Lost display on Mega 180

Hi All
I have lost the front display on my mega 180. No warning just dead! I have tried the posts on the site and MSI now tell me that despite spending lots of money with them they "no longer support this item" Great for PR!!! (NOT)
CAN ANYONE HELP???

All manufacturers have a limited lifetime of manufacture and support for their products. None more so than the ever faster advancing IT industry. There comes a time when the product is EOL and not supported anymore. Have a look at Intel's chipsets and processors, you will see it all over. Unfortunately this is all part of the lifecycle of a product.
Your best bet is to look at sites like e-bay and see if someone has got something on offer.

Similar Messages

Mega 180 Fanspeed og LCD Display

Hi - I have everything up and running and before using live update, my lcd display show sys info.
After update everthing with live update, new bios and new PCAlert - my LCD display can not show sys info?
Fanspeed is not showing under bios setup and it is not showing in PCAlert.
Can anyone help please
MSI Mega 180 Deluxe
AthlonXP 2800+
512mb ram
Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 9 160 GB, 7200 rpm, 8 MB
Adaptec SATA RAID 1210SA
Windows XP prof. sp1 & all patches
bios 3.30
PC-Alert 4.0.6.0.1

Re: S3 state.
S0 ~ S5 are the various sleep states on a computer. This ranges from no sleep [fullly on=0] to full sleep [ System off=5]. This is based on the Intel/Microsoft whitepaper describing the various states of ACPI. S=3 is supposed to be equivialant to "Suspend to Ram". So after suspend resume, max fan, until controlled by PC Alert in XP. Hope thats clear?

Mega 180 - No LCD Display

I have no LCD display on my Mega 180
I have been in touch with MSI tech support who say it is a hardware problem.
But I have read on this forum that there is some firmware that can fix this.
Can anybody help me get hold of this???

Thanks for the advice but the reason that I knew that there was some firmware to fix the problem is that I read it in this forum.
But all links seem to return me to posts by Redders and Wonkanoby which explain what to do but not how to get it. MSI Tech support have been no help.
All I want is to know where I can get a copy of the firmware.

Mega 180: Lost my Remote Control

i just lost my remote control for my mega 180. is there any chance to use one of those universal remote controls ? what settings do i have to use ?
thanks

The Mega 180's remote control is not a standard supported by the universal remotes. I have a learning remote. It was even difficult to get the learning remote to learn the MSI codes which leads me to believe MSI is doing something out of the ordinary on their remote.
You will either have to find the remote, try to buy one from MSI support (good luck!) or ebay, or get a USB or serial attached remote. This will not work with the HI FI mode however.
If you have a pocket PC PDA you may be able to find a module for the MSI remote that would work with their very good remote controller program. But this will be quite an adventure..
I'd recommend trying to buy one from ebay first or MSI second.

