New MEGA 180 - not too good

Well I just built my Mega 180, up for about 48 hours. My quick exp:
I read most of the threads here before buying so I knew what I was getting into... Anyway, first off with a clean install of XP, the NEC 2500A worked great! I thought I dodged a bullet on that one, but after I installed MC3 and updated some drivers(forget which ) the eject button on the remote stopped working. It ejects fine from explorer and most other apps. Its apparent to me that MSI is working pretty hard to be sure you buy only their HW on this appliance. So all you people waiting around for 'a patch' I wouldn't hold your breath. They are working against you. hard.
PCAlert4 - Worked when I first installed, but wouldnt display fan speed. I updated to the web ver(#.?) it then it then its stopped sending info LCD completely. I updated my BIOS to the new version. Still wont display to LCD, but app grabs CPU fan speed ok. (1000 rpm variance from BIOS). V. annoying. They should really stop trying to make this stuff look cool and make it functional first. I think after some hacking I can get this to work though. Ideas appreciated.
Clock - displays 24hr clock, fine, but I dont wear fatigues everday! Anyone know to change this?
Radio - Its crap. I was really hoping that the radio would be independent of the OS. I dont want to look at my monitor just to change a stinking radio station(MSI radio). Just because my computer is 'on' doent mean Im sitting in front of it! Cant change "EQ mode" while the computer on, fark... the remote doesnt even change the stations when the computer is on. Volume is all that works. This one really erks me.
Thats about all the trouble I'm having. The rest seems ok; but this MSI 180 is having a huge identity crisis. Its making me stressed. I feel like I just forked over $300 for a small case with a clock on the front and an impossible to open DVD player.
Thoughts appreciated, thanks.

I just wanted to post update.
PC alert 4 - I finally got PC alert 4 to work. There seems to be a conflict with Search & Destroy v.1.3.1. I unintalled on a whim, rebooted, and the LCD reports sys info again. Not positive there is a correlation as no TSRs were loaded, but that seems to be what happened. Fix: jarhead's post led me to remove MSI radio from the 'startup' folder. It worked, they don't like each other in there.
MSI Radio 1.00.01 - I unintstalled both MC3 and MSI radio, and reinstalled MSI radio alone. Most remote functions still don't work as I would 'expect': no preset tuning from remote, can't record from remote, can't change EQ Mode *at all. I guess this is all because its still version 1.. is this the same experience for everyone?
NEC 2500A - Work fine as far as I can tell, but I havent burned much or used it in MC3. But the eject button on the front panel works just dandy. Its the ir remote eject button that seems to have stopped working. Just wanted to be clear on that.
TLC continues.

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Help! new Mega 180 suddenly died!

Can anyone out there help?
brand new mega 180 working perfectly - set up to stream music to hifi system working perfectly, then moved to another room hangs on bios!
couldn't access bios
cleared Cmos - got message "checksum error" & was able to access bios - loaded default setting, rebooted all I can get now is MSI post screen can't access bios at all
I have re-cleared Cmos, changed ram - no difference
can anyone offer any advice?
Cheers
Daveh

if it was all working perfectly before you moved it, then something must have somehow come loose when you moved it
try removing all added components (CPU, memory, etc) and disconnecting all cables, then refitting and reseat cables, see if it will come back to life

Mega 180 not detecting processor correctly

Ok, sorry I made two threads recently, I'm new around here and I am not certain how you guys do things..
Anyway,
Mega 180 with a barton 2600 installed and it detects it as 1.5 ghz. any ideas on how to get it to detect correctly?
Thanks

Read up on Johnrr6 sticky at the top of the forum. I too had a heck of a time trying to get my 2500 barton to not be a 1100mhz system until I took the steps that john outlined and now it works great @1830mhz.
Give it a browse here: https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threadid=46409&sid=

New Mega 180, IR receiver? heating, 6800 gfx card

Hi all,
Just got my new (refurbished) Mega 180. Pretty slim, wasn't so easy to get all the stuff inside. But now I got a few questions.
The mega was a bit noisy so I
- attached a voltage adjuster to control primary fan speed
- unplugged the chipset cooler
I am running now on 40° system ~ 62° CPU, I guess that's okay because the Athlon XP can take up to 90° IIRC. I am not so sure with the chipset, has anyone got information on that?
Then why is a remote included, I can't find an IR receiver, does it only come with TV cards or did the vendor forget to put it in?
Is the Home Theater serial is included with MSI TV card? Currently I will only use it for Radio... maybe the radio app is sufficient.
Regarding graphic cards. I tried to get a Leadtek Winfast A400 inside. Well, did not work. The cable from the power adapter, the mega chassis and the immense size of that card did not fit well together. Has anyone an idea which 6800 LE card might fit? Will I run into heating problems then?
Apparently in HIFI mode I can't play DVDs, any way to upgrade that and maybe being able to listen to OGGs in HIFI mode?
Has anyone replaced the internal Wireless LAN card? I am thinking about buying a PCI 54MBit card which itself has got a mini PCI card below the aluminium cover. Has anyone got an idea which cards are suitable? I don't want to waste my PCI slot... got only one ;-)
Greets,
André

