Rob

For those that followed my pathetic nOOb'ian adventures here and here, it seems I've locked onto the problem. Well, the obvious problem is that I bought my computer at a store, but more specifically why it's crap. The propriatary ASUS board which I'm positive that ASUS had nothing to do with it.

I'm getting ready to pay for a move entirely out of pocket, from the rental trucks to the movers (I'm single and can't move a couch by myself) to paying a deposit/rent on a new place, I'm nearly broke. I may be able to push through until I get settled but I don't know. Here's the problem/request.

My motherboard was somehow designed to "limit" the amount of juice it'll take. My computer was fine until last year when I popped in a Radeon 9000 Pro. Everytime I used more than one USB after installing it, it would crash here and there so I stopped using the USB's that are coming off the motherboard. I've added a Audigy 2 ZS and routed the cpu hsf to the power supply instead of plugging it into the board (the old 40mm hsf pulled .16 amps while the new 80mm hsf pulls .17), in addition to unplugging the power from the motherboard on the front USB/iLink connectors. Everything works fine as I'm running all my USB's through the USB 1.1 connecters on the monitor. My computer just crashed when I tried to use one of the rear USB 2.0 plugs on the back of my computer (motherboard, not a card) by first telling me that it wasn't a Hi-Speed USB port, locking up for three seconds, then crashing.

So, here are my specs...

AMD Athlon 2400+ Model 8 "Thoroughbred" AXDA2400DUV3C
2 x 512 PC2100 DDR
HL-DT--ST CD-RW GCE-8400B
Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-M1612
Maxtor 80G 6Y080P0 Ultra ATA/133 (master)
Seagate 80G ST380020A internal (slave)
Radeon 9000 Pro in the AGP slot
Audigy 2 ZS
Antec SL450 power supply
Needs to support a minimum of 4 USB 2.0

Here are my questions:

1. Can I remove all of this and use a different motherboard? I've never bought a cpu before so I don't know if it needs drivers.
2. Also, what about the drivers for the DVD and CD-RW drives...will the BIOS on the new board detect those? Roxio provided the drivers for both optical drives to Evilsoft so should I try to find them on the 'net and save them to a 3.5" or am I safe? No info on the floppy other than "Standard Floppy Drive".
3. Is there a good motherboard that will allow me to canibalize my OEM and attach the gear to it?

Here's my request:

1. Any good, decent, compassionate soul out there happen to have a mobo that would work that you would be willing to part with at a fair price?
2. Any good, decent, compassionate soul out there willing to help me out with my first mobo installation?

Send me a PM and I'll send you my e-mail address.

Thanks Pimps.

Rob

P.S.
I'll be getting a new case and if I can't afford it, I use a dremel to cut out the motherboard panal and bolt it to a 12"x12" if I have to.

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-=XPS=-

i have an 8rda+

i havent used it in 8 months, but i could test it if you want. it worked then, just been sittin.

DuplexEmotions

I have an AN35N-Ultra sitting around. If you like, I'll give you a price, but it's only like 50ish new so you might be better off just buying new. it's a sweet board.

yes, you should be able to cannibalize just fine. I did that for my 2ghz celeron. No drivers are needed for the DVD-rom, etc. It shouldn't be too big a hassle.

If you're near IL, I'll help you with the installation. Gives me something to do. just drop me a PM

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godfoot

I no longer have a mobo to offer, but I can offer my assistance in the installation if you need it.
Whenever you get moved, I can donate a huge case if shipping costs can be scraped up, but it will REQUIRE modding to make it a functional ATX case.

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aaronrkelly

Rip that good stuff out and get a good motherboard - your problems will go away. You cant go wrong with any quality board from ASUS or ABIT and a even like MSI. I have used all these companies board - different ones at time and have had NO problems. Just make sure you watch the memory specs to get something that will work with your RAM - shouldnt be a problem though.

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Joose

Rob:

Everything you have there can be used just fine in a new board, except your power supply, which appears to be inadequate anyway.

There are a number of pimps here that have AMD boards they would part with, however I'm not one of them as I don't have any.

As for the power supply, I would definitely buy one of these brand-new. Don't mess around with a power supply...it's the foundation of any good, stable machine.

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Rob

PJ,

The PSU is brand new. I bought it about two months ago to replace the propriatary crap in the VAIO. I simply think that it's a crappy mobo that just can't handle powering an AGP and one PCI card, 2 x 512MB PC2100 DDR Ram, and a couple of USB's all together. I imagine that if I take out my two cards and use all the USB's, I'd still be fine.

All,

I've done some searching and I'm come up with the ASUS "A7V8X-MX SE" KM400 Chipset that I seen on NewEgg (moderately priced...I was dreaming that I would have to fork out $100 or more). I think that I"ve learned enough here to realize that the mobo is the core problem that I've got and it's what is limiting my pc. For example, my hsf won't work plugged into the mobo, nor will the psu fan cord work on the mobo. If I can replace it, I think that 99.9% of my problems would go away.