Things to Know Before Building Your Mega 180

Some people have asked me for a list of tips so here is my attempt---I'll ask Wonk to sticky it if it turns out OK....
Feel free to PM me with more tips---I'll add as necessary....
TIP SHEET FOR THE MEGA 180:
So you bought that new Mega 180 and the docs leave a lot to be desired......Don't panic!! Take a look at this tip sheet. Should save you a lot of hours!
RAM AND PROCESSOR:
Several things here.....If you are going to use onboard video----you should NOT use higher RAM than PC 2700----waste of money to buy higher as the Nforce2 18G "Crush" was only designed to run no higher than with DDR333 RAM (PC2700). Nvidia warns against it on their site. I have personally experienced a LOT of problems when you try to run the onboard at DDR 400 (PC3200)----trashed Bios in most cases. Also---the 18G and to some extent---"Dual Channel" is picky about memory----try to get a matched pair of DIMMS----and if you REALLY want to be on the safe side----go to Nvidias site and look up the page that lists known, compatable memory with the NForce2 chipsetNforce2 compatable memory. I use A-Data 512 sticks---but they are hard to find.
If you are going to use a Vidcard---then higher memory is just fine----but if you are NOT planning on overclocking-----there is really NO need for higher than PC2700 as the default bus for Barton 2800+ and below is FSB 166 (DDR333---PC 2700).
Alyways run your RAM (Synch) 100%---do not play with dividers if you are using the onboard video. If you have no clue what I just said----you are fine as the defaults will take care of this----this last was for overclockers.
Processor----I like the cost of the Barton 2800+ right now----fast, cheap and even using the onboard and no overclocking----you have a fast machine that can do anything. The 2800+ also leaves the door open for a slight overclock (I have not tried this yet) without too much stress on anything.
LCD PANEL:
Do Not----I say again----Do Not use the "welcome.exe" program----or ANY other program on ANY disk or the MSI website to do ANYTHING to your front panel. That program is for the Mega 651 model and WILL TRASH YOUR LCD. The LCD panel works just fine----it doesn't need any updating.
If this advice is to late, the firmware fix is in here:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threadid=46355&sid=
Do download and install the latest version of PC Alert MSI Mega 180 Downloads----works great with the front LCD panel and displays PC info nicely.
Use the EQ mode buttons while playing in the HiFi mode----changes the sound a lot and also the display changes------COOL!
OPTICAL DRIVE:
Use an MSI optical drive----basically anything from MSI will work fine---some other drives are reported to work fine like a NEC 2500A----but if you use an MSI drive----you can't go wrong. You might want to put the drive in another machine with a floppy first----and download and update that drive to the latest firmware (most will require a floppy to do that and the Mega 180 has none.)
CABLE MANAGEMENT:
Buy a dollar pack of cable ties and go to work-----make sure ALL cables are away from the front of the intake fan for the CPU----you want a very clear path to the cooler. Less clutter---better airflow. Better airflow----lower temps.
CPU INSTALL:
Get rid of the MSI thermal grease with some Goof Off or acetone-----and get some good Arctic Silver 3, AS5 or AS Ceramique. Clean both the chip top and the bottom of the HS with denatured alcohol before applying the thermal grease. You might also want to lapp the bottom of the HS which is not very well done----but I found it not necessary. The HS/Fan unit is very easy to install----just rotate your screw down points as perscribed by the sticker on the cooler----don't tighten one screw all the way down----then go to the next.
DRIVERS:
I found the drivers on the install disk to be non-functional---- get the latest drivers from the MSI website (you can use Live Update for this) or go to http://www.nforcershq.com and get the latest Nforce2 Driver Remix from Morpheus1 or Mwarhead.
DO NOT use the Nvidia SW IDE driver (say "No" when it asks you in the driver install) Only use the ITB (In The Box) IDE driver----it's the default driver. Your Optical device will probably not function correctly (eject, etc) with the Nvidia SW IDE driver.
Nforce2 SoundStorm Drivers are a tricky topic----there are TONS of versions out there.... I've had the best luck so far with Drivers 4.31 (Off Microsoft Windows Updates---it was a Driver Update) and Audio Control Panel 4.31. Nvidia has a driver update package now JUST for audio-----posted Here
If you are having problems with Media Center III crashing----it seems to be a conflict between the SoundStorm Drivers and Media Center III, Uninstall your Nvidia audio devices in the device manager (Three of them----there is one hidden---so go to view and "show hidden devices") then reboot and let Windows rerecognize your devices and reload drivers. This will solve most problems until Media Center II has another bad crash----in which case---you may have to do this procedure over again. You can tell if it's really hosed up because the radio sound will come on automatically at boot----or you will have lost the SoundStorm Control Panel Icon in the SysTray. I'm working on different versions of SoundStorm to see which works best---will update if I find anything new. (Update)----4.31 seems to be the best but I still can'ttotally eliminate the crashing in Media Center III.
Once you get your Lan device up and running (or your modem) Go to Windows Update and make sure you are completly updated with all latest window updates---If using WinXP-----you need to be at WinXP ServPack 1a when you are done.
Use Windows Cleanup and Defrag when you are done----ESPECIALLY cleanup---to get rid of any left over temp files in the Mega----To get the BEST and most optimised defrag----run windows defrag at least three times in a row----maybe more----it will REALLY optimise the drive.
TV CARD:
The main TV Card designed for the Mega 180 is the MSI 8606-40 Mega TV Card----be careful to get it vice the other version of the MSI 8606 which is the MSI 8606-10 TV@anywhere Master.
The Mega TV Card does not include a Radio while the 8606-10 DOES include a radio. Since your Mega 180 already has a radio----you absolutely don't need or want the 8606-10 TV@anywhere Master.
Do NOT use any drivers or software you receive with the Mega TV Card MSI 8606-40----just set the disks aside. You will ONLY uses the drivers off the Mega 180 Install Disk.
The Mega TV Card MUST be installed before the menu item for "Install TV Tuner Drivers" becomes visible on the Mega 180 install disk.
Make sure your TV Card is hooked into the line called "Remote Control" within the Mega 180 itself----there is a small 3 inch connecting wire in the TV card box.
The TV and Radio function well with the remote----but you must have MSI Media Center III installed. I could not get the TV or the Radio to work without Media Center III.
Upon initial setup of the TV within Media Center III---you may have to switch the source between cable and antenna to get the initial channels to auto scan. Once done auto scanning---switch back to cable as source (assuming you have cable).
Using the remote to force the TV screen to full screen: When you use the up/down arrows on the remote----watch the menu items on the screen----the various menu item buttons will highlight as you hit the arrows.
Once you have highlighted the little arrow button on the lower right of the screen----just below the TV display (it will turn green)----hit the ENTER key
It goes to widescreen----hit the ENTER key again------it goes to fullscreen
BTW, the remote works fine-----the trick is you HAVE to have Media Center III installed and available to be called for it to control the TV Card----Radio Etc. It will start up normally when you push the TV button on the remote.
BIOS SETTINGS:
The defaults will mostly work. One thing----to get BEST performance out of the NForce 2 Onboard video----set AGP to 128 and Set Frame Buffer to 128----I had crashes with almost any other video setting. I'm still playing with PCI clock, voltages, and some other settings to get better stability-----will let you know.....
6 CHANNEL SOUND
Use all three ports in the back of the Mega 180 and then configure it using the SoundStorm Control Panel----Use the "Speaker Setup Wizard". Check and adjust using the "Test Tone" button. I'm using an inexpensive set of Analog Altec Lansing 5.1s----the sound is excellent.
That's all for now----tell me what else you've found and I'll post.
John

