Ddr400 question - mega 180

as usual, I'm a bit confused by contradicting information on forums and MSI releases. Some places say DDR333 is the max, others say DDR400.
here's the deal: I want to use 1gb of kingston DDR400 with an MSI mega 180 and an Athlon Xp 2000+, without using onboard video.
I am not much into overclocking (harldy need it...) - I'm more interested in stability. I certainly don't know enough about it to mess around with bios and possibly ruining the poor machine.
if I simply put the DDR400 in place with this CPU and an AGP video card (without changing the bios from AUTO mode), will it be stable? otherwise, what changes do I need to manually do in the bios to insure stability while using the abilities of DDR400?
BTW: after a little modding work, by the way, heat is no longer an issue.

I'm using DDR400 because thats what i found when i looked at the specification for the MEGA 180 and when i placed the order online the shop said they were compatible.
When installed the DDR400 memory is working fine no problems at all... its just running at 333 instead of 400. I didn't bother returning it to get DDR333 because everything is working fine and the 512MB Giel memory was pretty cheap (only 775NOK) from here
-> http://psdata.no/.
Standard MEGA 180
AthlonXP 2800+ Barton
BIOS out of the box
Geil 1 x 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz
MSI X52P combo drive
Master - Maxtor 7200rpm 80GB (win XP without SP1)
Given up on media centre and using other software instead

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MEGA 180 questions

Okay, so i'm looking at getting a MEGA 180, but before I spend any money I want to make sure it's what i want. So i have a few (hopefully easy to answer) questions.
1. Does the BIOS allow for any sort of overclocking
2. When it is stated that it supports up to 3000+, if you can overclock, can you get above the 3000+ level, or is that the limit.
3. Are there any restrictions on the optical drives that will fit in it? (Dimensions would help me here)
and finally, just in case
4. If anyone has dealt with linux on this system, how is it, as in are there any major problems, etc.
Thanks a lot to anyone who helps, I appreciate it.

Hi Peacetank,
regarding your questions:
1: You can adjust the FSB, and also choose from 3 different Vcore and AGP voltages. However, the biggest problem is likely going to be the heat. You will be dealing with a lot of computer hardware stuffed in a small place. There are several suggestions on this forum to lower the temperatures, but don't expect miracles. The Mega 180 is a far from ideal OC-PC.
2: I'm not sure about this one, but guess it would be possible. A drawback on using a higher FSB would be the limitations of the nforce chipset. It seems that the onboard GForce graphics chip has problems with an FSB of 200 MHz.
3: Optical drives would preferrably be as short as possible. There are some problems reported related to specific drives so see if you can try before you buy.
4: I have seen some Linux related topics in this forum, but I don't know if all the hardware is already supported.
If you are looking for the ultimate game PC, I would not recommend the Mega 180, but when you are looking for a well performing multimedia PC with a lot of extra's: e.g. dual VGA out, optical SP/DIF in-out, wireless network / accespoint, radio, optional TV-card, cool looking LCD front panel, internal card reader;
and you are not afraid to tackle some problems when assembling and installing the computer, go for it!
JaDi

Mega 180/Media Player/Graphic Card/TV-Out

Hi,
after very long research I decided to use Mega 180 as a dedicated PC for media center purpose and to connect it directly to my TV (Siemens 100 Hz real flat 16:9) and to upgrade my second PC and to connect the two PCs wirelesly and to use Media Portal software.
And then I have started to read related posts and forums. But this time I learned that there are new issues I have to deal with.
1. TV-out: The TV-Out of Mega 180 is not good enough on a TV. My question is do I have to buy another powerful graphic card? I need recommendation. My TV has composite and scart inputs.
2. Media Portal: This software has lack of some features. If I use MCE 2005, will it be better?
3. If I use a video converter, will it help me to find better picture on my TV?
Yes bodies, unfortunately there is no way to find the best solution. And I am at the final stage. If this solution does not run, I will give up. I need your recommendations.

