SOLVED THE IWILL KK266 SUCKS!!!

[mike]

Well...that's what my friend says. He told me he shouldn't have stuck with a prebuilt machine by Dell or whoever. Here's my story: I recommended and built a computer for my "majoring in computer science" friend. He knows Jack about hardware and barely knows what the bios is. Anyways, as a friend, Here's the computer that I BUILT for him for NOTHING:

Superpower Mid Tower Case
Iwill KK266 non-raid 1.2 version mb
900 TBird
GW FOP38
2 Sticks of Kingmax 128 pc150 memory.
SBLive Value
IBM 75gxp 45gig hd
Creative Labs Annihilator2 32mb
350w Enermax Power Supply
1 Pci Slot exhaust blower
2 80mm intake fans
1 80mm exhaust fan

I assembled everything for him, installed Win98SE and Office2k, and then we got to the game installations. It took quite a few number of attempts to install some games as the CD-Rom would just stop working or do a ghostly reboot. I couldn't figure it out but assumed it was his generic 300w power supply. I then went to pick up an Enermax for him and the problem seemed to be solved. I guess it was a lack of juice.
After a day or so, he called me up and tells me that his system is freezing up after being on a couple of hours. I told him to reinstall everything since it seemed to be buggy in the first place. Well, I am willing to do it for him cuz this computer science major doesn't know how to. Anyways, he calls me up a little while ago and tells me ALL THE FORUMS HE'S BEEN TO AND HOW MUCH THE IWILL SUCKS. He kindly and indirectly thanked me for recommending this board to him. He CAN'T BELIEVE that you have to change settings in your bios, download drivers, and how the SBLive doesn't work with his Geforce cards. I asked him what forums he's visiting and was told it was a forum that can be found somewhere in Iwill's website in "support". He claims there's nothing but problems with this board and how he just read that you shouldn't flash your bios with the newest one because it's causing people's temps to go up 20C.(what the F***).

Well guys, my point is, after all of this that I did for him, it seems to me that he needs to learn how to be thankful and grateful. I didn't know he was so ignorant when it came to hardware. Before I built this computer for him, he never even seen the insides of a case. All I can say is that I have an almost identical setup (oh yeah, I never finished college, opened my first case up last year, learned this stuff on my own, and found out how interesting computers are) that runs flawlessly. Oops, I forgot to mention that MY 900TBird is flawlessly running at a gig.

I hope some of you can show how great this board is, as my opinion is "just" my opinion. He doesn't believe a word that I say now. But then again, can I blame him? He's just the type of person that doesn't want to deal with the hardware, just push the "on" button and that's it. So....here is an example of our future in Computer Science. By the way, once some feedback is given, I'm going to point him in this direction.

IF YOU'RE READING THIS FRANK, DEBATE WITH THE MASTERS HERE.

 

[Mike'sFriend]

reply

"knows Jack about hardware and barely knows what the bios is. Anyways, as a friend, Here's the computer that I BUILT for him for NOTHING:"

note: I told him to allocate himself a "bonus" ($$) for the trouble but he promptly refused it.
Can you buy friends like that???

note: Computer science is not a major that emcompasses all aspect of computers. Since I am technically in my second year at a university, my experience has mostly to do with programming.

note: I do know what a bios is....I knew not to mess with it!

"It took quite a few number of attempts to install some games as the CD-Rom would just stop working I couldn't figure it out but assumed it was his generic 300w power supply."

Note: he was absolute sure it was a crappy power supply, which incidently, he purchased for me. D'oh!

"I guess it was a lack of juice."

Note: problem was not solved. The same problem happened over and over again. I suggested we switch back to the iwill drivers that came with the mobo. We installed it. It worked ever since. He was using 429 version of Iwill 4 in 1 which later was release with info that it would "stop" during "copy" from cdroms.

Additional note: Before this he was sure that it was
1. Cdrom failure (to which he gave his Cdrom...what a friend)
2. IRQ conflict (which he was 99% sure was the problem)

3. Bad install of Windows 98

"After a day or so, he called me up and tells me that his system is freezing up after being on a couple of hours."

note: the computer would emit a long continous beep while in windows and everything would freeze. To which he told me to read the manual for solutions. Needless to say that was just a blow off.

" I told him to reinstall everything since it seemed to be buggy in the first place. Well, I am willing to do it for him cuz this computer science major doesn't know how to. Anyways, he calls me up a little while ago and tells me ALL THE FORUMS HE'S BEEN TO AND HOW MUCH THE IWILL SUCKS. "

Note: please go to www.iwillusa.com and locate the kk226 forum. You will find (just like me) a wealth of people sharing the "weird" problems they've had with the motherboard. One guy tried endless combinations of various components each with a clean install. The result? It still didn't work. Other complaints involve the KK266 motherboard not working right with the sb live card and nividia chips. Frankly it's quite painful to read post on top of post of people who spend so much time trying to make their kk266 work properly.

