Problem with VA-503+ Mobo

Hi Robert, thanks for replying. Yes both are disabled. The PC was brought
in after a user noticed it was getting slower and slower performing tasks.
Customer swears nobody messed with BIOS settings, but you know how that
goes....
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard.DeleteThis@flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email

"Robert Akins" <robert.akins2.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:xZirb.26620$p9.21023@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
 > Could be several things... in Chipset Setup, do you have Write Cache
 > Pipeline and Read Around Write disabled?
 > Robert
 > "Louie" <louie.DeleteThis@nonya.com> wrote in message
 > news:5y7rb.46047$BX.8937@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
  > > I'm having a problem with this Mobo. Whenever I enable CPU internal
 > cache,
  > > Win98 returns protection mode fault message and will not load. If I
 > disable
  > > it everything's fine, Win loads although performance is slow as hell.
  > >
  > > Sys specs:
  > >
  > > VA-503+ Mobo by FIC
  > > Pentium MMX (266Mhz I believe)
  > > 2 32MB PC100 RAM
  > > 2GB WD HD
  > > CD-ROM
  > > nVidia Vanta (Detonator) Graphics Card
  > > Win98
  > >
  > > If anyone has a similar system, can you email me your BIOS setup info?
 > Sure
  > > would apreciate the info.
  > > --
  > > Louie
  > > Gainesville, FL
  > > SETI Stats: 1559WU/3.39yrs
  > > louiethelizard.DeleteThis@flies.hotmail.com
  > > eat the flies to email
  > >
  > >
 >
 >


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

Well, I hope I don't offend you, but a 2GB hard drive is very hard pressed
to run Win98 (or 95 for that matter). My rule is you should have a minimum
of around 700MB free space for the OS to work properly. Also, 64MB of
memory is a minimum as far as I'm concerned. The OS is spending more and
more time looking for places on the hard drive to swap data to while task
switching. I would recommend the person invest in a bigger hard drive,
6.4-10GB can be had used very inexpensively. Doubling the memory wouldn't
hurt either.
Robert (originally from Gainesville, TX)
"Louie" <louie RemoveThis @nonya.com> wrote in message
news:y_srb.69872$un.49297@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
 > Hi Robert, thanks for replying. Yes both are disabled. The PC was
brought
 > in after a user noticed it was getting slower and slower performing tasks.
 > Customer swears nobody messed with BIOS settings, but you know how that
 > goes....
 > --
 > Louie
 > Gainesville, FL
 > SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
 > louiethelizard RemoveThis @flies.hotmail.com
 > eat the flies to email
 >
 > "Robert Akins" <robert.akins2 RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:xZirb.26620$p9.21023@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
  > > Could be several things... in Chipset Setup, do you have Write Cache
  > > Pipeline and Read Around Write disabled?
  > > Robert
  > > "Louie" <louie RemoveThis @nonya.com> wrote in message
  > > news:5y7rb.46047$BX.8937@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
   > > > I'm having a problem with this Mobo. Whenever I enable CPU internal
  > > cache,
   > > > Win98 returns protection mode fault message and will not load. If I
  > > disable
   > > > it everything's fine, Win loads although performance is slow as hell.
   > > >
   > > > Sys specs:
   > > >
   > > > VA-503+ Mobo by FIC
   > > > Pentium MMX (266Mhz I believe)
   > > > 2 32MB PC100 RAM
   > > > 2GB WD HD
   > > > CD-ROM
   > > > nVidia Vanta (Detonator) Graphics Card
   > > > Win98
   > > >
   > > > If anyone has a similar system, can you email me your BIOS setup info?
  > > Sure
   > > > would apreciate the info.
   > > > --
   > > > Louie
   > > > Gainesville, FL
   > > > SETI Stats: 1559WU/3.39yrs
   > > > louiethelizard RemoveThis @flies.hotmail.com
   > > > eat the flies to email
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 >
 > ---
 > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
 > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
 > Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 11/6/03
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

No offence taken, Robert. <g>

I informed the customer of the exact same thing and they said they would get
a larger HD, but.... I installed a 20GB HD and re-enabled the CPU internal
cache. PC boots fine into DOS 6.2. Then I tried to install Win98. Setup
stalls with a SUWIN error after the setup wizard loads. OK, no big deal, I
thought. Reformatted the HD and set BIOS to boot from CD-ROM with same
error. Installed a different CD-ROM drive with same results. Disabled CPU
internal cache and rebooted and setup ran with no problem. I've even tried
swapping out the CPU (with power off and cord unplugged, anti-static
wriststrap on, etc. <bg> ). Still no joy with internal cache enabled.

