Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Hello,

I have been using this board for 2 years now I think, and except the
incident with the NB fan popping off last year, it has been rock solid.
However, it has been acting strangely lately, and while I thought first
it was an overheating problem, I think it is more than that.

The computer can stay on 24/7 for days, then I just hear a "pop" or
"snap" sound from inside the case, and the computer reboots. But on
reboot, it says the CPU is unworkable or has been changed... Entering
the BIOS is also sometimes difficult, pressin DEL only causes the board
to reboot. Sometimes it reboots while I am changing settings in the
BIOS, or looking at temps and voltages in the "health" page.

I haven't added or removed anything lately, the good quality PSU can
deliver 450W, which is more than enough for my machine (Prescott 3.2, 2
HDDs, 1 DVD drive, X800XT, 2x512 MB Corsair RAM).

I first thought it was a HDD problem, since sometimes on those reboot
occasions my 300GB Maxtor SATA drive wouldn't be detected at all, but
last night after 10 unsuccessful reboots the computer finally went to
the desktop, and allowed me to backup 80 GB to an external USB2 HDD.

On every successful reboot, Zone Alarm alerts me that it has found a
new network, and alerts me about every application trying to access the
internet.

The computer has been up again now for 9 hours, it is still serving my
website so I know it's on even if I am at work, but I fear the worst.

I terms of cooling, I use a home-bred watercooling system, made of
massive copper blocks from www.only4pro.com, and MBM5 reports idle temp
for the prescott 40-50 degrees C (idle-load). I also have a cooler on
the front of the case blowing straight to the HDDs, whose temps are
25-30C according to HDD thermometer, which reads SMART data. The case
is a huge Coolermaster Stacker. I opened the case and put a fan of the
Zalman passive NB heatsink, which is not even warm to touch.

There are no cables hanging aroung, no shortage of any kind, no dust,
capacitators look all clean and nice.

Should I get myself a new mobo ? Try a different PSU ? The fact that it
reboots itself while I let it with the BIOS page open makes me think it
has nothing to do with my windows installation or other software.

Any suggestion welcome !

Lorenzo
www.brokenbones.d2g.com

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

well, I have never heard a mobo make a snap sound but I sure have heard a
power supply do that. don't know if the CMOS settings are getting scrambled
as a result of the PSU sending out a surge or what. if it were to happen
again and not want to boot, the first thing I would do is clear the CMOS
with all power removed to see if you could then enter and set up the bios
settings with a minimum of effort.

the fact that it reboots while in the bios setup would, again, point to
either a problem on the mobo itself (incl. components mounted to the mobo
like CPU, etc.) or with the PSU. my money would be on the PSU. I have even
seen a surge from the PSU send the IDE hardware on the hard drive off into
limbo where it would not show up in the bios until power was completely
cycled, at least that was the conclusion I came to while troubleshooting.
replacing the PSU in that situation cleared everything up.

--

Thomas Geery
Network+ certified

ftp://geerynet.d2g.com
ftp://68.98.180.8 Abit Mirror <----- Cable modem IP
This IP is dynamic so it *could* change!...
over 130,000 FTP users served!
^^^^^^^




"Lorenzo Sandini" <lorenzo.sandini@uku.fi> wrote in message
news:1121407541.509715.45050@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hello,
>
> I have been using this board for 2 years now I think, and except the
> incident with the NB fan popping off last year, it has been rock solid.
> However, it has been acting strangely lately, and while I thought first
> it was an overheating problem, I think it is more than that.
>
> The computer can stay on 24/7 for days, then I just hear a "pop" or
> "snap" sound from inside the case, and the computer reboots. But on
> reboot, it says the CPU is unworkable or has been changed... Entering
> the BIOS is also sometimes difficult, pressin DEL only causes the board
> to reboot. Sometimes it reboots while I am changing settings in the
> BIOS, or looking at temps and voltages in the "health" page.
>
> I haven't added or removed anything lately, the good quality PSU can
> deliver 450W, which is more than enough for my machine (Prescott 3.2, 2
> HDDs, 1 DVD drive, X800XT, 2x512 MB Corsair RAM).
>
> I first thought it was a HDD problem, since sometimes on those reboot
> occasions my 300GB Maxtor SATA drive wouldn't be detected at all, but
> last night after 10 unsuccessful reboots the computer finally went to
> the desktop, and allowed me to backup 80 GB to an external USB2 HDD.
>
> On every successful reboot, Zone Alarm alerts me that it has found a
> new network, and alerts me about every application trying to access the
> internet.
>
> The computer has been up again now for 9 hours, it is still serving my
> website so I know it's on even if I am at work, but I fear the worst.
>
> I terms of cooling, I use a home-bred watercooling system, made of
> massive copper blocks from www.only4pro.com, and MBM5 reports idle temp
> for the prescott 40-50 degrees C (idle-load). I also have a cooler on
> the front of the case blowing straight to the HDDs, whose temps are
> 25-30C according to HDD thermometer, which reads SMART data. The case
> is a huge Coolermaster Stacker. I opened the case and put a fan of the
> Zalman passive NB heatsink, which is not even warm to touch.
>
> There are no cables hanging aroung, no shortage of any kind, no dust,
> capacitators look all clean and nice.
>
> Should I get myself a new mobo ? Try a different PSU ? The fact that it
> reboots itself while I let it with the BIOS page open makes me think it
> has nothing to do with my windows installation or other software.
>
> Any suggestion welcome !
>
> Lorenzo
> www.brokenbones.d2g.com
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Lorenzo Sandini wrote in message...
> The computer can stay on 24/7 for days, then I just hear a "pop"
> or "snap" sound from inside the case, and the computer reboots.