Quote
Then why is a remote included, I can't find an IR receiver
the IR receiver is integrated into the front panel. you can only use it in HiFi mode and the bundled Intervideo Home Theater / MSI Media Centre app
Quote
Is the Home Theater serial is included with MSI TV card?
it is printed on the CD
Quote
Apparently in HIFI mode I can't play DVDs, any way to upgrade that and maybe being able to listen to OGGs in HIFI mode?
no, and no, i'm afraid
Quote
Has anyone replaced the internal Wireless LAN card?
yes! plenty of threads here explaining how. you need a mini-PCI card, as found in notebooks, such as Intel PRO 2200BG or 2915ABG

New MEGA 180 LCD firmware available (for trashed LCDs)

After a lot of hasteling of MSI they finally sent me some new firmware. I'm fairly sure it's not the BIOS, as the flashing procedure is very different. The LCD runs on firmware that is seperate from the BIOS, so this is probably it.
I can't try it till this evening, but would be interested if someone else can. I can email the firmware to anyone who needs to fix their thashed LCD. But I can't guarantee anything as I have not tried it myself.
I have the MEGA 180 boxed in the back of the car, ready to send off midday today, so would be very interested if anyone can test it before that.
If you want to try it, reply with your email address!

I don't know much about this procedure, only that MSI sent me the above instructions and file to fix my LCD vanishing problem. The problem was due to running a welcome.exe application from the TV tuner CD. If this was not the cause of your problem it is posible that there is another problem and it can't be fixed like this.
I would at least expect the bxa0cms0.bin file to be opened and the flasher to fall over either when it is flashing, or to have to no effect.
In this case it sounds like there is a problem opening the bxa0cms0.bin file. Are you sure it is in the same location that you are executing the i2cdown flasher from? Has the extract of the zipped file worked OK? Can't think of anything else right now.

Abysmal upload speed? download is not too good eit...

Hello BTCare community,
After attempting to do some streaming tonight (and failing misserably), I have come to realise that my uploading speed is shockingly bad (and my downloading speed is not so good either) and needs to be fixed! I have an unlimited broadband package and paying a pretty penny for it too, i would of expected it to be higher?

are these the hub stats?
Connection Information
Line state:
Connected
Connection time:
0 days, 08:53:17
Downstream:
4.969 Mbps
Upstream:
448 Kbps
ADSL Settings
VPI/VCI:
0/38
Type:
PPPoA
Modulation:
G.992.1 Annex A
Latency type:
Fast
Noise margin (Down/Up):
8.2 dB / 27.0 dB
Line attenuation (Down/Up):
44.8 dB / 27.0 dB
Output power (Down/Up):
19.6 dBm / 12.4 dBm
FEC Events (Down/Up):
0 / 0
CRC Events (Down/Up):
281 / 0
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote):
0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote):
0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote):
0 / 0
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The new update was not too exciting..

I had just updated my HTC One Max phone today, and it's not really what I expected..all the features that were mentioned for the KitKat update, I already have it prior to the update (with the exception of the printing online feature). I really was hoping that they would change the menu or at least install a File Manager Settings to have better access to transfer files over. :/ Not too thrilled with the new update

Hi ricardoamon,
The updates should not affect the conversion to ppt feature.
I still have that option at my end in Acrobat 11.0.08
Try repairing Acrobat from the 'Help' menu and check.
Regards,
Rave

Mega problems with new Mega 180 - Help, please!

