Mega 180 Radio Turns On With PC

Hi folks
Just got this Mega PC up and running - checked out the radio function and low and behold every time I switch the PC on the radio comes on too. ANy one any ideas how to switch off the radio function.
Also just found out that the CD (not an MSI it's a LG ) won't read any disks.
Cheers,
Smiler

Fixed this pro0blem by muting the AUX in the volume contol.

Similar Messages

Argh! My MSI Mega 180 keeps turning itself off! Help!

:angryfire:I'm pretty sure it's a heat issue. I checked the temps and when my system reaches 50C it just turns off. I have did everything this link tells me to do- https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threadid=51357&sid=&hilight=mega+180+heat yet I still have issues. I put two fans in front of it and the computer still continues to run hot and shut off once it hit 50C.
My Specs are-athlon xp 3000+,512mb DDR PC2700 PNY ram,80 gig HD,on board graphics card, and a 48x cdrw,dvd.
Please help.

Ok, I had a feeling this was the case. At this stage is there anyone you know that has computer experence ? If so I would suggest this might be the best option as 2 heads can be better than one. However if you don't have someone then sit down with the manual and read it. The manual (the one on the CD) should has a in depth section on the BIOS where it will tell you what each setting does, it should also tell you what you can change. I saying should because my cmputer is the 685 and not the 180 so mine will be different. So read the manual and then reply back.

Mega 180 Radio working under XP Media Center 2005

Hello,
i'm quite fond about Windows XP Media Center 2K5 and would like it to control the Mega 180's radio unit. I would like to know if there are people that have already looked for ways to control the radio. It could be a start to implement some kind of Media Center plugin...
Greetings,
Peter Vrenken

the problem is the fact that the radio tuner isn't a "physical" device that Windows recognises
damn MSI and their proprietory hardware!! surely some sort of USB tuner "hardwired" to the USB controller would have been a better solution? grr, but then how would that have worked in Hi-Fi mode...

Mega 180 using the LCD with Linux

Hi all,
is it possible to use the LCD of my MEGA 180 with Linux? I am using 2.6.9-rc2, would be cool to the see LCD working under Linux, too.
Best regards,
Everlast²

There are several forum members working on customising the LED display for the MEGA 180, including myself. The biggest problem at the moment is the lack of information about the hardware specifications of the display. The blueprints of the exact module are definately NOT released by MSI , but perhaps that specifications of very similar displays are also usable. Another problem that's next in line, is going to be that we will need someone who is into hardware programming. First lets wait for a definitive answer about the blueprints. I'll let you know when more info becomes available.
JaDi.

Strange Mega 180 radio event

Last night I had my Mega PC in standby mode and was goofing around with the radio in HiFi mode. I was setting the channels and equilizer settings. I listened to the radio for half an hour then turned HiFi off.
A couple of hours later I woke the PC out of standby mode and it was instantly playing music. I had previously been listening to internet radio using Media Player. I thought it must have reconnected... But I couldn't stop the music. I closed media player. I had no apps running at all.... and still music... I pulled the antenna and the music stopped...... It was the Mega radio... So I brought up the stand alone mega radio app and closed it. That stopped the radio.
Somehow goofing around with the radio while the PC was in standby mode got the radio playing in PC mode without any applications running. Anyone else ever see this strange behavior ?
It somehow means that windows is capable of accessing the radio without any other apps.. I figure it must be some automatic DLL. I wish I had studied this situation a little longer before killing the radio...

OK.. This chain has inspired me to look again... I found how to add a program to the more programs area.... It does minimize MCE to the task bar. But it is still pretty painless...
Here's the info from MS...
Adding Windows-based Applications
You can add any Windows-based application to the Media Center More Programs page by placing a shortcut to it in the following folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\User folder\Start Menu\Programs
\Accessories\Media Center\Media Center Programs
In this path, "User folder" can be either the All Users folder or the folder of the current user, whichever is appropriate. The name of the shortcut should be the name of your application, with no "shortcut_to_" prefix, and with the extension .lnk; for example, MyApplication.lnk. The name of the shortcut, minus the .lnk extension, is displayed as the button label on the Media Center More Programs page.
Adding an application to the Media Center More Programs page also causes it to be added to the Media Center Start page menu.

Mega 180 won't boot with USB 2.0 device

Well, like a lot of others here I've managed to put the Mega Puzzle 180 together and get it working fairly well. The documentation is dismal and the included "home theater" app is not even half baked yet. The one serious problem I haven't solved yet is that the machine will hang on boot if the USB 2.0 video capture device I bought is inserted. It brings up the green/white AGP 8X screen and just hangs there. It hangs using either the front or rear USB ports, speaking of which it would be nice if they were documented properly as the front being USB 1.1 only.
Has anyone else seen this behavior ?
And if anyone is keeping track, the Toshiba SD-R5112 DVD-R drive works perfectly(as long as your remove the front bezels).
It's an interesting product that looks cool as hell, but doesn't quite work as well as it looks...
CD

Just a thought....
You can disable the Full Screen Logo in bios, and then observe where it's hanging.
On another forum, with completely different hardware/usb devices [DV Encoders] a similar problem was reported. It was found that Norton AV was constantly scanning the USB ports, assuming they were drives. Disabling Auto Protect enabled the boot process, and then were able to configure NAV to remove checking on the suspect ports [drives], and solved the problem.
May not apply in this situation......

