Has anyone tried the new Asus terminator Asus T2-AH1

[DanceswithUnix]

Hi,

I have a slightly odd requirement:
o small PC
o running Linux O/S
o 2 optical drives
o plenty of CPU

...and was thinking that this fits the bill:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...5&GroupID=1368

along with an X2-3800.

Anyone tried one yet?

[supersan]

yeh i'm also looking for any feedback on this product. plenty of wholesalers stocking it but not much qualitative information on it.

anyone got one?

[budgie]

This is my first post, so be gentle with me if I make any mistake

I just bought one about a month ago and finally got it working with my preferred specs (still not running smoothly, though):
Athlon64 3500+ Clawhammer core, 1GB RAM (single stick), 200 GB HDD, 110D DVDRW, XP Pro, 256MB ASUS ATI X550.
I found the current config after several trials and errors with different ones, mainly different types of memory combination. I've tried Kingmax, Corsair ValueRAM, ProMOS, etc...
I must admit they were not in their QVL list but I never had any problem before on my previous systems as long as the memory specs are OK.

When first I built it, I tried 2 x 512MB to use the dual channel but it only worked with 1 single stick. If I insert the 2nd one, it will hang up, even failed the POST, so I decided to buy a 1Gig stick. I got it working afterI increased the voltage from 2.6V to 2.9V. Even now, sometimes it does not pass memory test from cold boot up and I have to power it off and on again

I think the power supplied by the PSU in the system is not enough. I have bought one and waiting for the delivery to prove my theory

[DanceswithUnix]

That really sounds like it needs a BIOS update (or a CPU fault). Looking at the ASUS support site it seems they haven't released any BIOS updates yet, they are still on 0401 marked as first release.

This rather sucky, I was considering ordering one today but as this is for work I can't have any silly business so I guess I will be paying extra for a Shuttle and try to live without the second optical drive.

Cheers for the info though. If you haven't already I would suggest contacting ASUS tech support to see if they have seen the problem before.

[budgie]

That really sounds like it needs a BIOS update (or a CPU fault). Looking at the ASUS support site it seems they haven't released any BIOS updates yet, they are still on 0401 marked as first release.

Actually my BIOS was 3.xx when I received the system (I did not record the xx though). It was really to my surprise and missed from my observation since I assumed it would be 0401.

With that BIOS, the system with the 1 GB stick would not even POST. After I upgraded to v.0401 the system would pass the POST but stuck on the memory test. After increasing the memory voltage to 2.9V, the system would run smoothly most of the time, especially after a hot boot. If it is a cold boot, sometimes I have to recycle the power 2 - 3 times before it passes the memory test.

I was thinking of contacting ASUS but prevented by my three sets of memory being not on their QVL list. I might do it eventually if the problem is not solved in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, have you thought of Soltek's QBIC (http://www.soltek.de). I used to have one (3701M, XP1700+,nVidia chipset) and used 2 optical drives (and 2 HDDs) without any problem. I would have gone for a QBIC system if I could find one supporting AMD64 socket939. They do systems supporting P4, so it might fit your bill.

[DanceswithUnix]

In the end we went for this Aspire XQ Pack & a uATX motherboard.

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...23&GroupID=511

Should turn up in a few days. Cheaper too, so I upgraded the CPU from 3800 to 4200

[budgie]

My PSU has arrived, but it's got a 20 pin connector instead of 24, DOH.
So I cannot comment on the system stability any further.
I think I will contact ASUS to get it sorted, or should I contact overclock where I bought it from?
Their 090 support number really put me off

[BUFF]

I think I will contact ASUS to get it sorted, or should I contact overclock where I bought it from?
Their 090 support number really put me off

who has an 090 support no.?
They all seem to be 087

[budgie]

overclock's (http://www.overclock.co.uk) technical support line was 090 *****. Somehow, it has disappeared from their site
However, if you do a google search on their site and select the cached pages you will find the number (i.e. 0906 213 0030).
So, should I contact them or ASUS direct? Thanks for any suggestion.

[BUFF]

well it's 0870 141 7161 now
I would contact overclock first

[DanceswithUnix]

I would be tempted to contact both!

[budgie]

I have contacted overclock and they suggested to me to RMA it.

However, having read read their T&C's, I will have to pay for shipping it to them. So, I will hang on to it for a while and try to use a different CPU (Venice 3200+) as I read on the AMD forum some people having problem with their memory subsystem with some AMD CPU's.

If that doesn't work then I will try to contact ASUS to see if they will do collect and return service.

PS. The technical support number for overclock is still 090... However, I contacted them through email, so it was 'free'

[budgie]

I finally had to return it as I was sure the mobo was faulty. I got it back in 2 days which was good. However, they still do not want to refund the postage cost. As the item was faulty ever since I received it, am I entitled for a refund? According to this I could be entitled.

TIA for any advice

[jupsi]

They got it fixed??? Please, tell me if it works now, I have _exactly_ the same problem and I'm desperate. Me too have been wondering if my memory (apacer 1gb, which is NOT on the QVL) doesn't work and if the PSU is too small since I have ridiculous amount of stuff plugged in.

[budgie]

Yes.
I RMA'd it back to overclock.co.uk and they replaced the motherboard.
The turnaround time was about 2 days, it's pretty impressive.
They even reimbursed some of the shipping cost because mine is pretty new and it had been like that from the beginning.

[DanceswithUnix]

So is it a nice box then, now it works?

The Aspire case and Asus A8N-VM CSM motherboard I ended up with are working fine, but the case feels a little flimsy and the whole thing is a bit big. I do wonder if the Terminator would have been better.