• Intel SC5200/SC5250-E System Board
• Hasee Your MOM!

• Leaky Ni-Cd clock battery

The Ni-Cd battery may be leaking, risking damage to PCB layers & nearby components. Promptly remove the battery & clean corrosion/alkaline salts from the board. Use white vinegar to dissolve salts, but exercise caution as vinegar can corrode exposed metals. A thorough examination & repair may be needed. Replace battery with guide: https://github.com/wiretap-retro/Not-A-Varta

• DALLAS RTC coin cell empty

The motherboard's Real-Time Clock (RTC) chip contains a coin cell that may have drained, causing the loss of CMOS settings. This can result in an inability to save settings, causing system instability or failure to boot. To fix this, the RTC chip can be replaced with an equivalent or repaired by cutting into it and soldering on a new external coin cell holder. Replacement guides are available at https://github.com/necroware/nwX287 or https://github.com/necroware/nw12887, depending on the actual chip used.

• Fake cache

The motherboard may include a non-functional or counterfeit SRAM cache, which can adversely affect performance. Signs of fake cache often include soldered QFP or DIP-chips labeled "WRITE-BACK" with traces that do not connect to the chipset.

• DIP chips can typically be removed and replaced with functional SRAM chips in sockets to restore cache functionality.

• QFP fake cache chips are often not replaceable with functional cache as the PCB footprints are not chipset connected.

• Faulty or Leaking Electrolytic Capacitors

Some motherboards may contain faulty or leaking electrolytic capacitors, which can negatively impact system performance or stability. These capacitors may exhibit issues such as bulging, leaking, or even exploding, potentially damaging other components on the motherboard. Users should inspect their capacitors regularly and replace any that are faulty or leaking to avoid damage or system instability.

• Bad/shorted tantalum capacitors

Owners of this board have reported tantalum capacitor failures on this board. Make sure there's no short before turning on this board for the first time.

• Underpowered AGP

Some AGP slots may not provide sufficient power for certain AGP devices, causing instability or incompatibility. In some cases, this issue can also cause damage to voltage regulators on the motherboard when high-power AGP cards are installed. Users should exercise caution when selecting and using AGP cards to avoid damaging their hardware.

• Underpowered VRM

The onboard VRM may not provide sufficient power for certain processors or configurations.

• Underperforming chipset/board

The motherboard or chipset may deliver subpar performance compared to similar products, which can result in reduced memory bandwidth, poor memory latency, and bad AGP performance. This can negatively impact overall system performance.

• Intel MTH SDRAM defect

Some Intel 820 chipset-based motherboards may contain a defective Memory Translator Hub (MTH) that specifically affects SDRAM operation. This defect can cause system noise issues, leading to intermittent resets, reboots, and hangs, and, in extreme cases, data corruption. Unfortunately, there is no known fix for this issue. Users of retro motherboards featuring the Intel 820 chipset and using SDRAM should be aware of potential MTH-related problems when using their systems.

• Faulty IDE Controller

The motherboard has a documented faulty IDE controller, which may cause problems with IDE devices such as data corruption or lockups.

• Underpowered VRM (in certain revisions)

Some revisions of this motherboard may have an underpowered VRM, which refers to a VRM that is lacking in either current delivery capability or thermal design margin. This can negatively impact system reliability, as the VRM is responsible for regulating the voltage supplied to the CPU and other components. An underpowered VRM can cause stability issues, crashes, or even damage to the components. Upgrading to a newer revision or replacing the VRM components may be necessary to ensure safe operation.

• Inadequate Power Delivery

This motherboard may have insufficient power delivery, which can lead to unstable or unsafe operation. In extreme cases, this may result in hardware damage, spontaneous combustion, or other electrical failures. Users should exercise caution and consider upgrading the motherboard power supply or other components to ensure safe and stable operation. The RetroWeb community may also provide guidance and assistance in mitigating this issue.

• Proprietary Cache Slot

The motherboard has a distinctive, non-standard cache that can affect compatibility and performance. The cache slot might resemble a familiar slot type, such as an Intel COAST slot or another common design. However, it is not compatible with these modules. Connecting an incompatible module may lead to irreversible damage to the motherboard. Exercise caution to prevent damage to your hardware. It is likely that you are dealing with a PCChips motherboard.

• SiS 5600 AGP Locked to FSB

Motherboards using the SiS 5600 chipset may exhibit a flawed AGP implementation due to the absence of an AGP divider for a 100 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB). Consequently, the AGP clock remains locked to the FSB clock. This issue negatively impacts the functionality and stability of AGP devices connected to the motherboard, potentially affecting the overall system performance.