Hmmm. Could be a number of things, but the most likely I'd suggest, given
what you've described, would be a fluctuation or intermittent fault in the
mains power side of the PSU. It sounds a bit like something's arcing or
shorting. Other thing to look at would be the two power connectors to the
motherboard, both the main one and the four pin ATX12v plug. Make sure none
of the pins/sockets or the plastic shells look blackened, distorted or
otherwise abnormal.

> I haven't added or removed anything lately, the good quality PSU
> can deliver 450W,

How old is it? Have you tried another one?

> I terms of cooling, I use a home-bred watercooling system, made
> of massive copper blocks from www.only4pro.com, and MBM5
> reports idle temp for the prescott 40-50 degrees C (idle-load).

If those are your *idle* temps, it doesn't appear as though the watercooling
system is hugely efficient. What numbers do you see when the processor is
fully loaded?

Also, what idle and loaded temps are reported by the motherboard's
northbridge and PWM sensors?

> Should I get myself a new mobo ?

Not at this stage.

> Try a different PSU ?

Definitely.

> The fact that it reboots itself while I let it with the BIOS page open
> makes me think it has nothing to do with my windows installation or
> other software.

Agreed.
--


Richard Hopkins
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
(replace nospam with pipex in reply address)

The UK's leading technology reseller www.dabs.com

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Well Richard and Tom,

Thanks to both for your advice.

The "snap-pop" sound indeed points to a PSU problem. I'll definitely try
another one before putting too much money in a new board, since this one
is really running nicely, when it runs

About the temperatures... well 40C is idle and 50-55C is during a long
Flight Simulator session. For a prescott I don't think it's too bad. I
am not an overclocker, and silence is more important to me than cooling
the CPU 2 degrees under 0 Kelvin.

For some reason I don't trust my PSU anymore...

Lorenzo




Richard Hopkins wrote:
> Lorenzo Sandini wrote in message...
>
>> The computer can stay on 24/7 for days, then I just hear a "pop"
>> or "snap" sound from inside the case, and the computer reboots.
>
>
> Hmmm. Could be a number of things, but the most likely I'd suggest,
> given what you've described, would be a fluctuation or intermittent
> fault in the mains power side of the PSU. It sounds a bit like
> something's arcing or shorting. Other thing to look at would be the two
> power connectors to the motherboard, both the main one and the four pin
> ATX12v plug. Make sure none of the pins/sockets or the plastic shells
> look blackened, distorted or otherwise abnormal.
>
>> I haven't added or removed anything lately, the good quality PSU
>> can deliver 450W,
>
>
> How old is it? Have you tried another one?
>
>> I terms of cooling, I use a home-bred watercooling system, made
>> of massive copper blocks from www.only4pro.com, and MBM5
>> reports idle temp for the prescott 40-50 degrees C (idle-load).
>
>
> If those are your *idle* temps, it doesn't appear as though the
> watercooling system is hugely efficient. What numbers do you see when
> the processor is fully loaded?
>
> Also, what idle and loaded temps are reported by the motherboard's
> northbridge and PWM sensors?
>
>> Should I get myself a new mobo ?
>
>
> Not at this stage.
>
>> Try a different PSU ?
>
>
> Definitely.
>
>> The fact that it reboots itself while I let it with the BIOS page open
>> makes me think it has nothing to do with my windows installation or
>> other software.
>
>
> Agreed.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

