Hello... I have been trying to assemble a computer for the last week now, but I cannot get it to run without any random crashes. Let me give you the specs first, and then explain what I did to troubleshoot: AMD Athlon 900 Classic Dual Fan CPU Cooler Aopen AK72 Motherboard (VIA KX133 Chipset) 2 256MB Crucial/Micron Memory PC 133 CL2 300 Watt Power Supply On Board Sound I/O Magic 32MB AGB Video IBM 15GB Deskstar ATA-66/7200 RPM HD Sony 48x CD-ROM TrendNet 10/100 NIC TekRam 315 SCSI Adaptor Yamaha SCSI 6/4/16 CD-R/RW NEC 15" Monitor I planned on running Windows ME on this system. I installed it without any add-ons installed except for the video card. I then added each component one at a time. Everything was fine except that the computer just randomly crashes. It freezes... no mouse... no keyboard reboot, have to reset or power down. Sometimes its 5 minutes in and sometimes its a half hour. And it's not just with one specific program either. But I haven't been able to isolate the problem yet. Here's what i've done to try: Update BIOS from 1.07 to most recent 1.11. Removed network card: still crashed Then Removed SCSI card: still crashed installed VIA's most recent 4in1 driver pack: still crashed. Downloaded all the most recent drivers for my video/network/scsi - still crashed. Reformated... Installed Win98SE... still crashed. Reformated... Installed Win2k... still crashed. Turned of AGP acceleration in bios... alternated SDRAM settings in bios (clock speed, etc) Checked temp of processor (89 F)... and still crashed. I also tried two other video cards... one AGP and one PCI... and still crashed. Also swapped memory with memory that was compatible and known to work in another system.... and still crashed! I've spent four days now and running out of options. I am thinking of sending back the system board.... or possibly getting another Athlon processor. I can't rationally think its anything but those 2 things. I have read on a few message boards about problems with Athlons and VIA's KX133 chipset, but nothing ever concrete was said. Should I look for an AMD Chipset instead? If you have any suggestions on what more I can do to get this machine working I would really really appreciate it. It's about to get thrown out a window! Thanks in advance!

I'd agree that you should try a different board...I've had some problems with Asus ATA100 boards, so I'd suggest a Microstar. By Athlon Classic, do you mean Slot A? I'm not familiar with the Via KX chipset.

Yes the Athlon is Slot A. They also have Slot A Athlon "Thunderbird" processors as well. Not exactly sure what the difference is between them but I know noy all Athlon Motherboards run the T-Birds. Amazingly enough I have had some previous bad experiences with Microstar boards as well. Thanks for your help!

I am using the K7V-T mainboard by ASUS. I have about the same system and it never gives any trouble.

you're not overclocking it are you? is the cpu voltage correct? if everthing is kosher then i would try another mobo.

Nope not overclocking... Looking into 3 options at the moment: a) ordered athlon tested memory to see if that works. b) possibly a power supply problem, someone suggested that 300 watts wasn't suffiecient for a AMD Athlon 900 and all the components installed. c) possibly a heat problem... i really doubt this one since i have a dual fan on there, but i didn't any heat compound between the processor and the fan, so i may try that too. Thanks for all the suggestions!

fan will not help you without the heat compound... it is supposed to provide the heat transfer from the processor to the heat sink... Regards Miro