD to try a cold W98 install at 7.5x133 - never got past the "copying files" stage - similar errors. Also corrupted registry several times . I am at a complete loss.. I actually have two of these systems side by side and BOTH are exhibiting exactly the same symptoms - I'm typing this on one that's @10 x 100 but I know I'll not be able to restart the SOB.

1. PSU is only 230w but that was running everything at same voltage prev (same i/o and cpu @1.75 (o/c 550E).
2. Have already tried removing GTS, SBPCI64,NIC, put in old ISA VGA standalone, same prob.
3. Have tried upping vcore through increments up to 1.85 to try and juice it, no change.
4. Kingmax PC150 is the "new" version 1 (16x8 - supercedes the old 8x8 PC150 Rev 1.2 ). Would that be a problem anyway as I haven't (sucessfully) gone past 133FSB and this stuff is Cas2 @133, Cas3 @150?
5. It will boot into W98 ok (after kicking it up the arse via reset) @130FSB but not 133.
6. Have tried leaving BIOS at defaults, optimal & "safe" settings.
7. Left memory timings at default.
8. Cooling seems ok? (Taisol CGK) at approx 45C after overnight rolling Q2demos @10x100, approx 30c idle.
133FSB seems to be the magic number here - it just wont do it. I left both going overnight at 10x100 running Quake2 rolling demo, still chugging this morning. Just wondering if it's someting to do with PCI or AGP bus and a setting somewhere?
Any assistance appreciated

[FRANK]

If that's a 200MHz bus CPU, there's a problem when trying to boot to the 133FSB, It has to do with when the BIOS begins to start the POST, the BIOS first looks to the default multiplier to initiate the process. This is a problem on the higher speed processors due to their high multiplier. You are actually trying to post at 10*133 maybe a bit too high for that chip.

The following article is a bit lengthy, but gives a very good explanation;

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1440

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

[Tacoman667]

I had a problem with the multiplier on my system not going above 10 at all. It would post but then I would lock in winME ALL the time after it booted. I saw on this board, someone mentioned the K& CLK_CTR function in the advanced options in BIOs and I changed it to optimal and now I can go 10.5x133 for a 1400 boot and windows runs great. Try this, it may be what ya need to get it going.

[Hoot]

Get a minimum 300W and preferably a 400W PSU. Don't buy the cheapest one you can find. The Enermax, Antec, or Sparkle are good investments.

Hoot

[rickh]

Thanx - already ordered 2 x Enermax 350w dual fan psu's yesterday just in case. Hope this works....
Also to respond to other posts above - it is an AXIA C (266FSB). WIll try the K7 CLK BIOS mod too (has no problem hitting 10.5 multiplier now tho).

[Yomama]

Hoot (May 22, 2001 12:37 p.m.):
Get a minimum 300W and preferably a 400W PSU. Don't buy the cheapest one you can find. The Enermax, Antec, or Sparkle are good investments.

Hoot

Yep that should be the culprit. Not only does the TBird draw more energy at the same speed/voltage (because it has 50% more transistors than a PIII), but it also puts a big penalty on the 5V lead. Even my Enermax 430W with 44A on the 5V lead drops to 4.8V at 1.3GHz. Your poor 230W PS probably only delivers 20A. Assume just 8A for other parts and the remaining 12A would give you 60W, but it would probably crap out at around 45W, good for about 900MHz.

Yo

[rickh]

Hey - excellent analysis thanx - ummmmmm, will 350 be enough then?

[Hoot]

Yo and others. It's really not dropping at the PSU, just through all that wire length running to the motherboard.
I took some mysterious connector coming out of my 400W Antec and directly soldered one of the +5 leads to the collector of one of the vcore regulator transistors and voila, less voltage drop. To see for yourself, put a voltmeter on one of the unused +5 leads connected to your PSU. Then load down the CPU and check the voltage reported by the motherboard monitor software. Now, compare that to what you read on the unused +5V lead. You'll be surprised. A 350W Enermax will work fine for you.

Hoot

[rickh]

Well ****E.... installed new Enermax 350W psu/ Delta (DAMN they're LOUD) and..... no change - I do not believe this!@
Even "erased" the graphite off the L1 bridges just in case it was a "pencilling problem"!. Nada, zip, nothing 'cept it DID recognise CPU @default 7.5x133 but of course it wouldn't sodding boot at that (but WILL boot at any FSB less than 133)! This is really weird. Now I've got a locked cpu again and no further ahead. ****E, ****E, ****E, ****E. Going to try a stick of "old" Century PC133 mem tonight just in case it's the damn Kingmax PC150 stuff... 'course any OTHER suggestions welcome (the words insert and "percussive maintenance" spring to mind)!

[Yomama]

rickh (May 24, 2001 03:02 p.m.):
Well ****E.... installed new Enermax 350W psu/ Delta (DAMN they're LOUD) and..... no change - I do not believe this!@
Even "erased" the graphite off the L1 bridges just in case it was a "pencilling problem"!. Nada, zip, nothing 'cept it DID recognise CPU @default 7.5x133 but of course it wouldn't sodding boot at that (but WILL boot at any FSB less than 133)! This is really weird. Now I've got a locked cpu again and no further ahead. ****E, ****E, ****E, ****E. Going to try a stick of "old" Century PC133 mem tonight just in case it's the damn Kingmax PC150 stuff... 'course any OTHER suggestions welcome (the words insert and "percussive maintenance" spring to mind)!


that is indeed odd. Definitely check the RAM, also initially only use 1 stick, and try several slots. Otherwise, could this possibly be related to your graphics card?

Finally, how is the chipset on the mobo cooled?

[rickh]

Thanks for the advice & feedback Yo, much appreciated... to answer:

Abit Northbridge has hs/fan installed standard.
Have tried it without GTS (used old ISA ET4000). No change.
Will try mem tonight.

Thanx

[Hoot]

My first KT7A was not up to par. It would work fine up to 133 Mhz FSB, but nothing would make it run a faster FSB. I bought it from NewEgg and they have a 30 day money back guarantee. They will also waive the restock if you get a replacement. I took them up on it and got another KT7A. Right out of the box, it ran an FSB of 150 Mhz using the same components from the first one. Other people have had problems with the FSB besides me. Consider exchanging it for another, depending upon the policy of who you bought it from.

Hoot