Random CTD, BSoD, Lockup

Well, finally some good news. My system has become stable with the memory running at 2.0 Volts. What a relief! Big thanks to you guys for your help. I guess I will be cancelling the RMA for my video card (Whew! Didn't want to take the whole system down again!).

Unfortunately, my temperature problem is still around.

Mattman: Yes, my processor is a Brisbane core, but I have looked on Abit's site and didn't see anything about the KN9 only supporting any certain core. Could you please post a link?

Rockster: Yes, I have the proper mounting clip. I had to order the clip seperately since I bought the wrong Zalman package to begin with (CNPS9500 LED). And yes, I've tried a very thin layer of Arctic Silver (as currently installed). I've also previously tried the Arctic Silver recommended drop on center of CPU, as well as slathering on a lot it. All resulted in the same temps (+/- 2 or 3 degrees). All pins appear to be straight and CPU has no chipped areas.

Maybe I will have to take the system down to exchange the motherboard. Unfortunately it is too late to get a refund, can only exchange for same or buy whole new one.

One battle down, one to go.

Thanks again for your help, guys!

 

Abit list Processor Support by core, so the AM2 range are listed by Windsor, Orleans and Manilla:
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/amd-athlon64X2-windsor.php

No Brisbane as yet, you can contact their Technical Support here:
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/cpu_support.php
(they might be snowed under )

Matt

 

Well, that's very good news. Download this little tool and run it for a few hours by itself. If you get any errors, report back but you may want to also push that DIMM Voltage just a bit higher in the event of any problem with these tests.

Now, lets also focus on your overall air circulation. Is there plenty of room (no obstructions) around the outside of your case? How close is the back of your computer to a wall? Is your computer in an enclosure? Give us the size and location and type of each chassis fan. What is the make and model of your case itself? Is the fan on your CNPS9500 facing the front or the back of the case?

You should also follow with Matt's link to ABIT tech support. What is the core voltage of your CPU currently set to (I assume its default but want confirmation) and what is the actual value as evidenced in the BIOS reading?

Maybe we are getting somewhere after all.

 

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys. I've had limited time on the computer the past couple of days. The good news is that I'm still stable.

As far as circulation goes, I have good airflow through the case. I have 2 80mm fans exhausting out the back with the Zalman pointed right at them. I also have a side fan that used to exhaust, but I got slightly better temps reversing it. I plan on adding a fan or two in front sometime soon, to bring in fresh air. Even if I have the side of the case open and a desk fan blowing in, I've never seen the cpu temp below 58, and typically it idles around 62. My case is free-standing with a couple of feet of empty space behind it.

My core voltage is running 1.33 to 1.35. Not sure about the make and model of the case. It costed about $60 and had a 450W Raidmax PSU when I bought it. It is a mid tower case. It has 4 HD bays (3 used), 2 floppy bays (1 floppy, 1 card reader), and 4 large bays (2 used).

I'll be contacting Abit soon. It's been a busy week.


Thanks again,
Patch

 

Found this:
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=121395
7 pages long now.

Let us know what Vcore readouts you have. They mention 1.25 - 1.35V for a 4000+ processor. I might consider easing off on the voltage until a Brisbane compatible BIOS is released. See if Rockster might agree (Chiles4, any comment?)...Rockster and Chiles4 have a lot more knowledge than I do on the subject.

Matt

 

If the front (fan facing front) of the Zahlman is pointed at the two 80mm fans, that's a good part of your problem - it would "fighting" the 80mm exhaust fans. Turn it around so the fan faces the front of your case. Other users can note for future reference, that if the mounting brackets do not provide for this orientation (horizontal axis), then the fan should be facing the bottom of the case (vertical axis) - For this type of Zahlman HSF.

You'll also see a dramatic improvement by adding a front intake fan. There should be a die cut mount complete with 4 fastener holes and a grill cutout on the front inside plate of your case. Alternatively, you may have a removable plastic cage that clips into a die cut mount. Its tough for me to speculate without a manufacturer's name.

Matt - your link isn't working but I'd love to read about your findings. I wouldn't mess with the core voltage at all - lets remember, this was an unstable machine until we got that DIMM voltage up within the manufacturer's recommended range.

 

Hi Rockster, try the link again.

Also look at this later thread, but the update was refused:
http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=123870

Patch says that the latest BIOS is installed.

What do you trust? The temperatures are wrong and the system is stable or the BIOS does not know what a Bribane core is.

If the system is stable, I suppose waiting until a new BIOS is released would be reasonable, but I would watch for instability.

Matt

 

Still can't get to the link referenced previously but your most recent link to the ABIT forum sure looks like a BIOS Flash would go a long way towards correcting the temperature issue. Nice find Matt.

 

Try again . It is another thread in that forum.

 

Wooooooooo Hooooooooo!!

Mattman, you are my new God!!

I downloaded that new BIOS and updated. Now I am showing normal temps. With the side cover off the case, I was reading 39 degrees (vs 62 before). I closed the case up and am reading 45 at idle (vs 70 before). I wonder why they don't have that BIOS listed on the BIOS Update page. No matter. I have it and am happy!

Rockster: Yes, my Zalman is blowing toward the back fans. By pointing at them, I meant it is blowing toward them. My case has cutouts in front for four (!) 80mm fans or one 120mm fan. I'll be adding fan(s) soon.

I can't thank you guys enough! I'm one happy camper!!

 

It might be a Beta BIOS, check if there is information that comes with it. A beta BIOS may result in a glitch in other areas, so don't be overly ecstatic at the moment. Watch for the next BIOS release on the update page (although, this one may work fine).

Matt

 

Patch:

Just plain excellent news! Nice job and great find Matt! Your suspicion about that Brisbane core and the BIOS incompatability followed by a relentless search has paid big dividends for Patch. A perfect example of all that is right about the BBS.

Patch - I think Matt prefers Newcastle over Fosters.

 

If you come across our Cooper's brand, try some, it's brewed in the bottle.

The search was just as informative for me. I now know where to find the official Abit forums. They are linked with the Abit-USA website and there is no mention of them at Abit-Global. They seem to be well informed and willing to help if they can. I will be searching there if I can't find answers to my questions at Abit Support.

Hope it goes well for you Patch.

Matt

 

Sounds interesting, but I doubt I'll find it here in Florida.

Now, my next task is figuring out why I can't get my CAS latency down to 4 where it should be. The Geil memory was advertised as being 4-4-4-12, but the default SPD setting was a 'safe mode' of 5-5-5-15. I was able to set it to 5-4-4-12, but if I take the CAS off of "Auto' setting and set it to 4, then the computer won't even POST until I reset the CMOS.

I am a total noob on playing with memory settings, so I have no idea what the problem could be. I don't even have a clue how much difference changing it might make.

I'm sure eventually I will look into overclocking (now that I have play room with temps ). But for now I am happy that I get 75 to 125 FPS in Nexuiz with graphic settings maxed at 1600x1200.

 

For most tasks and to the human eye, one will not notice a difference. The best advice that can be provided is to leave well enough alone and keep smiling now that you have both achieved stability and corrected the CPU temperature reading. An intake fan is going to provide some additional relief but for the most part, you are "good to go ".