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

[oceansong]

Hello all!
Im new here. Just want to say these forums kick arse!

I am having an issue with my new system(first build ever). Parts are in my sig. I got everything up and running at stock settings (everything auto). It runs like a champ. I ran memtest overnight and all test pass. I ran 3dmark05 and scored a 7500+. I figured everything was good to go to start OC'ing. This is where my noobness is kicking in. I have prowled the forums looking for answers but I am having no luck so I figured I would go ahead and post my problem. Sorry if my Oc'ing noobness annoys anyone.

When I first got the system built I cranked the CPU freq up to 222Mhz and left absolutly every other setting set to auto. I also realized that I did not have my memory installed properly and it was not running in dual channel mode. The system did clock to 2.0Ghz. I ran 3dmark05 and everything looked fine. I ran it for about an hour and I began to worry about not having something set correctly. I then changed everything back to stock settings. I then installed the memory in the proper sockets and the system was now operating in dual channel mode. I then decided to update my bios. I used the epox magic bios to download and update the bios. Everysince then I have been receing this problem. Is it possible that I have a partially corrupt Bios?

I read the Oc'ing guide and did the following:
I set the Htt to 4x and memory to 166 and started upping the cpu frequency. I also set the memory to 1t timing. I can get to 205 on cpu freq and anything above that will not post. It tells me that the system is operating in safe mode and that I need to change the cpu frequency. I have all other settings set to auto (cpu and mem volt also). Am I doing something wrong? Any pointers would be much appreciated.

 

[sgtdic]

i would run magic bios again and hit the R, for reload original. did you recheck all of your settings after you installed the new bios? because it reverts back to default.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: IlluminiX
And Ridefree, if you wouldn't mind, could you please post again regarding the BIOS changes you made to fix the USB 2.0 problems with your Opteron 148. Thanks.

Gladly.
1. My Raid is on the Sil. controller (was not able to get it to work on the nVidia).
2. Disable USB mouse. MX1000 is still on USB 2.0, however. Just disabled in BIOS.
3. Disable S.M.A.R.T.

 

[RideFree]

You folks with the USB 2.0 weirdness, - try disabling Jumbo Frames in the network area of Device Manager & see if that makes a difference.

It was not the key to making the USB 2.0 problem go away for me but did cure the network being unable to communicate with the NAS (which also had Jumbo Frames enabled, but since, disabled).

 

[oceansong]

Yeah. I tried reloading the defaults. And I checked the settings each time. I get the same results. I am going to put a floppy drive in tonight and flash it that way.

 

[Orcishhuman]

Originally posted by: MHZmaster
Yes, I and several other people on this thread have experienced crashing primarily because of a USB wifi adaptor. However, there could be many other explanations. You might want to try using an ethernet connection instead (if possible) to see if that is the problem

*

Thanks I will try (Ethernet means with RJ45 cables right?)

BTW: My A64 is O/Ced @ 2500mhz with 1.475v and the motherboard (with SpeedFan) tells me the CPU is at 36°C LOAD. It seems to be very cool, especially since I still have the original heatsink....

 

[WhipperSnapper]

This weekend is the BIG BIG weekend!

Assuming that SVC sent me all of the knick-knacks that I ordered, I should have all of the parts I need and be ready to build! I sure hope it isn't really difficult to get everything configured--the BIOS, the video card, the operating system, various drivers, etc. I'm on a P3 533 that I purchased in Feb 2001, so this will be a huge (and expensive) upgrade. I sure do hope that I won't be sorry that I chose the Epox ($95 shipped from ZZF) over the DFI Ultra. Here's what I have:

Chieftec Matrix case (plum-purple)
Epox EP-9NPA+Ultra (of course)
Opteron 148 (to be cooled with an Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro)
2 x 512 PC3200 Corsair Value RAM (cas 2.5)
Connect3d x800 GTO (purchased from Monarch in early November--should unlock)
Sparkle (Fortron) FSP-550-PLG-SLI (single 12V rail with 36A)
Seagate 120 GB
Maxtor 200 GB
Liteon 52x CD-RW
BTC 16x DVD-RW

 

[curran]

Still the same USB/Freezing woes!!