"He kindly and indirectly thanked me for recommending this board to him. "

note: I kindly thanked him for introducing me to the world of Iwill.

"He CAN'T BELIEVE that you have to change settings in your bios, "

note: What I can't believe is that Mike does not know the correct settings in bios to ensure his "ultimate" computer works properly.

"download drivers, and how the SBLive doesn't work with his Geforce cards. I asked him what forums he's visiting and was told it was a forum that can be found somewhere in Iwill's website in "support". He claims there's nothing but problems with this board and how he just read that you shouldn't flash your bios with the newest one because it's causing people's temps to go up 20C.(what the F***)."

---continued on next post

 

[Mike'sFriend]

reply

Note: read post regarding new bios.

"Well guys, my point is, after all of this that I did for him, it seems to me that he needs to learn how to be thankful and grateful. "

Note: It is not that I am not thankful. It is not that I am grateful. Frankly I've thanked him about a hundred times for his time and involvement. What concerns me is that he presented to me that building this "ultimate" system would be a piece of cake to him. Why then do we run into all these problems? my answer? Mike is a great guy. However he lacks time and expertise. It is not that I am not greatful. I now see the extent of his expertise. It is hard to admit that sometimes there are things you just don't know the solution to. I believe I have placed him in a difficult spot sometimes when he does not know the answer. I am willing to say that he is very generous with his time and effort.

"I didn't know he was so ignorant when it came to hardware. Before I built this computer for him, he never even seen the insides of a case."

note: the sb live card and the voodoo 3 card didn't appear in my old computer by itself!

All I can say is that I have an almost identical setup (oh yeah, I never finished college, opened my first case up last year, learned this stuff on my own, and found out how interesting computers are) that runs flawlessly. Oops, I forgot to mention that MY 900TBird is flawlessly running at a gig.

note: to which is very puzzling...we have the same identical system yet his is running fine while my freezes 7 times in an hour. Tell me the truth, how would you feel if your computer operated like that?


"I hope some of you can show how great this board is, as my opinion is "just" my opinion. "

note: I have never been to this forum but I am open to new suggestions.

"He doesn't believe a word that I say now. "

note: to quote a movie..."louie, louie, louie....always with the drama...."

"But then again, can I blame him? He's just the type of person that doesn't want to deal with the hardware, just push the "on" button and that's it. "

note: I was under the impression that Mike would have the expertise to "assemble" a computer that works properly. Can you blame me for being surprised?

"So....here is an example of our future in Computer Science. "

note: once again, computer science does not encompass all aspect of computers. I am not A+ certified. I am not a network specialist. And I don't build computers just because I take courses in programming.

Final note: Reading about putting together computers does not make you an "expert." I know that I do not know. What I do want to know is how can something that starts off with good intentions go so wrong?


-Mike's Friend, Frank

p.s. incedently, the problem with my computer lies in Iwill's compatibility problems with SB live. There seems to be a good group of us which gets this error. Someone was constructive enough to write a faq. Whoever you are...thank you!

 

[AKDUDE]

LOL, poor Mike, I feel for you. Im building a system for a friend of mine this weekend. Its pretty much a copy of What I have, and with my luck, it will probably crap out on me, and he will think im a idiot also.


You guys need to RMA that board and get another. And, basing a opinion on a motherboard from the support forums of the manufactor isn't a good idea. Of course the people on there will have problems, thats where they are suppossed to go with them!
No one is going to go to iWills support site, and say, "hey my computer is working great, thanks for the board!"
Nope, it just dosn't work that way.
AKDUDE

 

[mike]

Hi buddy,

I'm glad you actually opened up your narrow mind and found out that this website is not just for overclocking like you insistently believed. There's is so much information here to make your computer "work". From Video Card info, MB info, Cpu info, and software, man, this place has it all.

Sorry that you developed the perception that I "blew" you off that day, but after working on your computer Friday night when I got home from my full time job until 3 in the mornin, Saturday from 8PM to 1:30A, and Sunday finding a person from EBay, located in Los Angeles, e-mailing him, telling him i need the power supply asap, agreed to meet me at 11PM in fron of a pizza parlor, driving down there, picking it up for you, and bringing it back home, that was a very tiring weekend. Oh, did I mention that I am married and have a 3yr old daughter = RESPONSIBILITIES.