On 14 Jul 2005 23:05:41 -0700, "Lorenzo Sandini"
<lorenzo.sandini@uku.fi> wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I have been using this board for 2 years now I think, and except the
>incident with the NB fan popping off last year, it has been rock solid.
>However, it has been acting strangely lately, and while I thought first
>it was an overheating problem, I think it is more than that.
>
>The computer can stay on 24/7 for days, then I just hear a "pop" or
>"snap" sound from inside the case, and the computer reboots

The only circuitry within the computer that has enough voltage to go
pop-snap is the input circuitry of the power-supply and the pop-snap
is likely to be the sound of a momentary arc. And the reboot is
consistent with a momentary power-supply short. Surprising that the
power-supply fuse has not blown, but they may have installed a
slow-blow fuse. Check all power-supply to motherboard connectors for
loose or undamaged contacts. If OK, suggest replace the power-supply.

> But on
>reboot, it says the CPU is unworkable or has been changed...

Another pointer to the power-supply. The voltages to the motherboard
need to be applied in a particular sequence, controlled by the
power-supply A power-supply or intermittent interconnect fault is
likely to cause the motherboard's wierd behavior. A pop-snap is not a
characteristic sound of a failed motherboard interconnect - more like
a sizzle or no sound at all.

John Lewis

>Entering
>the BIOS is also sometimes difficult, pressin DEL only causes the board
>to reboot. Sometimes it reboots while I am changing settings in the
>BIOS, or looking at temps and voltages in the "health" page.
>
>I haven't added or removed anything lately, the good quality PSU can
>deliver 450W, which is more than enough for my machine (Prescott 3.2, 2
>HDDs, 1 DVD drive, X800XT, 2x512 MB Corsair RAM).
>
>I first thought it was a HDD problem, since sometimes on those reboot
>occasions my 300GB Maxtor SATA drive wouldn't be detected at all, but
>last night after 10 unsuccessful reboots the computer finally went to
>the desktop, and allowed me to backup 80 GB to an external USB2 HDD.
>
>On every successful reboot, Zone Alarm alerts me that it has found a
>new network, and alerts me about every application trying to access the
>internet.
>
>The computer has been up again now for 9 hours, it is still serving my
>website so I know it's on even if I am at work, but I fear the worst.
>
>I terms of cooling, I use a home-bred watercooling system, made of
>massive copper blocks from www.only4pro.com, and MBM5 reports idle temp
>for the prescott 40-50 degrees C (idle-load). I also have a cooler on
>the front of the case blowing straight to the HDDs, whose temps are
>25-30C according to HDD thermometer, which reads SMART data. The case
>is a huge Coolermaster Stacker. I opened the case and put a fan of the
>Zalman passive NB heatsink, which is not even warm to touch.
>
>There are no cables hanging aroung, no shortage of any kind, no dust,
>capacitators look all clean and nice.
>
>Should I get myself a new mobo ? Try a different PSU ? The fact that it
>reboots itself while I let it with the BIOS page open makes me think it
>has nothing to do with my windows installation or other software.
>
>Any suggestion welcome !
>
>Lorenzo
>www.brokenbones.d2g.com
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

I'd also check that the plug to the power supply at the back of the machine
is in properly as this can give those exact symptoms too!

regards,

Dion L Heap
www.thetophouse.com

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 18:54:36 +0100, "Dion L Heap"
<NoSpam@ThankYou.Com> wrote:

>I'd also check that the plug to the power supply at the back of the machine
>is in properly as this can give those exact symptoms too!
>
>regards,
>
>Dion L Heap
>www.thetophouse.com
>
>

Indeed -- how right you are !!! The simple and obvious -- as I was
puzzling over why the power-supply fuse had not blown when I wrote my
reply to the OP.Thanks !! Hopefully the OP will find that was all that
was wrong.

Rotten US plug design. Three inserts/extractions and it is normally
ready to fall out. Similar to US wall-sockets. System-critical pro
equipment using this particular power-supply connector normally
comes with a screw-on U-shaped trap to ensure that the plug
does not loosen or fall out. A properly-design power-supply
interconnect would have a bayonet fitting.

Regards,

John Lewis

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Well, I'll be damned.

<shame>

Checked everything but not the power cord. And indeed it was half
unplugged. Pushed it in and now I am waiting to see if it was the only
thing causing the reboots.

