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Thread ID: 93186 2008-09-07 01:17:00 Major system problems - mobo dying? Tony (4941) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
703126 2008-09-09 03:38:00 OK here's the latest:

I removed the video card and plugged into the onboard video. Did a clean Vista install and formatted the C: drive. So we know there are no ATI drivers involved.

The system still fails with PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, even if it is apparently doing nothing. If I leave the system idle for a while, it will fail all by itself. I haven't actually been in front of it at the point of failure, so I can't pinpoint the trigger. The stop code on the BSOD is 0x50.

I'm reasonably confident it is not the memory per se, as I have tried all sorts of combinations and numbers of memory sticks, and it makes no difference.

I'm wondering whether (a) there is a BIOS setting that I need to tweak, or (b) whether the M2-MNX mobo is fundamentally incompatible with the processor, although the website seems to say it is OK.

I saw a reference somewhere to disabling the L2 cache, but I can't see how that might be done.

This is driving me nuts!:badpc:
Tony (4941)
703127 2008-09-09 03:41:00 Test the memory that youve tried to see if its actually stuffed Speedy Gonzales (78)
703128 2008-09-09 03:42:00 Tony, are you installing the chipset drivers for the motherboard?....yeah I know, obvious question, however....... SolMiester (139)
703129 2008-09-09 04:06:00 Tony, are you installing the chipset drivers for the motherboard?....yeah I know, obvious question, however.......The short answer is no, not in this cycle of upsets, but they would have been installed at some point.

I just tried doing it again using the ASUS mobo CD and also downloaded from the website. All I got was an incredibly brief setup message, then "installation failed...". Is that telling us anything?

Speedy, I have been through the memory checking earlier in this exercise with no errors found. Do you have any suggestions about number of cycles, checking parameters etc. if I do it again?
Tony (4941)
703130 2008-09-09 23:05:00 I've run windows memory diagnostics overnight - 10 passes of the extended set. No errors were reported.

I'm totally out of ideas.
Tony (4941)
703131 2008-09-09 23:44:00 Try reset the BIOS to defaults, this should always be done after flashing, however also a great way to reset the board, then try install the chipset drivers again, if it still fails and you have the right drivers, i'd say the board is failing. SolMiester (139)
703132 2008-09-09 23:47:00 if it still fails and you have the right drivers, i'd say the board is failing.

I'd say RMA the board now.
pctek (84)
703133 2008-09-10 01:10:00 Try reset the BIOS to defaults, this should always be done after flashing, however also a great way to reset the board, then try install the chipset drivers again, if it still fails and you have the right drivers, i'd say the board is failing.I've done the reset thing this morning; I haven't tried to reinstall the chipset drivers since. I'll try that. I have emails in to both AMD and ASUS, but I'm not hugely hopeful of a response.

I wondered fairly early on whether it was the mobo failing, or I'd damaged it reinstalling the memory or processor. I hate the way you have to press so hard to get the DIMMs to click into place.

The other thing I wondered was whether there is a fundamental mismatch between the M2N-MX mobo and the newer processor, despite the BIOS upgrade.

If I decide to change the mobo, any recommendations for an ATX form-factor mobo for a mid-range setup (no heavy gaming)?
Tony (4941)
703134 2008-09-10 01:12:00 I'd say RMA the board now.What's RMA (apart from the Resource Management Act? :)) Return something something, I'm guessing... Tony (4941)
703135 2008-09-10 01:16:00 Most mobos are ATX, some are MATX

Altho depending on what you get, you may have to buy another CPU and ram (If the mobo doesnt support DDR ram).

Return it / send it back to the shop or somewhere
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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