Abit KT7 problems

[slowlearner]

Got my new board and processor and the damn thing won't work!
I went with the Thunderbird 800MHz, Abit KT7 (recommended by AMD, even!), 128Mb PC133 SDRAM. I already have an ATI Rage II videocard that works well in Linux, USR hardware (ISA) modem, 30Gb Maxtor HDD UltraDMA. I bought a new Soundblaster PCI128 soundcard because my old one was ISA. So I installed the processor, carefully following the instructions step-by-step. Installed the recommended fan on top. Put the RAM in DIMM1,
added the video card, plugged in all the connectors and power according to the manual, attached the monitor cable, switched it all on, et voila! NOTHING! No signal to the monitor. I know the video card and monitor work because I'm using them now in my old PC. I called motherboard.com tech support and the service dept where I bought the components. They both agree that the board should be able to take PCI video cards. I have tried the card in all six PCI slots with the same results. I've noticed quite a few people here use AMD and Abit. Has anyone got any suggestions? Helpful hints? I was really looking forward to trying out more Linux distros but my old board and processor can't utilize the HDD properly and I haven't been able to use anything but Mandrake 7.0. Help!

[MGP]

I have built a bunch of KT7 systems lately and had virtually zero problems with them. In fact, I'm posting this from a KT7-RAID/Tbird 900 system right now...

What power supply do you have in the system (model and size)? You will need at least a good quality 300W supply or you are likely to have problems. Sometimes a power supply that is not up to the high switching currents of Athlon motherboards just shut down (overcurrent protection) when they see a large current on turn on. This makes the system appear to be dead (well it is, since the power supply has shut down). AMD has a list of approved power supplies on their web site.

Cooling is really important too. The AMD CPU's run hot, but a good heatsink/fan will keep this under control. What cooler are you using?

That said, have you tried powering the system up with only the video card and no floppy, hard disk or CDROM connected? Powering it up in a minimum configuration will tell you if your motherboard, CPU, RAM and video card work.

The three most common problems with Athlon systems are: Power supply, memory, and cooling. These are very high performance systems and require quality components.

Also, if you'd like a great source of information on AMD based systems, check out the forums at AMDZone (http://www.amdzone.com). There are lots of knowledgable people there and they are very helpful. Tons of KT7 users...

The KT7 is a top quality motherboard. Once you get it all sorted out, the performance is amazing. If I can help in any way, I'll be glad to.

[slowlearner]

Originally posted by MGP:

What power supply do you have in the system (model and size)? You will need at least a good quality 300W supply or you are likely to have problems. Sometimes a power supply that is not up to the high switching currents of Athlon motherboards just shut down (overcurrent protection) when they see a large current on turn on. This makes the system appear to be dead (well it is, since the power supply has shut down). AMD has a list of approved power supplies on their web site.

Cooling is really important too. The AMD CPU's run hot, but a good heatsink/fan will keep this under control. What cooler are you using?

That said, have you tried powering the system up with only the video card and no floppy, hard disk or CDROM connected?
The three most common problems with Athlon systems are: Power supply, memory, and cooling. These are very high performance systems and require quality components.

Also, if you'd like a great source of information on AMD based systems, check out the forums at AMDZone (http://www.amdzone.com). There are lots of knowledgable people there and they are very helpful. Tons of KT7 users...


Actually, if you re-read my post, you'll see that I was doing exactly as you suggest, nothing but the processor/fan, video and RAM plugged in. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif Now, believe it or not, I went back to the store I bought it from, and BOTH the board and processor were dead!!! Don't know what the odds are of that happening! Could be that one or the other was faulty and damaged the other when they were put together. I did have them both replaced, so once I've finished with my boyfriend's machine (same board but 850MHz Thunderbird) I will start on mine, and believe me, if I run into the same problems on mine as I have on his I will be begging you for HELP!!! http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif So far, I've only got Win98SE on his, I'm scared to try anything else! So, thank you so much for the offer and I will keep you posted and check out the website you suggest. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif BTW it is 300W



[This message has been edited by slowlearner (edited 22 October 2000).]

[pbharris]

does the board give beeps if you remove all the memory, most boards will give a series of beeps depending upon what the problem is, mine gives three beeps if the video card is gone, one long and three short beeps if the memory is missing etc.

[Sensei]

Well you covered the power supply issue which is the culprit of these kind of errors. Weird.

I also just got one of these bad boys, but still haven't hooked up, call me lazy, or call me office furnitureless, or call me too attached to my current celery system http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif.

I'll get it up and running soon, MGP so you like this mobo eh?

------------------
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[slowlearner]

Originally posted by pbharris:
does the board give beeps if you remove all the memory, most boards will give a series of beeps depending upon what the problem is, mine gives three beeps if the video card is gone, one long and three short beeps if the memory is missing etc.

