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

[RideFree]

...Looks like RMA coming up.

Sigh, I hate RMAs almost as much as rebates...

 

[Fallengod]

You probably have something somewhere in wrong. Maybe another part is bad I dunno. Some bios setting maybe? But you said the LEDs show FF? THats a good thing just so you know. You want it to show FF, that means its fully working. : /

 

[Podunk]

I only had a couple of basic things in there (CPU, video, RAM), and this was with MB outside the case on insulation, so not case ground problem. Some of the internet buzz reports same problem for grounded reset-I'm hoping it's that or some other MB defect. Some of the other buzz says the problem is I need to upgrade bios to handle Opteron. I hope that's not it, because with no other 939 chip handy and thus without being able to get to the bios. I don't see how I can flash it.......

 

[you2]

Perhaps the bios didn't support the cpu stepping you used ?

Oops I shoud learn to read - someone else suggested that....

 

[Fallengod]

I dont see how it could be stepping or the fact that its an opteron. I have owned 2 Epox 9npa+ultra boards and used multiple opterons on both of them. Both booted up first time with no problems. And that was a long time ago with older bios versions that shipped. Been using an opteron 144 Oc'd for past year on it.

 

[Meuge]

I am also really upset about the problems with USB2 external drives. Can someone please send me the 9sli6209.bin beta bios? I would really appreciate it. My email address is:
the*meuge*@*gmail.com (remove the *s)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Meuge]

*bump

 

[RideFree]

http://2496.us/images/9sli6209.rar

 

[IlluminiX]

Meuge - From your signature, it appears you have the 9npa Ultra rather than the SLI version (which is the BIOS you requested). I hope that you are positive that you flash the correct BIOS because flashing the wrong one can be very bad! The Ultra version is on a website that I posted earlier on this thread but is : http://www.lejabeach.com/Epox/9npapultra/9npapubios.html.

If you have the SLI version then ignore this post, but just please make sure for your own sake!

IlluminiX

 

[RideFree]

Do you even think the ultra would accept the SLI?
Not that I'd care to find out the hard way. I'm really glad that you caught Meuge's dichotomy...

 

[IlluminiX]

LOL - I would not want to be the one to find out if the BIOS's are interchangeable! He might have the SLI version, and be ok, but I wanted to make sure he was aware of the difference.

 

[Mem]

Wonder why they are taking ages for a new official BIOS?

 

[RideFree]

Wonder why they are taking ages for a new official BIOS?

I'm pretty sure that they are in a shambles - corporate-wise.
You remember (wait! of course you do, you're mem! - without you, it'd just be reber) I posted the news blurb about their CEO being indicted for embezzlement?

I suppose that the former CEO from EPoX is most recently an organ donor, being China & all...

 

[Mem]

I'm pretty sure that they are in a shambles - corporate-wise.
You remember (wait! of course you do, you're mem! - without you, it'd just be reber) I posted the news blurb about their CEO being indicted for embezzlement?

This is their official reply.

Explanation for the Suspicion of the Fake Trading Rumor
2006-03-16


About the report of EPoX was suspected to be involved in a fake trading, we are hereby declaring this. All the transactions between EPoX and E-Kong are real.There is no fake trading.

1. E-KONG Company background:

E-Kong company is 100% EPoX owned company, as the bridge between EPoX and its subsidiary, in China.

- About Goods: EPoX sold components to its subsidiary in China via E-KONG. After assembling the components to finished products, E-KONG sold them to foreign customers.

- About payment: After receiving the payment from customer, E-KONG will pay the fee of components, and assembling cost to EPoX and EPoX's subsidiary in China. Some customers sent the payment directly to EPoX by mistake, we will help the customers to transfer their payments to E-KONG.

2. EPoX immediately initiated actions to clarify the situations to related government department, including sending out warnings to its closed partners, as well as distributing an official statement to the press worldwide. Moreover, the company operation will continue and will not be affected by this incorrect rumor.

So Epox is in good shape,maybe I should send them an email and ask where is my new offcial BIOS 😉.

Link to above Epox statement .

 

[Ultralight]

First, I want to thank you Mem for that EPoX statement. I have read several posts over the net spreading the trading debacle.

Second, I have heard that for the 9NPA+Ultra the January BIOS was the last one they are doing. And like the trading rumor debacle I have read this in other places. I sure hope this is not true.

If you find out anything one way or another Mem please let us know.

