EPoX "EP-9NPA+Ultra" NVIDIA nForce4 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard

[curran]

imhungry,

the auto setting is essentially the enable option in the bios. So when you go to the sound properties in the control panel & click on the audio tab, you don't have a selection for "realtek ac97"?

i don't know if it matters, but do you have the latest version of directx? Under the "general" button in the realtek software on the taskbar, it also lists my audio controller as "nVidia". I didn't know the audio had anything to do w/ nVidia, but did you ever install the audio drivers that came w/ the nForce drivers? Other than all that, to me it sounds like a bad board. oh and did you try any of the other audio jacks such as the mic or line in/out??

 

[imhungry]

I do have a selection, and it's set as realtek ac97 audio.

I have DX9 for audio / video installed and I have no mic to test..

 

[imhungry]

Fixed, I had to connect the front panel audio connectors to use the real panel...

meh, it works, but the sabrent sounds better.

 

[sgtdic]

sounds like you didn't have the jumpers on there. you have to have those 2 on there for the rear audio to work, yeah unless you have front connected. also, looking at my system nvidia controller should be the onboard, not realtek. realtek isn't even listed on my sound properties. that's probably your sound card.

 

[MHZmaster]

I just built a computer (first build) with an Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra and an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+. Of course, I encountered freezing with USB 2.0 (my usb Wi-Fi adapter was creating the problems, but I had the same problem when copying files to a USB HD in safe mode). I had an old PCI card that I put in. It has some problems of its own, but at least the computer doesn't freeze randomly.

After that problem was solved (sort of), I noticed that nothing shows on my screen during boot-up until Windows is open. The bios configuration screen shows up when I hold <Delete> but it is sort of shifted down and slightly cut off at the bottom. I also cannot see anything when I boot from a bootable disc. I tried clearing my CMOS, and everything worked perfectly - One time. Then it went back to the same problem. I have encountered this problem with both the December and January BIOS updates. Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas for a fix?

Thanks

Here are my specs:

Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
300GB Maxtor Diamondmax 10
Connect3D Radeon X800GTO
Plextor PX-716A IDE DVD+-RW (and some Samsung combo drive)
Thermaltake TR2 430W PSU
Cooler Master Centurion 5 Case
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX (External USB)

 

[sgtdic]

i still think it's funny how the mobo site doesn't say that it supports X2 cpus, although epox released bios support for it a while back. laziness or the truth?

 

[curran]

**important USB 2.0 freezing update**

MHZmaster,

you aren't alone in the freezing issue as that is what we've trying to figure out in this topic. A couple of us have come to the conclusion that it is DEFINATELY

 

[curran]

oops sorry hit the wrong button,

Anyway, it is DEFINATELY an athlon X2 problem in conjunction w/ USB 2.0 (apparently called Errata 123, see http://www.rojakpot.com/showFreeBOG.aspx?lang=0&bogno=310) (thanks drew). We have both added the "/onecpu" line to the boot.ini file, and although it deactivates one cpu core, our systems have been running perfectly stable under all kinds of USB loads, even w/ wireless adapters. Previously w/ an adapter my system was freezing nearly every few minutes at the worst.

Anyway, there doesn't seem to be anything we can do about it, besides turning off USB 2.0 & buying PCI cards. Unfortunately I don't have the room for another card & need all my internal usb headers. This is apparently something Epox has to fix through a bios update. A couple of us have emailed Epox recently about this & are going to call & would really appreciate it if you also did the same. They've known about this for a while now & just haven't done anything about it...and likely won't unless enough people yell at them. well hope this helps.

-curran

 

[MHZmaster]

Thanks for the info. Sorry I didn't make it clear that I am having very few or no freezes now that I am using the USB 2.0 PCI card. The card itself stops working every once in a while, but at least the computer doesn't crash randomly. I could try the /onecpu fix, but I'd rather stick with my PCI card and keep my dual procs.

I don't have any other major problems with the board, but I've noticed that there is no display while I boot up. Until Windows loads, the screen is completely black. I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what could be wrong?

I will try to contact Epox about both of these problems. I would really like to use my built-in USB ports.

Thanks

--
Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
300GB Maxtor Diamondmax 10
Connect3D Radeon X800GTO
Plextor PX-716A IDE DVD+-RW (and some Samsung combo drive)
Thermaltake TR2 430W PSU
Cooler Master Centurion 5 Case
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX (External USB)

 

[Mem]

I don't have any other major problems with the board, but I've noticed that there is no display while I boot up. Until Windows loads, the screen is completely black. I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what could be wrong?

If you mean you get the big Epox logo screen ,go into BIOS in advanced BIOS features and disable full screen logo show.

 

[MHZmaster]

If you mean you get the big Epox logo screen ,go into BIOS in advanced BIOS features and disable full screen logo show.

No, the screen stays completely black until Windows loads.

 

[Orcishhuman]

Just a quick question, I thought of getting a XP-90C instead of the crappy AMD heatsink, are there any compatibility problems with the mobo (Thermalright say that it works on all motherboards yet I don't really trust them =P)?

 

[IlluminiX]

I just wanted to say that I also have freezing problems with my X2 3800+ and high-speed USB 2.0 devices with this board.

Mem & anyone else with NO probs and an X2 and high-speed USB 2.0 devices:

Please say (copy and bold) which option is selected in your BIOS...