[Mega 180] Media Center III with Hauppauge PVR250

Hi
We have a problem to get the TV card installied in MSI Media Center III deluxe.
The TV card (Hauppauge PVR 250) works very well with the Hauppauge WinTV Software - but there seems to be no way to integrate the tuner card in Media Center.
We proceeded like this:
- We startet MSI Media Center III deluxe und selected Television
- In the Setting the WDM Driver for the Hauppauge Card was selected.
- Here is the First Problem. It is impossible to selecte Cable as source. After selecting "cable" media center switches autmatically to "antenna"
- We pressed the button for automatic programming but it just did nothing.
Do anybody here has the same configuration and got the card working?
Can somebody post us his WinDVR3.prog file (if this is the file for TV programming). Perhaps we can program then television manually.
Thanks for help
Greetings
Patrik
PS: We know that a MSI tuner card is recommended.

Finally I give up using the Media Center. I'm using now Girder with Nathans great plug in (see MSI Mega series girder plugin version 1.0 available ). The only disadvantage is that the fancy leds are not working.
Regards
Patrik

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!!

Mega 180 + ATI AIW 8500

As any one tried this configuration,
In my case, the Mega will boot and go in Windows but I have no Video output
If I test the same card on an other PC it works fine
If I put a Radeon 9600 Pro in the Mega 180 it also works fine
Could it be that the Mega 180 as a problem with All-In-Wonders ??

Sorry, I gave up!
There was no way I could to get it working....
But If I tried a radeon 9600 (NOT AIW) it worked fine.

Mega 180 CPU support

Hi,
I would like to know if the latest AMD Sempro (socket A) 3000 would be supported by the Mega 180 as this model with a L2 512 is not listed in the MSI site.
The reference of the CPU is SDA3000DUT4D.
Many thanks in advance for your advise.

if it is a 333FSB CPU (which i believe it is) then it should work
you might just find it shows as 'Unknown Processor' if you're unlucky

New remote controller for Mega 180

I was thinking that is it possible to use MEGA PC 865 PRO's remote controller in Mega 180 'cause one provided with mega 180 is not what I want.
It looks like that 865 Pro's controller would be much more useful, its bigger and there is better buttons (larger - so you can actually find them) .

Hi there,
I have the 865 (non Pro) and the remote is nothing to get excited about, not sure if it's the same as the Pro version. Have a search for "remote" in this section there are a few other more interesting options.
cheers
Rich

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: problems with startup

Hello everyones, im not good at english, but im trying.
well, here is the point:
I just had bought an msi mega 180, and put some things inside in it:
amd athlon xp 2400+
2 x 256 DDR dimm pc2700 333mhz
maxtor 120 gb
msi cd-r/rw cr52-a2
the promblem is:
when i connect the power cord, the "pc" turn it self off after 2 seconds. the "standby-modus" with the clock and stuff is up and going, and the hifi stereo desplay is working (i havent check the sound).

My apologies of this has been covered already, and sorry to jump on back of this thread!
Recently bought a Mega 180 and connected all components and went to start her up for the first time and was immediately hit with a screen displaying thick vertical gray bars with thin balck bars separating them.
If I hit the reset or the power button the screen just changes to vertical colour bars but not uniform colour - sporadic pixels.
I did the obligatory checks to make sure it wasn't one of my components:
1) Checked with alternative RAM and CPU
2) Checked each RAM and CPU configuration in different system
3) Cleared CMOS and repeated checks
and I still get the same error (on either of the display outputs).
Is there any way I can sort this out or am I going to have to send it back and get another one (I can't figure out anyway of avoiding this yet). Will supply any info if needed.
Thanks!

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.......

Cd rom boot problems with MEGA 180

I recently recieved my MEGA 180 and have been unable to successfully install an OS because when I boot from CD, the computer freezes at various stages of installation. The point at which it freezes varies between the point at which the CD is initialized to anywhere in the windows xp setup process up untill the drive format. Occassionally the lockup coincides with an error copying a file, but this is not consistent. I have tried two different cd-rom drives as well as three different xp installation cds. Further I have run with 5 different sticks of ram (kingston and corsair). None of these changes have had any obvious effect.
Having read the warning labes regarding non MSI optical devices, I am tempted to think that may be the problem as I am not running on an MSI drive. However, the warning souned like it was about mechanical parts and thus I assume the ability of a drive to fit in the MEGA 180 case while opening and closing correctly.
I would appreciate any input you might have on this matter as I am finding this experience rather frustrating.

I had the exact same problem when upgrading from a 2100+ Palamino processor to a 2800+ Thoroghbred one. The screen had already dissappeared due to powering up with no monitor plugged in, so I tried a reinstall of Windows XP. It kept falling over randomly during the install process. I then swapper the CPU back and had no problems at all. I have since lapped the heatsink and reduced the FSB to 157MHz in the BIOS, and have not had a problem with the 2800+ CPU. I have not tried installing windows again, but feel this will be OK too.
My test is to run FujiFilm Snapshot Slideshow, which sends the CPU temp rocketting. I have found that when it goes above 70 C it starts getting unstable. I throttled the FSB back to 157MHz and it does not get to 70 C any more. In normal operation it never gets above 60 C, so I don't know why the slideshow takes so much CPU power

Mega 180 Radio Turns On With PC

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