K7S5A Problem (Memory & Win2k)

[Morpheux]

A buddy of mine blasted his Win2k system. So after deleting the partitions and trying to reload Win2k from CD it was blue screening and not being able to copy over files. I tried a different hard drive and still the same results. I pulled all the cards and half of the memory (256MB) and was able to install Win2k w/o issue. So I put the cards back in with the memory and it blue screened. So this time I just took out the memory (256MB) and was able to install and run Win2k w/o issue. I haven't had a chance to swap the memory out and see if it's the stick (since I'm now at work). Anyone have any problems running 512 MB DDR on the K7S5A?

1.2Ghz AMD
K7S5A (Latest official BIOS)
2x256MB Crucial DDR2100
60GB IBM HD
Sound Blaster Live!
ATI Radeon 7200
Zoom 56K modem
Onboard LAN
<edit>Enlight 300w PS
I have also tried disabling SMART, fast bootup, 100/100, 133/133. By SBT, etc.

 

[Thump553]

Running fine for me on three systems, same memory as yours, different HD, video (also Radeon). Without more info, I'm guessing there is something wrong in your bios version or bios settings. Look at forums at ocworkbench.com for more info.

I take it originally your friend had all 512MB of memory working in his Win2k system before he messed it up. Otherwise maybe a bad memory slot or DIMM.

BTW, I'm using the official bios from mid-late Sept 2001-it works for me, so never updated further.

 

[Morpheux]

Well it worked fine when I set it up for him, but he reported some cold boot problems off and on.

Yes, it was working fine with both the 256MB boards in the MB.

He said that his first BSOD was after a Microsoft Joystick install, while attempting to play a game. So he removed the joystick and "things just went down hill." Eventually he was unable to enter Win2k Safe Mode (Paged Area BSOD). So he said just to reformat and reinstall.

The stick and MB are the only two possible things left. I hope I won't have to RMA the MB for him.

 

[HappyPuppy]

My first guess would be that one of the sticks of RAM is bad. Try each stick individually and/or run memtest.

 

[Morpheux]

That's what I was plaining to do when I get home.
1) Test the "bad" board in the "good" slot. If ok, then:
2) Test "good" board in "bad" slot. If ok, then:
3) Test "bad" board in "bad" slot. If ok, then:
4) Change out the Enlight 300 (HPC-300-101) power supply for a Antec 300w (PP-303XP). If not ok, then:
5) RMA K7S5A to ECS

 

[vanfant]

I had the same problem with my board. I had two sticks of crucial 256mb each. and when I went to install windows got a blue screen. Both sticks of memory were fine. After installing windows I could use both sticks. Sometimes on boot the system would only show 256mb instead of 512mb. RMA'd the board new one worked fine.

David

 

[Morpheux]

Do you know what version the one you had and the version of the one you have now are?

Also, where did you buy the MB and who did you RMA it through?

 

[Morpheux]

Well, it looks like it's the stick of RAM.