It seems your house may be very detrimental to your PC's health 
. I believe you should invest some $300 into a good active UPS which would guarantee clean power for your PC. Make sure it's active though - the one that *always* converts AC to DC and back to AC. The cheap ones most certainly don't have this feature, buy may still help due to all the filters that they have. I wouldn't risk it though.
I believe you absolutely *should* do this.
Also the phantom drive / unrecognized printer issue suggests that you have a tiny, but crucial problem with your chipset. It may be that just a few transistors are not working correctly, but still enough to screw everything up when it least needs to. I'm guessing your MB is already out of warranty, but do you have a chance of getting another one just for testing? This problem could also be explained by your house's power system. When you turn on the computer, you cause a bit of a power spike (dip actually) because of the additional power needed. It may be just enough to make your CPU do some instructions bad. But this should be highly unlikely and even more unlikely to be repeatable (always recognizing your printer as a disk). You have capacitors in PSU and on the MB to eliminate just such problems.
Edit: This is most probably a driver issue (having re-read the entire thread)
As for screen flickering during XP install, it's normal. It may do that while doing hardware identification. If it's doing it while not recognizing hardware, than something is wrong. May even be power fluctuations to which your monitor may be very sensitive, but the PSU may just have big enough capacitors to drag your computer through them without a reset.
Edit:
BIOS: move to a more recent one. I didn't like 1016 because it wouldn't let me overclock so I'm using 1017-004 for quite some time (months) now. It's stable and works well. Since you can't get it from ASUS any more (they ditched it and ceased development), I can send it to you by mail if you want. Otherwise I think 1014 was considered to be quite OK as well.
I used these on my MB:
1002 - worked well, but some problems with OC
1009 - problems with OC, forgot if any other
1014 - I think it worked well
1016 - Could not OC
1017-002 - worked well
1017-004 - works well
. I believe you should invest some $300 into a good active UPS which would guarantee clean power for your PC. Make sure it's active though - the one that *always* converts AC to DC and back to AC. The cheap ones most certainly don't have this feature, buy may still help due to all the filters that they have. I wouldn't risk it though.I believe you absolutely *should* do this.
Also the phantom drive / unrecognized printer issue suggests that you have a tiny, but crucial problem with your chipset. It may be that just a few transistors are not working correctly, but still enough to screw everything up when it least needs to. I'm guessing your MB is already out of warranty, but do you have a chance of getting another one just for testing? This problem could also be explained by your house's power system. When you turn on the computer, you cause a bit of a power spike (dip actually) because of the additional power needed. It may be just enough to make your CPU do some instructions bad. But this should be highly unlikely and even more unlikely to be repeatable (always recognizing your printer as a disk). You have capacitors in PSU and on the MB to eliminate just such problems.
Edit: This is most probably a driver issue (having re-read the entire thread)
As for screen flickering during XP install, it's normal. It may do that while doing hardware identification. If it's doing it while not recognizing hardware, than something is wrong. May even be power fluctuations to which your monitor may be very sensitive, but the PSU may just have big enough capacitors to drag your computer through them without a reset.
Edit:
BIOS: move to a more recent one. I didn't like 1016 because it wouldn't let me overclock so I'm using 1017-004 for quite some time (months) now. It's stable and works well. Since you can't get it from ASUS any more (they ditched it and ceased development), I can send it to you by mail if you want. Otherwise I think 1014 was considered to be quite OK as well.
I used these on my MB:
1002 - worked well, but some problems with OC
1009 - problems with OC, forgot if any other
1014 - I think it worked well
1016 - Could not OC
1017-002 - worked well
1017-004 - works well
Heya Velis-
Thanks for the interest. I've been left hanging here, not sure how to proceed.
I'll look into the UPS, but it appears that it may be a bit more complex:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=32&threadid=1981467
The BIOSs from Asus are all pulled? That would explain why I could only find 1016 eveytime I look. I'm using 1004, as I mentioned above, 'cause it looked like no others adressed my issues (I dont OC or have a new processor). That would be great if you could hook me up with a newer one. I'll PM you my email. To tell the truth, I'm a little nevous of changing the BIOS, as I dont understand all the intricacies and understand it can cause more issues.
As for borrowing a MB, no can do. I'm currently living in Japan now, and you can't return merchandise once you buy it (generaly speaking). And no one I know here has a compatible MB. So I have to buy any new hardware.