This is copied from another reply I made today. The Mega 180 can drive a TV just fine. But you need to spend alot of time making it work.
How you hook up to your TV depends on your available TV connections and your quality standard. The Mega 180 does have an SVideo output. I don't use this however. I have a VGA input port on my 42 inch plasma monitor. It accepts VGA 640 X 480, 800 x 600, or 1024 X 768 standard computer resolutions. It also accepts 480P or 1080i TV inputs using the VGA port. Many quality TV monitors have a DVI port or component video. These would require some sort of physical adapter to attach to a Mega PC.
So I actually run in 1080i mode most of the time. This makes DVD's and HDTV look really nice. When using the XP computer screen I keep it in 1080i mode but map this to 960 X 540 resolution using PowerStrip. This way I can read the text on the display without it being distorted. However this is pretty low resolution for most web browsers and email programs. So it is kind of cramped... When playing computer games I switch to 1024 X 768 computer mode. The good thing is the on board Nvidia MX440 graphics work just fine to generate all these modes. So I do not have a card in the AGP slot.

WMVHD on Mega 180

Hi,
I ask your help to understand if my Mega 180 with 1 gb ddr and integrated geforce4 (with 128 mb dedicated) can play smoothly wmvhd.
Is there any bios setting that can solve the problem?
Or I have to use the latest nvidia drivers?
Or simply I have to add an AGP video card?
Thanks in advance.

So far I tested the ATI 9200, the situation improves a little, but only on WMV 720p, not on 1080i.
Please help me to solve my problem. Should I:
-upgrade my bios
-change some config on present bios
-install a more powerful CPU (maximum allowed Athlon 3000+)
-install an additional GPU like GeForce 6600 even if is suggested only with a PSU of 300 Watts and my Mega 180 has a 200W(PFC 5V/12V SB) Full Range
the last solution is the most suggested but I'm scared about heating on my case.
Thanks in advance
Renato
Configuration:
Mega 180
CPU Athlon 2600+
1Gb (2x512) RAM DDR400 V-Data
HD Maxtor 160Gb IDE
DVD Burner Pioneed A109
Integrated audio
Integrated Geforce4
USB-Bluetooth Dongle
Bluetooth trackball keyboard DigitalRise (http://www.digitalrise.biz/products/input/keyboard_btb/)
Windows XP Pro SP2
Latest Nforce Sound drivers and Nvidia Video drivers
TV CRT Philips 32PW9308 32 inch. 16:9 100hz (via S-SHS)
Screen Resolution 720x480
Audio output by Creative GD580 5.1 Surround Speaker (Dolby & DTS)

Mega 180 - Install Video Card or Install Video Driver

I just spent 6 hours at a customer's house trying to fix the Mega 180 I built for her.
As I stated in a previous thread, the machine was working fine and then she experienced the BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH. This is when your machine POSTS, loads Windows and just before Windows starts, the monitor goes dead. Windows still loads and if you remember where icons are on the desktop, you can click them and stuff happens. The monitor just stops getting a signal. However, if you hold down F8 during boot and chose VGA mode, you can use Windows in VGA mode. The monitor being used is a Sony Multiscan200ES.
Once in Windows, if you look under device manager, you'll see a listing of Unknown and under that it lists nVidia GeForce4 MX Integrated CPU.
So, I've tried the following fixes:
1) Uninstalled all chipset & viideo drivers, reboot, reinstall chipset drivers, reboot, reinstall video driver, reboot. BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH.
2) Uninstall video driver, reboot. Windows starts under the generic driver. I install the video driver, reboot, BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH.
3) Figuring there had to be an easier solution to this problem, I installed an ATI Radeon 8500 card that I had laying around (I know this card works) figuring that I'll just sidestep the whole video driver issue by not using the onboard video. Things just aren't that easy because after I installed the card the machine won't even POST. It turns on but nothing happens. ARRRR!!! I try reseating the card, nope - nothing. I take the card out and use the onboard graphics to make sure everything is ok in BIOS. I read that if the BIOS detects an AGP card it will automatically disable the onboard graphics but it doesn't seem like that's happening. So I look around BIOS and there is no way to disable the onboard graphics. I have it set to boot AGP first, etc. and nothing works.
I guess the last thing I can do is reformat the drive, reinstall windows, and reinstall everything else. But I don't want to do this because the machine is all set up, been used for a while, and it takes so long to reinstall everything.
My question is this. How can I either reinstall the video driver so it works or how can I install a video card so it works? Ideas???

Quote
I'm going to hunt over at nVidia's website to see if they have a cleaner utility (ATI does for its Radeon drivers - rids the system of every last trace).
nVidia don't need a cleaner utility cos their software is better written!
stab in the dark - the vga lead is connected to PRIMARY vga port?
go to add/remove programs and Remove "Nvidia Display Driver" in Safe mode
restart your computer and it should boot into VGA mode, and prompt with Found New Hardware. cancel this.
the nvidia software will leave the install stuff on your computer, usually in C:\NVIDIA. browse to here and find and run the setup.exe to reinstall the software.
if its been working before, then its probably not a memory issue - it might also be worth making sure the latest nforce drivers (3.13) are installed too.
oh and customers usually WON'T admit to messing around to stuff they shouldn't - in my experience anyway!!

