K7S5A Pro, DDR and W2K Pro

I put together a new system with a Duron 1.1, a K7S5A Pro and one
stick of 256MB PC2100. Nothing but problems. Finally found an old 32MB
stick of PC133 and swapped it for the DDR. Problems vanished.

So I bummed a 128MB PC133 stick from my cousin for a week and
installed W2K. All has been well.

Today I exchanged the DDR (assuming it was bad) and put the new stick
in (removing the PC133 first). I got to the OS selection page and no
further. Shut everything down, put the DDR in the other slot and
windows comes up, informs me that there has been an error and that it
is going to restart in 45 seconds. It does, and from that point on,
once I get my blank desktop appears, the machine reboots.

I'm at wits end and way past my knowledge. Another bad stick? Bad DDR
banks on the MB? Something I need to change in the BIOS?
Help...please!

Todd...

---

Please remove NOSPAM from my address to respond directly.

Thanks Mr. Slow,

I'm thinking that I may have to but it wasn't my preference. I've got
a 256MB DDR stick that I can't return and the PC133 stick is borrowed.
I was hoping to not have to spend more money on this.

I was running at 100/100 with the PC133 but (and I'm just figuring all
this out) if I leave it there, I can't get past the W2K OS selection
page with the DDR, I have to set it to 100/133 which then
reboots...funnily enough, if it decides to do a check disk first, it
continues and then when the desktop is starting to appear, I get an
error on a blue screen before the reboot. I haven't been successful at
getting the error captured.

Asynchronously? Not sure. I didn't notice a setting for that. Anything
specific I should be looking for?

Looks like next time it will be Crucial. Can't believe the time I've
wasted on this already.

On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 13:01:10 +0100, "Mr. Slow"
<millenniumgoldspammersarebastards_@crouchvale.fre eserve.co.uk> wrote:

>The K7S5A series boards are RAM fussy, sometimes there is just no logic to
>it. Why not just stick with PC133 RAM if it works? I assume you are running
>at 100/100 in the BIOS and not 133/133 or asynchronously? Incidentally, if
>you buy Crucial RAM they will guarantee that it will work with your mobo. It
>may be a little more expensive, but you have a warranty which means
>something.


---

Please remove NOSPAM from my address to respond directly.

Why can't you return your DDR? I'm sure any decent retailer would change
this for SDR for you...........after all, it doesn't work! You are unlikely
to get a stable system at 100/133, 100/100 is the most sensible for a Duron
based system.

"Michelle" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Thanks Mr. Slow,
>
> I'm thinking that I may have to but it wasn't my preference. I've got
> a 256MB DDR stick that I can't return and the PC133 stick is borrowed.
> I was hoping to not have to spend more money on this.
>
> I was running at 100/100 with the PC133 but (and I'm just figuring all
> this out) if I leave it there, I can't get past the W2K OS selection
> page with the DDR, I have to set it to 100/133 which then
> reboots...funnily enough, if it decides to do a check disk first, it
> continues and then when the desktop is starting to appear, I get an
> error on a blue screen before the reboot. I haven't been successful at
> getting the error captured.
>
> Asynchronously? Not sure. I didn't notice a setting for that. Anything
> specific I should be looking for?
>
> Looks like next time it will be Crucial. Can't believe the time I've
> wasted on this already.
>
> On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 13:01:10 +0100, "Mr. Slow"
> <millenniumgoldspammersarebastards_@crouchvale.fre eserve.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >The K7S5A series boards are RAM fussy, sometimes there is just no logic
to
> >it. Why not just stick with PC133 RAM if it works? I assume you are
running
> >at 100/100 in the BIOS and not 133/133 or asynchronously? Incidentally,
if
> >you buy Crucial RAM they will guarantee that it will work with your mobo.
It
> >may be a little more expensive, but you have a warranty which means
> >something.
>
>
> ---
>
> Please remove NOSPAM from my address to respond directly.