SMART - enabled or disabled
CnQ - enabled or disabled
CPU Ratio control - enabled or auto
USB - shadow or base
USB mouse - enabled or disabled
USB park mode - enabled or disabled
FDC (floppy) - enabled or disabled
NV Lan - enabled or disabled
AC97 audio - enabled or disabled

Any other options seem relevant, feel free to post them!
Since I imagine drivers are the same, and I assume you tested any high-speed devices (like network adapters) for long periods of time like days to insure stability, I would have to assume there is something different at the BIOS level.

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: Orcishhuman
Just a quick question, I thought of getting a XP-90C instead of the crappy AMD heatsink, are there any compatibility problems with the mobo (Thermalright say that it works on all motherboards yet I don't really trust them =P)?

I have the XP-90, which I think has the same dimensions as the XP-90C, and it fits fine.

 

[Mem]

SMART - enabled or disabled
CnQ - enabled or disabled
CPU Ratio control - enabled or auto
USB - shadow or base
USB mouse - enabled or disabled
USB park mode - enabled or disabled
FDC (floppy) - enabled or disabled
NV Lan - enabled or disabled
AC97 audio - enabled or disabled

Smart is disabled
CnQ disabled
CPU ratio control is disabled.
USB -shadow
USB mouse support is disabled
USB park mode enabled
FDC floppy enabled
NV Lan on auto
AC 97 disabled(using my Audigy 4).

 

[Orcishhuman]

Originally posted by: gfngfgf

Originally posted by: Orcishhuman
Just a quick question, I thought of getting a XP-90C instead of the crappy AMD heatsink, are there any compatibility problems with the mobo (Thermalright say that it works on all motherboards yet I don't really trust them =P)?

I have the XP-90, which I think has the same dimensions as the XP-90C, and it fits fine.

Thanks a lot!

 

[kikis]

Hello! Guys I need you're feedback on the problem that I'm having with regards to my system.


Problem: System will not boot to Windows after Installing the chipset driver. All seems to be normal while it's installing Windows. Right after installing the NForce4 driver, the system will not boot to Windows in the normal mode but can boot to safe mode.

TS Performed:

1. Before installing the OS, I installed the Silicon Image controller (SATA Driver), no go. I alsot tried installing the OS without installing the Silicon Image, no go.
2. Updated BIOS version and used the latest NForce4 driver, no go.
3. Used an IDE HDD and everything seems to be ok.
4. Tried installing WinXP Pro SP1, WinXP Pro SP2, WinXP Pro Gold(Doesn't have SP), no go.
5. This is the replacement mobo already. The first mobo I got has the same problem. We tried putting a PCI SATA controller into the other previous mobo and connected the SATA HDD in the expansion card, and the chipset driver was installed without any problem and the system is running flawlessly. That's why the mobo was replaced because based on the troubleshooting steps performed, the SATA controller of the mobo seems to be defective. The replacement mobo arrived, brand new, still having the same problem.
6. All BIOS settings seems to be OK and I don't think that tweaking the BIOS will solve this problem.

Really need feedback on this.

Is it possible that I got two defective mobos or I'm doing something wrong?

It's really weird because right after installing the Chipset driver be it the newest driver or the driver that came with the system, the system will not boot to Windows normally but can boot to safe mode and in safe mode, everything seems to be fine. It seems to be a software problem, but I reinstalled the OS a lot of times and the system will still not boot to Windows.

 

[Ann Thracks]

I just have to add that I am also experiencing random freezing when transferring large files using USB 2 on my athlon X2 Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra system. It was extremely frustrating trying to figure out the cause. I'm really glad to have found this forum and see that other people are having the same problem, so its not just my system. Of course, I'm very annoyed that the problem exists and will never buy another Epox mobo (this was my second and I had issues with the first). Although I have been happy with the mobo otherwise. But at least I know exactly what the issue is and how to work around it. Thanks curran for the info and link and thanks to everybody posting about this. I will definitely be emailing and calling Epox and hope everybody else does too. Maybe we will get a fix.

 

[kikis]

I just want to ask you guys if you're going to install the silicon image controller before the installation of Windows even if the system only have a single SATA HDD??

 

[Mem]

I just want to ask you guys if you're going to install the silicon image controller before the installation of Windows even if the system only have a single SATA HDD??

No Silicon image controller on this Epox model,think you mean the Nvidia SATA controller,anyway with WinXP and SP2 no need too even on a clean install of a single SATA HD,just install the Nvidia chipset drivers after you get the OS installed,that is what I did.

 

[kikis]

Thank you for the heads up

 

[gfngfgf]

kikis: the first question I can think of is when you say you "install the chipset driver", which parts do you install? Specifically, do you install the SW IDE driver? Have you tried not installing that specific component?

 

[tjpark1111]

ok guys give me a VERY clear(yes/no)answer. Is the USB issue common and if so, only for X2 processors? thx.

 

[kikis]

gfngfgf: I tried not to install SW IDE driver and the system is working fine but it will take 2 to 3 minutes to load windows. In Windows, everything seems to be normal. Is this really normal for this mobo to take 2 to 3 minutes to load Windows?

 

[Mem]

gfngfgf: I tried not to install SW IDE driver and the system is working fine but it will take 2 to 3 minutes to load windows. In Windows, everything seems to be normal. Is this really normal for this mobo to take 2 to 3 minutes to load Windows?

That is because of NCQ ,so go to Device Manager,select properties on Nvidia SATA Controller and deselect "Enable Command Queing" ,in the primary tab of the HD.