Need help with msi mega 180 + athlon xp-m combo

Dear forummembers
I had a question regarding the athlon xp-m. I installed the cpu in my mobo and it works at a slow speed. 600mhz (multiplier @ 6, fsb 100) So I used a pinmod. Now it runs at 1400mhz (multiplier @ 7x systembus and x14), but I have 2500+ m @ 45 watt or something so it should run at 1862. The problem is my fsb. It runs only at 100. How can I change the FSB? I selected in the bios fsb 133 but it jumps back to 100 all the time. I have the newest bios available, downloaded and installed with liveupdate. is it possible to set the fsb in the bios, or do I have to change the pinmod again? I know the site for that: pinmod map viewer
I selected socketview, barton and 7x systembuss + 133mhz and I checked and checked again. I did inserted the pinmodwires like it's shown. I used 5 cutted speaker fiber wires (copper)
My current speed is: 14x 100 mhz, but I want 14*133. The multiplier is correct, but the fsb isn't. What is the problem? Does anyone know?
Here is an example picture, for people, who don't know what a pinmod is:

AFAIK, you shouldn't need a pinmod for a Mobile Athlon XP CPU to work in a nforce2 mobo
did you have any other CPU installed prior to this one? if so, refer here to clear the CMOS: Clear CMOS Guide
next, refer to your manual, or download from MSI, for location of the FSB jumpers; ensure J8 is shorted across pins 1-2, and J7 is shorted
finally, enter your BIOS setup menu, and under Advanced Chipset Features, set CPU FSB to 133mhz (or even 166mhz if you have DDR333 memory). the only thing i can't see in the Mega 180 manual is where you set the multiplier...
which is where the BIOS has limited overclocking features, and you might have a problem here
i think i'll pass this over to the Overclockers forum, where someone may be able to give a better answer....

Mega 180 9800 pro

My initial PC setup was:
XP2200+
1gb Geil DDR400 CAS2.5 6-3-3-? value mem
60gb UDMA100 Segate 2mb cache 7200
Nec DVD+-rw drive
Saphire Radeon9800 pro (R350)
I wanted to upgrade the CPU to a XP3000+. After installing, windows would boot up, then autoshutdown. I thought it was a heat issue. Pissed me off some as i thought it (or the heatsink) was certified to 3000+ (and yes, it was a 333fsb cpu). So was a little peeved, but sold cpu to dad, so atleast got money back. Anyway, thought i would try a 2700+ instead. Had to take out all the drives to install cpu, that wasnt too much bother. Plugged in comp after putting on therm paste on cpu, used onboard graphs for time being to test it was ok. Everything fine. Thought i would plug in hdd, windows booted fine. plugged everything in (incl 9800 pro), and monitor wouldnt turn on. Took out 9800, and used onboard, windows booted fine, thought i dammaged 9800 pro. Searched this forum and founds resetting cmos might help. plugged in 9800, reset cmos, all worked ok. Mucked around with ram cas settings, stopped working again. reset cmos again, 9800 in, all worked again. Apparently, adjusting cas timmings etc stops 9800 pro from working. I guess thats how its going to have to be. Want to thank all those who helped me fix it (even tho it aint running at full potential), this forum and everyone on it have been a real help. Just want to know if there is a 300watt psu available in UK (london) for the Mega 180 as i want to put a 6800 in here? Current psu is 250W.
thx all
Jasonian

Both Nforce2 and MSI are extremely sensitve to memory. Have you tried different memory sticks ?
I have the Mega 180 with XP 2800+ and kingston memory. Works fine... Although I have not needed an additional graphics card.
The onboard works just fine for a hometheater PC. The most graphics intensive thing in an HTPC environment is HDTV. I can do TIVO type function with HDTV using just onboard.
What are you doing that needs better graphics ?

Using Instant-on on a Mega 180/865??

