Epox 8KA52+ issue

[RRinfo]

Ok, it seems like my luck is far from being lucky. I can't seem to get it right. I sent my KT4 ultra back because i was having instability issue. I got an epox 8k5a2+ instead. I set everything up and time to boot up. Then after booting, i get these series of long beeps. i checked the error code and i get C1. i checked it and it says that it's detecting memory. i checked online for error beep codes and it said that it could be 1. incorrect memory 2. memory not in place 3. i forget and 4. bad memory. is it possible that the MSI KT4 ultra was able to use the memory, but when i put it on the epox mobo it detected that it's a bad memory? i ran the memtest before when i had my old mobo and it didn't detect any errors. so now i'm confused. i have a samsung ddr pc2700 256MB. is there a compatibility issue? please help. :snip:

[Wiggo]

One thing with EPoX boards is that the CMOS must be cleared before use when installing CPU's with FSB's greater than 100MHz and is what most ppl don't realise and EPoX isn't very clear about. ;)
<center>:cheers:</center>

[RRinfo]

oh man, i thought that was the solution. but nothing happened. still the same beeps. why would clearing the cmos fix it? i even switched the jumper back to 100mhz. it's weird that the memory would pass memtest and it would read something else on this mobo.

also, when i was installing the heatsink, my screwdriver slipped and caused a dot on the board. it's where the serial number sticker is. would it caused the board to not read the memory? it's only a dot.

[Wiggo]

Well there's two layers of vinyl there so hopefully that's not it so just strip it all down again, set the jumpers to there correct positions, clear the CMOS (leave jumper a few minutes then replace), then reassemble the mobo, CPU, HSF, memory, video card and floppy drive outside of the case and see if it will boot that way. By doin' this you will not only double check all jumpers and reseat the memory and video card but it gives you a minimal boot enviroment which if another piece of hardware is the problem or the mobo is shorting in the case then this will show it. Use the foam that came with the mobo to sit the board on while doin' this and a screwdriver blade just bridging the two power switch connectors will be all you need. But do remember to be very careful as it will be an electrical hazard so choose a safe area to do this in. ;)
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[mblue]

I'm a little confussed too. What's the deal with clearing the CMOS before setting up I didn't do that and everthing seems to work fine. Or maybe I'm just not understanding what you are saying. Oh I used the Kingston PC2700 and have not had a problem if you want to try that, but I wouldn't think that the Samsung would be incompatable. You may check your bios and make sure your mem settings are fine (maybe set to normal not fast, turbo or anything like that)

Opinion : Seems like finding good mem is getting to big as big a pain in rear as finding a good power supply.

[Wiggo]

EPoX boards are tested with 200MHz FSB processors before they leave the plant but they don't clear the CMOS before packing them off so they are set to work with those CPU's and when you put a 266MHz or 333MHz CPU in them they just have a fit as the BIOS has everything out of spec (I clear the CMOS thru habit now as soon as I open the box). ;)
I hope that they soon change this testing to 266MHz CPU's or just clear the CMOS before packing. :?:
<center>:cheers:</center>

[RRinfo]

so u don't think it's a faulty memory? what do you mean two layers of vinyl? and how do i bridge the power connector using a screwdriver blade? sorry for the questions, i just want to be clear about all this.

oh yea... i can't even go into bios. it beeps and gives me a blank screen. i haven't really heard or read anybody having the same problem. but it's worth a try.

[RRinfo]

ok, i must be an idiot but while taking my heatsink off, the screwdriver slipped again. wtf!!!. and i chipped a corner of one of those small chips. took a corner of it off. should i expect my board to be non-functional after that? this heatsink is a pain in the ass.

[Wiggo]

That doesn't sound good at all but what HSF are ya using? :?:

[RRinfo]

yea it doesn't. well i still have the same error code. it didn't work. i have the speeze heatsink. i guess the last resort is to change the RAM?

[Wiggo]

I never used one but they don't sound to good by that. :(

That maybe a chance to try and what I meant about bridging the power switch connections with a screwdriver is that it's unlikely that the power and reset switch connectors from the case will not reach with the mobo out of the case but using a flat bladed screwdriver ya just quickly touch both pins that those switches connect to on the mobo and that will do what the switches do but just be careful when doin' it that ya don't touch anything else (I do this when I have a troublesome installation to troubleshoot). ;)
<center>:cheers:</center>

[RRinfo]

yea i did that. i kinda did it by accident. it touched the power sw pins and it turned on. i just don't get it how it was workin on my MSI KT4 and not on my Epox mobo.

[RRinfo]

i think i know what the problem is. i was reading the manual and the epox board has a 3 x DIMM slot. my memory is a single sided. this doesn't mean that my RAM is a SIMM though is it? i'm not sure if this theory is right, but does this mean that i won't be able to use my memory stick on this board then? is there a way for the board to read a simm stick?

oh yea... i tested my memory stick in a different motherboard. it works fine. what do you think wiggo? any suggestions? is it the board not reading the memory then?

[Wiggo]

I'm really not sure but it looks like that I'm goin' to have to find a stickof Samsung memory seein' as so many ppl seem to have troubles with it, though stabing the mobo doesn't help. :?:
<center>:cheers:</center>