My MSI MEGA 180 has a strange display on the monitor.
I opened the boxed removed all items.
Installed the CPU (supported on the CPU compatability list for the MSI MEGA 180), installed the heatsink & fan.
Installed the HD drive.
Installed the MSI DVD+/-RW
Installed 1 DIMM module of DDR RAM PC2700 333MHZ 1GB
Pushed the Power button for the PC and the desplay is corrupted.
I tried the 4 possible configurations for Jumpers 7 and 8 to alter the FSB speed with no luck.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations without having the HDD and DVD-RW drives connected - same result.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations with the Secondary VGA output connected to my monitor.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations with the S-Video output connected to my TV and no signal at all.
Both my monitor and HDD work fine with my other PC.
I noticed the jumper pins are not numbered - made the configuration job a bit more tedious.
Please note the LCD screen works correctly, however the redio tuner in HiFi mode doesn't pick up any local stations.
As I am a Software Test Engineer, I am 100% confident I have checked all possible configurations including clearing the CMOS, but the system simply will not display to the VDU. The POST should at least be visible when Power is turned on for the PC mode.
NOTE: I will update the RAM Brand as soon as I find out the title from the supplier, but I believe it is OEM.
NOTE II: this is the URL to the CPU used: http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=1798
PLeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssss ssssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eee help ease my pain!!

Where is a Mega 180 working fine with all?

I like to know if someone has try a Mega PC 180 in all of his function without problem.
I've still this problem:
the TV Tuner MS8606-040 find only one channel with the Mega 180 software but it find all avaible with the InterVideo.
I've also try to connect it to a TV: i've lost the monitor and to rescue it i've need to remove and reinstalled video driver.....
The remote work only with the Mega 180 software: the ATI AIW Remote work with everything (as a mouse).
Now it start to become a little bit warm... 50° degrees.
So here is actual situation:
LAN: working fine
WLan: working fine
Hdd: working fine
Cd-R: working fine
Video: working fine only with monitor - problem using TV
Modem: working fine
TV Tuner: only one channel avaible.....
Remote: work only with Mega 180 software
CPU: a little bit warm then usual
Reboot: sometimes don't
I was thinking about a Mega 865: now i think it can wait.
So i ask: does exist a Mega PC 180 with MS8606-040 working fine?