Hello everyone. I recently built a MEGA 180 system for a customer of mine, and have been having NOTHING but problems with it. First off, during the Windows XP PRo install, I'll often receive errors stating that certain files cant be copied, and I'll have to hit enter several times before the file will copy. I've replaced the CD-ROM with an MSI model, and used a different XP CD, and still receive these errors during install pretty often. Secondly, once I get everything installed, I'll get numerous program errors in XP (usually explorer.exe and iexplore.exe, but pretty much every program crashes sometimes). I've used a different HD, different RAM, and I've formatted the HD and reinstalled XP at least 6 times, and am STILL having problems. Im a computer tech, and fairly proficient at building PCs, though this is my first SFF pc I've built. Im really at my wits end here, and am not sure where else to go for ideas on what this can be. I've submitted an online help ticket with MSI, but I wanted to see if you guys had any ideas in the meantime. System specs are as follows:
MSI Mega 180
AMD XP 2800+ CPU (I used artic silver, btw)
512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM (I also used 512MB GEIL PC3200 Golden Dragon)
80GB Western Digital HD
MSI CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
average temp under load: 50c
average temp idle: 36c
Thanks in advance guys!
Rheq

Well, hrmm... :noidea:I know when I built my Mega180 I didn't have those problems at least, so it's hard to pinpoint. My bets are toward the memory (although you did swap it out, so that's what bugs me with my thought on that). My next guess would be the MoBo itself (which would be an MSI replace basically as there isn't much leeway for a different board for that case (or getting it out ). I am shocked, however, that you have your sys temps so low. I have an Athlon XP 2700+ (333 FSB, Thunderbird) and my temps go around 60C with the case open and a small room fan blowing through the case...for now). Do you mind telling me how you got your system so cool? I've been considering the Koolance Exos watercooling just to bring this system to stable, lower temps [but I've never dealt with watercooling yet ) Of course, sys temps have always been by biggest problem.
Sorry if this wasn't a big help, but the randomness of the errors seems to lean towards the memory/mobo...possibly the HDD I suppose. Does it still receive errors when not dealing with an optical disc (CD or DVD)? If so, that definitely rules out the optical as the only problem (it may still be a problem, but it wouldn't be the only one at least).

Will a MSI NBOX 5900 Ultra fit in the new mega 180?

has anyone tried to stuff a msi gffx 5900 ultra nbox version into a mega 180? does it fit? i am considering purchase but the i can smell the irony coming when i think about trying to fit my monster msi video card into that tiny msi box.
Zwit

HI
yes ive put a msi 5900 xt and the fan is also 26 dba
all this works fine
ms 180 deluxe
3000 xp
lg 4082b
1 gig ddr 333
msi 5900xt
250 gig fdb hdd
120 wd hdd
thx

Does anyone else think the new iPhoto is not very good? you can no longer burn photo cd's directly from it!

I do not like the new iphoto, it will not let you burn a photo cd directly from iphoto like it used to. It use to be simple, now it's not. I also think the faces feature is a waste of time and you can't disable it. Overall i am not happy with this new product i had to pay for. I had to update the iphoto i loved because they stopped letting you send your photo's to be printed from it. Apple is failing. It seems they are more after new sorces of revenue then keeping a good product.

Did you have a question?
I don't use the Faces feature, nor the Places one either, but I don't find them a waste of time. There's nothing to disable, just don't use them. Burning to optical media is going the way of the floppy disk. New computers of every brand are showing up now without optical drives. In five years you'll have trouble finding a computer with a built-in drive to buy and in 10, you'll find it hard to get a drive that will play optical media at all. iPhoto 08 was released in 2007 and that means they supported online printing services for 6 years. The installed base of iPhoto 08 is so small now that it's not worth their while. How you get from your inconvenience to "Apple is failing" is not clear to me. iPhoto 11 is a much more capable application that 08, complete with full non-destructive editing.

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 Remote/LCD API

Hi,
I've just built a new MEGA 180 system, and while I like the hardware, I'm less than enthusiastic about the software. Frankly, Media Centre III stinks!
For one thing, I'd like to be able to use the MEGA 180 for MP3 playback without having to turn on the monitor (which is a projector in my case, that takes more than a minute to start up).
The first step would be to program the remote and the LCD display so that you can use whatever MP3 player you want, in my case I would write a WinAmp / MediaMonkey plugin.
For that I need some way to access these devices. I found some dlls and a WinIRX.ocr on the CD but I have no idea how to use them. Is there any API description I can use? Even a simple .h and .lib file for the dlls would suffice for me.
If you've heard anything about such a description, please let me know. Or maybe the adress of somebody at MSI I could contact to get it?
Thanks!
Martin.

