MSI K8T-NEO2-FIR problems

[Aksel]

Last week I bought components for a new PC, but I have got problems by
installation.


The setup is:
CPU: Athlon64 3200
MB: MSI K8T-NEO2-FIR K8T880Pro GLAN bundkort
Mem: 1Gb RAM Dane-elec DDR333, 2 x 512 MB, Dual kit.
HD: 2 x Maxtor DM10 200GB SATA 7200 RPM 8 MB
Graphics: Club 3D All in Wonder ( Radeon 9800 SE)
DVD: LG DVD GDR-8163RBB
DVD RW LiteOn SOHW-1653S-09C

By first attempt the PC would not boot, power supply and fans started.
The 4 light diodes: 1 = grøn 2,3,4 = rød, supposed to mean "Early Chipset
Initialization"
Whatever that is.

The RAM was mounted in slot 2 & 4, dual channel mode, when I moved them to
slot 1 & 2 I could boot.
Suspected RAM failure as memtest86 found errors in test 0 (Adress test,
walking ones, no cache)

Failing adress good bad
error bit
1 0000002000 0.0MB ffffffff 00000000 20020000
2 0000002000 0.0MB 00000000 ffffffff 20020000

Same pattern each time

With only one RAM block the error bit is10020000, same result for both
blocks in slot 1 or 2

The two 512 MB blocks were only registrered as 512 when both wewr mounted,
and 256 with one.

I got new RAM up to last week-end, DDR 400 but memtest found the same
errors.
RAM test in boot finds only 524288 MB RAM (strange number)

Changed the PSU to 450W and the AIW graphics to an old GeForce 2 as the AIW
manual stated that drivers should be installed before the board.

Installing Win XP, pressing F6 to load SATA drivers, installed 2 drivers
from disk:
"VIA RAID controller" and "Promise Fast Track 571/519/579 controller"
Blue screen by restart:
Possible error in file ""Fejlen skyldes muligvis følgende fil FTSATA.SYS
DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS"

FTSATA.SYS was installed from the Promise driver disk.

New Win installation, without the Promise controller, everything seemed OK
until I installed the driver disk form MSI, same blue screen after reset.

New installation, MSI drivers installed without Promise controller.
Live BIOS update, no boot after reset, probably damaged BIOS.

The hardware pusher says that I have damaged the MB by the BIOS update.

I need an opinion:
Was the MB defective from the beginning og was it damaged by the BIOS
update?

Greetings Aksel

[Michael Paul]

Am Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:13:17 +0100 schrieb Aksel:

Hi,

Post by Aksel
Last week I bought components for a new PC, but I have got problems by
installation.
CPU: Athlon64 3200
MB: MSI K8T-NEO2-FIR K8T880Pro GLAN bundkort
Mem: 1Gb RAM Dane-elec DDR333, 2 x 512 MB, Dual kit.

Wrong memory - you should take DDR400, my Infineon Original CL3 work
fine.

Post by Aksel
The RAM was mounted in slot 2 & 4, dual channel mode, when I moved them to
slot 1 & 2 I could boot.

Did you try DIMM1 and DIMM3? This is the other combination that will
support Dual Channel mode.

Post by Aksel
Suspected RAM failure as memtest86 found errors in test 0 (Adress test,
walking ones, no cache)

Okay. This indicates, that either the modules are
a) defective
b) poor quality
c) incompatible

Post by Aksel
With only one RAM block the error bit is10020000, same result for both
blocks in slot 1 or 2
The two 512 MB blocks were only registrered as 512 when both wewr mounted,
and 256 with one.

That's bad.

Post by Aksel
I got new RAM up to last week-end, DDR 400 but memtest found the same
errors.
RAM test in boot finds only 524288 MB RAM (strange number)

What sort (brand) of memory is that? Yes, there is lot of memory sold,
that is poor and won't work with AMD64.

Post by Aksel
Changed the PSU to 450W and the AIW graphics to an old GeForce 2 as the AIW
manual stated that drivers should be installed before the board.

Would you please post the current the PSU will deliver on 12, 5,
3.3Volt? That information may be important.

Post by Aksel
Installing Win XP, pressing F6 to load SATA drivers, installed 2 drivers

S-ATA sucks;-) I prefer good old P-ATA. That works fine.
[...]

Post by Aksel
New Win installation, without the Promise controller, everything seemed OK
until I installed the driver disk form MSI, same blue screen after reset.
New installation, MSI drivers installed without Promise controller.

Imagine, you have severe problems with your memory. Until that problem
isn't resolved, forget installation of any OS.