• Proprietary power supply connector

Some or all versions of this motherboard use a non-standard power supply connector, limiting compatibility with power supplies. It is highly advised to NOT apply power to the board prior to checking the connector pinouts and ensuring they are compatible. Failure to do so can permanently damage both the motherboard and the power supply.

We invite you to join our Discord community for assistance in repairing the damage or locating a compatible power supply.

• Mismatched VRM Specifications and Limited TDP Support

The motherboard's actual VRM specifications might not align with the advertised specs, potentially affecting compatibility and performance. This discrepancy may also result in falsely listing high TDP CPUs as supported, which may not be suitable for long-term, safe use on this motherboard. Verify VRM specs and CPU support to prevent potential damage or stability issues

• Proprietary RAM

The motherboard requires a specific, non-standard type of RAM for proper operation.

• Fake AGP slot

Any AGP cards inserted into this slot operate in PCI 33Mhz Fallback mode.

1. DO NOT use 1.5V exclusive AGP cards (rear notch away from IO side) in this board.
2. ONLY use true universal AGP cards with both slots, these support 1.5V and 3.3V operation.
   • This is a PCI bus connected to an AGP slot.
   • The PCI bus operates at 3.3V and may damage 1.5V exclusive cards.
   • AGP cards are backwards compatible with PCI signalling logic.
   • Performance is greatly reduced vs a true AGP bus.

• BIOS ROM Chip may be faulty

The motherboard's BIOS flash chip may be faulty, causing issues with BIOS updates or functionality. Owners of this board have reported instances of BIOS ROM failures, resulting in an inability to boot the system. If your board is experiencing these issues, attempting to flash the BIOS to a new ROM chip may be necessary.

• Poor Stability/Reliability

May exhibit poor stability or reliability, causing system crashes, freezes, or other instability issues. This can be due to a variety of factors, including faulty or incompatible components, outdated BIOS, or design flaws. Users should be aware of potential stability and reliability issues and take steps to mitigate them, such as updating the BIOS, replacing faulty components, or consulting with TheRetroWeb community for more information on potential issues and solutions.

• EDO RAM not correctly supported

The motherboard may experience difficulties in accurately recognizing or utilizing EDO RAM modules.

• Memory Addressing Limitations

May have limitations in addressing the maximum amount of memory that the chipset can support, which can restrict the maximum amount of usable memory. This may be due to faulty BIOS, design cutbacks, or PCB design errors. Users should be aware of the potential limitations in their motherboard's memory addressing capabilities and consult the motherboard's manual for more information on maximum supported memory.

• Server Board - requires airflow over VRM for safe operation

Adequate airflow across the VRM is necessary for stable and secure operation of this server motherboard.

• Server Board - requires airflow over chipset for safe operation

Ensure proper airflow over the chipset to maintain the stability and safety of this server motherboard.

• DRAM Support depends on CPU Used

The range of supported DRAM modules varies depending on the specific CPU installed.

• Known DRAM compatibility problems

This motherboard has reported instances of incompatibility with certain DRAM modules. Consult your manual for validated memory modules, otherwise some experimentation is necessary to find a set of compatible modules.

• Misleading PCIexpress slot/specification

The motherboard may feature a misleading PCI Express slot/specification. In some instances, an x16 slot may only support x4 speeds. In other cases, the slot may have just a single lane connected to it, significantly limiting its functionality. Be cautious of these discrepancies to ensure compatibility with your PCI Express devices.

• Dual Plane voltage VRM may be missing

Certain revisions of this motherboard have been found to lack the second VRM module required for operating dual plane or split voltage processors. On these revisions, they will be only be able to run single voltage processors, limiting overall CPU support.

• VRM module required for expanded CPU support

Without an add-on VRM module this motherboard supports none or only a limited selection of processors. With the installation of a VRM module additional voltages can be added which allows this motherboard to support a wider range of processors.

For Socket 5/7 Pentium VRM Motherboards see the new S7-VRM design by NecroWare. 1) https://github.com/necroware/s7-vrm

• Engineering Sample

This is an engineering sample, not a final product, for testing and evaluation.

1. Compatibility: Limited compatibility with hardware, software, or peripherals.
2. Stability: Potential for crashes, freezes, or unexpected behavior.
3. Performance: Differences in memory bandwidth, data transfer rates, or overall system performance.
4. Feature Limitations: Missing or incomplete features compared to the final product.
5. Engineering Features: Additional options or settings not found in commercial versions.