I've been looking into the dll's as well; there are a few that looks promising. They can't be referenced from Visual Basic though , so someone with more insight into C++ should have a go at them. PC Alert 4 also installs it's own dll's for writing sys- and cpu temp to the LCM, so there is plenty to choose from. Can't help out with any API descriptions though...
We should keep in mind however that the 180 and 865 are new products for MSI, and not only are they occupied with fixing the numerous problems users have reported, but they will probably try to develop other applications that take advantage of the remote and LCM. From what we've seen so far that is obviosly something they should leave to other, more suited, developers!
I too think that MSI would benefit from releasing a SDK, thus increasing the overall useability of the Mega, thus attracting more users. Leave it to the endusers to decide which mediaplayer/s we want to use.
For the moment I'm putting my hope to a Girder-plugin for the remote, since that seems the most plausible solution right now.
-M

My MEGA 180 is hotter than a hair dryer :(

Hi folks,
I've a massivly temperature Problem with my new Mega 180 (3000 Athlon XP, 2*512 MB RAM, Radeon 9800XT)
We've already checked the installation of the headsink two times and it semms that he is correctly installed.
Yesterday (with closed cover) we ran 3DMark 2003 over 6 hours an the CPU-temperature was stable at 69-75° C, system temperature about 50° C
Today i installed the new BIOS, and the first time i was able to get a CPU-temperature about 45° C on startup, now after 1 hour uptime it is about 67° C with an average cpu usage of 10%. But my cover is also opened :/
Playing UT pushes the temperature over 85° C. Oh damn
So what could cause such high temperatures? Of course the AGP card will block the airflow, but I've heard about users running their system with AGP-Card and a stable temerature about 45° C
1) I've noticed that the cooler fans run sometimes with only about 3200 rpm, even if the temperature is over 60° C. Is the cooler speed controlled by BIOS or PC Alert? Would there be a possibily to run the fan always with 5400 rpm or even higher?
2) Sometimes there are huge differences in CPU temperature. From 60° to 72° withing 15 seconds. Is this normal?
3) Are there any fans that run with more than 5400 rpms and fit onto the heatsink? So i would replace the original fans. What about placing a HDD cooler in the mediacard slot? Would it be useful? What aoubt a cooler in the PCI-slot?
I would be glad if somebody can give me some suggestions or tips. If temperatur stays so high i would give the barebone back...
thx

Yeah, Im having issues with heat also, hitting upwards of 62 degrees and thats after Ive modified the heatsink and mounted an additional fan on top!
I think the MSI are badly designed in terms of airflow and cooling. Having the AGP slot right next to the heatsink fan is a bit .... well stupid really. Even if I was to reverse the fans on the heatsink, to pull in cooler air from the right hand side of the case, Im still gonna be pumping hot air directly onto the back of the GFX card.
MSI should have, in my opinion, put the AGP slot on the far left of the motherboard, instead of the PCI slot that is currently located there. Then at least, one would be able to mount a decent extractor fan that fits into the PCI slot to blow hot air away. Then the heatsink fans could be reversed to draw cooler air in from outside the case.
This is the type of fan Im referring too.
Not only this, but the PSU unit gets really hot too, and the fan inside that puts out a pathetic amount of airflow.
I can appreciate that MSI were trying to keep the noise levels down - but Id sooner have a slightly less quiet pc... than something I can cook marshmellows on

Mega 180 and PC Alert 4

Hello chaps,
Some time ago I posted a thread regarding my relatively new Mega 180 and it's annoying habit of shutting down then only restarting after a few hours unplugged from the mains. There were some helpful responses but unfortunately the problem was never resolved - it just meant I had to shutdown the PC more often.
However, recently the problem is getting worse. I have installed PC Alert 4, but I have no idea what the readings mean. There are four screens which appear to be showing voltages or something, all are in green except for the second one which is frequently red.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Mega 180, 2.8 Ghz, 512 RAM, XP Pro

to determine if the PSU is the problem, remove the cover from your Mega and disconnect all the power connectors to the mega PSU. get a regular ATX PSU (with enough juice of course), sit it next to the mega, and connect the ATX PSU connectors to the Mega (drives, mobo etc). connect the power plug to the ATX PSU and boot up.
note that the LCD display won't function, and you won't get any sound either, but this is only while the mega PSU is not being used.
use your mega as normal, and see if the problem reoccurs. if you get the same problems, then you know its not the PSU. if it all behaves well, then you have to consider a replacement PSU
as i see it you have two choices: you can either scour ebay for a cheap faulty unit being sold for spares (but make sure the PSU is okay before buying!). or you could contact your nearest MSI office and see if they will sell you one
How to contact MSI.
if you're feeling adventurous, you could always check out some other posts here, where users have done away with the mega PSU altogether, and had a regular ATX type sat outside the case as an "external" PSU...

New MEGA 180 - not too good

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