Post by Aksel
Live BIOS update, no boot after reset, probably damaged BIOS.

Live BIOS should only be run if Windows runs rock solid. And that isn't
the case with your system.

Post by Aksel
The hardware pusher says that I have damaged the MB by the BIOS update.

That is true. Maybe it can be rescued that way:
You need a working floppy drive in your machine.
Then go to MSI Website and get the BIOS (either Ver. 3.2 or 3.3, as you
like). Unpack the BIOS package and create a copy of the A6702xxx.YYY
(YYY=330 or 320) file. Rename that copy into AMIBOOT.ROM.
Put that file onto a new formatted floppy - performing a chkdsk a: or
scandisk a: on that media is a clever idea.
Now insert that floppy into your computer with possibly damaged board
and try to boot up from floppy. If you see anything on the screen, you
may try pressing F10 key and follow the instructions given.

When ready, unplug the machine and reset CMOS using the JBAT jumper
according to the manual.

If you are able to read german language, MSI germany has some useful
instructions on http://www.msi-technology.de/support/biosup.html

Post by Aksel
Was the MB defective from the beginning og was it damaged by the BIOS
update?

Nobody can say that from remote. But interrupted BIOS-Update can really
break the machine.
Concerning your problem with memory: on Athlon64-systems the memory
controller is part of CPU, no more part of the mainboard. So,
compatibility issues cannot be fixed with a BIOS update.

regards,
Michael

[Aksel]

Hi,
Wrong memory - you should take DDR400, my Infineon Original CL3 work fine.

I ordered a wrong type form the beginning.

Did you try DIMM1 and DIMM3? This is the other combination that will
support Dual Channel mode.

The manual do`nt mention slot 1 & 3 for two RAM modules

What sort (brand) of memory is that? Yes, there is lot of memory sold,
that is poor and won't work with AMD64.

Same brand as the first

Would you please post the current the PSU will deliver on 12, 5,
3.3Volt? That information may be important.

+5V 35A
+12V 15A
+3,3V 26A
-5V 0,5A
-12V 0,8A
+5Vsb 2,0A

Live BIOS should only be run if Windows runs rock solid. And that isn't
the case with your system.

I know now.

Post by Aksel
The hardware pusher says that I have damaged the MB by the BIOS update.

You need a working floppy drive in your machine.
Then go to MSI Website and get the BIOS (either Ver. 3.2 or 3.3, as you
like). Unpack the BIOS package and create a copy of the A6702xxx.YYY
(YYY=330 or 320) file. Rename that copy into AMIBOOT.ROM.
Put that file onto a new formatted floppy - performing a chkdsk a: or
scandisk a: on that media is a clever idea.
Now insert that floppy into your computer with possibly damaged board
and try to boot up from floppy. If you see anything on the screen, you
may try pressing F10 key and follow the instructions given.

I do`nt get as far as any text on the display, the floppy is not working, no
beeps and four red diodes.

Thank you very much, i have written my list of problems and delivered the
complete PC in as RMA.

The german MSI website seems very good.

Aksel

[Michael Paul]

Am Sat, 12 Feb 2005 22:47:03 +0100 schrieb Aksel:
Hi,

Post by Aksel

Wrong memory - you should take DDR400, my Infineon Original CL3 work fine.

I ordered a wrong type form the beginning.

Then try other type with your next computer;-)

Post by Aksel

Did you try DIMM1 and DIMM3? This is the other combination that will
support Dual Channel mode.

The manual do`nt mention slot 1 & 3 for two RAM modules

Hmm, I admit that MSI manuals are sometimes contradictual - my printed
manual mentions DIMM1+3 and recommends that for DC and CnQ. DIMM2+4 work
also, that is recommended in the english manual I have downloaded from
MSI Taiwan.

Post by Aksel

Would you please post the current the PSU will deliver on 12, 5,
3.3Volt? That information may be important.

+5V 35A

OK.

Post by Aksel
+12V 15A

I have read statments, that the 12V rail should deliver at least 18A on
Athlon64 systems. But it is not mentioned officially in any MSI doc:-(

Post by Aksel
+3,3V 26A

OK. But that PSU doesn't seem to be very powerful ;-)
My 350W HEC-350MR-PTD delivers ***@3,3V, ***@5V, ***@12V.

[...]

Post by Aksel

Now insert that floppy into your computer with possibly damaged board
and try to boot up from floppy. If you see anything on the screen, you
may try pressing F10 key and follow the instructions given.

I do`nt get as far as any text on the display, the floppy is not working, no
beeps and four red diodes.