Yesterday I found the complete(?) Instant-on feature of the Mega 865Pro as an .iso file, downloadable from MSI's website. I was wondering, as this is a small linux OS, could it be possible to modify it in such a way that it could be used on any Mega PC?
To get a better picture of what needs to be done, some questions have to be answered...
- How is the difference made between booting to Instant-on and booting to Windows, as both are located on the same HDD (could it be that a separe controller [like the Bluebird VL chipset in a Mega 180] directly addresses a different part of the HDD?)
- Would it be possible to put the Instant-on "partition' on a (bootable) USB-device to bypass the otherwise needed separate chipset?
- What's the regular intallation procedure for a Mega 865 Pro, could some-on post the content of a "quick installation guide" (of course, when such a guide exists )? I cannot locate a setup-executable within the Instant-on package.
JaDi.

it appears that the MSI Intervideo InstantOn download will only work for the 865PRO; i tried installing it earlier on another system i have lying around spare (Celeron 2.0ghz, Asus P4S800 mobo, SiS650 integrated graphics, plus my TV@nywhere Plus). it installed fine onto a clean drive (the white flashing cursor appears for about a minute before anything happens) but after restarting, it just shows a message "PRESS ANY KEY TO REBOOT"
i will try out the other version linked to on Jetway's site, and see what happens...

Mega 180 and MSI FX5200-TD128

Hi all and thanks in advance for any help.
I just bought MEGA 180 a some more things, here is my current config:
Box - Mega 180
CPU - Barton 2500+
Memory - 2x256 - 400Mhz from Phoenix Technologies
Disk - 120 Gigs HD - Seagate Ultraquiet
DVD Rom - Leadtek Silent
PVR PCI Card - PVR 350 from Hauppage
Everything works fine.
Now I have an MSI FX5200-TD128 Graphics Card and decided to try it out.
With some difficulty I managed to put it in but now .... the computer simply does not start .. well sort off.
Once I hit the power on button three things can happen:
* Computer starts but the display is not on, and eventually it locks.
* Computer starts with some gittery on the screen and it locks
* Computer starts, I hit the del key but I can't even get into the BIOS.
In either case the OS never boots.
My question is,
* Do I need to set something on the BIOS before I install the card such as, increase the AGP voltage or something like that?
* Can it be that my memory is just BAD for it?
* Can it be that my AGP slot is just BAD?
* Do I need to setup the BIOS prior to the operation?
* Is this just that my MSI card is too power hungry, which I think it strange as it is from MSI, its the latest model of its type?
Please help me, and again thanks in advance.
Nuno
PS: By the way, my BIOS is V3.30 downloaded two days ago from Live Update

Hi,
Managed to get it working. Here is what I did in case anyone has the same problem as mine.
1) Take a memory DIMM out, a let one just stay there. This will get you a memory total of 256 Mgs and your system will now boot.
2) Get to the BIOS settings.
3) Choose the option concerning DIMM's and performance (third option I think).
4) In the third option select Manual. This will allow you to set specific options for the memory.
5) Select Auto in the option concerning CPU / DIMM transfer rating.
6) Select High Performance in the 7th or 8th option concerning your DIMM settings.
7) Save the BIOS
8) Put the DIMM back in
9) Start your system and voila it works.
Best regards,
Nuno

New MSI Mega 180: Some problems...

I've just bought a new MSI Mega 180... and I've come up with some problems:
I can't get the radio to be detected in windows... not sure why. When I load, radio webupdate, it comes up with: Cannot find radio module.
I can't get into the Wireless configuration monitor. If you select Gateway or AP mode, and then hit configure, it comes up with a pw prompt, and I can't find what to put in there... that's driving me nuts...
When I'm running windows, the front panel is compleatly black, should it be showing anything?

Quote
When I'm running windows, the front panel is compleatly black, should it be showing anything?
The clock should be on or if you installed PC Alert it would show the CPU temp. and stuff like that. I think media centre 3 shows something on the display (I can't get it installed)
Can't answer your other questions.

MSI Mega 180 minimum Vcore?

Hello!
I searched in the whole internet for my question, I also called MSI germany, but nobody could give me an answer of my question.
So I hope to find an the answer here in this specific forum...
If anyone has this barebone, it's really an easy answer:
Normally, the most of Nforce2 boards could adjust 1,1V Vcore min. in the BIOS.
Whats with the Mega 180? Can I adjust the Vcore to 1,1V in the BIOS?
thanks in advance!
Jan

I believe the "Enhanced" indicates the USB 2.0 because that's what I have on other boards with USB 2.0 as well. Prior to XP SP1 and on Windows 2k SP3? my boards didn't have the "Enhanced" addition. Also, as I don't think I mentioned, prior to playing with the bios I had problems with the USB->Serial adapter. If I removed the USB-to-serial adapter, the system booted fine and I would replug it. After playing with the bios, this is no longer a problem and I leave it connected. The stall happened when I had the adapter in front or rear USB ports, so not a speed issue (hey, it's serial) but more a recognition issue I believe (my mouse is fine, and as mentioned above an external HDD was found fine...). Try the bios settings I mentioned as well as checking each line of each subcategory and check that all is well. Let us know if that solves it.