I should add that I cannot create a System Restore Point. At this point, I'm going to reformat XP (again!), and try my luck anew. It appears Google is not my friend.
So to recap, my options are:
-buy a fancy UPS system.
-buy a new MB.
-try newer BIOS vesions (even though they do not address my iussues).
And this is it?
Anyway, Thanks again.
Thanks for the interest. I've been left hanging here, not sure how to proceed.
I'll look into the UPS, but it appears that it may be a bit more complex:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=32&threadid=1981467
The BIOSs from Asus are all pulled? That would explain why I could only find 1016 eveytime I look. I'm using 1004, as I mentioned above, 'cause it looked like no others adressed my issues (I dont OC or have a new processor). That would be great if you could hook me up with a newer one. I'll PM you my email. To tell the truth, I'm a little nevous of changing the BIOS, as I dont understand all the intricacies and understand it can cause more issues.
As for borrowing a MB, no can do. I'm currently living in Japan now, and you can't return merchandise once you buy it (generaly speaking). And no one I know here has a compatible MB. So I have to buy any new hardware.
I should add that I cannot create a System Restore Point. At this point, I'm going to reformat XP (again!), and try my luck anew. It appears Google is not my friend.
So to recap, my options are:
-buy a fancy UPS system.
-buy a new MB.
-try newer BIOS vesions (even though they do not address my iussues).
And this is it?
Anyway, Thanks again.
hi, just thought i would put my two cents in, i have the same board and have experienced the same issues while booting up. Nvidia's sata controller has some major issues, my problem was with maxtor drives and was pretty well documented on the web. I think your problem is very similar though, everytime i would get the ntldr, i would just plug my cable into a different port and problem solved, but that gets old after awhile, so the only solution i can think of is to get a sata card and i would think you would be good to go. I don't think nvidia ever came up with a solution. You may also want to try to put your non-boot drives on the silicon image ports just to seperate the different generation drives.
I got your PM, will send you the BIOS this afternoon when I get back home.
It's interesting that you have 100V in half a country and nobody would make decent UPS for that voltage. The UPS you found and pointed out in that thread seems fine though, but you also mentioned you already have an UPS. I just don't know whether you're using it now or not.
No, the bios files are still on the ftp. Check here.
They just pulled 1017 and further development.
As for the flashing, I always used the windows utility and never had problems. Flashed my bios at least 10 times.
Since you have so many problems with NV SATA, maybe you should try using the Silicon image ports for a while. You have to enable the controller in your bios first though. It's strange though: I also have a 120GB seagate, same model as yours and an additional 320GB WD and have no problems at all. I also used to have a PATA maxtor, but I gave it to my cousin. No problems whatsoever with any config.
If you worry about SI controller being *only* RAID, it is AFAIK not. You can use your drives normally with it, without setting up any RAID (AFAIK). Never tested it though since it's a bit slower than NV one and I absolutely hate the additional POST waiting it's BIOS causes.
BTW: Is the fan on the north bridge (the small one - 4cm) spinning? It failed on my MB once. The NB was fine despite that (for about three weeks until I got a replacement), but I wonder: that might cause some trouble if your NB overheats during periods of intensive load.
Edit:
1) Absolutely try a newer BIOS. If the flashing fails, you will know why you had problems (bad BIOS flash chip)
2) Just added another option: move the drives to SI controller
3) You can always buy a new MB, but I don't think we are sure your MB is even the culprit here which means buying a new one might not even solve the problem
4) If you already own an UPS, don't bother buying a new one
I listed them in order of my preference. These are the steps I would take now to try solve the problem.
It's interesting that you have 100V in half a country and nobody would make decent UPS for that voltage. The UPS you found and pointed out in that thread seems fine though, but you also mentioned you already have an UPS. I just don't know whether you're using it now or not.
No, the bios files are still on the ftp. Check here.
They just pulled 1017 and further development.
As for the flashing, I always used the windows utility and never had problems. Flashed my bios at least 10 times.
Since you have so many problems with NV SATA, maybe you should try using the Silicon image ports for a while. You have to enable the controller in your bios first though. It's strange though: I also have a 120GB seagate, same model as yours and an additional 320GB WD and have no problems at all. I also used to have a PATA maxtor, but I gave it to my cousin. No problems whatsoever with any config.
