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

[WhipperSnapper]

Uh-oh. We did install that nVidia Fireware software and from what little I can tell it's somewhat of a pain-in-the-ass. Already activated WinXP Pro (was no prob at all) so I'd prefer not to have to re-install Windows. Hope it isn't too hard to remove.

 

[Mem]

Hope it isn't too hard to remove.

Should be in add/remove programs icon in Control Panel.

 

[shadowhawk2020]

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_winxp32_amd_6.70.html

These are the drivers you are talking about right? Why these over the epox specific drivers?

 

[Mem]

shadowhawk2020:Yep they are right ones.

 

[Mem]

Btw I take a few precautions when I use Magic Flash to update the Epox BIOS in Windows,first I disable anti-virus software then I close all my browsers down and also close down MSN or Trillan.You can also if you like temporary disable network icon as well if you want extra peace of mind.

This is to ensure no interruptions why it flashes.

 

[shadowhawk2020]

Great advice, Thank you for the help!

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Memory Divider or Memory Frequency Lock?

While going over the "Power BIOS" settings in the manual, I came across this:

Memory Frequency
This item sets the memory clock. By placing an artificial memory clock limit on the
system, memory is prevented from running faster than this frequency. Example,
?200? will set to DDR400 speed. Options: 100Mhz, 133Mhz, 166Mhz, 200Mhz.

Does that do what it says--does it lock the RAM at a certain frequency, which would be great for overclocking? Or is it this BIOS's version of a memory divider? I'm a noobie to overclocking, but with a memory divider, isn't the idea that you determine the speed by multiplying the memory frequency by FSB? So 200 FSB x .200 (200 Mhz for RAM) = DDR 400, and 200 FSB x .133 (133 Mhz for RAM) = DDR 267? Or does this function do what it suggests--locks the RAM frequency without your having to worry about multiplying it by FSB?

If you wanted to overclock your RAM (up to, say, DDR 500) would there be a way to get around this?

 

[sgtdic]

whippersnapper, my memory options have settings higher than ddr400. however i don't think this is the route you want to go because you'll have to lower you ram to get a higher cpu clock. cpu speed is supreme to ram speed.

has anyone ran 3dmark06 yet? i have and my default score is 1538. the free version has a default resolution of 1280x1024, which hurts because of my video card. if you are unable to run it just tell me because i know of a couple of fixes.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

I'd be happy to just keep them memory frequency locked at 200 (DDR 400). That would be better than using a memory divider and ending up with a slower RAM speed if the calculation didn't work out to 400 (ie, FSB 250 x 1.33 = DDR 332.5).

 

[sgtdic]

you'd just be happy? it sounds to me like you're wanting to overclock. but fyi, i can hold ddr 400 and up my cpu from 1.8 to 2.0 just fine. i don't know your specs though. it's hard to get 1:1 ratio when overclocking, but if you're going to then you will have to lower that ram divider.

 

[Fallengod]

Im not sure what that meant. In other words, you wish you had better memory? You cant keep a 1:1 ratio if youre overclocking because the memory(assuming its 3200) isnt designed to do higher than 200mhz. Get better memory.

Its not like it matters much anyways, use an overclock that lets you use a divider that gets it close to 200mhz. Shouldnt be that big of a deal.

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

I'd be happy to just keep them memory frequency locked at 200 (DDR 400). That would be better than using a memory divider and ending up with a slower RAM speed if the calculation didn't work out to 400 (ie, FSB 250 x 1.33 = DDR 332.5).

 

[gfngfgf]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
Should the CPU HSF fan be plugged into the CPU fan header on the Epox mobo? Is it necessary?

I don't think it makes a difference, honestly. I know some boards will give errors if the CPU fan RPM drops below a threshold, but my fan doesn't report RPMs (so the reading is always 0), and the board boots fine. I even can use the SmartFan feature (i forget what it's called in BIOS, but the last option on the PC Health page), and it works fine.

edit: fixed formatting

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: sgtdic
you'd just be happy? it sounds to me like you're wanting to overclock. but fyi, i can hold ddr 400 and up my cpu from 1.8 to 2.0 just fine. i don't know your specs though. it's hard to get 1:1 ratio when overclocking, but if you're going to then you will have to lower that ram divider.

Well, what I mean is that I do want to eventually overclock (Opteron 148), but I'd like to keep the RAM speed to a minimum of DDR 400. I was wondering if, instead of using a divider, the mobo could just lock the frequency for the RAM (that's what my reading of the Epox manual seemed to suggest) and I could then overclock the CPU without having to worry any further about the RAM or a memory divider.

Or did I misread the manual and is that BIOS option the part where you set the memory divider?