Well, after all this, I recommended they get a new PC as this one isn't
worth fixing and they would be a whole lot happier. Heck, you can get a
pretty decent PC nowadays for around $300 refurbished. Still, this problem
bugs the crap out of me. I'll try reflashing BIOS to earlier version next.

On a side note: How many Gainesville's are there <g>? One in TX, one in GA
and one here in FL. Are there any others <g>? Mr. Gaines sure got around,
didn't he?
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard DeleteThis @flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email

"Robert Akins" <robert.akins2 DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:aHFrb.17952$n6.16048@nwrddc03.gnilink.net...
 > Well, I hope I don't offend you, but a 2GB hard drive is very hard pressed
 > to run Win98 (or 95 for that matter). My rule is you should have a
minimum
 > of around 700MB free space for the OS to work properly. Also, 64MB of
 > memory is a minimum as far as I'm concerned. The OS is spending more and
 > more time looking for places on the hard drive to swap data to while task
 > switching. I would recommend the person invest in a bigger hard drive,
 > 6.4-10GB can be had used very inexpensively. Doubling the memory wouldn't
 > hurt either.
 > Robert (originally from Gainesville, TX)



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 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

You know, it could be that the CPU itself has just had it. I remember working
on a computer with similar problems a couple of years ago. It was a Cyrix M-II
300 (actually ran at 233) on a VA-503+. I plunked in a new AMD K6-2 450, and
all the problems just went away. The computer is running fine to this day.

Since you can still find these new for about $20, this may be worth
considering. Also, if your customer is satisfied with a 266 MHz computer, he
would probably be quite pleased with a 450 for only $20. It's all relative.


--Alex


Louie wrote:

 > No offence taken, Robert. <g>
 >
 > I informed the customer of the exact same thing and they said they would get
 > a larger HD, but.... I installed a 20GB HD and re-enabled the CPU internal
 > cache. PC boots fine into DOS 6.2. Then I tried to install Win98. Setup
 > stalls with a SUWIN error after the setup wizard loads. OK, no big deal, I
 > thought. Reformatted the HD and set BIOS to boot from CD-ROM with same
 > error. Installed a different CD-ROM drive with same results. Disabled CPU
 > internal cache and rebooted and setup ran with no problem. I've even tried
 > swapping out the CPU (with power off and cord unplugged, anti-static
 > wriststrap on, etc. <bg> ). Still no joy with internal cache enabled.
 >
 > Well, after all this, I recommended they get a new PC as this one isn't
 > worth fixing and they would be a whole lot happier. Heck, you can get a
 > pretty decent PC nowadays for around $300 refurbished. Still, this problem
 > bugs the crap out of me. I'll try reflashing BIOS to earlier version next.
 >
 > On a side note: How many Gainesville's are there <g>? One in TX, one in GA
 > and one here in FL. Are there any others <g>? Mr. Gaines sure got around,
 > didn't he?
 > --
 > Louie
 > Gainesville, FL
 > SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
 > louiethelizard.TakeThisOut@flies.hotmail.com
 > eat the flies to email
 >
 > "Robert Akins" <robert.akins2.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:aHFrb.17952$n6.16048@nwrddc03.gnilink.net...
  > > Well, I hope I don't offend you, but a 2GB hard drive is very hard pressed
  > > to run Win98 (or 95 for that matter). My rule is you should have a
 > minimum
  > > of around 700MB free space for the OS to work properly. Also, 64MB of
  > > memory is a minimum as far as I'm concerned. The OS is spending more and
  > > more time looking for places on the hard drive to swap data to while task
  > > switching. I would recommend the person invest in a bigger hard drive,
  > > 6.4-10GB can be had used very inexpensively. Doubling the memory wouldn't
  > > hurt either.
  > > Robert (originally from Gainesville, TX)
 >
 > ---
 > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
 > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
 > Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 11/6/03<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

if its the internal cache then the CPU is shot, the board is probably
fine


Alex Zorrilla wrote:

 >You know, it could be that the CPU itself has just had it. I remember working
 >on a computer with similar problems a couple of years ago. It was a Cyrix M-II
 >300 (actually ran at 233) on a VA-503+. I plunked in a new AMD K6-2 450, and
 >all the problems just went away. The computer is running fine to this day.
 >
 >Since you can still find these new for about $20, this may be worth
 >considering. Also, if your customer is satisfied with a 266 MHz computer, he
 >would probably be quite pleased with a 450 for only $20. It's all relative.
 >
 >
 >--Alex
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"farmuse" <nonofurbiz.DeleteThis@blahblah.net> wrote in message
news:boood6$aki$1@solaris.cc.vt.edu...
 > if its the internal cache then the CPU is shot, the board is probably
 > fine
 >
 >
 > Alex Zorrilla wrote:
 >
  > >You know, it could be that the CPU itself has just had it. I remember
working
  > >on a computer with similar problems a couple of years ago. It was a
Cyrix M-II
  > >300 (actually ran at 233) on a VA-503+. I plunked in a new AMD K6-2 450,
and
  > >all the problems just went away. The computer is running fine to this
day.
  > >
  > >Since you can still find these new for about $20, this may be worth
  > >considering. Also, if your customer is satisfied with a 266 MHz
computer, he
  > >would probably be quite pleased with a 450 for only $20. It's all
relative.
  > >
  > >
  > >--Alex

Thanks for the replies, guys, but I already tried swapping the CPU's with 3
known good ones. Same problem. Win98 boots and runs slooooow with internal
cache disabled and not at all enabled.
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard.DeleteThis@flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

In article <aANrb.53607$BX.47612@bignews5.bellsouth.net>, Louie
<louie DeleteThis @nonya.com> writes
(snip)
 >
 >On a side note: How many Gainesville's are there <g>? One in TX, one in GA
 >and one here in FL. Are there any others <g>? Mr. Gaines sure got around,
 >didn't he?
 >--
That rings a bell from a dark and dusty recess of my memory ....
Wasn't a certain Mr Gaines chairman or something of MAD magazine ?
That would explain a lot if it were.
--
Roger Hunt<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"Roger Hunt" <Quicksilver_messenger_service.RemoveThis@carewg.demon.co.uk> wrote in
message news:EkqCFSA$K$r$Ewvz@carewg.demon.co.uk...
 > In article <aANrb.53607$BX.47612@bignews5.bellsouth.net>, Louie
 > <louie.RemoveThis@nonya.com> writes

(snip)

 > That rings a bell from a dark and dusty recess of my memory ....
 > Wasn't a certain Mr Gaines chairman or something of MAD magazine ?
 > That would explain a lot if it were.
 > --
 > Roger Hunt

LOL! Yeah, man, he was the publisher (?) of MAD. Sheesh, it's been a
looong time since I last heard of MAD. <bg>
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard.RemoveThis@flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 11/6/03<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"Louie" <louie RemoveThis @nonya.com> wrote in message news:aANrb.53607$BX.47612@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
 > No offence taken, Robert. <g>
 >
 > I informed the customer of the exact same thing and they said they would get
 > a larger HD, but.... I installed a 20GB HD and re-enabled the CPU internal
 > cache. PC boots fine into DOS 6.2. Then I tried to install Win98. Setup
 > stalls with a SUWIN error after the setup wizard loads. OK, no big deal, I
 > thought. Reformatted the HD and set BIOS to boot from CD-ROM with same
 > error. Installed a different CD-ROM drive with same results. Disabled CPU
 > internal cache and rebooted and setup ran with no problem. I've even tried
 > swapping out the CPU (with power off and cord unplugged, anti-static
 > wriststrap on, etc. <bg> ). Still no joy with internal cache enabled.
 >
 > Well, after all this, I recommended they get a new PC as this one isn't
 > worth fixing and they would be a whole lot happier. Heck, you can get a
 > pretty decent PC nowadays for around $300 refurbished. Still, this problem
 > bugs the crap out of me. I'll try reflashing BIOS to earlier version next.
 >
 > On a side note: How many Gainesville's are there <g>? One in TX, one in GA
 > and one here in FL. Are there any others <g>? Mr. Gaines sure got around,
 > didn't he?
 >
It may be like my 503+ after running fine for over 2 years I had similar
re-install problems with W98SE, After all manner of settings I could not
get it to install on the original 128 SDRAM, (including via floppy or CD getting
various errors including SUWIN errors) that by chance at a local computer fair I
picked up another 128 SRAM which was the double sided type and after
swapping it W98SE re-installed without any of the previous problems.

I have since added additional Crucial recommended memory, again with
no problems, plus the original 20Gig HD now has another 80Gig HD.
The only problem is that I had to install Linux on original 20Gig not on the 80Gig
as I had wanted.
The original 128 from the 503+ is still running fine in this PA-2013 MB.