• Falsely advertised chipset

This motherboard uses a different chipset than the one advertised by the vendor. In most cases, a lower tier chipset was used in order to save costs. It is likely that the board may not have the same levels of performance as one equipped with genuine parts.

Beware that issues regarding BIOS and driver compatibility may arise as well, so double check with any hardware reporting software what chipset is actually installed on the board before proceeding any further.

• No POST without CMOS Battery

This motherboard will not power on without a CMOS battery installed.

• AGP Compatibility Problems

May have compatibility problems with certain AGP cards. Some symptoms include:

1. No Display with Specific Cards: Inexplicably fail to work with particular AGP graphics cards, POSTS to blank screen with known good cards.
2. Driver Loading Failures: Driver appears loaded but wont work, Windows using VgaSave Driver even when hardware is detected.
3. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): Lockups or BSOD errors during OS boot or while the system is running.

• ISA compatibility problems

This board has one or more proprietary local bus slots, which have the option to fallback to ISA compatibility mode only under certain jumper configurations. Please check the onboard silkscreen markings or the user manual to ensure you have these slots configured properly and are aware which can be used in ISA compatibility mode.

• Laptop ODD: Faceplate may vary depending on laptop model

Despite technically being a slim optical drive, its front panel has styling specific to certain laptop model, which makes the drives not interchangeable unless it is replaced or removed.

• L2 Cache decreases performance

This board is known to have degraded performance when L2 cache is installed and enabled.

• ROM Corruption

This device is known for occasionally corrupting its configuration EEPROM. This may lead to the card malfunctioning or not being detected, or even the system refusing to boot. The 'BIOS/Firmware' section may have a dump of this EEPROM that can be used to restore functionality.

• Slow cache without "dirty bit" chip installed

This motherboard uses a chipset that does not support a 7+1 bit tag system for cache, and requires a dedicated SRAM chip for dirty bit tracking. If this chip is not installed, all blocks in cache will always be marked as dirty and main memory latency will be significantly higher.

• Different I/O chip BIOS versions

Warning! This board comes with different Super I/O chips. Flashing the wrong BIOS with result in an inoperable motherboard. You will need an external programmer to restore the proper bios to correct this error.

• Counterfeit/fake motherboard

This motherboard is known to be sold as a replica of a genuine model and it usually is of poor quality, by using cheap components and PCB materials. It is likely that the board's specifications will not match the genuine model. As such, there might be BIOS and driver compatibility issues.

If you have such a board, it is recommended to ask other members of the community for more information.

• Unstable or No Boot with Modern PSU

This motherboard may not P.O.S.T or may be unstable with a modern power supply with low amperage 5V Rail. Using a older high 5V amperage rail is recommended

• Chassis Intrusion Failure

This motherboard can occasionally have a faulty component that causes the chassis intrusion to always be displayed on bootup and cannot be bypassed without component removal or modification to the motherboard.

• Rock Hard Chipset Thermal Interface Material

System chipsets contains thermal interface material that is very difficult to remove without heat or solvents that can disolve the thermal interface material. Inproper removal can cause damage to the Motherboard or Expansion card

• Motherboad Kills or Degrades CPUs on specific BIOS versions

The motherboard has a faulty bios version that increases voltages past safe limits in order to perfrom better than some other motherboards in testing, Not updating the BIOS to the latest can cause accelerated death of the CPU

• Erratic behaviour or no POST with PCI/ISA P.O.S.T/Diagnostic Card installed

Motherboard may act erratic or not POST or have issues such as not detecting IDE or SATA With a PCI/ISA P.O.S.T/Diagnostic Card installed due to a BUS conflict. It is recomended not to use a P.O.S.T/Diagnostic Card on these motherboards

• CPU Temperature Sensor failure or has poor reaction time to overheating

This Motherboards CPU temperature sensor is known to fail or react slowly to overheating, It is recommended to check proper instalation of the CPU to avoid overheating

• Chipset Fan Failure

Dust or poor maintenance can cause the chipset fan to fail causing the motherboard to overheat or die. It is recommended the purchase a third party replacement heatsink and fan

• Cheap Thermal solution for Chipset - Easy to chip chipset die

This motherboard contains no sponge protection pad or only 2 points of securing of the chipset, Accidental force or nudging the heatsink durring instalation of other components can cause the chipset die to chip leading to failure of the motherboard

SSI-compatible front panel (such as pictured) is potentionally required for operation