PC Chips 810LMR Locking Up

GiganticDays · 08-30-2002, 09:50 AM

Setup
PC Chips 810LMR Mobo (with onboard graphics/sound/AMR Modem & LAN)
Athlon XP1600+ CPU
Maxtor 80Gb 5400rpm HDD
AOpen 40x12x48 CDRW
256Mb PC133 RAM
Windows XP Pro
All wrapped in a JNC 4H82(A) case with 300W PSU

Having major problem with this board. Symptoms are - Windows freezes just as it starts up (desktop appears then locks up). Initially this only happened when the CPU speed was set to XP1600 as opposed to 1050MHz, however it happens at both speeds now. CPU temp is around 40 degC.
I have tried a different CPU (same speed), different (branded) memory, disconnected modem, FDD & CDROM, different HDD and different PSU. Even a different OS (Windows ME). All had same problem. Motherboard right? Tried another identical mobo and same thing happens. Anyone else have similar problems with this mobo?

VaTech · 08-30-2002, 10:04 AM

How do you know the CPU temp at lockup?

GiganticDays · 08-30-2002, 10:07 AM

I don't; but on resetting I checked the hardware monitor feature in the BIOS. Only a matter of seconds after the lockup. Incidentally, I've just noticed a similar thread to this on this forum in which the issue was one of temperature. I've tried cleaning the die and using thermal compound and another heatsink, but it locks up in exactly the same place every time.

GiganticDays · 08-30-2002, 10:18 AM

Just tried something else; disabled onboard LAN/Modem/Sound and USB and booted up OK. Just need to isolate the guilty party now. Not sure what to do about it when I do though - all will be required at some stage.

Dokeman · 08-30-2002, 10:31 AM

Sounds to me like you just got a flaky motherboard..Those PC chips/ECS/amptron/PC100 motherboards are all junk. If i were you i would save myself a LOT of trouble and hassle later on and just throw that motherboard in the trash can and get a new one. I will probably get a lot of crap about this and how lots of people love their k7s5a and how much of a deal it was and blah blah blah.. There still junk.. I would recommend a DFI board. www.dfi.com I use these in al the systems i build and are really great. One simila to what u are using can be had for around $50. You would need the AM33-EL. Great little board. Also chech out the AK75. they make one that has onboard video also. But that dose sound like a bad motherboard, or at least a real flaky one. I see those go bad all the time. Thats why i never use them. Hope that helps even though thats probably not what you wanted to hear.

GiganticDays · 08-30-2002, 10:39 AM

Dokeman - you on commission from DFI?

thekemp · 08-30-2002, 11:37 AM

does that mutha have the sis 740 chipset?
if it does make sure you install the sis agp drivers but not the ide driver cos they suck big time make you go back to pre-dma disk speeds.

GiganticDays · 08-30-2002, 11:47 AM

I've identified the onboard sound as the culprit. If it's disabled everything runs fine, if not; not. Unfortunately the same applies to all 3 identical motherboards I've just tried. So - faulty boards or something else? I'm currently doing a format and clean install just in case I had a corrupted sound file.

Dokeman · 08-30-2002, 12:06 PM

no..im not on commision from DFI..lol

I just recommend them because they make good stuff and have a great price tag..

VaTech · 08-30-2002, 12:07 PM

I dual boot linux which helps me identify problems with Windows. Have you booted Safe Mode? Are there updated drivers for the sound ?