</shame>

Lorenzo


John Lewis wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 18:54:36 +0100, "Dion L Heap"
> <NoSpam@ThankYou.Com> wrote:
>
>
>>I'd also check that the plug to the power supply at the back of the machine
>>is in properly as this can give those exact symptoms too!
>>
>>regards,
>>
>>Dion L Heap
>>www.thetophouse.com
>>
>>
>
>
> Indeed -- how right you are !!! The simple and obvious -- as I was
> puzzling over why the power-supply fuse had not blown when I wrote my
> reply to the OP.Thanks !! Hopefully the OP will find that was all that
> was wrong.
>
> Rotten US plug design. Three inserts/extractions and it is normally
> ready to fall out. Similar to US wall-sockets. System-critical pro
> equipment using this particular power-supply connector normally
> comes with a screw-on U-shaped trap to ensure that the plug
> does not loosen or fall out. A properly-design power-supply
> interconnect would have a bayonet fitting.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Lewis
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

hey, stuff happens. we learn from it and move on. I can't begin to name
all of the things I've done that cause me to shake my head in wonder...

--

Thomas Geery
Network+ certified

Due to a rat in da hood,
no longer running servers on Cox...

(even though someone turned me in,
what can I expect for violating the AUP, right?)


"Lorenzo Sandini" <lorenzo.sandini@POISTA.uku.fi> wrote in message
news:3k7tuoFtan7oU1@individual.net...
> Well, I'll be damned.
>
> <shame>
>
> Checked everything but not the power cord. And indeed it was half
> unplugged. Pushed it in and now I am waiting to see if it was the only
> thing causing the reboots.
>
> </shame>
>
> Lorenzo
>
>
> John Lewis wrote:
>> On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 18:54:36 +0100, "Dion L Heap"
>> <NoSpam@ThankYou.Com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'd also check that the plug to the power supply at the back of the
>>>machine is in properly as this can give those exact symptoms too!
>>>
>>>regards,
>>>
>>>Dion L Heap
>>>www.thetophouse.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> Indeed -- how right you are !!! The simple and obvious -- as I was
>> puzzling over why the power-supply fuse had not blown when I wrote my
>> reply to the OP.Thanks !! Hopefully the OP will find that was all that
>> was wrong.
>>
>> Rotten US plug design. Three inserts/extractions and it is normally
>> ready to fall out. Similar to US wall-sockets. System-critical pro
>> equipment using this particular power-supply connector normally
>> comes with a screw-on U-shaped trap to ensure that the plug
>> does not loosen or fall out. A properly-design power-supply
>> interconnect would have a bayonet fitting.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> John Lewis
>>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

"Lorenzo Sandini" <lorenzo.sandini@POISTA.uku.fi> wrote in message
news:3k7tuoFtan7oU1@individual.net...
> Well, I'll be damned.
>
> <shame>
>
> Checked everything but not the power cord. And indeed it was half
> unplugged. Pushed it in and now I am waiting to see if it was the only
> thing causing the reboots.

Holding my breath here now to see if it was the problem and I can be "da
man!"

regards,

Dion L Heap
www.thetophouse.com

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

TomG wrote:

<snip>
| I can't begin to name all of the things I've done that cause
| me to shake my head in wonder...

<g>

We can't either (and, in our defense, it's not Alzheimer's).

Jef

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

yeah, I *knew* that would bring you out of the background... you lurker
you!

--

Thomas Geery
Network+ certified

Due to a rat in da hood,
no longer running servers on Cox...

(even though someone turned me in,
what can I expect for violating the AUP, right?)


"JefN" <jefn_REMOVE_YOUR_SHORTS_@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:v%CDe.1431$Fk4.129@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...
> TomG wrote:
>
> <snip>
> | I can't begin to name all of the things I've done that cause
> | me to shake my head in wonder...
>
> <g>
>
> We can't either (and, in our defense, it's not Alzheimer's).
>
> Jef
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

TomG wrote:
|
| yeah, I *knew* that would bring you out of the background... you lurker
| you!
|
| ..
|
| Thomas Geery
| Network+ certified
|
| Due to a rat in da hood,
| no longer running servers on Cox...
|
| (even though someone turned me in,
| what can I expect for violating the AUP, right?)
|

Hey Tom -

Well, ya know, this place has been too quiet lately. Almost no posts to
even respond to "on-topic"... so when a foot appears so nicely inserted in
mouth, well... you know the rest.

Or maybe you don't (that Alzh