Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe with Sempron 2600+ CPU restarts at random 1

[remre5]

Has anyone seen incompatibility with the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe board and a Sempron processor? This combination has been a problem from day 1 and builder refuses to recognize that there's a problem! Had it put together in January 2005.
System components:
Asus A7N8X-E motherboard witn Sempron 2600+ processor
1 gig PC 3200 memory running dual channel
Antec Sonata Quiet case
80 gb HD
Combo DVD CD-RW drive
Geforce FX 5200 128Mg video card
Extra serial/parallel card to accommodate serial infra red device and a GPS watch

Have a USB 120gb HD attached
Plain Logitech USB optical mouse
17" monitor
Small Lexmark E210 laser printer

Initially had a 19" Viewsonic monitor on it plus a Logitech MX100 laser mouse along with the optical mouse.

Runs on a network with another computer with same mobo and Athlon XP 2400 CPU, inkjet printer, USB 120gb HD, USB DVD recorder, USB optical mouse, Wacom graphic pad and 2 keyboards. This slightly older computer runs rock solid. Also have an older Pentium III on same network with no problems.

The invoice shows an XP 2600 2.13 CPU. I noticed there was a Sempron sticker on the case, but didn't investigate at the time, since AMD changes names on processors. Boy, should I have investigated. Have belatedly realized that the Sempron is successor to Duron. The computer is still under warranty, fortunately. It just restarts itself randomly at no particular time. Sometimes while playing a simple internet game, sometimes while reading email and sometimes while just sitting idle. I've changed out various components, had it back in their shop for a week, talked to the head tech and all I get is that it doesn't have a problem. Always considered this company as extremely reliable and have steered quite a bit of business their way. I considered building this computer myself and now realize I should have! I just don't have much place to do it where I live right now.

The sales rep says the Athlon XP 2600 wasn't available and has been replaced by the Sempron. Well, not exactly. It isn't made any more, but there are still lots of them around and the Sempron sure isn't a replacement. It's running a bit longer between restarts since I dumbed down the extra components, but it then makes a nearly useless computer. I want to be able to use a 19" monitor and two mice. Technician says he can't imagine using two mice successfully. Well I can and have for a long time.

Saw a review at NewEgg that mentioned the Sempron isn't compatible with this motherboard, but can't find any other documentation to that effect. I'm in discussion with the computer system builder and I intend to get some resolution, but would like thoughts from some of you good tech people on what you may have seen.

Gram Does Computers

 

[wahnula]

All I know is the Sempron is sold as the re-labeled Athlon XP, I've built a few machines w/ it and love its high speed and low cost.

That said, first place I look after spontaneous reboot is PSU, second place is processor cooling solution (Maybe a poor-fitting heatsink, I had one where the thermal pad was off-center and not doing its job), third place is RAM (swap sticks) fourth place would be a hosed software install (boot into Safe Mode, see if it continues).

My money's on the PSU, since it happens under stress. Thermal reaction is easy to test, just open the case and aim a fan at the proc and run a tough game or benchmark. Good luck & post back w/ results.

Tony

 

[remre5]

Thanks Tony. Have already checked out the PSU. Swapped out the 380W Antec that comes in the case with a 2 fan 420W Antec that's in the older PIII. Wasn't the problem. Swapped it back for obvious reasons. Thought about the PSU right away because I've had to upgrade in the other computers.

The heatsink is a good thought, especially since the problem doesn't happen quite so often with less load on it, but it still happens occasionally with absolutely no load. I won't try the open case & fan test, yet. Will give the dealer another day.

It's pretty frustrating to have sales people and some (not all) young techs think I'm just a dumb old lady and they can tell me anything. I'm not Microsoft certified and lack a lot of in-depth tech training, but I've got pretty good instincts and logic.

Tony, you might want to investigate the Sempron a bit more. There is some pretty good info at

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2139

Have a small piece of test software from AMD and it shows the clock speed of my Athlon XP 2400 at 2.025 and the Sempron 2600 at 1.8. I sure didn't plan to buy a newer setup and get a slower processor — and one that has problems! It will get resolved somehow.

Thanks

Gram Does Computers

 

[G0AOZ]

Your supplier sure doesn't sound very helpful... I guess you'll not be spending your hard earned $$$ with him again.

Might be worth checking to see he's not given you a motherboard with an old BIOS on it. I've had several new Asus boards arrive recently which didn't have the latest BIOS. Asus website may well have a BIOS update which more adequately deals with the Semperon...? And a word of warning - watch the date on the BIOS update executable file AFUDOS.EXE - some of the older ones don't successfully flash the latest updates.

Good luck.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[remre5]

Thanks Roger

I'll check out that BIOS. You are right that I'll think quite a while before I send business to that particular supplier. My photographer son had bought a large number of entire systems after I sent him there. He's been a little miffed, also. There don't seem to be many system builders that care a whole lot once the box goes out the door.

Gram Does Computers

 

[remre5]

For Roger - GOAOZ

Checked out the BIOS and it is updated to a version that's supposed to support Sempron.

Just have the feeling the MB isn't totally compatible with the CPU, even with the updated BIOS.

Haven't had as many restart problems since I removed every extra peripheral I could. Also found that the on-board USB ports apparently can't support much. I have everything running from a powered USB hub and it helps. My Athlon XP with the same MB has an additional USB 2.0 card that has most of the peripherals on it. Maybe that is part of a solution.

Still haven't heard from my supplier on any resolution. Guess I'll have to harrass them a bit more. Right now I have less computer for more money than if I had gone to a big box store and picked up a standard HP or ordered a Dell! This one isn't as useful as the old P III.

Thanks everyone.

Gram Does Computers

 

[G0AOZ]

Might be worth running a memory test on this machine, or at least swapping it out for some known good RAM.

Check out the CPU temperature in the BIOS. As the machine is under warranty you may not want to start messing with the heatsink. But if the temp appears high then cleaning the mating surfaces (CPU and heatsink) and then applying a new fresh thin layer of heatsink compound would at least knock this possible problem off your check list.

If, understandably you don't want to do that, open the case and direct a conventional portable cooling fan at the motherboard, and see if that makes any difference.

Are we talking about a random reboot roughly every hour/day/week, or what?

I think bottom line here maybe to team up with your son and go see this supplier, put your foot down with a firm hand and demand some action. If necessary, maybe write to the MD...

ROGER - G0AOZ.