Abit AV8-3rd eye...Can't even install Windows...

I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows 2000".
When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting the
correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with my
spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the freezes
also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing with
my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
temperatures are as follows.

CPU: 43° C/109° F
SYS (chasis): 28° C/82° F
PWM: 35° C/95° F

Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this thing.

Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to me?
If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
back instead?

Thanks all.

I had a TNT2 video card and upgraded to winxp (a few years ago). The
video card was made by diamond which is now defunct. Because they are
defunct no one ever made winxp compatible video drivers. I ended up
selling the video card.

Isn't the 3dfx video card pre winxp as well?

Forrest

Motherboard Help By HAL web site:
http://home.comcast.net/~mobo.help/


On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:

>I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
>with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
>Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows 2000".
>When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
>inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting the
>correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
>positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with my
>spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the freezes
>also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
>The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing with
>my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
>still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
>temperatures are as follows.
>
>CPU: 43° C/109° F
>SYS (chasis): 28° C/82° F
>PWM: 35° C/95° F
>
>Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
>this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this thing.
>
>Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to me?
>If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
>back instead?
>
>Thanks all.

I'm surprised you even managed to fit these cards into the motherboard. You
will need a new videocard.
The AGP 1.0 specification defined 1x and 2x speeds with the 3.3v keyed
connector.

The AGP 2.0 specification defined 1x, 2x and 4x speeds with the 3.3v, or
1.5v keyed connector or a 'Universal' connector which supported both card
types.

The AGP Pro specification defined 1x, 2x and 4x speeds with the 3.3v, or
1.5v keyed connector or a 'Universal' connector which supported both card
types.

The AGP 3.0 specification defined 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x speeds with the 1.5v/.8v
keyed connector or a 1.5v AGP Pro connector.


"- HAL9000" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I had a TNT2 video card and upgraded to winxp (a few years ago). The
> video card was made by diamond which is now defunct. Because they are
> defunct no one ever made winxp compatible video drivers. I ended up
> selling the video card.
>
> Isn't the 3dfx video card pre winxp as well?
>
> Forrest
>
> Motherboard Help By HAL web site:
> http://home.comcast.net/~mobo.help/
>
>
> On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:
>
>>I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
>>with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
>>Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows 2000".
>>When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
>>inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting the
>>correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
>>positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with my
>>spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the freezes
>>also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
>>The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing with
>>my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
>>still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
>>temperatures are as follows.
>>
>>CPU: 43° C/109° F
>>SYS (chasis): 28° C/82° F
>>PWM: 35° C/95° F
>>
>>Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
>>this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this thing.
>>
>>Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to me?
>>If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
>>back instead?
>>
>>Thanks all.
>
>

The cards are PCI, not AGP...

Lester Piglet wrote:
> I'm surprised you even managed to fit these cards into the
motherboard. You
> will need a new videocard.
> The AGP 1.0 specification defined 1x and 2x speeds with the 3.3v
keyed
> connector.
>
> The AGP 2.0 specification defined 1x, 2x and 4x speeds with the 3.3v,
or
> 1.5v keyed connector or a 'Universal' connector which supported both
card
> types.
>
> The AGP Pro specification defined 1x, 2x and 4x speeds with the 3.3v,
or
> 1.5v keyed connector or a 'Universal' connector which supported both
card
> types.
>
> The AGP 3.0 specification defined 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x speeds with the
1.5v/.8v
> keyed connector or a 1.5v AGP Pro connector.
>
>
> "- HAL9000" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> >I had a TNT2 video card and upgraded to winxp (a few years ago).
The
> > video card was made by diamond which is now defunct. Because they
are
> > defunct no one ever made winxp compatible video drivers. I ended
up
> > selling the video card.
> >
> > Isn't the 3dfx video card pre winxp as well?
> >
> > Forrest
> >
> > Motherboard Help By HAL web site:
> > http://home.comcast.net/~mobo.help/
> >
> >
> > On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:
> >
> >>I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
> >>with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
> >>Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows
2000".
> >>When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
> >>inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting
the
> >>correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
> >>positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with
my
> >>spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the
freezes
> >>also occur when I disable all onboard features, including
SATA/RAID.
> >>The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing
with
> >>my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
> >>still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
> >>temperatures are as follows.
> >>
> >>CPU: 43° C/109° F
> >>SYS (chasis): 28° C/82° F
> >>PWM: 35° C/95° F
> >>
> >>Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to
RMA
> >>this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this
thing.
> >>
> >>Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to
me?
> >>If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my
money
> >>back instead?
> >>
> >>Thanks all.
> >
> >

The 3dfx is pre-XP as well...however the generic drivers WinXP has
works on the TNT2, ditto with the NT-based drivers on the Detonator
CD... there are also upgrades on the nVIDIA site for XP.

Oops never thought of that. I would test it with a more modern card just to
make sure it isn't incomptability probs.
"Nite" <> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
The cards are PCI, not AGP...

On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:

>I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
>with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
>Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows 2000".
>When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
>inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting the
>correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
>positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with my
>spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the freezes
>also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
>The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing with
>my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
>still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
>temperatures are as follows.
>

Does the BIOS screen come up after you press DEL when requested
on the initial "Black" screen ? If so, at least the video card is
running.