If you worry about SI controller being *only* RAID, it is AFAIK not. You can use your drives normally with it, without setting up any RAID (AFAIK). Never tested it though since it's a bit slower than NV one and I absolutely hate the additional POST waiting it's BIOS causes.
BTW: Is the fan on the north bridge (the small one - 4cm) spinning? It failed on my MB once. The NB was fine despite that (for about three weeks until I got a replacement), but I wonder: that might cause some trouble if your NB overheats during periods of intensive load.
Edit:
1) Absolutely try a newer BIOS. If the flashing fails, you will know why you had problems (bad BIOS flash chip)
2) Just added another option: move the drives to SI controller
3) You can always buy a new MB, but I don't think we are sure your MB is even the culprit here which means buying a new one might not even solve the problem
4) If you already own an UPS, don't bother buying a new one
I listed them in order of my preference. These are the steps I would take now to try solve the problem.
dball3 and Velis-
Thanks so much for your input. I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten about this thread, I'll just needed my PC for work for a little bit longer. After I'm done my stuff I'll try the flash BIOS versions and reformating XP.
As a side Velis, I was able to get stable power for my PC (changed some plugs around the house, etc.). Although I don't know exactly what voltage is actualy comming out of the outlet, at least it won't power out on me anymore.
Also, I don't have a UPS of any kind (I was refeing to PSUs in the other thread).
Re the NB fan, it sounded like prarie wagon full of arrows, so I replaced it with a decent fan 2 years ago and it runs well with lower NB temps than before.
Will post more when I reformat, etc.
Thanks so much for your input. I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten about this thread, I'll just needed my PC for work for a little bit longer. After I'm done my stuff I'll try the flash BIOS versions and reformating XP.
As a side Velis, I was able to get stable power for my PC (changed some plugs around the house, etc.). Although I don't know exactly what voltage is actualy comming out of the outlet, at least it won't power out on me anymore.
Also, I don't have a UPS of any kind (I was refeing to PSUs in the other thread).
Re the NB fan, it sounded like prarie wagon full of arrows, so I replaced it with a decent fan 2 years ago and it runs well with lower NB temps than before.
Will post more when I reformat, etc.
OK, I've been trying the newest official BIOS (1016) for a while, and no difference. In fact I had some more files get corrupted on the 320GB data drive. I will completely reformat and reinstall the system drive tonight, although I'm not expecting any changes.
As for the different generation drives - what can I do? Throw away the 2 120GB drives and get an identicle vesion to the 320GB one? Are they really likely to cause issues? Funny thing, its only the newer 320GB drive that keeps getting corrupted files (although its the one I use most of the time).
And about the MB ports: I have only ever used the 4 regular SATA ports. I assume you are refering to the red SATA RAID ports to try as an alternative. Which ports does the Silicon Image Controller influence? And what exact configuration do you recommend to try?
As for the different generation drives - what can I do? Throw away the 2 120GB drives and get an identicle vesion to the 320GB one? Are they really likely to cause issues? Funny thing, its only the newer 320GB drive that keeps getting corrupted files (although its the one I use most of the time).
And about the MB ports: I have only ever used the 4 regular SATA ports. I assume you are refering to the red SATA RAID ports to try as an alternative. Which ports does the Silicon Image Controller influence? And what exact configuration do you recommend to try?
Just wanted to add: If you haven't already, you should disable write caching on your hard drives if you have frequent crashes/power outages. It is in the device manager/disk drives/ properties of the drive, Policies tab.
Sorry to hear that the BIOS did not help
And glad to hear your power is better now Different generation drives could be a factor, but I doubt it. You can try removing all drives but the system one for a while and see if you still get corruption. I thought you previously said that ALL drives got corruption? If only the new drive gets it, then the problem is solved (faulty drive)?!?
SI controller operates the red ports, yes. Just move the connectors to the red ones and boot the computer. I suppose it should work right away. Don't forget to enable the controller in BIOS though. Perhaps it could be enough to just move the new drive to SI controller?
Hi Velis
My memory is a bit sketchy as to some of the exacts (2 years of stuff), but I know that the original 2 drives sometimes had missing NTLDR and System 32 errors. In turn I had to reformat the system drive as recoveyr didn't work (the data drive was always OK though, IIRC). This problem never went away.
