A7V333 Problems: Please Help!!!

[Jdf81]

Hi,

I'm having some problems with the AV7V333. It starts up fine but then after 15 or so seconds shuts down.

Does anyone have any idea(s) as to why this is occuring?

Also, the CPU Speed is currently set below the actual speed for the Athlon 1800+.


Specs:

Athlon 1800 +
A7V333 Motherboard
Kingmax DDR 256mb

Thanks in advance,
Joel

[auzzie1]

First of all, make sure the HSF is sitting nicely flat on the CPU die and that there's a very thin layer of thermal paste between them.

Then, check that all the fans are spinning, including the case and PSU.

Also, try setting the CPU to 1533MHz as it's supposed to be. And check that there are no abnormal values in the VCore or FSB.

[Jdf81]

Can I also add,

For those who are familiar with this MB, it has a Post Reporter that says what is arong.

The Post Reporter is announing 'System Failed, CPU Test', however that only occurs when the computer doesn't power up. When the computer powers up it still shuts down. I have no idea what is going on.

P.S. Thanks for the info, I will have a look.

[Jdf81]

Oh and furthermore, the MB is now set to automatically detect the CPU. It was like that before I changed the CPU speed. I've now changed it back to jumperless but I'm still receiving the same problems.

[auzzie1]

Well, as you might've guessed I assumed that you have probs with overheating.

I'm not very familiar with that mobo, that is I haven't worked with it myself but have A7V266-E, but that 'System Failed, CPU Test' leads me to a reasonable question:

Does it even pass the POST? If you're having those errors *cough* it may well be that the CPU's dead. Or it could be a mobo failure, but my bet's still on the CPU in that case.

If you can, try swapping the CPU just to check. If it works with another CPU, there's your problem. If not, it could be either mobo or RAM, although the latter is somewhat unlikely.

[Jdf81]

No the CPU isn't dead. It has posted a few times and I've actually got into Windows before it has then gone and turned itself off again.

The MB ain't dead either or it wouldn't get that far.

I have a fealing it has something to do with ASUS C.O.P (CPU Overheating Protection) system that the MB has. However, I was in the BIOS watching the temp and it got to about 41.5 C before shutting off. I didn't think that was quite hot enough for it to shut off. Hmmmm!!!

[sonyfier]

The A7V333 only resets the CPU like you discribe when something is definately wrong.
You say that it shuts down after 15 seconds.

I would check values as already mentioned and if that doesn't help I would start it up and go into the bios to the screen/menu that shows the CPU temp and fan RPM and monitor what is going on in there up to the point of it shutting down (if it does) If it doesn't shut down like it normally does then it could be something to do with other settings in bios interacting with the OS on startup.

Sounds very much like the CPU is shutting down due to thermal diode threshold reaching shutdown temp so monitor the CPU temps and fan.

Post back if that's ok and will suggest something else.

[auzzie1]

Then my bet's on overheating.

Or, it could be that you have a low-rpm fan on your CPU heatsink and the mobo turns itself off because it 'thinks' that your CPU will overheat.

That applies to the Zalman HSF like the one I've got. It requires the monitor in the mobo to be turned off, or its slow-spinning 92mm will make the mobo believe it's going 'bye, bye'.

[sonyfier]

Slow typer posting over each other. :D

Have you got Q Fan enabled in bio's ?

If so turn it off as it's more trouble then it's worth.

Have you tried removing the battery and disharging Cmos ?
This sometime helps with the A7V333 if it gets post errors.

[Jdf81]

I'm using the fan supplied to me by EYO, the one that comes withe OEM Athlon XP 1800+, the Vantec one. Not quite sure of the name. Anyway, who know...I will put some thermal paste on it and see what happens.

Thanks. Joel.

[auzzie1]

Heh, yer, you beat me to it, sonyfier. ;P

Hmm, another thought, what's the PSU wattage? It could just not have enough juice. Just a thought. :cool:

[Jdf81]

Originally posted by sonyfier
Slow typer posting over each other. :D

Have you got Q Fan enabled in bio's ?

If so turn it off as it's more trouble then it's worth.

Have you tried removing the battery and disharging Cmos ?
This sometime helps with the A7V333 if it gets post errors.

Where exactly in the bios is that, Q Fan? I've looked for it quickly but I've been unable to find it.

[Jdf81]

I assume you are talking about the Power supply. I believe it is 235 watt. I thought about that earlier but didn't think that was the problem.

[auzzie1]

235W, that could bloody well be the prob. Especially if it's a noname brand. For the system of yours I'd say the optimum would be 350W. And some quality brand would help, like Enermax, Topower, or Antec.

But first try to eliminate the other possibilities before swapping the PSU. Although I am pretty sure it could be the prob, besides overheating.

[Jdf81]

It is Aopen power supply. Subsidiary of Asus I think.

[auzzie1]

AOpens aren't too bad, but 235W is 235W. But, as I said, better eliminate other possibilities before betting on the PSU.

[Jdf81]

Okay, I will be annoyed if it is the PSU...means I've gotta spend more dough. Oh well. So, does anyone have any idea where the settings for Qfan are located in the BIOS?

[sonyfier]

I'm not exactly sure where it is from memory and I'm on my PC so can't shut it down to look.

I don't think it was in any bios version before 1007 so check your bios revision.

I would reset your Cmos though and it will turn it off anyway as it's off by default, it's a long shot anyway and at this stage with multiple start failures a cmos reset is a good idea.

I've got to go offline now so hope you solve your problem.
I'll check back later.

If you don't have luck then post back some of the things you've done and all the info on your current Vcore settings, ram settings etc etc and we'll see if there is a problem there. :)

[Jdf81]

Okay I reset the CMOS, worked for a little longer. I got into Win98 and it started detecting the MB but shut down. I'm starting to think it is the PSU. Problem is if I buy it from my local PC Shop they will prob try and rip me off.

Um, the BIOS version is 1007. I will have a look and see if I cand find the QFAN settings before it shuts itself off.

[auzzie1]

Did you check the cooling? The heatsink fitting, the fans spinning? Also, I forgot to ask what cooling does your case provide. The minimum should be 1 intake and 1 outtake.