Checksum error..please help

[celticking]

I have an Epox 8kta3 m/b running an Athlon 1.2 ghz, 266fsb. Recently i've had problems, seemed to be hard drive related, couldn't format correctly, getting errors, wasn't copying setup files for OS installation, getting error that the file couldn't be copied. I replaced the drive, it worked correctly first boot but now on boot up i get an error...
cmos checksum error-defaults loaded. I'm left at the screen showing to press delete to enter setup, doesn't work. Looks like the keyboard driver hasn't loaded. The drive is empty, i had just formatted it, ready for the OS install, NTFS.

Floppy won't boot, once i get the error, the sytem halts. I did read somewhere this error can be caused by overclocking? Anyway, my system isn't overclocked though 3 or 4 times over the 6 months i've had it i've received a message on boot up that i'm overclocked and should change the settings. I just reboot and it's always been fine. I'm really out of ideas here.

Just tried a different battery, same problem. This board has a digital readout for errors, shows 7f and it's not in the manual. As for the settings, they appear correct. On boot up it shows Athlon 1200, 133 fsb using 9x multiplier. I haven't made any changes to the bios recently so i'm totally stumped. The codes run 6F, 75, 7F then halts with the cmos checksum error. I've also tried resetting the bios. Don't even know if this was succesfull as i can't get into it.

Thanks for any help. Getting desperate here.

 

[osuman]

I would open the case up and look at the processor to ensure that it is indeed clocked the correct speed. You never know, it's possible the wrong one got put into it, unless you are the one that built it. If that looks correct, the next place I would try is replacing the RAM. If your RAM is bad then it could easily lead to problems like this. These days you should be able to a 64 meg stick for relatively cheap. Also, ensure that you buy PC133 as you can't have slower ram than the system bus. (Is the ram you have now PC133?) A little more information as to who made the system and what it's specs are would help.

 

[celticking]

I have 2 128mb dimms in there, both 133mhz. Tried different configs so if it's the ram both failed together. As for the cpu, i really can't check it, if i remove the heatsink i'll invalidate the warranty. I bought the system from accessmicro as a bundle. Motherboard, cpu and 128mb's ram. I know i can probably send it back but hopeing can resolve the issue myself. I doubt i'd get it back now until after christmas. Need any more info? Is there any software around that can detect if i have the proper cpu as sold to me? Thanks,

 

[ceh4702]

You can still probably download a manual for the motherboard from the manufacturer. I would make sure that motherboard is acutally suitable for a 266 FSB. Some motherboards that ran at 133 mhz required the slower athlon CPU's or a slower setting. For Athlons the CPU came at two different FSB speeds at 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, etc. The only time I have seen a checksum error is due to the memory. There may be 2 different settings for the volts to the memory as well. I never used 133 memory, so I never checked it. I went from 100 to DDR. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[celticking]

Thanks ceh. I already have the manual and this board does support 266fsb. I'd have guessed it was memory but as i stated, i have 2 dimms and it's doubtfull both would fail at the same time.