I chose a generic A-1 Amd Approved 300w power supply that cost $36 bucks because you stated that you have to keep it under $800. That's why I originally chose that specific power supply, to keep the cost down. In addition, I would definitely like to return that mysteriously non-working power supply, but you still have it. I believe I can no longer return it but I will double check.

I never said I was an expert, but DO know how to put a computer together. Hmmmm, why is my computer working flawlessly. The lockup that I mentioned happened to me once. Um...Windows isn't perfect you know.

As far as the trouble shooting, if you left it at my house so I could mess around with it myself, i'm sure I would be able to get it working without the problems you currently encounter. BUT, I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CANNOT WORK ON IT ON YOU SCHEDULE. If you need to stay up a little longer and sacrifice some of that 10hr a day sleep habit to work around MY schedule, then I think we might be in a better situation.

True I don't know everything, but I told you way on that you have a Ver. 1.2 board (meaning=might not be good) and go return it for another, but first try and reinstall Win. and Office.

Oops, I did forget that you put in your own video card and snd. card. before.

Problems? Nope, it's called not knowing what to do. Play around with it Frank.

MINE WORKS FLAWLESSLY. Built someone a computer and suffer the consequences.

 

[Da Whip]

Mike's Friend (ungrateful SOB),
The problems you are having is all part and parcel of the learning curve for building your own (wrong!) PC. There are very few MOBO's out there that don't have a problem w/ SB Live (try going to Abit's FAQ for freakin volumes of conflicts),.
If I were you I would consider myself lucky to have had a friend like Mike, who is willing to spend his time & money to help. ( Mike lose this butthole buddy)
Since you seem to be note happy here is one for you, Switch majors, you obviously don't have the brains or the patience to be in the Computer Science arena.
But this is just my opinion!!]

 

[OpenFriday]

Mike if your looking for a new best friend Im your man. Very nice of you to build a comp for your buddy at little or no charge. i would feel horible if i built one for my friend and it crapped out. But thats life. If he wants a comp thats guarenteed to work fine for 1 year no problems i suggest one of the many OEM pc's such as IBM or Gateway ( i suddenly feel dirty). But when building your own pc, or having one built for you compatability is not guarenteed. Where as OEM pc's well sort of are. Hes obiously not wanting to mess with the BIOS i.e. he dosent want to oc so i say let him be happy with one of them thar pretty colored Compaq's. Just my opinion, sorry if i seem a bit blunt but homebrewed pc's dont carry guarentees.

 

[Mike'sFriend]

hmm...seems like someone hasn't been reading the post carefully so I will reitterate.

1. I am very thankful that my friend mike helped me.
2. I realize that he is a busy person and what time he can give me is very valuable. (my time = real time - miller time)
3. I am not impatient. I have waited when I needed to wait.
4. All help was offered on a volunteer basis...no I didn't not hold a gun for him to "exert" himself so selflessly.


Final note: I am aware that I do not know the technical knowlege that all of you have, but I do know one thing....a computer is not suppose to freeze 7 times in an hour. That's just what I was led to believe. And frankly, there needs to be accountablility. If you say you can do something and find out you really can't do it, just say you can't do it. Don't resort to saying "you're being ungrateful or you are not thanking me enough." Be mature about this.

As I see it this is a problem of the ego.

How much you know - hype = how much you really know.

And no, I don't think trying to drag your "friends" into this conflict will actually do anything constructive.

If you had so much RESPONSIBILITY you should of not have offered to help me in the first place. Isn't that obvious?

Let it go. We've been friends for much to long.

Mike's Butthole Friend

 

[Da Whip]

Open Friday, You hit the nail right on the head. Maybe this guy would like one of those Barbie computers that Toys 'r' Us were selling!!

 

[AKDUDE]

K-Mart has "blue light special" computer, excellent for this type of application.
I think this thread is going to get interesting, if it dosn't get lockup up first

I do know that both of you need to step back and take a breath. You are stressing your freindship out over a FREAKIN COMPUTER! Just put it like this, on the last day of your life, do you think you will remember that damn iWill K266 that gave you so much trouble, or the great freinds that you got to meet?

Both of you came to this forum with a problem, now lets solve it and put all the personal crap beside. Hurt feelings is the last thing we need here, nor should the rest of us have to deal with it.

I say RMA the board, take a break till the new one comes in, then MIKE should fix it on his own, at home with no one breathing down his back. Mike should also keep the computer for at least 3 days, to burn it in right, just like any assembler would do for a customer.
AKDUDE

 

[hrmchan]

AKDude has the right idea.

Both of you share in something more valuable than $800 and some sweat.