Hi AtHoSsIcO,
I use the 8606-40 Tuner card, and have had no problem tuning the channels in software. Mind you I'm on the NTSC system, and that might have bearing.
I did find that the procedure in building the system is important, what software you use, and versions, etc.
For my build, I partitioned my HDD into 10Gb Boot [NTFS] C:, 10Gb Recovery[FAT32]D:, 100Gb Data[NTFS]E:.
I then installed XP Pro, and made an image on D: with PQ Drive Image, called it XPRAW.PQI, then I added the software on CD from the MEGA180, [do not use the 8606 CD], rebooting after each driver install.
I made another image XP0001.pqi, then proceeded to connect to Windows update site, installed all suggested Critical Updates & Service Packs, and Driver Updates, not the general windows stuff.
Made another image, XP0002.pqi, then ran MSI's Live Update software, and paid particular attention to the versions of software available, so as not to roll back to a previous version.
Made another image, XP0003.pqi.
Now I ran the software to check operation, LED display working fine, AM/FM radio tuning, and memory storage fine.
Ran the Auto Tune in TV mode, and selected all my availble channels.
At this point everything seemed to be working well.
Then I tried the PVR, and had a issue with it shutting itself off.
I have yet to resolve this as the time is not available at the moment.
With the images I have created, I can step back in time, to various installs of software to troubleshoot, and resolve any problems.
But everything else works great, including the IR remote in HIFI and PC mode!
Quite pleased with the overall look, performance, temperature, etc.
If your looking for a viable substitute to MCIII, look at the http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de forums for the port to PC. It looks very promising! [still in beta mode/design]
I would buy another one.......

MEGA 180: A story of stupidity mixed up with bad product design

This is more for a word of caution to Mega180 users and future owners.
A bit angry as I managed to burn ( physically ) 2 harddrives because of carefulness about 10 mins.
Spend quite some time looking for a SATA to ATI power converter while looking for a solution to CPU temp problem. Could not find one ( and I don't know if any one does it )
As my old HD did not start the OS on Mega180 for some data transfer I was not able to use my USB external HD. So I decided to connect old HD as slave and do a HD to HD transfer. Here comes the bad design, the HD connection cable specifies a slot for a slave HD however there is only one power connector (ATI) for supported IDE HD. and there is a useless SATA power connector,it is useless as MEGA 180 does not support SATA.
Here comes the stupidity, for a min I came up with the bright idea of using the CD drives power connector ( I now remember that I ruled this option earlier, I wish I remembered it all along) As there is always a current on this cable (when there is a power connection - for the HIFI mode to work ) I guess some static electricity effected my HD. Not having realised the HD is already affected, I swapped the cables as the HD connection cable is not long enough to keep 2 HDs in a steady state.
As a result both my HDs are now not working, when I tried the original master HD I was horrified to see a spark and some fume
I wish I never tried to use my old graphics card - which I wanted only for the DVI support. This led to CPU temperatures of average 70 degree celcius and when I ever I tried to use the PC properly I was had to turn it off due to extreme temperatures over 75 degree celcius.
All I was after is a troublefree smooth working nice looking PC, yet I am stuck now... I am both upset for the data I lost as well as hours I spend in trying to put this thing together. I will decide in the morning to return or keep the product. If I keep it the next challenge will be getting my external HD to run an OS as I need to save up again to buy a new HD, I was hoping my next HD would be a SATA one :(
This is definately a bitter lesson. Such a pity that with just a little more effort MSI could have really improved the profuct most are listed here but I want to summarise:
1. before getting the new product out try fitting a new graphics card and a TV card and operate both for 2 hours... That is if you could fit them both in the first reason why you could not is the cables from power supply is unnecessarily long for supplying power to the board and unsuitably located. the best you could do is place them all infront of the cpu fan.
2. It is really great to have detachable ODD and HD yet Floppy drive ( card reader ) bay is static
3. a better location for CPU or card slots would have contributed to airflow far more.
Better close here... I am still not sure if positives of the product companates all the negatives.

