*** Official ASUS P4C800/Deluxe (875P) Thread ***

[jhites]

Originally posted by: thefork
I successfully updated with the 1016 and the new Afudos, but when I go into system info in the bios it still reads 1009, is that correct? Did the flash not take??? Where can I see the current system bios after flashing?

In the BIOS under the MAIN TAB / System Information will read:
AMI BIOS
Version: 08.00.09
Build Date: 02/23/04

You can also use a program such as SiSoft Sandra and under the CPU/BIOS Information Module the System BIOS will read:

General Information
Manufacturer : American Megatrends Inc.
Version : 1016.001
Date : 02/23/2004
Plug & Play Version : 1.00
SMBIOS/DMI Version : 2.30
(EE)PROM Size : 512kB (4Mbit)

 

[thefork]

THANKS for the help!!!!!

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: jhites
thefork
computer
May give it a shot on swapping the controller from the ICH5 to Promise after I run the automated system backup from the raptor over to my maxtor. My Maxtor on the Promise ATA133 controller benches faster than my Raptor on the ICH5 SATA. :| :brokenheart:

That doesn't surprise me because I got the same results in many cases. That Promise controller screams. I don't know if you mean the WD360 or WD740 Raptor though. The Maxtor beat the WD360 in several tests regardless of controller, but it's a different story with the WD740. I think it only lost out ONE test of dozens to the Maxtor w/both on the Promise. With the WD740 on ICH5, it lost a couple to the Maxtor on Promise but the WD740 is loads faster than the WD360 and it still won most tests with it on the ICH5 and the Maxtor on Promise. Are you using a BIOS version older than 1014? Remember the deal with BIOS 14 and later not supporting UDMA 6, it tops out at UDMA 5 so that's the reason for such a poor showing for the Raptor(s) on the ICH5 w/BIOS 1014-1016.

BTW, I tested Ghost, GoBack Deluxe, XP's Native MSBackup, and XP's "Files and settings transfer wizard". They all work great, except the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard has few quirks about it. It won't transfer ALL settings, and when you tell it to just transfer "settings" and you select OE, it doesn't just transfer settings it transfers ALL email. This is good, AND bad. It's great for backing up your email and transferring it over to a new HD, but not so if your email is already backed up and all you want is OE settings, plus it changes your default email address to some other address, and when you go to reply to ANY email that was backed up, you'll be replying from the SAME address which is the "new default" address! I'll still use ExpressAssist to backup OE. I haven't tried ASR and I can't find out how it differs from the MSBackup, the file size is the same and "Backup" still opens up when you clicked the image file.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: thefork
I wanted to try the Afudos route, but with windows XP how do you create a boot disk, if you go to add remove programs, there isn't a startup tab to create a boot disk. How do you creat a bootable floppy with XP Pro?

Just go to format a floppy and format it, then chose "Copy system files".

 

[jhites]

Clint,

I am using the WD360 and tested it with the BIOS version 1011 that shows UDMA6 in the bios but was still only running UDMA5 when loaded. I checked it with several programs and all of them only showed UDMA5. Then updated the bios to 1016 and still get the same results. I don't think the ICH5 controller actually supports UDMA6 even though it will show up in the bios as an option. I do, however, get UDMA6 for my Maxtor 120GB ATA133 when using the Promise 20378 controller set to IDE.

I have been using the XP Automated System Recovery for a while. I did use Norton Ghost prior to testing the Automated System Recovery. The only thing with ASR is that you have to load the OS using the floppy to press F2 (tells where the backup copy is located) and then once it boots back into Windows all the registry settings and files are recovered correctly. Works pretty good.

 

[computer]

That's strange, that doesn't make sense that it would still show UDMA 5 in XP. What location are you speaking of when you say: "but was still only running UDMA5 when loaded"? I know we'd all like an explanation from Asus on this issue. I only assumed BIOS's prior to 1014 support Native UDMA 6 since BIOS 1014's "Readme" states "removed UDMA 6 support to UDMA 5" or something to that effect. Since UDMA 6 as you said DOES indeed show in the BIOS for the ICH5 when a UDMA 6 drive is connected, then it obviously must support it on 1013 and earlier and might be an XP or driver issue. Are there any areas in the Device Manager on your setup to chose UDMA settings for the controller or drive, or if you right click the drive in "My Computer" and go to "Properties" there? Mine is connected to the Promise so I won't have the same area on my setup.