 

[Mem]

Ultralight:NP....First I'm pretty sure Epox will release a new BIOS update when they feel it's necessary,they have had pretty good BIOS support over the years.

I'll keep checking for updates and let you know if I find anything new.

 

[RideFree]

Mem, while I may have posted a rumor, it was a good one.
Straight out of Spin Megazine[sic], or Howard Stern's Truth Blog or some other impeccable source.

 

[Mem]

Epox must of read my post,new official BIOS update available dated 18th April 06,use Magic BIOS and it will download it,I have no idea what it fixes but I did flash mine and all is working great .

 

[IlluminiX]

Mainboard Model(s)
EP-9NPA Ultra
EP-9NPA+Ultra
EP-9NPA+
EP-9NPAJ

BIOS FILE NAME:
9NPA6418.BIN

BIOS FILE DATE:
04/18/2006

BIOS Part No:
6A61FPA9

Boot Title:
04/18/2006 For nForce4 Chipset

BIOS Checksum:
CE00 (h)

Workaround :
1.Add 'Burst Length' and 'DRAM Bank Interleaving' item.
2.Fixed copy failure if copy file from PATA HDD to USB2.0 HDD.
3.Solved some old type PCI VGA hang at POST 29h when full screen logo show.
4.Added 150Mhz and 183Mhz potions for memory clock item.


There you go. Finally a finished product for the USB woes - but the problem is not only with PATA HDD's and USB 2.0 HDD's as I am sure some of you know, but also SATA HDD's as well. There's more proof for you Mem, and all your gang of disbelievers, that this WAS a REAL problem and needed a BIOS fix to solve it.

I am in no great rush to flash this thing since I am stable with the Beta BIOS and it looks like the other things they "fixed" are of no concern to me...

Anyway, at least everyone else can finally get their hands on it! Nice of Epox to only be productive when people pressure them to do so.

Cheers! 🙂

IlluminiX

 

[Mem]

IlluminiX:We just got to stop rumours now of Epox and the fake trading rumour,as I said they release a BIOS update when it is necessary 😉 .

There's more proof for you Mem, and all your gang of disbelievers, that this WAS a REAL problem and needed a BIOS fix to solve it.

I never said there was not a problem,just my Epox board was working great 😉.

 

[Ultralight]

Mem, IlluminiX, this is great news! Appreciate the posts and thanks for keeping us informed.

Update: When I visited EPoX's website and keyed in the BIOS section the latest BIOS wasn't listed. Where do I find it to download?

 

[Mem]

Update: When I visited EPoX's website and keyed in the BIOS section the latest BIOS wasn't listed. Where do I find it to download?

I got mine via Epox's Magic BIOS utility flashing program.

 

[RideFree]

Mem, IlluminiX, etal,
Seems like too much of a coincidence for the new BIOS release...
I would assume that EPoX is reading this and probably other threads, like the NE Customer Reviews.
If I were running the show, you can bet that someone in the organization would be assigned that task.

 

[IlluminiX]

I have to agree with RideFree here. Do you know why they came out with a BIOS fixing the USB issues so many people had after ignoring it for so long? Not to toot my own horn, but I did so many hours of research and was on the phone with Epox USA nearly every other day as well as emailing them and Shuttle (the group they eventually asked for the fix from). Was it just a coincidence or did my efforts actually merit a response? I'd like to think the latter.

And not too long ago, I emailed Epox USA about the whereabouts of the finalized version of the Beta BIOS, and Epox USA didn't know, so I guess they finally got on the horn after so many inquiries and came up with something for everyone.

And BTW, I finally decided to just install it the final version and move on, and although I was scared to let Magic BIOS install it for me, I gave it a go and everything went smoothly so I have few complaints. You never know with Windows based programs for such important things as computer BIOS. The only thing I didn't like was that it essentially asked me if I wanted to clear the CMOS and some "Average Joe" computer user might not know what to do, and be annoyed with the result (having to reinput all previous BIOS values). Seems silly to make it ask that question, since 9/10 you probably wouldn't want it to.

Anyway, I'm glad that Epox FINALLY did SOMETHING after 3 and a half months with no BIOS release! 😛

IlluminiX

 

[perdomot]

I had to RMA this mobo because the pin on the chipset heatsink snapped and the RMA I got sent is messed up too. Anyone had to deal with this problem on their mobo? Can someone recommend to me an aftermarket cooler that fits on the chipset? Not sure if it has to have active cooling or not. Thanks.