Simply, be aware that the power cable for the CDRom is live most all the time that your backpanel power cord is plugged in. Its for the support of CD/MP3 in HI-Fi mode. If you shut down your system, and not unplug the power, and you try to connect or disconnect anything to the IDE cable, and you are using the power cable for the CD, you can cause static/surging on the component you are hooking up....
If you must hookup an alternate drive [slave] for data dumping/imaging etc. use a Y cable from the HDD power cable. It only activates when the PC power switch is utilized....

MEGA 180 as Media Center (experiences)

I am trying to use my MEGA 180 as a Media Center, i.e. to listen to radio and CD's, to watch TV and DVD's, and to use the HDD to record programs on temporarily to watch later. Plus the TV pause facility. I am using Windows XP home on it, and have all the latest Windows patches. I don't want to have a PC screen atached to it, so the listening needs to be done without turnig the TV on, and the rest without any tiny writing on the screen etc.
HiFi mode works fine for the listening to radio and CD's.
Once I start PC mode, windows boots to the login screen. I would like to boot straight into a Media Center application, missing out this login screen. Any ideas?
I have tried Media Centre Deluxe III, and ShowShifter. Although I much prefer ShowShifter, it has to be ruled out as it does not use the LCD display at all (as far as I know!). Media Center Deluxe III has a lot of functionality missing, and is a little unstable, but it generally does the job. Has anyone had experiences with other packages?
I have found how to give the radio channels proper names (editing a text file with the details called .freq). I can't do the same with the TV channels. Also I haven't found how to remove all the junk TV channels found during the auto-scan. Anyone with any ideas here.
What about a list of remote key functions. I have found quite a few, but I think we could all gain from a documented list of them. They certainly aren't in the manual that I downloaded.
I have noticed that the whole unit powers on sometines when I use the remote for my old video recorder. I have not yet identified the exact cause of this. I also have an infra-red wireless keyboard that may giving it the wakeup indication, but I'm not sure if it was in sleep or power down. The standby mode seems to lock up the box, i.e. it does not power up again properly.
What about getting EPGs and setting the unit up to record TV programs. Can it be set to a no-noise state whilst waiting for the show to start, and then power to that state again when the recording has finished. I have toyed with the boot-up clock in the BIOS, but have not had it working yet.
This could be such a great box given the right software.

Autologon with windows XP
I Use TweakUI to autologin windows xp
you can download it here
Set native resolution to 768x576
I also use TVtool to set the resolution to 768x576 which is the native PAL resolution. This prevents that stuff gets scaled
However, note that MediaCenter III Deluxe doesnt work nicely with it
Many stuff will b offscreen
Remote control
I use Girder for my remote control. It allows me to control all programs using a remote control (unfortunaly not msi's remote control).
TV Guide
Try to see if there's XMLTV support for your country. Many HTPC support XMLTV to show a TVguide

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.

Problem with hi-mode on MEGA 180

I recently purchased the MEGA 180.
I installed the driver cd and the cd that came with my msi tv tuner card. A program was installed by the tv tuner card cd that allowed me to change the welcome screen when you power on the hi-fi mode. Ever since I changed the welcome screen, the hi-mode will not work. Actually, the whole front display will not light up. I believe the program may of corrupted the firmware of the front panel? Is there a way to reload this?
Any help is much appreciated.
[email protected]

I believe that application may be for the MSI 651 PC only. I would fill out the MSI support request form and see if they can send you a firmware patch to correct the problem

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!!

"Easy" way to lower MEGA 180 CPU Temp

Let me start off by saying I haven't done this yet but I think it would work. I built a Mega 180 based machine for a customer and have had nothing but problems with it. I got a call from her last night to tell me that the CPU temp on the display is in the 70 C range and she is getting nervous about it (frankly, so am I). I'm picking up the PC from her in a few days to see if I can lower the CPU temp any. Here's what I'm thinking of doing:
1) Since I already lapped the bottom of the heatsink and used Artic Silver thermal grease, there's nothing else I can do in that area. It's already optimal.
2) The heatsink is 100% copper with lots of cooling fins. There isn't a better thermal material for a heatsink, within reason. Aluminum is no good. Basically, the design of the heatsink is good, but not perfect. First, why they would design the sink to suck hot air off of the video card and blow it through the fins is beyond me. Naturally, the CPU will never be cooler than the air that's being used to cool it. The heat sink needs fresh, cool air.
3) To provide the heatsink with fresh cool air I plan on first, turing the big fan on the sink around so it blows out, not in. Second, I plan on replacing the little fan with a bigger fan and position it so it blows in, not out. Then I plan on making a short duct that attaches over the fan on the right (with the front of the PC facing you) and extend the duct a few inches to the right so it is less than an inch from the side of the case. Lastly, I plan on using some lexan and making a very small deflector to put on the heatsink's exhaust fan. It will be about 1/2 inch wide and as long as the fan (80mm?). It will be tilted at a 45 degree angle. The deflector will channel the hot air away from the video card and towards the front left side of the case. This will avoid trading one heat problem (CPU) for another (video card).
If all goes well, a drop of 10 C under maximum load should be achieved. I'll let you know how this turns out.
I may also try the following:
1) Buy some RAM heat sinks and using thermal glue, glue them to the hard drive.
2) Position a 40mm fan so it blows on the heat sinks on the hard drive.
3) Position another 40mm fan so it blows across the chipset's heat sink.