 

[jhites]

I don't think it is an XP limitation, since it shows correctly for the Promise controller. I did read on the Intel website that the ICH5 supports up to 150MB/s transfer rates for SATA, so it must be a problem with the P4C800 or AMI BIOS. I thought it was strange myself, at first until I checked everything that I could. The UDMA6 did show in the BIOS v1011 and I even used manual configuration for the drive and set it to the UDMA6. I did go into the Device Manager but it only had option to set it to DMA if available for the Primary and Secondary IDE Channels, which would only be ATA100 and I was using the most updated INF files and drivers for all hardware and XP. The Ultra ATA 82801EB Storage Controller in XP does not have any options to set the DMA mode. Using AIDA32 to verify outside of Device Manager the ICH5 SATA controller only shows active as UDMA5 but does show the WD360 with Max capable of UDMA6. Using AIDA32 and checking the Maxtor on the Promise Controller it shows Max capable of UDMA6 and active as being UDMA6.

If anyone gets an answer to this, I would sure be interested.

 

[thefork]

Do any of you guys use the Qfan option?

 

[computer]

I've never use any option that SLOWS DOWN a fan. I always have mine going all-out.

John, I'm going to ask Asus about this UDMA 6 issue.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: computer
John, I'm going to ask Asus about this UDMA 6 issue.

I posted the question in the General Hardware Forum.
All that I got so far is this.

 

[computer]

When dealing with access times of 8-16ms, you're not going to notice any difference in these. I doubt even 50ms compared to 8ms would be noticeable, after all, that's millionths of a second. Tests where the WD360 excels are probably dependent upon other things other than access times, like the 10k RPM platter speed. While it's true the WD360 and WD740 use SATA>PATA bridges, that should not matter UDMA wise since they are still both UDMA 6 drives, and their UDMA 6 protocol on the Promise proves that. When the WD360 is on the Promise controller, it's transfer rates are quite high, and higher than any other drive in most tests (except the WD740). Yes, areal density is a BIG factor, that's one of the reasons the WD740 is faster.

I'm going to email you my benchmark results and you can check them out if you're interested. Still haven't completed the documentation yet, but you'll be able to figure them out.

 

[DaveR]

ms is millisecond, not microsecond. ms =.001 seconds.

Originally posted by: computer
When dealing with access times of 8-16ms, you're not going to notice any difference in these. I doubt even 50ms compared to 8ms would be noticeable, after all, that's millionths of a second. Tests where the WD360 excels are probably dependent upon other things other than access times, like the 10k RPM platter speed. While it's true the WD360 and WD740 use SATA>PATA bridges, that should not matter UDMA wise since they are still both UDMA 6 drives, and their UDMA 6 protocol on the Promise proves that. When the WD360 is on the Promise controller, it's transfer rates are quite high, and higher than any other drive in most tests (except the WD740). Yes, areal density is a BIG factor, that's one of the reasons the WD740 is faster.

I'm going to email you my benchmark results and you can check them out if you're interested. Still haven't completed the documentation yet, but you'll be able to figure them out.

 

[computer]

Yeah, I knew it was MILLIseconds, just got it confused again with thousandths or millionths of a second.

 

[DaveR]

Originally posted by: computer
Yeah, I knew it was MILLIseconds, just got it confused again with thousandths or millionths of a second.

Yup, happens all the time where I work. They say a large server is running at 1.2 MHZ!

OH, I wanted to reply but not sure I ever did. I moved my 2 Maxtor SATA drives from Promise to ICH5 in RAID0 config. I started over (no Ghost, etc) and it seems like the Intel is faster. I ran some tests and it was a bit faster.

Anyway, I am too into it now to change again...my 11 Minute spreadsheet now takes 30 seconds to open...so I "think" I will leave it alone.

P.S. Our son is so mad that he can not find an SL6Z3 in the Denver area, or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[HostVisions]

Great board, just setup a system the other day, put in a 3.2E, 2GB Corsair TwinX PC3200, ATI XT800P, a pair of SATA 120GB'ers in RAID 0 that I use as my video scratch drive and for the OS and applications, and a pair of 250GB'ers off the ATA controller in RAID 1, which contain my photos, final video files and such. I figure I need the performance for my workfiles and such which is why I used RAID0 off the SATA side, but want the backup and redundancy of the RAID 1 for my file projects and photos.

This motherboard is really nice. No problems at all, other than they need to better document how to setup the SATA RAID during the initial windows xp installation. Short version - you need the ICH5 RAID driver files on a floppy, and hit F6 when prompted for 'load a third-party SCSI or RAID controller'. Fortunately, I had such a floppy, as I kept that from a DFI Lan Party 875B box by mistake (returned it for the Asus, big problems with the DFI board). Asus needs to include the appropriate driver floppies, as you can't specify a CD drive during windows Setup. Otherwise, it's a bear.

On a brighter note, a call to Asus at 9:45PM ET prompted a return call the following morning by noon. By then I had it figured out but that's decent response.

I put this board in a Antec LanBoy case, with Antec Truepower 430W supply. P4-3.2 CPU (Prescott), total of 4 hard drives, a DVD/R and CDRW drive, as well as a bad-boy ATI XT800P in the AGP slot. System runs very well, very stable, and is relatively cool with all stock fans.

