New (to me) Windows 7 build, noobish questions inside

[Kabob]

Let me start off by saying I am not "with the times," I just finished setting up my Windows 7-64 bit machine and I'm having some issues and this is the first computer I've built since 2004. Needless to say, alot has changed since then.

The setup is:
Intel Core i7-930
Stock HSF
Asus Rampage II Gene
3x2GB Corsair XMS3 1600MHz
XFX HD 6850
Asus DVD-RW
Seagate 320GB 7200RPM (I don't need much room)
Antec Super Lanboy case (w/2x 120mm fans)
OCZ Gamexstream 700W PSU
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

When it arrived I noticed in the BIOS that the previous owner (who had better cooling than I do) had the thing clocked high so I reset everything in the BIOS to default.

Here's my issues, at least those I've discovered thus far:

-My external HDD doesn't seem to work. It's a 500GB Western Digital IDE drive going through USB. When I plug it in Windows says it cannot install the device. In the BIOS it recognizes it when it's plugged in though.

-The driver disc for the mobo will not work, when I autoplay the disc it says it is not compatible with my OS?

-I think I got this one figured out. In CPU-Z it's saying the processor is running at 1600 MHz (while not under load), is that some sort of downclocking?

-Also, when I first fired up the machine it was only recognizing 4 GB's of RAM. I thought I had a bad stick so I tried them one at a time but all 3 worked fine by themselves, so I put all 3 back in and voila, 6 GB's. Maybe I just didn't have one of them pushed all the way in (seems unlikely but this is the first mobo I've owned that only had 1 side to secure the DIMM). Should I be at all worried?

-Finally, with the stock cooling is 3.0-3.2 GHz safe to run? Would I want to increase the multiplier or the BCLK? I don't need crazy speed.

Much thanks!!!

 

[IGemini]

-My external HDD doesn't seem to work. It's a 500GB Western Digital IDE drive going through USB. When I plug it in Windows says it cannot install the device. In the BIOS it recognizes it when it's plugged in though.

Check Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Management and make sure your external drive is activated when plugged in.

-The driver disc for the mobo will not work, when I autoplay the disc it says it is not compatible with my OS?

I'd suggest getting drivers directly from ASUS anyway, driver discs are invariably dated weeks or even days after the board is released.

http://rog.asus.com/2009_old_bak/product.aspx?pCode=20090526644F46335A184385A5010#tabP

-I think I got this one figured out. In CPU-Z it's saying the processor is running at 1600 MHz (while not under load), is that some sort of downclocking?

That's Intel Speedstep throttling the multiplier down during idle so it uses less power, it's normal.

-Also, when I first fired up the machine it was only recognizing 4 GB's of RAM. I thought I had a bad stick so I tried them one at a time but all 3 worked fine by themselves, so I put all 3 back in and voila, 6 GB's. Maybe I just didn't have one of them pushed all the way in (seems unlikely but this is the first mobo I've owned that only had 1 side to secure the DIMM). Should I be at all worried?

I'm not sure what this means...I can't imagine you're referring to only having one clamp for a RAM slot. Are you talking about the one notch in the RAM stick connector? That's just a key so someone doesn't stick that memory in something other than a DDR3 slot, or the wrong way.

-Finally, with the stock cooling is 3.0-3.2 GHz safe to run? Would I want to increase the multiplier or the BCLK? I don't need crazy speed.

NEED? Probably not. I don't recommend overclocking with the stock cooler, though. They really can't handle much above standard speeds.

 

[BoomerD]

Definitely go to the ASUS site and download ALL the drivers and updated BIOS and install them. The newer BIOS tend to fix a lot of little things that weren't caught when the board was released.
(check your BIOS revision...you MAY have the most recent)
Be sure to update your Intel chipset drivers. THose control the Intel USB ports...and that MAY correct the problem with your external drive. You MIGHT need to download drivers for that external drive from WD.

 

[Kabob]

Much thanks to both of you, I actually downloaded the Intel Chipset drivers but haven't yet installed them. I gave up on the drivers disc and went to the website (which is great because there are SO many various downloads I'm not sure exactly what all I need!).

Gemini, yes, there is only one clamp for each RAM slot but I'm thinking maybe it just wan't pushed in far enough. When I plug in the external it doesn't show up under disc management, let me install the Intel Chipset drivers and see if that fixes it.

Thanks to both of you for your help!!!

 

[mfenn]

I'm not sure what this means...I can't imagine you're referring to only having one clamp for a RAM slot. Are you talking about the one notch in the RAM stick connector? That's just a key so someone doesn't stick that memory in something other than a DDR3 slot, or the wrong way.

Yes, it means exactly what you think it means. Only one side of the DIMM slot has the traditional lever. The other side is fixed.

Yes, it is annoying and crappy as you might imagine.

 

[BoomerD]

Yes, it means exactly what you think it means. Only one side of the DIMM slot has the traditional lever. The other side is fixed.

Yes, it is annoying and crappy as you might imagine.

I'm not crazy about the new style RAM sockets with only one lever. I prefer the old-fashioned way...with a lock on each end.

 

[mfenn]

I'm not crazy about the new style RAM sockets with only one lever. I prefer the old-fashioned way...with a lock on each end.

Me too!