After I bought the 320GB drive for extra data, I've noticed a new issue: corrupted files out of the blue on the 320GB drive.
As for trying the 'red' ports with the SI, do I also need to install the driver from Nvidia? I purposley did not at install.
And Gewin, thx, I think I got the outages kicked.
My memory is a bit sketchy as to some of the exacts (2 years of stuff), but I know that the original 2 drives sometimes had missing NTLDR and System 32 errors. In turn I had to reformat the system drive as recoveyr didn't work (the data drive was always OK though, IIRC). This problem never went away.
After I bought the 320GB drive for extra data, I've noticed a new issue: corrupted files out of the blue on the 320GB drive.
As for trying the 'red' ports with the SI, do I also need to install the driver from Nvidia? I purposley did not at install.
And Gewin, thx, I think I got the outages kicked.
Does your motherboard BIOS give you the possibility of changing your RAM voltage? In my BIOS, it is called DDR Vcc. On my motherboard, it is set by default to 2.65v. I have to change it to 2.5v as my RAM is PC2100 DDR. I looked up your RAM, it is listed as 2.6v. Is that what you have set in your BIOS? If you don't, you can get all sorts of crazy problems. When I first upgraded to XP, I wasn't convinced that XP was stable enough for prime time because I had many of the problems you experienced. When I dual-booted into Win2K however, everything was fine. I could play games without crashing, system was stable, no corruption, etc. It turns out my RAM voltage setting was too high, and for whatever reason XP was more suceptible to it. When I changed it to 2.52v (closest I could get to 2.5v), all of my problems went away. I suggest you determine if your RAM, which appears to require 2.6v, is indeed set to 2.6 in your BIOS.
BM
BM
Thanks Bat123Man-
There is an option in BIOS for "manual" VS "auto" setting of the DDR. One option is 2.6 volts. I'll give it a try.
There is an option in BIOS for "manual" VS "auto" setting of the DDR. One option is 2.6 volts. I'll give it a try.
I'm wondering if the BIOS settings may be an issue? I don't even know exactly what most of them do. I was poking around in the BIOS, and I noticed that under "JumpeFree Configuration" it has a heading called "Oveclock Profile". This was by default set to "Auto". It seems to control RAM, CPU, etc, etc. I don't want OC, but not sure what BIOS settings are appropriate.
Well, in the meantime, it's happened again... "Directory or folder is corrupted and unreadable" - talking about my whole 320GB data drive. Trying to recove the data again.
I'm still checking BIOS settings for stability and trying to understand what they are exactly. Any input most welcome.
If the BIOS trick doesn't work, then I'm pretty much screwed, and need new hardware from what I can tell.
So the HDs, should they normaly be OK together on a stable board? If so, I will buy a new MB.
Any ideas?
I'm still checking BIOS settings for stability and trying to understand what they are exactly. Any input most welcome.
If the BIOS trick doesn't work, then I'm pretty much screwed, and need new hardware from what I can tell.
So the HDs, should they normaly be OK together on a stable board? If so, I will buy a new MB.
Any ideas?
HaHaHa, I could have followed my instincts and solved this 2 years ago by doing that. :Q
So the HDs will work together on a new MB? What stable MB do you recommend that I can swap over all my current hardware to with the least hassle?
So the HDs will work together on a new MB? What stable MB do you recommend that I can swap over all my current hardware to with the least hassle?
You mean the RAID ports? I can, but historicaly Ive had issues with the 120GB as well. I suppose I could move them both? Won't that slow the peformance of the PC considerably? Even now, I have everyhting recovered again, but the 120GB drive just disappeared - not evn in BIOS.
And this all seems a bit ridiculous - isn't this MB junk? Unless I've missed something obvious (like correct BIOS settings, etc), there are a lot of issues that shouldn't be. So far I've disabled: Cool n Quiet; AI NOS; hardware firewall; SATA controllers; RAID; an expensive PSU; and probably others that escape my mind right now.
And this all seems a bit ridiculous - isn't this MB junk? Unless I've missed something obvious (like correct BIOS settings, etc), there are a lot of issues that shouldn't be. So far I've disabled: Cool n Quiet; AI NOS; hardware firewall; SATA controllers; RAID; an expensive PSU; and probably others that escape my mind right now.
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