VENDER:"found them unable to run 133FSB stable"

[MegalosSkylaki]

I the immortal words of Clint Eastwood ("Dirty Harry"), "Swell !".

PCNut is selling an Abit KT7A-R + Duron 1.2 Ghz + Dr. Thermal HSF Combo for $95 +$10 .

However, includeds a strange cautionary note that they have been tested, and although new, the state not able to run the 133 (X 2 DDR) CPU's with stability. So they will guarentee them for 30 days and test and update the BIOS.

Interestingly, the Abit KT7A-R has been the subject of controvery here as to iwhether the ver.<3 can run an XP.

I myself, got stuck with a ver. 2, but didn't mind as I figured a SDRAM Mobo would just as well be hooked up to the T'Bird core Athlon. Have a 1 Ghz Athlon waiting for it. An XP would be more suitable for DDRam.

The BIOS cannot be upgraded to accomadate a Palomino core XP, as some HW problem. (Some have stated they have.)

Curiously, Vender paks it with a (Morgan) 1.2 Ghz Duron, which would suggest a Ver. 3.

Anyhow, WTF is going on when an Abit Mobo thats been around for a while is deemed not stable in its native Speed !

Did they get a bad lot of Ver. 3 (the XP version), which was defective for some reason? What is their standard of non-stable. Could they have errantly tested a Ver.<3 with a Palomino core ?

Did they somehow try to upgrade aver. 2, to a ver. 3, without realizing a HW differrence-- a tad bizarre..

This whole advisory is bizarre on their lot given it's a seasoned performer.

DOOOOOOOOOG

Err... I feel less proud owning the Abit KT7A-R)--and a lot of people own it too. Anyone find it unstable with a 266FSB ? Or is this an X-Files

[thekingofpain]

Im have a KT7-E with an Athlon 1.4/266 in a machine here that has worked fine for quite some time, im pretty sure all the KT-7 series were meant for a 100 mhz (200ddr) fsb like the 1.2 Duron requires, the E's chipset was easily "forced" (I have a KT7-A here in a box it replaced)

[MegalosSkylaki]

So you're saying I'm going to "force" my Abit KT7A-R by putting a T''Bird 266 in it ? Ironically I was looking at a T'Bird 200FSB 950 for $37 for my GF's Duron SONY...

Must be plenty of people running the Abit KT7A without problems at 266Mhz... May this is an X-Files...a fluke..

Speak up and make me feel proud again of my Abit sitting in a box, rearin' to go !

DOOOOOOOOG

P.S. These may have been different chipsets...yours a KT133, mine a KT133A--much different...

WHOOOPS...No you did have a KT133A

[Atomic Rooster]

The KT7A version 1.0 and 1.2 support all Athlon (Thunderbird) processors with both 100MHz and 133MHz FSB. AthlonXP processors are not officially supported due to a minor timing problem that can require you to hit reset during a cold boot. Unofficially, however, few people seem to experience this problem and these processors work fine.

The version 1.3 mobo's support All Duron, Duron (Morgan core), Athlon (Thunderbird) and AthlonXP processors to 2100+. AthlonXP processors at 2200+ are not supported.

This is from Paul's Unofficial KT7A-RAID Faq.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Yes, but with rare honesty, the Vender here reports that the Mobo is not stable at FSB 133/266, which it should be at any version, AR .Which is what is puzzleing. Mayube I'll give them a ring on Monday.

Something odd here as nobody here has reported instability on the Abit KT7A at T'Bird speeds.(Most around here seam to be <ver.3 , as is mine, hence the past controversy, which is not really relevant, was as to whether it could be boosted to XP levels.)

The XP2,200 is a thoroughbred and most Mobo's in use won't run it.

DOOOOG

[Atomic Rooster]

I would not trust that vendors comments. I have never heard of any KT7A board that couldn't run an Athlon 266 CPU for which they were designed for. My version 1.0 mobo runs stable at any FSB setting from 100MHz to 155MHz. They either have no idea what they are doing or are trying to run it with an underpowered PSU.

[Planetspectre]

I have 2 ABit KT7A boards [version 1.1 and 1.3].

The 1.3 board is currently running an XP1700 no problem.

The 1.1 board was screwed up when I tried up update the BIOS a few months ago, so I hot flashed it with the BIOS from the 1.3 mobo and was able to load version 1.3 BIOS onto it. It is currently running with a T-Bird 1200/266 o/ced to 1333.

Why my version 1.1 mobo runs fine with version 1.3 BIOS is a mystery to me. But both run at 133FSB flawlessly. I love ABit boards.

For reference, my 1.3 is running BIOS version 8T [4/12/2002] and the 1.1 is running 4T [8/24/2001].

Spectre

[MegalosSkylaki]

I'm going to use my T'Bird 1Ghz to flash the Abit KG7-R DDR Mobo to run a Palomino core--although I think somebody mentioned a flash for the 2200 (?) elsewhere..

Then the 1G 266'Bird goes to the Abit KT7A-R SDR Mobo, so this ad cought my eye. I thought this report was a fluke, as this is so widely used a Mobo, it would be all over the place.

I am glad this was probably an abberration the Vender reported--and give them credit for their honesty, if indeed they drew a funky batch. Maybe I'll still give them a ring to look it over...

Actually, I wish I could just flash the Abit KG7 from an XP CPU and not have to fiddlle with switching CPU's. Alternatively, I thought of getting a $37 (includes shipping) FSB 200 950 Mgz Athlon for the GF's Duron SONY, and using the Duron 800 to flash the Kg7-R Mobo. (Some say they can flash this KG7-R DDR Mobo with an XP, but da Newbie DooG is a bit wary of this.)

Always nice to have an X-tra CPU around

(PCNut is a TecHIMO sponser , so let's give 'em the benifit of the doubt on this. Seem to have some nice Combo's , for those that like to buy in one order. The can come here for the TecHIMO Task Force )

SHARP-EYED DOOO-OOOG