Well I think I am getting closer to my problem... My recent build kept giving me errors on post which said system failed due to overclocking (which I dont do) and then booted anyway. Then occasionally the system would just freeze totally and have to be reset.

Well I reset my CMOS and paid attention to the settings on the POST screen and found out that my Athlon 3200+ XP came up as a 1100 and my dual channel was running at 100mhz. Just to see how it performed I left it this way for several hours and no freezes although I could tell the reduced performance easily.

I rebooted and went into BIOS and had to go to the aggressive settings to get it to recognize the 3200+ processer. Guess what.. system POST message failed due to to OCing. And I just had it freeze up again.

I am really thinking I have a bad CPU so Im going to swap it out today with my wifes AMD 3000 and see the results on each computer.

This sound correct to anyone else?? Thanks

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AMD Athlon XP3200+
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe
Patriot 1gig Dual Channel PC3200 Ram

The Athlon XP 3200+ runs at 2200 MHz with a 400 MHz FSB speed.

Instead of using the Agressive settings for the CPU, which are used to overclock, try these:

CPU External Frequency - this should autoset at 200 MHz -> (1/2 of the FSB speed of 400 MHz)

CPU Frequency Multiple Setting [Auto] - this should autoset at 11X if your CPU is 'locked'-> (200 MHz x 11 = 2200 MHz)

CPU Frequency Multiple [5X] - set this at 11X if your CPU is 'unlocked'

System Performance - Optimal (Stability)

CPU Interface - Optimal (Stability)

Thats the origional settings I had. when I used those default settings and went to POST screen and the system icon in windows, it showed my processor at 1.1 Ghz, not the 2.2 the 3200 should be.

I just swapped out my processor with my wifes AMD 3000+ and rebooted both machines. Hers shows my processor as the AMD 3200 at 2.2 Ghz and when I booted mine up with her 3000 it showed an athlon at 1.1 Ghz.

So now Im totally lost =)

Any possibility that your coin cell battery is dead or low on charge? I wonder what an A7N8X would default to if the BIOS settings aren't being held properly.

The processor being at fault is eliminated so I would try a barebones boot just to see what the boot screens would show. I don't know that any other component could be at fault or the cause but it may be worth a try.

Or it may be due to a defective BIOS chip.

Well I just went in and reset the bios again to force it to show the AMD 3000 as a 3000 and got the post error of cpu overclocking. I expect to freeze up at anytime now lol!

I think my next step is to get a RMA for the motherboard as its only about a month old so I do not think the battery is the problem.

Replacing the CMOS battery costs only a few $, and will probably be less expensive than the RMA shipping charge. Just a thought.

good point Ski... wont hurt me to try =)

Well... changing the battery (7$) didt change anything so I got my RMA from newegg. <sigh> now I just have to take everything apart. =D