845G Problems, OMG I need some help

[schmittmj]

After spending 2.5 days trying to figure this out , reading countless threads in many forums , I'm about at my wits end. Here is my story and problem.

I purchased:

- P4 2.53 Cpu
- Albatron PX845G Pro II Motherboard (read some reviews .. it looked fine /shrug)
- MSI GF4 Ti4400
- 512MB Stick of Corsair XMS3200C2

I am using Windows XP (first time to ever install XP, was using 98SE)

I get everything in my case, power up, no problems. Adjust the BIOS and get ready to install XP. Install goes without a hitch. Install Intel INF , Nvidia 30.82 drivers , USB2 drivers , Audigy Drivers , XP SP1 ... all install just fine. Install 3DMark, run 3D Mark ... CRASH, a solid freeze, not 5 seconds into the first benchmark. I reboot, try again, same thing.

To make a long story short, here is what I've tried and possibly what I've concluded.

I believe that I am having a problem with the Intel INFs, though I'm not sure what.

I have reinstalled Windows XP about 10 times now trying different things, and have run the system restore at least that many times all well.

I have used the Intel INFs version 4.00.1009, 4.00.1011, 4.00.1013, 4.04.1007
I have used the Nvidia 30.82 , 40.41 , 40.52 and the MSI 30.00 drivers
I have tried with and without the Intel Application Accelerator 2.2.2

No matter what I do I cannot run anything 3D related (I've tried the directx test in dxdiag, 3DMark, DAoC) while I have the Intel INFs installed.
Now I have read per Intels website that I do not need to install any INFs for the 845G with Windows XP (http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/inf/inf.htm#windows_xp), though it seems that if I do not install them my AGP is turned off.

I have run WCPUID and it reports that "AGP Spec. Revision 2.0 is Disabled" (I have checked this with the INFs also, and it is reported as Enabled and at 4x)

This seems to be true as my 3DMark Score (It does run fine WITHOUT the INFs installed) seems low compared to other systems with roughly the same specs ... about 7,000 lower than #1 (http://service.madonion.com/compare?2k1=4584290).

I also am not able to overclock my CPU at all with the INFs installed. Without them I can run at 160 FSB (3040mhz) at 1.6v no problem.

As I said this is just driving me nuts as the system is solid as a rock except for when I have the INFs on it and try to run 3D apps. It appears to be an INF problem that might be related solely to the 845G, but I'm not sure.

I appreciate anyone that has been able to get through this jumbled mess of a post to provide any help.

If anyone needs some more information I'll try and get it for you.

Thank you,
Mike

 

[schmittmj]

bump

 

[Ninepepper]

While I am not entirely sure what an INF is, I will still take this opportunity to express my belief that there are possible conflicts with DirectX 8 and Audigy and (possibly NVIDIA). It might be worth a shot to disable the Audigy and try the benchmarks with the on-board sound solution.

just my .02 cents

 

[Tummy]

schmittmj, it sounds like you are having the same problem a lot of 845g owners are having... so you are not alone there.

Without the Intel INFs, yes, your 3d benchmarks will be awfully slow. ANd with, well, you'll crash. Blame intel, IMO.

Can you run 3d apps when your system is NOT oc'd?

 

[schmittmj]

Originally posted by: Tummy
schmittmj, it sounds like you are having the same problem a lot of 845g owners are having... so you are not alone there.

Without the Intel INFs, yes, your 3d benchmarks will be awfully slow. ANd with, well, you'll crash. Blame intel, IMO.

Can you run 3d apps when your system is NOT oc'd?

Nope, cant even run em when I'm not overclocked. Well ... I can run 3D Apps when I'm not overclocked, without the INFs, but that doesn't solve very much. I see that you mentioned the 845g chipset specifically. Does this same thing happen with the 845e? If it doesn't happen with the 845e, I guess I would consider getting an IT7Max, though I will need to replace my keyboard, and in the future get a serial add in card to support my LCD. Though if it works and can still run my CPU at 160 FSB (I hope the ram can handle around DDR425) I will be happy.