As of yesterday I received a beta bios dated 1/23/05 from epox in order to solve the random freezing, but still no luck. They didn't reveal any specifics on what it actually changes. So after then and trying an old version of the nForce software (Feb. 05) with no results, I tried again to do a fresh install of XP pro. I this time used the nForce drivers that came w/ my board (6.53, I think), the newest forceware video drivers, removed all but the crucial hardware, & then installed the wireless adapter. Still the same problem.

I then tried changing the RAM around some more using 1 stick or 2 sticks in all different slots while also adjusting the timings & voltages....same problem. I have nearly run out of things to test and/or replace. I have used several versions of windows (XP, 2000), every driver I could think of for every piece of hardware in every combination. There is really nothing else left to change in the bios, either. I've adjusted everything...voltages, clock speeds, park mode, memory shadowing & other USB options, etc. I've disabled CNQ & all legacy devices such as parallel ports & the floppy and have used both failsafe & optimized configurations w/ all the OS's & driver combinations mentioned above. I've even tried about 4 USB wireless adapters. I can't do the PCI USB card option since I don't have the room & need all the headers.

I am using the X2 dual core driver (for Win XP & Server 2003) from AMD dated May 2005...the file is amdcpu.exe. I mean this is correct, right? I don't see any other options, including from epox's website.

I am considering trying more expensive RAM such as Corsair XMS. I am currently using Corsair valueRAM, but have also tried GEIL valueRAM. Anyone think this could possibly be a memory issue? I wouldn't think I would have gotten 4 bad sticks in a row, but then I'm also on my 3rd epox NF4ultra board. I even sent my CPU back to AMD for testing, which passed of course.

Sorry for the long post but I think I'm running out of things to test here....any ideas????? By the way my system will still freeze w/ no USB devices attached, but much less often. THANKS

-curran


Epox 9NPA+Ultra & 9NPA+SLI
X2 3800+ (stock-cooled, but runs at decent temp)
geforce 6600 256MB PCI-E (also tried ATI PCI-E card & old PCI card)
Corsair ValueSelect 2x512
Seagate 250GB IDE (tried tons of HDDs)

 

[curran]

bios was actually dated 1/23/2006....i'm still stuck in last year

-curran

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: Mem
Those with USB 2.0 issues with x2 CPU,are you using X2 driver,did you install the Microsoft hotfix,and last are you using Cool and Quiet?


I'm trying to find out if there is a common cause to the problem,FYI as most of you know I have only installed the X2 AMD driver and my system is working great,no USB problems that I'm aware of.

AMD X2 driver: yes
Microsoft hotfix: no
CnQ: yes

I get the USB2.0 crashes, by the way.

 

[Mem]

gfngfgf:.....Thanks for info,I have Cool and Quiet disabled in Bios and never installed the C&Q software.

 

[curran]

Mem....saw something about a MS hotfix (mentioned 124 STPCLK, whatever that is...something about the throttleing of the CPU I think), but wasn't sure what to make of it....and didn't find any more info.
but anyway:

X2 driver: yes
hotfix: no
CNQ: no


gfngfgf.....have you tried other RAMs? I have the same Corsair VS & same USB issue

 

[Mem]

curran:I never bothered with the hotfix since my Epox is running great,btw you tried an external USB 2.0 hub(powered one).

 

[sgtdic]

mem, out of curiosity, why did you disable cool n quiet? are there advantages to disabling it? also, is CnQ just for the X2?

 

[curran]

mem....think i found the hotfix you're talking about on the MS website, but it seems to only be a performance issue...will try anyway. Also, don't need to try a powered hub since my system is still unstable w/ no USB devices attached...not even a mouse or keyboard. Currently reading through posts about a shuttle NF4ultra board where the problem is rampant....will see if there's anything useful there

 

[Mem]

mem, out of curiosity, why did you disable cool n quiet? are there advantages to disabling it? also, is CnQ just for the X2?