 

[MTDEW]

Well, what I mean is that I do want to eventually overclock (Opteron 148), but I'd like to keep the RAM speed to a minimum of DDR 400. I was wondering if, instead of using a divider, the mobo could just lock the frequency for the RAM (that's what my reading of the Epox manual seemed to suggest) and I could then overclock the CPU without having to worry any further about the RAM or a memory divider.

Or did I misread the manual and is that BIOS option the part where you set the memory divider?

Dont we all wish that one...LOL

No, you cant "lock" the memory at one speed and be done with it like the manual "suggests".
The wording is terrible in manuals sometimes.

Just use Gogars Utility to help ya select settings to keep your ram as close to spec as possible.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Magic Flash Program

I seem to have had a problem with Magic Flash. It wouldn't install off of my Epox CD, so I downloaded it from the website and installed the program. However, it seems like it wouldn't really run. I double clicked on the memory-chip icon and nothing happened, but according to the Task Manager it was running (!!!). That was scary...should I try to close the program? Since it wasn't using the CPU at all and since I had waited for a while I decided to close it.

Did I do something wrong somewhere?

 

[imported_omicron]

OK, recently finished a build with this board. Posted first try without a hitch. There are a couple of annoyances I have encountered, however.

1. My WD SATA 250 GB HDD shows up as a removable drive in Windows.
2. I often have to unplug and re-plug in USB devices (i.e. my mouse and/or keyboard) for them to work when booting/rebooting.
3. The case lights on my Antec P150 case do not light up although they are properly connected to the motherboard.

Has anyone encountered similar problems? You can see my full system specs. through the link in my signature. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Mem]

double clicked on the memory-chip icon and nothing happened, but according to the Task Manager it was running (!!!). That was scary...should I try to close the program? Since it wasn't using the CPU at all and since I had waited for a while I decided to close it.

WhipperSnapper:

You can close it,when you click on it ,first it opens up a big icon software menu then it checks for latest BIOS then you have the option after to download & flash it after.
Basically you hit C button in the menu for it to check bios version then there is a F button after for flashing.
It might be your firewall is blocking it?

 

[Mem]

1. My WD SATA 250 GB HDD shows up as a removable drive in Windows.
2. I often have to unplug and re-plug in USB devices (i.e. my mouse and/or keyboard) for them to work when booting/rebooting.

First is normal if you installed the Nvidia IDE SATA driver.

2nd one well you can try this below,

1. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon and open its "Properties" page.
2. Select the "Hardware" tab.
3. Click the "Device Manager" button.
4. Click on the "+" sign of the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers".
5. Right-click on any "Root Hub" and select "Properties".
6. Select the "Power Management" tab and ensure that "Allow computer to turn off this device to save power" is not checked.
7. Click the OK button and do this for every "Root Hub".

3rd one,you mean case lights like HD,power light etc?...Double check you have them connected the right way,easy to make one simple mistake.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Mem
It might be your firewall is blocking it?

Possibly. I think I still have that nVidia Forceware Network Access Manger. Should I just uninstall that? Do I need that for anything?

 

[Mem]

Possibly. I think I still have that nVidia Forceware Network Access Manger. Should I just uninstall that? Do I need that for anything?

Personally I would uninstall it and use XP firewall,or third party like Sygate or Kerio.

 

[DarkShark]

How much did you manage to OC (stable) you sistem with this mobo ??? Details please: voltages, other BIOS settings, etc.

 

[imported_omicron]

Mem, thanks for the help with my previous problems (Still haven't gotten the power and hdd lights to work but I am going to contact Antec and talk to them about it.)

I like the Epox Thunder Probe Utility, but it will randomly go nuts when I start a 3D Game (i.e. Call of Duty 2, F.E.A.R., etc.)

Sometimes when I start a game, the following error messages begin popping up rapidly in EPTP:

"Unable to write to C:\Program FIles\Epox\EPTP\TYPE13-2.INI"
"Not enough storage is available to process this command"
"Cannot create a file when file already exists"
"Out of system resources" <---This one comes up most frequently

What exactly is EPTP writing to the config file when I start a game? Is there some setting I could change to fix this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Mem]

I like the Epox Thunder Probe Utility, but it will randomly go nuts when I start a 3D Game (i.e. Call of Duty 2, F.E.A.R., etc.)

Either download latest version from Epox's website for Thunderprobe,or use Speedfan like I do .

 

[Fallengod]

:thumbsup: for speedfan

 

[cheerful]

I am trying to move the OS from a PATA drive to a SATA drive. Does this mobo has a bios option to set the SATA channel to be compatible to IDE so that the SATA drive can be detected by drive copying software as an IDE drive? Or is there any drive copying software that recognize SATA natively?

Thanks!