This has been the most difficult, frustrating computer-building experience of my life. I ordered all of the parts from newegg.com and have already RMA'ed 9 pieces. The problem is that whenever I install XP Pro I get blue screens of death, or random lockups/reboots. When I install Win2k, it can install but once I'm in the O/S I get an unprovoked reboot within 5 minutes.
Here's the CURRENT (bare bones) combination.
Asus P4C800 Deluxe, 1.02 BIOS
Intel P4 3.0 GHZ w/ HT and 800 mhz bus
ATI Radeon 9700 AIW
1 stick of Corsair 512 mb 333 mhz DDR C2
Sony DVD
Maxtor 200 GB 7200 RPM HDD
Enermax 431 watt PSU
Ok, now here's where this situation becomes unreal. I have tried two other motherboards (Aopen and Gigabyte), 1 other CPU (Intel P4 3.06 ghz, 533 mhz bus), 3 tyes of memory (1 GB of OCZ 3200, 1 GB of Kingston Hyper-X 3200, 1 GB of Corsair XMS 3200), 3 Power supplys (two Enermax 431's, one generic 400 watt), 5 copies of XP Pro, TDK Burner instead of the DVD, different IDE cables. We even tried running the motherboard and components on a static pad to eliminate the possibility of case shortages. Also tried swapping the Radeon for an old, tested GF3. Also swapped out the HDD for an older 30 GB Western Digital. No good.
Since I haven't had all the parts at once, we believe I might just have worse enough luck to have another bad mobo. The memory and PSU we're using now are from other systems which are very stable. The combo that got the furthest was the Aopen with OCZ memory and the 3.06 Ghz, but at that point it still wasn't able to make it through an entire game of Renegade or Freelancer without a reboot or lockup. This is after installing SP1 and patching the hell out of everything.
I'd like to get this Asus working- I've timed the memory VERY conservatively, reset the bios on the mobo about six times, reseated and rebuilt the machine multiple times. Tried three different power supplies.
Oh, forgot to mention- the CPU has never gone over 40 degrees C in ANY combination, and usually hovered around 35. If anyone can help, please let me know. I'm losing my mind here.
DISCLAIMER: I've built MANY machines before- including two just recently that worked great on the first try and are as stable as rocks. I just don't get it. Am I just that unlucky?
-Mike Evans
Here's the CURRENT (bare bones) combination.
Asus P4C800 Deluxe, 1.02 BIOS
Intel P4 3.0 GHZ w/ HT and 800 mhz bus
ATI Radeon 9700 AIW
1 stick of Corsair 512 mb 333 mhz DDR C2
Sony DVD
Maxtor 200 GB 7200 RPM HDD
Enermax 431 watt PSU
Ok, now here's where this situation becomes unreal. I have tried two other motherboards (Aopen and Gigabyte), 1 other CPU (Intel P4 3.06 ghz, 533 mhz bus), 3 tyes of memory (1 GB of OCZ 3200, 1 GB of Kingston Hyper-X 3200, 1 GB of Corsair XMS 3200), 3 Power supplys (two Enermax 431's, one generic 400 watt), 5 copies of XP Pro, TDK Burner instead of the DVD, different IDE cables. We even tried running the motherboard and components on a static pad to eliminate the possibility of case shortages. Also tried swapping the Radeon for an old, tested GF3. Also swapped out the HDD for an older 30 GB Western Digital. No good.
Since I haven't had all the parts at once, we believe I might just have worse enough luck to have another bad mobo. The memory and PSU we're using now are from other systems which are very stable. The combo that got the furthest was the Aopen with OCZ memory and the 3.06 Ghz, but at that point it still wasn't able to make it through an entire game of Renegade or Freelancer without a reboot or lockup. This is after installing SP1 and patching the hell out of everything.
I'd like to get this Asus working- I've timed the memory VERY conservatively, reset the bios on the mobo about six times, reseated and rebuilt the machine multiple times. Tried three different power supplies.
Oh, forgot to mention- the CPU has never gone over 40 degrees C in ANY combination, and usually hovered around 35. If anyone can help, please let me know. I'm losing my mind here.
DISCLAIMER: I've built MANY machines before- including two just recently that worked great on the first try and are as stable as rocks. I just don't get it. Am I just that unlucky?
-Mike Evans