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K8N Neo4 build Problems. Please help

J

john6305

n00b
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
17
Ok. This is an ongoing problem from me. Maybe someone on here can suggest something that I may have missed.

This is my setup:

MSI K8N NEO4 Ultra
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MUSHkin RAM PC3200 DDR400 2x512
1 200GB WD 8MB Cache HD
1 40GB WD 8MB Cache HD
420W Thermaltake PurePower 20pin w/4pin
MSI 6600GT 128MB graphics PCIE

Ok. I don't want to make this post too long that people don't read it, but my problem would take up a few pages. I'll try to summarize it as much as possible. I've built four computers before this and never, ever, have I had this much trouble. Of course I realize this is new technology so what do you expect. Anyways, here goes.

I build the system - all steps go smoothly. I start system, everything is fine. I do a minor OC to 2.2Ghz, the system is fine. I bump it up to 2.3Ghz. Cannot boot to Windows. Reset settings in bios. Try to boot again. OS corrupt. Reinstall windows. Everything goes fine. Reboot. Cannot load windows. No OCing this time. Windows dead again. So I try to repair Windows. That gives me BSOD. Take out 40GB HD and just use 200GB HD. Install windows. Everything goes fine. Install all the drivers, decide to avoid OCing til everything is definately stable. It runs smooth. Next morning, turn computer on, it hangs at Windows loading screen. Reboot. Does the same thing. Reboot again, try safe mode, and it hangs while loading the .sys files.

This time I decide to install Windows Home edition instead of Pro. I also hear that my RAM may be messed up so I switch it out to some PC2100 I had lying around. Everything goes smoothly. It runs good for about two days. This morning I get up, and again, it hangs at the Windows loading screen. Reboot, hangs again at the loading screen.

Now I cut out some stuff - because, basically, I've had to install Windows 9 times in the last four days and it just won't run stable. The last three times I haven't OCed and when I did OC, it wasn't much at all. Now, I've run Sandra in the system and it has said that my CPU was overvoltage, even though I checked and it was set to : Set by CPU, which means auto I think. Same for RAM. I haven't changed anything in the bios other than Floppy to : none.

What in the world is wrong with this system? I'm at a loss and I cannot get it to run stable. Could it be the 20pin PSU I am using? I have the 20pin on the MB connected and I have the 4pin next to the CPU... I've heard some people just use the 20pin and ignore the 4 pin, so I will try that when I get home...after checking this forum for any tips, advice, etc. you guys/gals may have for me...

Thanks in advance, please help!
 
What kind of Mushkin RAM is that your using?

If its just value RAM then your not going to probably be able to run very tight timings or even what SPD detects. And you definitely wont be able to overclock without a memory divider.

Try setting the timings to like 3-4-4-10 and set the CMD to 2T.

Make sure the HTT speed is at stock 200Mhz with a 5x multi. Dont start overclocking until the system is able to pass several hours of Prime95 and several hours of Memtest86+ without errors. Your just wasteing your time if you do.

When overclocking you have to lower the HTT multi to 4x if your overclocking the HTT speed from 201Mhz-250Mhz. If you go higher then 250Mhz you'll have to lower it to 3x. You can't run the HTT speed over 1000Mhz and 200Mhz times 5x is 1000Mhz at stock speeds. The system will crap out around 1150Mhz or so.

You have to set the AGP speed to 67Mhz to engage the PCI/AGP lock. If you dont do this then the system will be unstable when you start to overclock and you will get corrupt data. This is very likely the cause of your Windows install getting pooched.

I would also suggest getting a better power supply with a 24-pin connector because a PSU with a 20-pin connector may or may not provide stable power to your system. You sorta just have to try it and see.
 
Ok. Thanks. I am thinking seriously about getting another PSU. Any one else have any ideas or input? Please..
 
those are sata hdd's, right? did you remember to load the drivers for them?

...also, your psu is fine.
 
No, the ones I have are not SATA. They are PATA. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the voltages, unless something else is defective because I keep losing my OS and I'm not even OCing or anything. Just put everything together like I've done many times before and then installing Windows - and it'll run nice and smooth then one day I turn it on and the OS is a goner. The HDs are brand new and never gave me a problem on my other computer. Its got to be either the PSU, the motherboard, or the graphics card. I thought maybe it was the RAM but I've changed out the RAM to RAM I /know/ works and the same thing happened. Its doubtful that it is the graphics card, so that only leaves the motherboard and the PSU. Unless I am missing something.
 
get a multimeter and post what voltages you're getting on those leads, during idle, and (when possible) under load.
 
whats a good multimeter and how much do they cost? Where can I pick one up at? Radioshack?
 
sheap@$$ multimeter at radio shack-- $14 and will do exactly what you need.

if you want to get something rediculous then by all means get a $500 multimeter but it won't be much more capable.
 
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