Did you select "Init Display first" = PCI in BIOS (Advanced Chipset
features) ?

Seems a pity with all this fancy stuff that you didn't get yourself
a decent AGP video card. At least, then you would have eliminated
one variable in the install-problem equation.

Also, a word from experience:-

NEVER flash a BIOS for a gross problem such as this.
If the intial black-with-text screen is OK and
BIOS screen comes up when you key DEL, the BIOS
is fine, at least as far as installing and running an OS.
A programming or power glitch during a BIOS
update will render your board useless.


John Lewis


>CPU: 43=B0 C/109=B0 F
>SYS (chasis): 28=B0 C/82=B0 F
>PWM: 35=B0 C/95=B0 F
>
>Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
>this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this thing.
>
>Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to me?
>If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
>back instead?
>
>Thanks all.
>

The BIOS works fine, it is initializing PCI first, I've even tried
disabling a bunch of onboard features such as LAN, audio, etc... also
thanks for the tip on the BIOS, I'll leave it alone from now on...

The reason I have an old card is because I baught all the other parts
with about $500 to my name - I was previously on a 249 MHz Cyrix PC and
REALLY wanted to get off of it - I baught it planning to upgrade things
like video and more RAM later.

I'm currently broke so once I get more money, I'll have a new one.

John Lewis wrote:
> On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:
>
> >I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
> >with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
> >Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows
2000".
> >When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
> >inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting
the
> >correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers. I am
> >positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with
my
> >spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the
freezes
> >also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
> >The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing
with
> >my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
> >still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
> >temperatures are as follows.
> >
>
> Does the BIOS screen come up after you press DEL when requested
> on the initial "Black" screen ? If so, at least the video card is
> running.
>
> Did you select "Init Display first" = PCI in BIOS (Advanced Chipset
> features) ?
>
> Seems a pity with all this fancy stuff that you didn't get yourself
> a decent AGP video card. At least, then you would have eliminated
> one variable in the install-problem equation.
>
> Also, a word from experience:-
>
> NEVER flash a BIOS for a gross problem such as this.
> If the intial black-with-text screen is OK and
> BIOS screen comes up when you key DEL, the BIOS
> is fine, at least as far as installing and running an OS.
> A programming or power glitch during a BIOS
> update will render your board useless.
>
>
> John Lewis
>
>
> >CPU: 43=B0 C/109=B0 F
> >SYS (chasis): 28=B0 C/82=B0 F
> >PWM: 35=B0 C/95=B0 F
> >
> >Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
> >this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this
thing.
> >
> >Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to
me?
> >If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
> >back instead?
> >
> >Thanks all.
> >

On 8 Mar 2005 15:47:13 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:

>I've got an Abit AV8-3rd eye with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2040 MHz)
>with 512 MB DDR400 RAM, and an Asys 450W PSU. When I try to install
>Windows 2000, the system locks up on "Setup is starting Windows 2000".
>When I try to install Windows XP, setup locks up on "Setup is
>inspecting your computer's hardware configuration". I am selecting the
>correct HAL, and loading the appropriate SATA/RAID drivers.

If you are not running RAID turn off all RAID functions in BIOS. And,
if you happen to have a normal IDE disk handy, you should be able to
load the OS on that disk without using F6 at all (not installing the
RAID drivers). Try that and see if the system works OK.

Do make sure that the install partition is wiped clean on this disk
before starting the install.

Baby steps, baby steps...

John Lewis

>positive this is not a hard disk problem, as this issue occurs with my
>spare HDD as well. I ran Memtest, and it ran flawlessly - the freezes
>also occur when I disable all onboard features, including SATA/RAID.
>The only PCI device is my TNT2 video card, which I tried replacing with
>my 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 - it STILL freezes. I tried flashing the BIOS,
>still freezes. I am also sure there is no overheating going on - my
>temperatures are as follows.
>
>CPU: 43=B0 C/109=B0 F
>SYS (chasis): 28=B0 C/82=B0 F
>PWM: 35=B0 C/95=B0 F
>
>Does anyone know of a fix so I can install Windows? I'm about to RMA
>this board, as I've slaved literally DAYS trying to solve this thing.
>
>Also: Will Abit give me my money back, or send another AV8 back to me?
>If they're going to send one back, is there a way I can get my money
>back instead?
>
>Thanks all.
>

Ok, yea, that's right. All I could get was standard VGA mode out of
the video card after installing windows. A couple of other things.

Is there a jumper on the graphics card(s)? My TNT2 had a jumper but I
have forgotten what it did. Select motherboard voltage maybe?

Long shot, did you reset the bios after you flashed it?

I thought all TNT2's where AGP...

Forrest

Motherboard Help By HAL web site:
http://home.comcast.net/~mobo.help/


On 9 Mar 2005 11:40:36 -0800, "Nite" <> wrote:

>The 3dfx is pre-XP as well...however the generic drivers WinXP has
>works on the TNT2, ditto with the NT-based drivers on the Detonator
>CD... there are also upgrades on the nVIDIA site for XP.