computer problems

[gummyworm]

A couple of months ago I decided I wanted to make my own computer. I bought a gigabyte 7VM400M-RZ motherboard, AMD sempron 2500+ (1.8 ghz), a radeon 9200 pro, 256 mb of ram, and a case. When I have the main jumper "open" the computer randomly crashes after starting windows. If I have the main jumper closed, the system runs at 1.0ghz, but does not crash. is it a power supply problem or what?

[Rocko]

Erm. the board has jumper pins? I myself own 2 semprons and they are unbelievably good for the money (heck I get better speed than my friends P4 3Ghz). mind you their are both socket 754 and the motherboard you mentioned I am not familiar with. **checks google** ok it is a socket A, something I have no familiarity with. BUT!!!! I have heard that some boards will need a bios revivison to take the Sempron Chip correctly (indeed, some boards need a bios revision to take a duron!). If your unfamilar with this though I would ask for help. I know some boards are fail safe in that they actually have their own flash utility built in, but a wrong move could leave you a dead board.

[Rocko]

Having a bit of a look around it seems a few people are having similar but not entirly the same issues. I would double check the (fsb) rating to make sure it matches PLUS! make sure your ram is fast enough to take it. (i don't know if these boards will change ratio to match?)

[gamefreaks]

Are you sure you have set the FSB correctly. It should be 133Mhz. (Or 266Mhz Dual Pumped)

Your ram should be DDR333 or PC2700 (Same thing) to run the FSB in-sync with the Ram.

Also, check the memory latency settings. (If you have the option) Start with 3-4-4-11 and drop them from there if they can handle it. Also remember that it is not unusual for 'unbranded' ram to not run at it's rated frequency. (Having said that I have had cheap PC2100 do DDR400 at 2-2-2-5!!!)

Also, Is the PSU up to the job? You'll need around 350Watts for that system. (Don't forget that cheap PSU's are rated at unsustainable peak load, In other words, they often blow up under load!!!)

A couple of progs that may help you are Prime95 for CPU and Ram stability testing and Memtest86 for testing your Ram. You may simply have static damnage!

Also, try (if you have options in the BIOS) upping the Voltage on the CPU and RAM On the ram, don't go above 2.77V or +0.1v on the CPU core. This will give you more stability, but keep a close eye on the temps and load test (With 3dMark or Prime95) and increase incrementally using the smallest possible step.