Nope, as I said, processor and mobo were dead. Now they're replaced, I've got video and memory! http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif Now I just have to get the drives in and try loading the OSes, which is where I REALLY started having probs with my boyfriend's machine!.............I'll be back!

[slowlearner]

Ok, I'm up and running with Windows ME so far. There does seem to be a memory problem, though. If I go into the BIOS, when I come back out, my screen goes blank and the monitor goes into power saving mode. If I power the PC off with the power button in front, and then power back on, I get nothing, no beep, no display. BUT, if, when I come out of BIOS and the screen goes blank, I then switch off the power switch on the back, I can then switch it back on, press the power button on the front and it's back to normal! This phenomenon also happens if I do a proper shutdown from windows! I've heard there can be a problem with memory on this board. Does anyone know the best type of RAM for the KT7? I know it doesn't support ECC. Thanks!

[MGP]

Sensei... the KT7's are schweet! I'm cranking out SETI@home work units in about 4-1/2 hours on average. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

I built two systems last month with them -- one is a TBird 750 (OC'd to 900) and the other is a Duron 600 (OC'd to 850). The Duron system is for a friend in Alaska and I really don't wanna send it to him. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/wink.gif Lotsa performance for the money.


[This message has been edited by MGP (edited 24 October 2000).]

[slowlearner]

Well, I'm back on in Linux! Have to fix the fonts in Netscape, I can barely read what I'm typing http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif! I'm using Mandrake 7.1 now, use to have 7.0. I tried installing Storm 2000 but it stopped at 68% of the install. Probably the disk, it came with a magazine and those are not always reliable. Can I download it from somewhere?
Also, MGP, I still have the problem with rebooting. You're probably right about the memory, I sent you a note about it when you have time. Otherwise, as long as I don't have to shutdown at all, things are looking pretty darned good! Thanks all http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif!

[D-Termind]

Originally posted by slowlearner:
Got my new board and processor and the damn thing won't work!
I went with the Thunderbird 800MHz, Abit KT7 (recommended by AMD, even!), 128Mb PC133 SDRAM. I already have an ATI Rage II videocard that works well in Linux, USR hardware (ISA) modem, 30Gb Maxtor HDD UltraDMA. I bought a new Soundblaster PCI128 soundcard because my old one was ISA. So I installed the processor, carefully following the instructions step-by-step. Installed the recommended fan on top. Put the RAM in DIMM1,
added the video card, plugged in all the connectors and power according to the manual, attached the monitor cable, switched it all on, et voila! NOTHING! No signal to the monitor. I know the video card and monitor work because I'm using them now in my old PC. I called motherboard.com tech support and the service dept where I bought the components. They both agree that the board should be able to take PCI video cards. I have tried the card in all six PCI slots with the same results. I've noticed quite a few people here use AMD and Abit. Has anyone got any suggestions? Helpful hints? I was really looking forward to trying out more Linux distros but my old board and processor can't utilize the HDD properly and I haven't been able to use anything but Mandrake 7.0. Help!

I am posting from an Abit-KT7-RAID with 900Mhz T-bird processor right now. (In Linux)

I have an ATI All-in-wonder 128 PRO video card and I haven't seen ANY of the problems people talk about.




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D-Termind

[D-Termind]

Originally posted by slowlearner:
Got my new board and processor and the damn thing won't work!
I went with the Thunderbird 800MHz, Abit KT7 (recommended by AMD, even!), 128Mb PC133 SDRAM. I already have an ATI Rage II videocard that works well in Linux, USR hardware (ISA) modem, 30Gb Maxtor HDD UltraDMA. I bought a new Soundblaster PCI128 soundcard because my old one was ISA. So I installed the processor, carefully following the instructions step-by-step. Installed the recommended fan on top. Put the RAM in DIMM1,
added the video card, plugged in all the connectors and power according to the manual, attached the monitor cable, switched it all on, et voila! NOTHING! No signal to the monitor. I know the video card and monitor work because I'm using them now in my old PC. I called motherboard.com tech support and the service dept where I bought the components. They both agree that the board should be able to take PCI video cards. I have tried the card in all six PCI slots with the same results. I've noticed quite a few people here use AMD and Abit. Has anyone got any suggestions? Helpful hints? I was really looking forward to trying out more Linux distros but my old board and processor can't utilize the HDD properly and I haven't been able to use anything but Mandrake 7.0. Help!

I am posting from an Abit-KT7-RAID with 900Mhz T-bird processor right now. (In Linux)

I have an ATI All-in-wonder 128 PRO video card and I haven't seen ANY of the problems people talk about.




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D-Termind