On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 03:28:07 GMT, In this world we created Michelle
<> wrote :

>I put together a new system with a Duron 1.1, a K7S5A Pro and one
>stick of 256MB PC2100. Nothing but problems. Finally found an old 32MB
>stick of PC133 and swapped it for the DDR. Problems vanished.
>
>So I bummed a 128MB PC133 stick from my cousin for a week and
>installed W2K. All has been well.
>
>Today I exchanged the DDR (assuming it was bad) and put the new stick
>in (removing the PC133 first). I got to the OS selection page and no
>further. Shut everything down, put the DDR in the other slot and
>windows comes up, informs me that there has been an error and that it
>is going to restart in 45 seconds. It does, and from that point on,
>once I get my blank desktop appears, the machine reboots.
>
>I'm at wits end and way past my knowledge. Another bad stick? Bad DDR
>banks on the MB? Something I need to change in the BIOS?
>Help...please!
>
>Todd...

Read the cas timing on the RAM stick.
In the advanced section of the BIOS change to the cas timing as
opposed to the SPD setting and set the RAM speed to fast.
Is the RAM the correct type of DDR ram?
I have had no problems with the ECS K7S5A and generic ram in Sd or DDR
and mixed formats e.g running two sticks of SD 100 and 133 side by
side and am presently running two sticks of DDR ram 256 and 512 meg
both cheap generic.
If in doubt
Switch off.
Pull power cord.
Use Clear cmos jumper.
Add new DDR ram
Power up
change BIOS settings as above and save on exit.
HTH



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On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 19:56:50 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:

>Read the cas timing on the RAM stick.
>In the advanced section of the BIOS change to the cas timing as
>opposed to the SPD setting and set the RAM speed to fast.
>Is the RAM the correct type of DDR ram?
>I have had no problems with the ECS K7S5A and generic ram in Sd or DDR
>and mixed formats e.g running two sticks of SD 100 and 133 side by
>side and am presently running two sticks of DDR ram 256 and 512 meg
>both cheap generic.
>If in doubt
>Switch off.
>Pull power cord.
>Use Clear cmos jumper.
>Add new DDR ram
>Power up
>change BIOS settings as above and save on exit.
>HTH

OP, just not using the wife's account this time.

I was prepared to take Mr. Slow's advice and drop the DDR completely
but now you've got me hoping that I can get it to work.

How do I go about reading the cas timing. Last time I upgraded RAM, I
think we were at 72 pins so I'm a little out of my realm here ;-)

The ram is Elixir part number M2U25H64DS8HA0G-75B and they have a
chart (the 2nd one on
http://www.elixir-memory.com/Product...roducts03.htm).
Unfortunately, it's all greek to me. I'll have to give it another try
when I get home.

Todd...


Todd...

----
Replace me with todd to reply.

On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 21:47:00 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:

>>>Read the cas timing on the RAM stick.
>>>In the advanced section of the BIOS change to the cas timing as
>>>opposed to the SPD setting and set the RAM speed to fast.
>>>Is the RAM the correct type of DDR ram?
>>>I have had no problems with the ECS K7S5A and generic ram in Sd or DDR
>>>and mixed formats e.g running two sticks of SD 100 and 133 side by
>>>side and am presently running two sticks of DDR ram 256 and 512 meg
>>>both cheap generic.
>>>If in doubt
>>>Switch off.
>>>Pull power cord.
>>>Use Clear cmos jumper.
>>>Add new DDR ram
>>>Power up
>>>change BIOS settings as above and save on exit.
>>>HTH

As suggested I read the RAM. Once I figured out the CL2.5 was what I
was looking for, I set the 'SDR/DDR CAS Latency' to 2.5 and set the
'DRAM Timing Config' to Fast. I've been dutifully switching off,
pulling the cord, resetting, adding and powering back up.

Still no go. With the CPU speed set to 100/100, I get the OS menu and
when I make a choice (or allow it to make the choice by letting the
timer countdown) it stops. Does nothing.

With the CPU speed set to 100/133, Windows (2000 and/or XP) will start
and as soon as they get around to displaying the desktop, the computer
restarts and will continue this loop.

Anything else I can check? Perhaps the 'SDR/DDR Ras ActiveTime' or the
'SDR/DDR Ras PreChargeTime'?


Todd...

----
Replace me with todd to reply.

