Need to replace my 2 day old mobo ASAP

[kingtut00]

(still waiting for original forum credentials to emailed to me)


About 3 days ago I posted a request for a setup to be used for graphic/image processing (photoshop and such) - I have no need for games or OC. Could not wait for many replies, went a head and got the following this past Sat:

P5K-E
E8500 cpu
2x2g ddr2 800 ram (Patriot - was told it is good brand, what do I know, may be)
Sapphire Radeon hd 3650 with 500mb ddr2 ram (way over kill for my needs)

Paid $520 for the above at the monthly Computer Market Pro (NJ/NY) - I don't know if this is good or bad price, I have been out of the HW DIY arena for a while.

Any way, here is the problem list - OS is win xp pro if this matters:

1- the damn idiots at asus did not include the sata drivers on the cd nor did they mentioned it in the manual, had to read the asus forums to find out (hours down the drain)

2- It will see my dvd drive (ide) but will not boot off it, it would boot fine off cd drive, go figure, windows will not see the dvd drive at all.

3- When I attempt to boot off a cd that is made by dr-dos, dr-dos will report "failure" installing the RAM disk, hence, non of my tools & utilities will work. The only cd that would boot is the windows one (yea, no dr dos here, thanks Bill)

4- (biggest killer) while installing windows, submitting the serial, reboot then go to check drive C, setup comes back with something like this "could not perform task, either not enough memory or bad cd rom disk" - 4g of ram & good CD are not good enough I think

5- (next killer), setup gives me an option to either hit "enter" to continue or F3 to exit, I hit "enter", what do I get? "Windows can't access the cd-rom drive.

6- I did every thing, swapping ram, use only one stick, use each bank, disconnect, reconnect everything, stood on my head, no luck.

By the way, I flashed the bios from 9006 to 1013, updated the chip set drivers and everything else.

I read reviews on this board, looks like there are some issues with ASUS. I will return this board to the vendor, but I have to wait a month, it is a monthly show.

Looks like asus mobos are either good problem free or plain lemon, I don't want to take a chance any more.

I have to get something ASAP, most lilkly will ask newegg or whatever you guys recommend to overnight it.

I need stable mobo to utilize the cpu, ram & video card listed above. No OC, No Games, just image processing, and hopefully fast mobo to handle huge image file editing.

Thanks and please, help me here, I am lost reading all those posts, I depend on this pc for living, this is my work as a photo retoucher/photographer.

Thanks guys.

 

[Heidfirst]

how about an abit IP35 Pro XE (~$140 at newegg after rebate)?
Not the cheapest & not the latest but P45 doesn't really bring anything new that you need, P35 performs as well & is far more mature & the IP35 Pro is 1 of (if not the) best of the bunch.

 

[MrStryker]

I've got a brand new (week old) MSI P35 Neo2-FR if you're interested for a good price. It was my backup board for a week and it has NONE of any problems you experienced in your OP.

 

[DSF]

Either of the two above boards would be fine.

Do you know which model of Patriot memory you bought? If not, does it have a speed and voltage specified somewhere on the modules or packaging? Some RAM (not just Patriot) specifies non-standard voltage for operation at the advertised speed, which can lead to compatibility problems unless you adjust the RAM voltage in the BIOS.

Also, if you Google slipstreaming, you can save yourself a lot of headache as far as RAID drivers. Slipstream SP2 (or at this point, I suppose SP3) onto an XP install disc and it should detect SATA drives right away. Mine did.

 

[kingtut00]

Thanks Heidfirst & MrStryker, I will entertain those 2 thoughts. But looks like DSF has an idea

DSF: here is what is on the chip casing:
PDC24G6400ELK
DDR2 800MHz (5-5-5-12)
4GB (2X2gb) Kit. 2.0v [I think v is for Version]
RoHS Compliant

I hope this info sheds some light on my problems.

Thanks

 

[VirtualLarry]

That ram is rated for 2.0volts. However, im running it just fine at 1.8volts on my P35-DS3R.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That ram is rated for 2.0volts. However, im running it just fine at 1.8volts on my P35-DS3R.

 

[Old Hippie]

Most of your problems sound RAM related.

As Larry said, check your timings and voltage in the BIOS.

Here's a RAM compatibility list for your board.

It's nowhere near complete, but should give you a starting point if you decide to replace the RAM.

 

[Brigdh]

Almost sounds like you are trying to use a pre sp1 XP install disk. SP1 is required for XP to use SATA devices

 

[kingtut00]

Originally posted by: Brigdh
Almost sounds like you are trying to use a pre sp1 XP install disk. SP1 is required for XP to use SATA devices

You got this right, I had xp forever, I only upgrade the SPs as they become available, I did not see the need to go and buy new xp cd. Looks like I have no choice but to get new cd. I am down 2 activations already, this is going to be my 3ed and last one.

 

[rstove02]

Originally posted by: kingtut00
You got this right, I had xp forever, I only upgrade the SPs as they become available, I did not see the need to go and buy new xp cd. Looks like I have no choice but to get new cd. I am down 2 activations already, this is going to be my 3ed and last one.

Should not have to go buy a new XP cd to get an install disk with SP2 or SP3 on it. Just take your old install CD and use nLite or such to slipstream SP2/3 onto into and burn it to a new CD.

 

[Brigdh]

Originally posted by: rstove02

Originally posted by: kingtut00
You got this right, I had xp forever, I only upgrade the SPs as they become available, I did not see the need to go and buy new xp cd. Looks like I have no choice but to get new cd. I am down 2 activations already, this is going to be my 3ed and last one.

Should not have to go buy a new XP cd to get an install disk with SP2 or SP3 on it. Just take your old install CD and use nLite or such to slipstream SP2/3 onto into and burn it to a new CD.

You might also be able to get an updated disk from Microsoft for free.

My friend had this same issue. Glad I could help.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: rstove02

Originally posted by: kingtut00
You got this right, I had xp forever, I only upgrade the SPs as they become available, I did not see the need to go and buy new xp cd. Looks like I have no choice but to get new cd. I am down 2 activations already, this is going to be my 3ed and last one.

Should not have to go buy a new XP cd to get an install disk with SP2 or SP3 on it. Just take your old install CD and use nLite or such to slipstream SP2/3 onto into and burn it to a new CD.

I did that, but now have issues with my system just locking up. Can't tell whether it's the OS or the motherboard. I'm leaning towards the motherboard because I have had it lockup during POST and, if I recall, poking around the BIOS.

 

[BassBomb]

I had ram problems with my P5K-E but that was because it was setting the voltage at 1.8 when I needed 2.1V

Setting the proper voltage caused all problems with RAM to go away.

 

[jiffylube1024]

I have a P5K-E board and it's been fantastic.

It sounds like most of your problems are because of the DVD drive. How about picking up a new SATA drive and giving that a shot? I'm using primarily Pioneer DVD+/-RW drives on my motherboards these days (since NEC got bought by Sony/Optiarc) and I have no problems.

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If you're having windows install issues (primarily on Vista, but why not give it a shot in XP) with 4GB of RAM then try removing a stick until the OS is loaded. Vista has a known bug with the installation on 4GB systems (though mine installed fine).