GF,

Got a pic of that case? Could you PM me with the pic? I might be going through Iowa within the next two or three weeks to drop off Salem (my cat) at my parents house while I move.

Thanks all,

Rob

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Joose

Rob,

The A7V8X uses the VIA chipset, not the nForce. Good to hear you've got some good power on that thing...have you tried Sony Warranty Support?

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Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose Rob, The A7V8X uses the VIA chipset, not the nForce. Good to hear you've got some good power on that thing...have you tried Sony Warranty Support?

WHA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



STOP IT MAN, STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA



Damn it, look at what you made me do! I was laughing so hard, I pissed myself!!!

Sony Warranty Support.....that's a good one. I'll have to remember that one!!!

Let's see.....call Sony for anything besides making fun of them or shoving a rusty nail covered in feces down the tip of my penis. Hmmm........can I get back to you on this one, PJ?

Anyway, I had tried Sony support when this all first started. I was getting a BSOD halfway through startup and it would continually restart itself. When I explained this to the Sony support guy, he said that I would have to pay $20 since my warrenty expired for him to help me. I paid and the first words out of his mouth was, "O.K., take your mouse and go to the upper left hand side of the screen and double-click on My Computer".

Total silence.

Needless to say, I got my $20 back. That's what lead me to find this place here, which is worth not getting the $20 back, in my opinion.

So, is the VIA chipset not as good as the nForce? I figured it wouldn't matter with the Radeon 9000 Pro. Gosh, I've still got a lot to learn. Is it worth it to find the nForce chipset?

Thanks,

Rob

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godfoot

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob GF, Got a pic of that case? Could you PM me with the pic? I might be going through Iowa within the next two or three weeks to drop off Salem (my cat) at my parents house while I move.

The one that is already gutted can be seen in posts 1-5 in this thread:

http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=16095

The outer "shell" for it can be seen on the left of the first pic of post 3 in this thread:

http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?t=15181

and the one one the right is the one with the following pics. It hasn't been gutted yet but if you stop by you can take your pick of the 2.

Edit: Yes it is worth it for the nForce 2 chipset. If you want a good mobo without spending a lot, go with the Shuttle AN35N Ultra. If you have the extra cash go with the Abit NF7-S v2....... you should know that by now.

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DuplexEmotions

for enclosures, http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=P456-3004 is the case I just bought. It's cheap, and it can hold components. there are several shops south of me that can get enclosures cheap, like I said, if you're in the area......

oh, and looks like you can't have the AN35N... it's been vouched for already. sorry.

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Fu3lman

i would still look closely at that new psu, its always possible for them to be flakey, even the best brands, but yeh, it sounds alot like the MOSFET's are starting to get worn out (as often happens when they arent adequetaly cooled) and / or just really hot because any computer circuit loses its stability or ability to do any regulation the hotter it gets...

i dont have anything spare to offer other than mebbie a fan or two and an old geforce 2 mx PCI, but i will gladly assist if you need any help with installing, but i would go with first come, first serve, i think someone already offered before me....

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mentyl

as an avid Asus fan its definately worth it to go with the nforce chipset. Might I suggest a A7n8X-X its pretty cheap and has onboard lan and audio, and nforce2, or for a little more bang the A7N8X-DX, lot more features, two lan, dolby digital, raid and so forth.

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Rob

O.K., this thread is closed.

I want to thank those that provided their help as I learned something new for a change. My college history professor said that I had a mind like a steel trap. Nothing gets in and nothing gets out.

I figured out exactly what I needed and that's the Chaintech 7NIL1 Summit. Cheap yet it does what I'm gonna need it to do. I had posted here thinking that I was going to spend $100+ on a new mobo plus the cost of a case, money which I don't have. Now it's only going to be about $60 plus shipping, which is cool.

Thanks again everyone.

Rob

P.S.
Probably should have posted this under something other than this category, but I was looking to buy based upon advice.

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Joose

PLEASE:

Let us know your experiences with the Chaintech. There have been tons of conflicting reports about these boards from many members, and I, for one, would like yet another opinion, as I'm looking into getting one for my HTPC project.

Thanks do0d!

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Rob

Will do, PJ. I'll need help trying to find out it's performance so drop me a PM with some links to some freeware on how to find out.

Here's a really, really stupid question. I'm about to order the Chaintech mobo and a copy of WinXP Home from NewEgg. It's a Socket A so my Athlon XP 2400+ will work, it takes PC2100 which is what I've already got, I've got a Radeon 9000 Pro which will work...so is there anything else I need if I'm just replacing the mobo?

I'm just nervous is all.

Rob

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hondatuner

you hdd and cd drives are still good right? if its socket a and is compatible with the FSB of your processor you should be good. i sent you a PM about helping you Install a new mobo