Problem with Home Built Computer

I've just built a computer and have need of expert advise. I used a 2nd hand Abit KX77-333R M/B. ST3160022ACE (160 GB 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100) HDD. 512 MB (PC2100 DDR SDRAM CL2.5 Simpletech) RAM. ATI Radeon 9200 SE Graphics card with 128 MB. 2600 Sempron (Skt "A" ) AMD CPU. Windows XP HE. All is working OK, but when I run Lavalys Everest V2.20, it shows the CPU as AMD Athlon XP 1473 Mhz? (And it only recognized 512 MB RAM even when a second stick was added.)
I added another stick of 512 MB RAM and could only get the comp to go if I put the RAM sticks in DIMM 2 & DIMM 4 slots. It would not start further than Windows WELCOME screen when RAM was put in DIMM 1 & DIMM 2 slots. My Questions are whether I need to discharge the BIOS to enable it to recognise the CPU and RAM. And if I can't use the sequence of DIMM 1 & DIMM 2, does this sound like faulty DIMM slots? I have built 5 computers previously including the one I'm currently using and have not had any similar problems.

 

Yes Pete is right, I have just finished with a experiment similar building a AMD System with second hand mobo and CPU.
Looking at the specs of the board it refers to speeds of up to 1.3 MHz and above, this could mean that you have to upgrade the BIOS and make sure that the board recognizes the Sempron you will find all the answers to that in the Abit Manual. I am fairly sure that you will have to change the settings in the BIOS for that CPU. But you have to determine the correct Multiplier and Frequency from the AMD website for that Sempron you might also need to know the correct Model Number to find out.
I did a Athlon 2600+ Thoroughbred (Barton) last year and the multiple was 12.5 x and the Frequency was 2083 MHz
Everest:
AMD Athlon XP 2083MHz (12.5 x 167) 2600+ Thoroughbred "“B
Hope this helps a little
Hawk22

 

Have a look here:

http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/techspec.php?categories=1&model=32

 

Hi Pete and Hawk. Thanks for your help so far. I will investigate and get back with the results. Sorry about not answering sooner but it was sleep time here in NZ.

 

Hi all,

I had a look at the motherboard manual. There is a setting in the BIOS "Load Optimised Defaults" you should find this setting will change the CPU rating.
BUT first,
I wondered why Everest could not read the data correctly because although the free version is getting old now, the motherboard is not that "new" compared to it. I would say that a good set of chipset/motherboard drivers is not installed. The drivers are listed at Abit (in the Support Information panel on the right-hand side of Hawk22's link...by the way, well found ). The driver installation may say "Windows XP installs it own set of VIA chipset drivers ", if so, look for an update of the drivers (model KT333) at the VIA website (they have released a new set recently).
http://www.viaarena.com/

What information do you get if you go to Control Panel -> System?

The mobo does not have "dual channel" so the RAM problems I think would be compatibility issues. You could borrow other RAM modules from most other modern computers to try as long as they are DDR. If it has compatibility problems to begin with, that BIOS setting probably won't work and you may even need to "clear the CMOS" to get it going again. I would look at making certain the RAM is compatible.

Matt

 

Hi Matt, Thanks for looking into the links. When I enter Control Panel > System,it shows AMD Athlon XP 1700+ 1.47 GHz and 512 MB RAM. The RAM is correct as I pulled one stick out. I can't figure out why it doesn't identify AMD Sempron 2600 CPU. The comp runs OK and is stable and CPU Temp is shown at around 34 degrees C. Am I getting too fussy? Neil.

 

Hi Pete, thanks for your post. I think I'll put it all to bed as it is running stable as is. The M/B did have a bent pin in the primary IDE slot when I bought it ( didn't notice it until I had a real good look ) and since I've managed to straighten the pin and get it going I'll leave it for the grandchildren to play with. Thanks to Matt and Hawk for their help. Being an old retired Auto Technician, I do get a lot of pleasure out of playing with PC's and hey, the learning still goes on. You guys are great to call on when the going gets tough. Neil.

 

That's OK Neil.

You are mixing a new processor with an older motherboard. There was not a lot of information to be found at the Abit website about what CPU it currently supports. If you feel up to the task you should try updating (flashing) the BIOS when you feel in a tinkering mood. Flashing the BIOS is not hard, you just need to follow the instructions carefully and make certain that the flash is the correct one for your motherboard model.

I think there is a compatibility issue with the second RAM module you tried, read about RAM in the motherboard manual. Does it require ECC or non-ECC type? Even with the correct type of RAM, the motherboard may still not be able to run it. Major RAM manufacturer's ask on their website if users find the RAM compatible, so it is a little hit and miss. Although you've built several systems before, this is a problem one...been there, done that .

Anyway, it is chugging along. My friend put a 64bit processor onto a motherboard that only recognized 32bit. The motherboard hasn't worked since. You may be lucky. Do some investigation and tinkering on it if you get time.

Matt

 

Hi Matt, I might follow up on your suggestions as nothing ventured - nothing gained. I will try the RAM in my main PC and see if it is incompatible. That way I will be able to eliminate doubt. The bottom line is it will give the kids something to play on. Thanks once again. Neil

 

Matt, I tried the RAM in my main comp and it works fine. It's recognized by SIW and Everest and gives all the info and is identical to the other RAM. So problem is with the dated MOBO. Since it works with one 512Mb RAM and is stable, I will leave it alone. Thanks again for your help. Neil.

 

If I'm not dragging this along too far.

There will probably not be anything faulty with that RAM module, it can just be incompatible with the motherboard. That module may just not work correctly on that motherboard. It might work fine on every other motherboard, but it won't work on that one. I have a stick of PC2100 that only works on 1 or 2 motherboards out of about 10 motherboards I have tried it on, of those 1 or 2 it works fine without any problems whatsoever. Compatibility is not an actual fault, it just means the two will not work together.

"High end" RAM manufacturer's products tend to be the most compatible with a large range of motherboards. Some of those manufacturers are Kingston, Corsair and Crucial. If you get "generic" RAM, like the stick of PC2100 I mentioned, you may be taking pot luck that it will work with your mobo.

Compatibility problems also occur with graphics cards (more so up to until a few years ago when most became standardized).

Matt

 

Hi Matt, no your not dragging it on-it's a learning curve and there are always exceptions to the norm. I accept that it isn't a dead stick, it works fine in another PC with a different MOBO so all is not lost. As I posted earlier, the PC works fine with one stick of 512 MB RAM and the Sempron CPU is running well within it's capacity. It's quick enough to use for normal home use. Thanks for the help. Neil.