god damn thats a great idea, why didnt I think of that
I lapped my heatsink last weekend, the hardware store where i got my sand paper didnt have any grid over 600 so I had to settle with that. But I'm still pleased with the results. I figured that that plus some some Artic Silver 5 would get me a bit on my way.
I would have documented it with my camera if the batteries just wasnt out :/
At the same time I installed a "silent" 15db@1500rpm 80x80mm Everflow fan on the left side of the case (when facing the front) that blows the air in. All of these efforts improved the temperature just a bit. The noise increased a bit but it isnt all that much trouble consithering I've spent my last couple of months with my ears next to a server that has the lovely sound level of around 60db (note: no case fans on the server at all)
As I recall the idle temperature used to be over 60c and now it sometimes drops below 50c. But most of the times its around 53-55c (all of this is at around 25c ambient temperature). But the heat problem while gaming is still a huge problem. When it hits around 70 the computer crashes.
But before my efforts to do something about it, it would die within 10min of high load. Now it can take up to about an hour (depending on how the ambient temperature is).
Next up I think I'm gonna try out your idea. Switch the fans, and maybe even install another Everflow fan having 4 fans totaly pulling the air through the case (but from right to left this time :P)
why call it MSI Entertainment Gaming Applicance if you cant entertain yourself by gaming on it ? =P
/Wezz

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

Where can I find cd driver for MSI mega 180

I've lost my CD for install driver on my mega 180 and afer reformat it, I can't install modem and wireless driver.
I try to dl them from MSI but the dl driver don't work.
Is somebody will be able to dend me an iso to this mailbox ? [email protected]
Thank's

MSI used two different modem models for the Mega 180. The only way to check which model you have would be to peek at the modem itself. Unfortunately, the modem is tucked underneath the power supply, so to get a look at it, you would need to take apart most of your Mega first. The easier way would be to just download both drivers, try one out, and if it doesn't work, try the other. Both are available for download here:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/download/dld/spt_dld_detail.php?UID=546&kind=4

Mega 180 garbled

About a week ago my 180 shut itself off. Ever since, on reboot the display is flickering and the text garbled. This happens at POST and in the BIOS, before Windows loads (I've removed the HDD now as I believe it is dead - this may be what caused the initial shutdown).
By garbled, I mean that many characters are incorrectly displayed. For example, the word "BIOS" displays as "BIOC"; the letter S always displays as C.
I have tried resetting the CMOS by removing the battery and flashing the BIOS in the hope of recovering it (not fun when the display is garbled). I still have the same problem.
Help. Please.

I had to "borrow" some replacement PC2700 memory from my machine at work. This solves the problem
It seems that BOTH of the Corsair memory sticks are faulty - I've tried each of them individually, one gives the "garbled" problem and the other is dead (mobo just beeps away at me).
BTW the HDD is not completely broken - I've managed to install it as a slave in another machine to recover some files. Seems there's just something wrong in the Windows startup (MBR appears to be OK as the Mega starts to boot Windows (XP)).
I'll be paying close attention to the "Things to Know Before Building Your Mega 180" thread when purchasing new memory and putting everything back together. I plan to get a bigger HDD & TV Card and get my Mega hooked up to my TV. Something I was looking into when it died. Now I can look into it again with a big smile on my face
Thanks Stu!

Lost display on Mega 180

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for