 

[computer]

Short version - you need the ICH5 RAID driver files on a floppy, and hit F6 when prompted for 'load a third-party SCSI or RAID controller'. Fortunately, I had such a floppy, as I kept that from a DFI Lan Party 875B box by mistake

You also have to do this when using a single drive on the Promise SATA controller.

 

[computer]

OH, I wanted to reply but not sure I ever did. I moved my 2 Maxtor SATA drives from Promise to ICH5 in RAID0 config. I started over (no Ghost, etc) and it seems like the Intel is faster. I ran some tests and it was a bit faster.

Where 'ya been Dave?

You must have had some kind of an "issue" with the Promise controller. I don't know if you recall or read, but in ~95% of benchmarks, the Promise was faster using a WD360, WD740, or any ATA100 or ATA133/80gb/7200/8mb HD (using BIOS 1014 or later). One of the exceptions is the new Beta version of HDtach (showed ICH5 as faster), of which I give no credence to since not only is it Beta, but there was a thread on it here about very odd inconsistent behavior using it.

Nevertheless, I'm going to try my WD740 on the ICH5 to see if that stops some really oddball errors. Remember the WMD memory test program and it's thousands of errors when a HD is connected to the Promise controller. I'm thinking that this may indeed be manifesting itself as odd errors in the OS. I can't even find the errors I'm getting at any search engine! Whether or not I'll see a slowdown will remain to be seen, but if it's stable, I don't care.

 

[DaveR]

I have been busy! Summertime is yard work time...along with springtime and fall!

Anyway, I see Fry's has the 36gb Raptors for $79 now.

I use 80GB SATA Maxtors, and did use the hdtach3 final. But I also used Sandra, etc. Let me know how you do. I could retry, but would need an reliable image as I just do not want to reinstall all my work files again.

Originally posted by: computer

OH, I wanted to reply but not sure I ever did. I moved my 2 Maxtor SATA drives from Promise to ICH5 in RAID0 config. I started over (no Ghost, etc) and it seems like the Intel is faster. I ran some tests and it was a bit faster.

Where 'ya been Dave?

You must have had some kind of an "issue" with the Promise controller. I don't know if you recall or read, but in ~95% of benchmarks, the Promise was faster using a WD360, WD740, or any ATA100 or ATA133/80gb/7200/8mb HD (using BIOS 1014 or later). One of the exceptions is the new Beta version of HDtach (showed ICH5 as faster), of which I give no credence to since not only is it Beta, but there was a thread on it here about very odd inconsistent behavior using it.

Nevertheless, I'm going to try my WD740 on the ICH5 to see if that stops some really oddball errors. Remember the WMD memory test program and it's thousands of errors when a HD is connected to the Promise controller. I'm thinking that this may indeed be manifesting itself as odd errors in the OS. I can't even find the errors I'm getting at any search engine! Whether or not I'll see a slowdown will remain to be seen, but if it's stable, I don't care.

 

[computer]

I wouldn't worry about it. You'd probably never see the performance differences unless you mess with huge file sizes a lot, or like digital video or audio files. In the most basic of tests where you copy from a HD to itself (right click file and "copy here" onto same drive) which may mimic actual PC use the best, the Promise smoked the Native controllers.

 

[DaveR]

Well, some day I may try again. Actually what I should do is make an image! Running SATA Raid0 makes it a good idea.

Originally posted by: computer
I wouldn't worry about it. You'd probably never see the performance differences unless you mess with huge file sizes a lot, or like digital video or audio files. In the most basic of tests where you copy from a HD to itself (right click file and "copy here" onto same drive) which may mimic actual PC use the best, the Promise smoked the Native controllers.

 

[spliffstar69]

has anyone tried the 1017 bios ?

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: spliffstar69
has anyone tried the 1017 bios ?

I went and checked again and I didn't see any v17 BIOS, still 1016. Where did you see it (link)?

 

[computer]

Never mind, I found it on the Beta page. I never touch Beta's, plus they have no info on it at all. "Readme" just says "Latest Beta BIOS". I asked Asus yesterday about the UDMA5 issue, and it would be an absolute miracle if that's what it addressed!

 

[MechEng]

Hi...

Maybe this one have been covered before, but I really haven't been able to find it.

I would like to know which drivers you install for your motherboard, and which order
you install them in? ... if any particular order.
Do you only use the drivers from ASUS, or do you also pick up updated drivers from
Intel?
For the record I'm using the onboard sound and LAN.

I'm rather new to Intel boards, and for some AMD boards the order in which you install
the drivers can be critical.

 

[spliffstar69]

Originally posted by: computer
Never mind, I found it on the Beta page. I never touch Beta's, plus they have no info on it at all. "Readme" just says "Latest Beta BIOS". I asked Asus yesterday about the UDMA5 issue, and it would be an absolute miracle if that's what it addressed!

give it a shot to see if it is.