That's really bad:-(

regards,
Michael

[Aksel]

Just found this posting about same MB

Just got mine working stable, with a 90nm 3200+ and 2 sticks
of Micron DDR400 512megs (from the recommended list),
a 400 watt Sparkle power supply, and a 9800 pro. Here's
what I found.

- The sucker would not post with dual channels of RAM until
I flashed the BIOS to v3.2. It came with 3.0. I had to flash
with one channel installed. This flash supposedly patches
the microcode update on the 3000, 3200 and 3500. I presume
it improved the DDR controller on the CPU among other
things. It also only detected half the RAM stick (ie 256 megs)
until the flash as well.


Seems to be the same problem

Greetings aksel

[Michael Paul]

Post by Aksel
Just found this posting about same MB
Just got mine working stable, with a 90nm 3200+ and 2 sticks
of Micron DDR400 512megs (from the recommended list),

Yes, Micron memory is fine.

Post by Aksel
a 400 watt Sparkle power supply, and a 9800 pro. Here's
what I found.
- The sucker would not post with dual channels of RAM until
I flashed the BIOS to v3.2. It came with 3.0.

That was the problem: Winchester core is supported with BIOS 3.2 and
later.

Post by Aksel
This flash supposedly patches the microcode update on the 3000, 3200
and 3500.

Yes, indeed.

Post by Aksel
I presume it improved the DDR controller on the CPU among
other things.

No. A BIOS update can't do anything with the CPU internals. But with
BIOS 3.2 the mainboard now knows the CPU and supports its features.

Post by Aksel
Seems to be the same problem

Maybe. But I didn't find information about the BIOS that was installed
on your mobo in your posting.

greets,
Michael

[Aksel]

Trying to compress two treads to one, I am confused already, no need to make
it worse.

Post by Aksel
Seems to be the same problem
Maybe. But I didn't find information about the BIOS that was installed
on your mobo in your posting.
greets,
Michael

I changed the PS because the Radeon board has a plug for external power, the
PS may be weak on the 12 V

The posting i quoted seems to indicate that others have had similar RAM
problems with the MB as I have.

Sorry, I do`nt know the version of BIOS my MB was delivered with, I hoped to
upgrade to 3.3, it should support Radeon 9800 SE, one of the features
needed.

I bought the MB mainly because it got a very good rewiev in PCWelt,i am a
subscriber, and speaks quite good German, (for a dane that is)

Think my BIOS chip needs external flashing, I will call my hardware pusher
tomorrow and hear their verdict, they have had the PC for almost a week now,
normally they are very helpfull.

Thank you for your help, I might try again when I get the gear back.

Greetings Aksel

[Michael Paul]

Post by Aksel
Trying to compress two treads to one, I am confused already, no need to make
it worse.

Sorry for that. I got confused, too;-)
[...]

Post by Aksel
I changed the PS because the Radeon board has a plug for external power, the
PS may be weak on the 12 V

Yes, it is. If you plan to use AMD64 together with a high performance
graphics adapter, then you should get a better PSU. Emermax, Fortron,
HEC should be a good choice.

Post by Aksel
Sorry, I do`nt know the version of BIOS my MB was delivered with,

Yep. That's the problem. It seems to be impossible for normal users to
find that out without assembling the complete system.

When I bought my system, I also ordered assembly of the whole things.
And that was good, for the dealer told me, that they had to return the
mobo, because it was defective. Maybe the reason was only BIOS 3.0 that
doesn't support Winchester Core.

Post by Aksel
I hoped to upgrade to 3.3, it should support Radeon 9800 SE, one of
the features needed.

I did upgrade to 3.3 because I hoped, that fan control would work.
Result: Nothing. But despite of that, my system runs very stable.

Post by Aksel
I bought the MB mainly because it got a very good rewiev in PCWelt,i
am a subscriber, and speaks quite good German, (for a dane that is)

Fine. But I don't switch language now ;-)
Maybe you'll have a look at the newsgroup
de.comp.hardware.cpu+mainboard.amd?

Regarding reviews in magazines (paper and online) - if a product isn't
judged as totally bad you can forget those. Any review I read about that
board mentioned that there is a working fan control. But if you read the
support forums and the newsgroups, there are lots of users who (like me)
claim, that that feature is not working.

Post by Aksel
Think my BIOS chip needs external flashing,

This is feasible, if the BIOS-chip is placed in a socket. On my board,
the BIOS-chip is soldered:-(

Post by Aksel
Thank you for your help, I might try again when I get the gear back.

Okay, nice to read you again.

best regards,
Michael