Den<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"Den" <Den RemoveThis @NoSpamOrNoCornedBeef.unlimited-But-Was-Limited.RIP> wrote in
message news:bop1fd$9p1$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...

<snip>

 > It may be like my 503+ after running fine for over 2 years I had similar
 > re-install problems with W98SE, After all manner of settings I could not
 > get it to install on the original 128 SDRAM, (including via floppy or CD
getting
 > various errors including SUWIN errors) that by chance at a local computer
fair I
 > picked up another 128 SRAM which was the double sided type and after
 > swapping it W98SE re-installed without any of the previous problems.
 >
 > I have since added additional Crucial recommended memory, again with
 > no problems, plus the original 20Gig HD now has another 80Gig HD.
 > The only problem is that I had to install Linux on original 20Gig not on
the 80Gig
 > as I had wanted.
 > The original 128 from the 503+ is still running fine in this PA-2013 MB.
 >
 > Den

That just might be the problem, Den. <g> Memory is the only thing I
haven't swapped out, but I did check it with MemTester from SIMMTester and
everything checked out OK, so I didn't think any more about it. Will give
it a shot and get back to you.

BTW, many thanks to all who replied!
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard RemoveThis @flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

You may have to clock it down to 233. See
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.fica.com/site/html/products/mb/detail.asp?cat_id=3D240000051&C=" target="_blank">http://www.fica.com/site/html/products/mb/detail.asp?cat_id=3D240000051&C=</a>
_ID=3D240000077

Ben

Louie <louie.DeleteThis@nonya.com> wrote in message =
news:y_srb.69872$un.49297@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
 > Hi Robert, thanks for replying. Yes both are disabled. The PC was =
brought
 > in after a user noticed it was getting slower and slower performing =
tasks.
 > Customer swears nobody messed with BIOS settings, but you know how =
that
 > goes....
 > --
 > Louie
 > Gainesville, FL
 > SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
 > louiethelizard.DeleteThis@flies.hotmail.com
 > eat the flies to email
 >=20
 > "Robert Akins" <robert.akins2.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:xZirb.26620$p9.21023@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
  > > Could be several things... in Chipset Setup, do you have Write Cache
  > > Pipeline and Read Around Write disabled?
  > > Robert
  > > "Louie" <louie.DeleteThis@nonya.com> wrote in message
  > > news:5y7rb.46047$BX.8937@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
   > > > I'm having a problem with this Mobo. Whenever I enable CPU =
internal
  > > cache,
   > > > Win98 returns protection mode fault message and will not load. If =
I
  > > disable
   > > > it everything's fine, Win loads although performance is slow as =
hell.
   > > >
   > > > Sys specs:
   > > >
   > > > VA-503+ Mobo by FIC
   > > > Pentium MMX (266Mhz I believe)
   > > > 2 32MB PC100 RAM
   > > > 2GB WD HD
   > > > CD-ROM
   > > > nVidia Vanta (Detonator) Graphics Card
   > > > Win98
   > > >
   > > > If anyone has a similar system, can you email me your BIOS setup =
info?
  > > Sure
   > > > would apreciate the info.
   > > > --
   > > > Louie
   > > > Gainesville, FL
   > > > SETI Stats: 1559WU/3.39yrs
   > > > louiethelizard.DeleteThis@flies.hotmail.com
   > > > eat the flies to email
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >=20
 >=20
 > ---
 > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
 > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
 > Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 11/6/03
 >=20
 >=20
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers DeleteThis @mindspring.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:zXWrb.22458$9M3.4542@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
You may have to clock it down to 233. See
http://www.fica.com/site/html/products/mb/detail.asp?cat_id=240000051&C_ID=2
40000077

Ben

<snip>

Thanks, Ben. Will try tomorrow, just too tired right now. Will get back to
you.
--
Louie
Gainesville, FL
SETI Stats: 1564WU/3.41yrs
louiethelizard DeleteThis @flies.hotmail.com
eat the flies to email
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo 

"Robert Akins" <robert.akins2 DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:xZirb.26620$p9.21023@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
 > Could be several things... in Chipset Setup, do you have Write Cache
 > Pipeline and Read Around Write disabled?
 > Robert

I've been running my 503+ with both the settings you mentioned enabled. Any
reasons why they should be disabled ? Are there any places to read to set
the optimum BIOS settings ?

If it makes any difference, my other specs are:

Win98SE / Win2K SP3
K6-2 350 @ 450
2 X 256Mb PC133
8Gb IBM
3Gb Seagate
16Mb Voodoo 3 3000 AGP

TIA<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with VA-503+ Mobo