Thanks for the encouragement Tummy
Mike

 

[Tummy]

So basically anytime you have the INFs installed you crash? I saw something similar to that before.. have you tried different ram slots on your motherboard?

I don't know if a similar problem happens on the 845e. i believe it is the "new" memory controller and is specific to the 845G, but i could be wrong, since i've never played with an 845e. I have, however, tried multiple 845g boards and experienced the same problem. I should also let you know that i do think it's fixable, as different bioses have different results.

 

[schmittmj]

I also put this topic up on hardocp (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=03414b880d70e92108390d8502e3d0ae&threadid=500164)

Here is what I have found.

I just reinstalled WinXP last night.

----------

No Service Pack
-> everything works at 3.04 ghz

Installed the Intel INFs 4.00.1011 from my mobo CD
-> everything works at 3.04 ghz

Installed Nvidia Dets 40.71
-> had to scale down to default speed, 2.53 ghz, lock ups in dxdiag Direct3D tests , WinXP would not load at 3.04 ghz

Went into safemode and changed the Intel82845G/GL Processor to AGP Controller driver back to the PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge driver , left all of the other updated entries made by the INFs intact
-> WinXP loads at 3.04 ghz , dxdiag Direct3D tests work , 3DMark Benchmark Completes but because the AGP driver isn't loaded the Ti4400 runs in PCI mode and gives a low score

Tried re-enabling the Intel82845G/GL Processor to AGP Controller driver and moving the RAM into all of the 3 available slots
-> WinXP wont load at 3.04 ghz , scaled back down to 2.53 ghz , lock ups in 3D functions

Tried with and without Intel Application Accelerator 2.2.2
-> Didn't solve the lockups

----------

So there seems to be a problem with the Intel82845G/GL Processor to AGP Controller driver, or a conflict between it and the Nvidia Drivers.

I just dont know what to do (except order an IT7 Max, and a new USB keyboard on monday and hope that it doesn't have the same problems, I picked the IT7 Max due to its reputation as a good overclocker), Albatron doesn't have any BIOS updates and I just cannot spend the time to run my computer in this "half ass" state until this percieved problem is fixed by Intel and or Nvidia.

Mike

 

[canadianpsycho]

Originally posted by: schmittmj
So there seems to be a problem with the Intel82845G/GL Processor to AGP Controller driver, or a conflict between it and the Nvidia Drivers.

All I install with my 4G4A+ is the INFs, and my vid card drivers. Works fine for me. Worked great with bot a ti4400 and a 9700 Pro.

Yeah, the INFs are req'd and hurt your OC performance. But system speed stinks without them.

This sounds like more of an Albatron issue then generic 845g problems, IMO.

 

[faux]

Hi,

I had the exact same problems as you but my motherboard was an older "revision 1.0" of Epox 4G4A+ (both 845G's). My first board had Epox logo on the heat sink and I had all sorts of problems with video card. I have a Geforce 3 Ti 200 OC'ed to 240/500 and it never worked with my first motherboard. My first board will run windows (any version, i tried 98x all the way to xp) but whenever I started a 3d application it would lock up windows. I returned my old board and received a newer "revsion 1.0" with no logo on the northbridge heatsink that had a resister fix on the northbridge (resister BR24 on 845G chip itself) and since then my system has been very stable with my video card. There maybe a common 845G problems and not all manufacturers are aware of them so they might have common problems across different implementation of the 845G chipsets.

 

[schmittmj]

Thank you for the information all of you

After these new findings it appears that maybe Albatron has a bad implementation of the chipset on some boards. I am going to email them tonight and mention this thread and see what they come up with ... though I still might go with an IT7 or another 845e chipset since those may not be so problem prone.

Mike

 

[Rhuwyn]

I had a simliar problem and here is what i did. doesn't matter the order of things but after you intall the inf file goto device manager and select the IDE controller try to update the driver. say you want to choose the one you want....then there should be 3 options....at least there was for me...one driver said something relating to Ultra ATA , another that says something about Busmastering and another that says standard driver. The one that was loaded was the Utlra ATA one I told it to use the Busmatering one and then everything seemed to work ok.