Fanless external watercooling into Mega 180 ??

yep, yep,
This Mega 180 pc keeps us busy, however in general I am pretty satisfied, especially the sound and the looks are great...
Although the temps are a little bit worrying me, yesterday I was hitting the 71 degrees Celsius (CPU) !!
Searching for some solutions I have seen some tips & tricks in this forum to keep the temps down, but most of them include rebuilding the pc or a part of it. And actually I am not familiair with these kind of actions and affraid of destroying some parts, so I was wondering about another possible solution.
Than I noticed the Zalman Reserator, this is a fanless external water cooling system, so no noise. Looks interesting...only the question is could the water block with the silicon tube possibly fit into the Mega 180 ???
Please check yourself and give me some usefull feedback if you have any...
http://test.zalman.co.kr/english/product/Reserator1.htm
.

I believe you need a lot bigger PSU if a peltier is used.
As anakin14 says its a bit risky with water but nowadays when the cooling system is fabricated the risk are less than before in the old days when you use a Chevrolet radiator outside and a garden hose in the computer.
Interesting thing that Zalman stuff you've linked...........hmm

Please help, mega 180 won't boot, urgent

All all...
I am in deep deep trouble... My mega 180 won't boot, it won't display bios, I tried the reset jumper, unplug the pc, didn't work...
It runs ok with the hi-fi mode. I was using an add on AGP card, but now I unpluged it and trying to use the onboard card. Still nothing is displayed, I want to do a BIOS recovery, but mega 180 doesn't have floppy drive, what can I do? please help.#
Many Thx
Kevin

Was your system working and it stopped ? If so what did you last change ?
Or are you setting it up for the first time and it won't boot ?
What brand of memory and which CPU ?
As Ortrofox says... remove everything you've added. Graphics card, tv tuner, sound card. Then follow the reset to factory defaults in the manual.
Does anything happen at all when you try to boot ? Fan spins ? screen clears ? keyboard lights blink ? beeps ? Is the lan light on in the back ? If you have an optical mouse is the mouse light on ?
Answers to these questions should let us give you some suggestions of other things to try.
Good luck

Mega 180 Newbie

Hi first post and some questions
Am looking at buying a Mega 180 Deluxe as a replacement for my Panasonic DVD home theatre and my VCR
Can you use it for general PC work (was going to install MCE)
What is the problems with Temps ?
Can I connect my Sky+ to it and record on the DVD recorder
Is it easy to connect to my existing wi-fi network, so i can surf on the TV
Cheers
am sure I'll think of a few more

Quote
Originally posted by Stu Online
Sky+ is basically the same idea as MCE, so there is not much point having both, although i understand some people do and use their MCE system as an "archiver"
Thats basicaly what I want it for, to archive programs recorded on Sky+ and burn them to dvd. Does the 180 come with a video in or do I need a capture card ?
I know I could buy a dvd recorder and just plug it into the sky, but £130 for something that would only get used a few times a month, doesnt seem worth it.
I like the idea of replacing my Panasonic home theatre dvd and vcr with a Mega 180 or a 400 if you can get them
I've sold the missus on the idea she can use MSN via the wi-fi :hypecrite:
What does Lapping the heatsink mean ????

Mega 180 LCD Screen gone PLEASE HELP

HELP!!
I have lost the LCD screen on my Mega 180 (Completely dead) I now know this is a known problem but MSI UK "Support" are VERY VERY unhelpful and suggested I put the connector on the other way around!!
I know there is a firmware patch / download for this but cannot find it anywhere can anyone please help
Andy B

Hi all. I finally have the firmware patch to restore the dead LCD on my Mega 180. I have tried the basic instructions in the info on this forum but I keep getting "bad filename messages. I have loaded this firmware onto a USB memory stick and it is the "E" drive on my machine. Can anyone give some step by step instructions as I seem to be doing it all wrong. One other question.... Does the LCD have a seperate power lead or is it powered from the black multipin??
Help will be much appreciated
Andy B

Ddr400 question - mega 180

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