On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 20:09:20 GMT, In this world we created Todd
<> wrote :

>On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 21:47:00 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:
>
>>>>Read the cas timing on the RAM stick.
>>>>In the advanced section of the BIOS change to the cas timing as
>>>>opposed to the SPD setting and set the RAM speed to fast.
>>>>Is the RAM the correct type of DDR ram?
>>>>I have had no problems with the ECS K7S5A and generic ram in Sd or DDR
>>>>and mixed formats e.g running two sticks of SD 100 and 133 side by
>>>>side and am presently running two sticks of DDR ram 256 and 512 meg
>>>>both cheap generic.
>>>>If in doubt
>>>>Switch off.
>>>>Pull power cord.
>>>>Use Clear cmos jumper.
>>>>Add new DDR ram
>>>>Power up
>>>>change BIOS settings as above and save on exit.
>>>>HTH
>
>As suggested I read the RAM. Once I figured out the CL2.5 was what I
>was looking for, I set the 'SDR/DDR CAS Latency' to 2.5 and set the
>'DRAM Timing Config' to Fast. I've been dutifully switching off,
>pulling the cord, resetting, adding and powering back up.
>
>Still no go. With the CPU speed set to 100/100, I get the OS menu and
>when I make a choice (or allow it to make the choice by letting the
>timer countdown) it stops. Does nothing.
>
>With the CPU speed set to 100/133, Windows (2000 and/or XP) will start
>and as soon as they get around to displaying the desktop, the computer
>restarts and will continue this loop.
>
>Anything else I can check? Perhaps the 'SDR/DDR Ras ActiveTime' or the
>'SDR/DDR Ras PreChargeTime'?
>
>
>Todd...

Try updating the BIOS to the HoneyX 1209,
http://pub140.ezboard.com/fk7s5amotherboardforumfrm6
Read FAQS as well 1st.
Great forum so join as it's free



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I don't recall this entire thread, but have you tried another IDE
cable? Also, d/l and run the memtest86 memory tester
(www.memtest86.com), or any other tester such as Docmem (both run from
a floppy). Your problem really sounds odd. There are bad
motherboards also.

--
Best regards,
Kyle
tired of spam, no email address
"Todd" <> wrote in message
news:...
| On Fri, 11 Jul 2003 21:47:00 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:
|
| >>>Read the cas timing on the RAM stick.
| >>>In the advanced section of the BIOS change to the cas timing as
| >>>opposed to the SPD setting and set the RAM speed to fast.
| >>>Is the RAM the correct type of DDR ram?
| >>>I have had no problems with the ECS K7S5A and generic ram in Sd
or DDR
| >>>and mixed formats e.g running two sticks of SD 100 and 133 side
by
| >>>side and am presently running two sticks of DDR ram 256 and 512
meg
| >>>both cheap generic.
| >>>If in doubt
| >>>Switch off.
| >>>Pull power cord.
| >>>Use Clear cmos jumper.
| >>>Add new DDR ram
| >>>Power up
| >>>change BIOS settings as above and save on exit.
| >>>HTH
|
| As suggested I read the RAM. Once I figured out the CL2.5 was what I
| was looking for, I set the 'SDR/DDR CAS Latency' to 2.5 and set the
| 'DRAM Timing Config' to Fast. I've been dutifully switching off,
| pulling the cord, resetting, adding and powering back up.
|
| Still no go. With the CPU speed set to 100/100, I get the OS menu
and
| when I make a choice (or allow it to make the choice by letting the
| timer countdown) it stops. Does nothing.
|
| With the CPU speed set to 100/133, Windows (2000 and/or XP) will
start
| and as soon as they get around to displaying the desktop, the
computer
| restarts and will continue this loop.
|
| Anything else I can check? Perhaps the 'SDR/DDR Ras ActiveTime' or
the
| 'SDR/DDR Ras PreChargeTime'?
|
|
| Todd...
|
| ----
| Replace me with todd to reply.

On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 23:32:15 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:

>Try updating the BIOS to the HoneyX 1209,
>http://pub140.ezboard.com/fk7s5amotherboardforumfrm6
>Read FAQS as well 1st.
>Great forum so join as it's free


Ok, I see an oc1209b.zip and an oc1209.zip? Are those the ones you are
referring to? I assume either will do.


Todd...

----
Replace me with todd to reply.

On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 20:47:26 GMT, In this world we created Todd
<> wrote :

>On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 23:32:15 +0100, Shep© <> wrote:
>
>>Try updating the BIOS to the HoneyX 1209,
>>http://pub140.ezboard.com/fk7s5amotherboardforumfrm6
>>Read FAQS as well 1st.
>>Great forum so join as it's free
>
>
>Ok, I see an oc1209b.zip and an oc1209.zip? Are those the ones you are
>referring to? I assume either will do.

See the BIOS Section FAQS :O)



--
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http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
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