I think Mike has to take the computer back and work out the snags and tweeks, which we on this forum often take for granted. Hands on experience is worth every bit the same value as a college degree. Even though Mike is busy with a beautiful 3 year old, he should finish the job. Handing off the system with stability issues unresolved to a "twinker novice" is not a sound plan. If both of you are patient, you both will receive a friend's reward .... each other.

To Mike's Friend: I am IT executive, with 20 years of CIO/CTO experience. These guys on this forum, in IT service industry would be referred to as "3rd tier technical support". Your CS background will bring you very close to these fella's in the real world. The experienced gained by hands on techncians and forums which allow them to collaborate is the "best". I'm not a "geek" but my NT guys could fix my PC, but I nite on these (their are more) generally solves my problems.

AKdudes comments on the RMA may or may on bring you any improvements. The RMA is limited to the multiplier issues on the r1.2, which was the field service release up to about a month ago. Mike did not say he was O/C'ing your system, so I assume it was running stock. If your mobo is on the recall, by all means get is replaced ... but it may not solve your stability problems.

Your basic problem is lack of "burn in" time, which is what you get with an off the shelf. As a follow-up to AK's already good comments:

1) Download all the current drivers for mobo (Iwill and VIA), video, multimedia
2) Then I would reinstall Windows. (try install over first, if that does not work then perform a deinstall and replacement install (clean).
3) Double check jumpers on FSB to match CPU/mem
4) May even re-seat CPU
5) caution withstatic discharge during maintenance
6) often overlooked, also be cautious with discharge in your working desk area, which is generally carpeted because back-planes are sometimes inadequately grounded

Things should get better.

Last comment: I have a KK266 mobo 1.1 and a r1.2 both seemed to work fine. Although, ran into problems .... IWILL provided direct and prompt answers to all my questions. I even had an KK266 product mgr send me some email ... can you imagin that? I will buy another mobo, probably KA266 Raid.

hrmchan

 

[IWILL_LOVER]

That's was a good idea AKDUDE.

 

[Mike'sFriend]

Wow there are mature people here. I'm impressed.

Many of you have offered constructive ideas. I thank you.

I will be sure to come back here for help if I need it.

I apologize for laying this mess on you.

Mike's Friend

Note to Mike: Thank you for building my computer. It works fine now.

 

[mike]

Hey buddy,

I, by no means, intended to "drag you down". You should know that by now. We've been friends for the longest time and I definitely do not want to ruin it. The point of this conversation was to show you the positive feedback of this excellent board IWILL has produced. I admit that some people have had problems with this board, but most haven't. With the right settings and all hardware working, the setup should work very well. I am more than happy to get your system to where it should be, but it might take a little time. If, and I honestly believe you think the "instability" is of my doing, then I say you should take it over to the techs over at CompUsa or PClub take a look at it. They all have those "certificates" and "stuff" to make them qualified computer technicians. I would definitely not be offended if you did this, and I think it would make us both more comfortable. If you would like me to work on it, then I'd be more than willing to. Now let's cry and give each other a great big hug (wait, that doesn't sound to good). Ok, come over to my house this weekend for a couple of brewskies.

 

[AKDUDE]

Well as long as we dont' have to do a group hug.........

 

[jgaud]

please, tell me MikesFreind, what are you going to learn from a comp that never gives you any probs COmon BRo lighten up youll learn more from this nitemare than you could ever learn from some Suckass overpriced storebought NOW KISS AND MAKE UP

 

[el]

Hey just go to this site and read everything twice. Drink some beer and fix that box.

www.fullon3d.com/kk266faq/kk266faq.shtml

if you still can't fix the problems and/or get great performance email the guy who wrote the piece. very nice people :¬)

 

[Taylor]

well if you've come here for advice about the board, you've come to the right place! I agree with the guy who said "RMA the thing" and get a new one.

If you've come here to get a resolution of the spitting match you're having with your friend, you will probably find that won't happen. Sure, we'll all laugh and share anecdotes about the times we've built computers for our friends, but nobody can make things right between you two except you two.

I've done a lot of research, and I'm still doing more. I'm almost but not quite yet sold on tthe kk266; I've been to a few other forums, (though not joined any other), and people love this board. If you got a lemon, just get a new one.

I do not believe people should be afraid to change their bios settings. You absolutely need to be able to get in there and change things around. Just keep track of what you're doing.

-Taylor

 

[AZZKICKER]

i have one question

why is this argument between 2 friends in our forum and involving other's ?

 

[mike]

Hey all,

Sorry to convalute the board with this crap.

AZZKICKER: As I stated before, the point of this was to show my friend that the IWILL KK266 board isn't all that bad.