New Abit IB9 Problems...

[EtheAv8r]

I have just put together a new system using components from SCAN:

Abit IB9 I965 Motherboard
Intel E4300 CPU with Atctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Corsair XMS TWINX 1GB PC5400
Seasonic S12-430 PSU
Antec Sonata case - yes I replaced the supplied PSU
Sapphire ATi Radion X850 PCIE Graphics card
Pioneer DVR111 DVDR
80 Gb Samsung SATA hard disk for OS
320 Gb Samsung SATA hard disk for Data

BIOS is 11 (I think)

This is a system for one of my teenage daughters - so light use only (no games)!

On powering on the system POSTs OK to start with.

CPU is recognised during POST as an Intel E4300.... but with very odd clock/multi combination.

POST runs and then issues issues the error:-

CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU SoftMenu.

I have cleared the CMOS and restated - same error.
I checked BIOS settings and reset all to standard defaults - same error.
I have tried setting from Auto to User with 200 * 9 (defaults... and these are the settings that are shown when set to Auto) still no go.

I have tried continuing to install Windows XP, CD boots OK and begins the installation process, but blue screens before I get to select to install XP.

I doubt this is a memory problem, must be CPU or Motherboard, but I don't know which.

Please help and advise... looks like an RMA issue to me but want to check everything I should first.

[ABIT Sean]

In order to install windows you need to install the ITE8211F IDE driver by pressing F6 at the begining of the install.

[EtheAv8r]

Sean

OK Thank you for that - I take it I use the Abit CD and create a diskette on another PC?

What about the "CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU SoftMenu" message - that can't be normal?

[ABIT Sean]

Sean

OK Thank you for that - I take it I use the Abit CD and create a diskette on another PC?

What about the "CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU SoftMenu" message - that can't be normal?

It normally happens when the bios doesn't like a certain setting. Have you tried loading the optimized defults?

As for the IDE driver you should be able to boot from the abit CD and generate a floppy disk.

[EtheAv8r]

It normally happens when the bios doesn't like a certain setting. Have you tried loading the optimized defults?

Yes, I have tried with Safe Defaults and Optimised Defaults. PC is currently sitting at home with CMOS jumper on 'clear' and the battery out - since yesterday evening.

As for the IDE driver you should be able to boot from the abit CD and generate a floppy disk.

I will do this this evening, thank you very much.

This is why I have just replaced my ASUS Commando with Abit QuadGT for my machine - you get problems with both, but you get help and support with Abit!!!

(I have built 4 new systems this past 2 weeks.... installing XP and Apps is now getting a bit of a drag!).

[DratUK]

Hiya M8
Would it be worth flashing to bios version 12. That is a weird message re the CPU change.

[EtheAv8r]

Hiya M8
Would it be worth flashing to bios version 12. That is a weird message re the CPU change.

Great idea! And as I have just downloaded it and seen it is a 512 KB .BIN file I can use a boot floppy.

Now the BIOS for QuadGT (and my Commando) are 1024 KB – you cannot fit them on a floppy and boot from it, so have to flash in Windows…..

One great thing about ASUS boards is ALT/F2 at POST and load a BIOS file from floppy, CD, USB stick…. It is great. I wish abit…..

[DratUK]

For your QuadGT if you dont want to flash from windows use a boot disk from here
http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml
Scroll to the bottom you will find the Bios update boot disk for download. Takes up 258k of space.

[EtheAv8r]

For your QuadGT if you dont want to flash from windows use a boot disk from here
http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml
Scroll to the bottom you will find the Bios update boot disk for download. Takes up 258k of space.

Thank You DratUK - I have downloaded and will 'play'.

[EtheAv8r]

OK, I have flashed the BIOS to 12 from floppy (thank you DratUK).... and have booted from XP Pro installer CD, loaded ITE8211F IDE driver by pressing F6 at the begining of the install (thank you Sean - thought that was a thing of the past...) and am I currently formatting the new hard drive.

Looking good.

[DratUK]

My pleasure. Now you can get your blood pressure back to normal