A8N32 replacement

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After almost one week of constantly reinstalling Windows and fixing all sort of BSODs and countless of problems I have decided to ebay my A8N32. If you're running Windows XP 32 bit, don't even think about buying it as you will have nothing but headache (Windows 64 runs very stable). This is my first AMD build ever and I couldn't believe all the hassle I have endured so far.
I'm thinking of buying a different board, all I need is a stable, fast and a reasonable amount of features board. I know DFI seems to be a good choice for many people but since I don't OC much don't know whether I should buy them. I'm thinking of either DFI NF4 Ultra-D, Abit AN8-32X nForce4 SLi or Abit AN8 SLi Fatal1ty nForce4 SLi.
I always think Abit makes very good board but it seems a lot of people here just buy either Asus or DFI?
 
Asus A8N32
Opteron 170
Power Color 1800XT 512MB
2x512MB PC3200 Geil UltraX-BH5 CAS2
2x512MB PC3500 Geil Golden Dragon CAS 2.5
BIOS 1103
OS: Windows XP Pro Corp SP2, Windows XP Pro x64 SP1

I don't know what's wrong with my board but I did google around and found tons of user having exactly the same problems. When I install it there were ACPI compliant and Bad head pooler BSODs, managed to pass those and finished Windows installation.

Problem 1: It just automatically reboots when Windows starts loading, sometimes it doesn't but most of the time it does.
Problem 2: Everytime I install ATI CAT 6.3, the hard drive turns itself off in the middle of the process with a loud "click" and Windows reboots, install Omega Driver CAT 6.2 it runs for about 45 mins then it happens again.

After (Problem 2) happens Windows won't load as described in (Problem 1).

I didn't plug anything in, just Keyboard, Mouse and LAN. I have tried to run it with one stick at a time, swapped them around different slots, then 2 sticks then 4 sticks and still have exactly the same problems.
I tried to set bios to default, disable APM, ACPI, turn off USB Legacy Support, disable most of the options in BIOS and still no luck.

So if it's memory then how come Windows 64 runs just fine, I haven't any problems at all as fas as Windows 64 is concerned. I'm convinced there's nothing wrong with my memory otherwise I would have a lot of problems running Windows 64.

I'm running out of options here, can anybody shed some light to help me as I'm so close to put back my faithful IC7-G and P4 NW 3.2 back into the case and chuck this thing straight out of the window. :(
 
I'm running Q-Tec 650W PSU. If I have the same problems with Windows x64 then I can say there's something wrong with my setup, but there's absolutely none, totally trouble-free!
After quite a few reboots I even got into Windows x32, set everything to max and played Splinter Cell CS for about 30mins (Omega CAT 6.2), it was fine. If the PSU couldn't handle the load then it would have shut down Windows after the first few minutes in the game.
Yes, I have connected the additional power lead to the 1800XT and my temp under load is about 50ish, I'm using Arctic Freezer 64 Pro + AS5.
I've just check the manual and GEIL is listed in the Qualified Vendors List.
:( :mad:
 
I have managed to fix all the BSODs and rebooting problem. It's not the PSU, Memory ... or anything for that matter it's actually the flipping Bios. I downgraded from 1103 to 0703 and reinstalled Windows, not a single BSOD, no keyboard lock-up or rebooting of any sort. I'm so happy now :p
The problem I'm fairly sure was caused by incompatibility or conflict issue between the board's ACPI and Power Management of Windows.
So if you have this board and plan to install Windows XP Pro 32, don't ever think about installing 1103.
Cheers guys for the replies. ;)
 
I'm now totally confused. Upgraded my bios again to 1103 and expected loads of blue screen erros but nothing happened, the board works flawlessly. I'm starting to like this board a little bit more after all those hours trying to make it work! I can't explain why, can it be Windows installation as this time I installed normal Windows XP Pro, not the Corp one?
Try to use the support CD, flash your bios to 0703 then install Windows again to see what happens, then upgrade it to 1103, that's what I did.
OCUK offered to exchange a different motherboard, still thinking whether I should get the Abit AN8-32X. What do you guys think, stick with A8N32? :o
 
w3bbo said:
I'll agree the Asus bios support is not the best, I personally use 1009 which I have found to be most stable without the bugs of 703. Like others have said it could have been a corrupt bios or a corrupt windows installation that was causing the problems you were having. I doubt the corp version of windows was to blame unless your 'copy' was corrupt in the first place. With all the trouble you have had which now seems to be solved I would stick with what you have than risk more trouble with a new board.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that, I probably will give Asus a go this time :p

mj3zero, RMA your old drive and see if they can exchange you a LG one. When it comes to writers I've never bought anything but LG :cool:
 
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