K7S5A Mobo-can't get sysyem to run newer games.

[Belgarrath]

-AMD Duron 1Ghz
-Nvidia TNT2 model 64 AGP w/32MB or
-ATI Radeon VE AGP w/32MB DDR
-256 MB PC100 system ram
-Directx 8.1
-Latest drivers on both Video cards
-Windows 98SE
After doing some research on this board, most reviews say how stable and trouble-free it is. This the main reason I chose it. But I've have had problems with it from the start. I am running Window 98SE and have flashed to the latest BIOS. Windows runs great, and most things do fine but it does not seem to play any of the newer games. Even the Sims won't play. It throws me back to desktop as soon as the video/music (animation) starts. Morrowind actually plays, but crashes almost immediately with odd messages asking if I want to continue running executable. Medal of Honor: Allied Assault crashes entire system at a gray transition screen. All of the system reqirements are met for the games. The only area I can think of is in dxdiag.exe, the message says the video drivers aren't signed. I can't see this being a problem since the same configuration exists in my system and it runs all of these games(My two oldest boys went in together to buy this board to have their own computer and specifically be able to play these games). I have adjusted all sorts of settings in the Bios. Have switched power supply,video cards,added Ram, CD rom drives, 80 pin cables and numerous settings within display panel,Windows, followed troubleshooting procedures for the individual games. Nothing works. I've e-mailed ECS support but they are back-logged.

After doing some thinking on it, my hypothesis is a failure to run anything that uses hardware acceleration (eg... Baldur's Gate crashed as soon as the "storm" Black Isle animation started with 3d acceleration option selected. With software option, it ran fine. I just don't know.

 

[mikecx]

What kind of video card? Sounds more at fault to me.

 

[paparazi]

Just a couple of things:
I have used this motherboard in the past and the first version was a nightmare, but if yours was purchased in the last 6 months you should have a newer version which are very stable.
Have you got both of these video cards fitted? why? does it still crash with just one fitted? or am I getting confused by your post?
Some of the games mentioned are a little intensive for both of these cards to handle, the TNT2 and Radeon VE are pretty low end and something like Allied Assault or Medal of Honour would probably need at minimum a DDR Radeon or GF2 MX400 to play smoothly, but this shouldn't caurse it to crash.
My local PC shop used this board for a long time in there basic system builds and one thing I can say is this board prefers DDR memory, infact many customers faults were fix by replacing the SDram for DDR 2100. Martin Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[Belgarrath]

I just mentioned both video cards because I've tried both cards (not at the same time). The mobo version is 3.1 . The Radeon card has 32MB of DDR ram. As far as system requirements for MOH:AA , I have twice the processor power, twice the ram, and twice the video ram required to run the game. Plus it says right on the box that it supports both of these video cards.I will probably work on it tomorrow night (the 5th).

 

[paparazi]

Sorry! didn't mean to diss your hardware but there is playing and there is playing.
The Radeon VE is a cut down version of the processor and a very poor performing video card unlike the full Radeon DDR which benchmarks with over double the points in 3D benchmark 2001 with the same 32mb of memory.
And a TNT2 M64 is also a cut down version of a now ancient Nvidia card that has lower frame rates than the Voodoo 3.
As for what the game manufactures say, they want to sell games! and probably say onboard 8mb SIS will also play the game, as it does, but then there is playing and there is playing.
Geforce 2 MX400 or Full Radeon DDR to play smoothly. Martin Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[Belgarrath]

Well... I think we've gotten off the point here. The problem still remains. No 3D acceleration, period. Baldur's Gate is well within the range of either card and it won't play. I KNOW the cards work with these games. Now, my question is...is it something as simple as a bios setting or wrong driver, or maybe something like a Direct X problem, or is it internal hardware on the MB? This is a brand new MB. I'd hate to go through all the trouble to pack it up and send it back (not to mention a restocking fee)if was just a setting or driver or something simple like that.

 

[huffbr]

Have you installed the latest mother board drivers?

 

[Belgarrath]

Motherboard drivers? Hmm. I have flashed to the latest Bios update. What do you mean?

 

[attrofy]

Just a few thoughts...

Check that you have good memory. This board is especially picky about SDRAM memory and graphics. It works much better with DDR. Before investing in a video card, buy DDR memory. I would almost lay money on this being the problem.

2ndly, check the obvious. In your BIOS settings make sure that your memory clock speed is set correctly, make sure that you have the Primary Graphics adapter set to AGP.

Even though the video cards you mention are a little dated, they should still run those games, to some extent. I have this exact same board in the machine i am currently using plus 3 others. 2 are running XP pro, and one is running 98se.

One last thing, go to

http://www.amdforums.com

and scroll down to the ECS motherboard section. You will find dozens of posts pertaining to this exact problem. Most of them are issues with SDRAM. Crucial has 256MB DDR 2100 for $68 with free shipping.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...s&mfr=Elite+Group+(ECS)&model=K7S5A&submit=Go

HTH,
Russell

 

[mainegeek]

Install the utility cd that came with the mobo. They should have the AGP drivers on it as well as other stuff.

 

[huffbr]

There should be a driver disk that came with your motherboard. If not, look on the website for the latest ones. These drivers control different things like the chipset and junk.

 

[2ndtonunn]

Hi just been looking at this thread, I agree with all the statements concerning DDR Ram, this board is VERY fussy about SDR. Secondly ensure that your processor/memory speeds are correctly set (100/100) for your combination. Thirdly have you tried running DXDIAG and working through the various tests that can be done, we have found that the onboard sound often causes gaming problems, make sure that the acceleration is on minimum.

 

[Belgarrath]

Oh yea. Yes those were installed.