Cool and quiet was causing problems with a lot of x2 owners and gaming and it was recommended that you have it disabled.

They recommend you install the hotfix if you use Cool and Quiet but that gives a performance hit so I did not bother.

 

[curran]

No luck w/ the microsoft hotfix (in MS support article #896256)

 

[IlluminiX]

I also received the BETA Bios 1/23/06 from Epox and also froze up after about 12 hours of run time. All was good until I woke up this morning to find my computer frozen. Sounds like they changed the BIOS with new "USB instruction" so you wouldn't SEE any changes, but it also didn't help me so I was hoping it didn't help anyone else (otherwise I would know that it my system that has the problem not the motherboard itself!).

I have the MS hotfix but had the USB issue way before I installed that, and I have tried the system with CnQ disabled and enabled and neither really makes much difference for me as far as the USB 2.0 issue (nor with changing the voltages). Apparently you would have to change the system to "Minimal Power Management" with CnQ enabled to see any difference. The hotfix seems to relieve some of the gaming problems with the X2 processor where with some games you would see some speeding up and slowing down of the frames unless you assigned the game to only one core. Gladly we don't have to do that anymore!

IlluminiX

 

[curran]

Illuminix....what type of RAM are you using??

 

[IlluminiX]

Good stuff: 1 Gb of OCZ Platinum Revision 2 PC 3200

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: currangfngfgf.....have you tried other RAMs? I have the same Corsair VS & same USB issue

No, I've never tried any other RAM, mostly because I don't have any readily available and I don't want to buy any.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

New Build We're up and running! My brother-in-law who helped me build the rig said he thought it was one of the easiest builds he had ever done; we didn't have any problems with the large assortment of hardware and it posted and booted right up without any difficulty.l.

One issue that came up: Should the CPU HSF fan be plugged into the CPU fan header on the Epox mobo? Is it necessary? Would the system post and boot if the mobo failed to detect a CPU fan? Originally, I wanted it connected directly to the power supply so that the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro fan would run at full speed all the time, but my brother-in-law seemed to think that the motherboard wouldn't post if it failed to detect a CPU HSF fan. I guess it wouldn't be hard to test this theory. I know the mobo's bios has options for temperature settings (try to keep it between 40 and 45 degrees C). Has anyone had any problems with the mobo trying to maintain those settings?

Has anyone else had a problem installing the Magic Flash driver on Win XP (Pro)? When we tried to install it from the Epox CD it gave us an error. But if it does auto-flashing I think I'd prefer not to have it anyway.

Does the board come with three blue LEDs turned on? We have three (very bright) blue LEDs that light up on the motherboard. Does they signify anything? (Forgive my ignorance; I'm a total noob and amidst all of this excitement I haven't really had time to RTFM.) Can they be turned off in the BIOS and are there any reasons not to turn them off?

Which BIOS? I see two BIOS's. One for 12-26-2005 and a newer one for 01-12-2006. Should I go with the newer one or the one from December? Any problems with the January release? Is it safe to try flashing with one of Epox's Windows flashing utilities (not the Magic Flash, but the AWD Flash v8.33)? If I have a problem, could I bring back the original BIOS by simply hitting the red Reset button on the motherboard?

 

[Mem]

Should I go with the newer one or the one from December? Any problems with the January release?

Go with latest one,what I'm using.

 

[shadowhawk2020]

I just recieved my EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi, I will be installing it tomorrow. Is there anything I should know, or do before hand. Should I need to get new Bios?

 

[Mem]

shadowhawk2020 and WhipperSnapper,I never use the Epox CD for drivers you can get the latest Magic Bios flash utility from Epox website,also go to Nvidia.com for latest nforce 4 chipset drivers.

Don't install the Nvidia firewall software is best advice I can give you.

3 blue LEDs light up to show ram,chipset ,cpu are ok,they can't be turned off as far as I know.