Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR Issue?

[MojoJJ]

Hey all,

I just built a computer within the last few days and I'm having some annoying problems.

First off, my specs:

AMD 64 3000+ (stock drivers)
Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR (nVidia unified 5.1 drivers incl. nVidia IDE drivers, stock bios)
MSI Radeon 9800 Pro TD128 + Cat4.9 drivers (green board, not red... but I ordered it as an SP)
512mb DDR400 PC3200 - Samsung - one stick.
Antec SmartBlue 350W PSU (came with the Antec SL2650-BQE case)
Stock HSF with Artic Silver 5 compound.
One 7200 RPM Maxtor 40gb IDE HDD (it's old)
One 5000+ RPM Maxtor 40gb IDE HDD (it's really old)
BenQ DW-1620 DVD-RW/etc./etc.
WinXP Professional SP2


Here's the problem:

I upgraded the mobo drivers to the newest one on the Soltek site. The computer will *sometimes* reboot itself before Windows loads up. Upon reboot, it'll go to the black Windows boot-up screen telling you that "windows un-expectedly rebooted" and give you the option to reboot in Safe Mode, revert to the last known good configuration, or start normally.

I choose to 'start normally' since reverting to the last configuration does nothing.

Sometimes it'll reboot a few seconds after I hit the enter screen - before it gets to the Win XP start-up screen with the blue slider. Sometimes it'll reboot after the start-up screen (before getting into windows). Other times, it'll actually start-up windows. The weird thing is... once it gets into windows, it's very stable. Lately, it requires at least 3-4 reboots before windows loads up.

I don't think it's due to processor overheat since the HW monitor utility reads 47 celsius on the cpu and 28 for the case. I know the stock bios gives inaccurate values.

Do you think this is a problem with the mobo drivers? Should I flash the bios to the 1.2 version? I've yet to install any games on this since I want to resolve these issues first.

Thanks in advance,
JJ

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The latest forceware UDPs are what you should be using linked

 

[MojoJJ]

Hey,

I am using the new Forceware 5.10s.

I think I fixed the problem though... I did some reading and decided that maybe I should uninstall the forceware's IDE drivers. So I did, and that problem seems to have gone away. Haven't had any problems booting the last four times.

However, with the Cool n Quiet drivers installed, my CPU temp is reported as being 10 celsius higher, and the fan still spins at full speed when the clock speed drops to 800mhz. Looks like lots of other people are having the same problems. I email soltek and they said they're trying to fix it.

JJ

 

[DAPUNISHER]

My apologies for treating you like a n00b I guess the SW IDE wasn't playing nice with your older HDDs, they are working great for me. Weird about the C&Q issue, but as you know by now, Soltek has very good tech support and will probably get a bios fix out promptly, presuming is the issue. You are using the latest A64 CPU driver found here correct?

 

[WT]

I don't care what other users post, but I would not touch the Nvidia IDE drivers with a 10' pole. I install everything else, just not those IDE buggers. Also, why are people installing Cool n Quiet ? I'm not overclocking my rig yet (basically the same setup as Mojo's) so I just don't see a reason to use the software unless you don't like paying the electric bill each month. I crunch United Devices on all of my PCs, so they all run 95%+ cpu util, 24/7, so its worthless for my needs.

Mojo, good to hear you have your problems mostly solved.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: WT
I don't care what other users post, but I would not touch the Nvidia IDE drivers with a 10' pole. I install everything else, just not those IDE buggers. Also, why are people installing Cool n Quiet ? I'm not overclocking my rig yet (basically the same setup as Mojo's) so I just don't see a reason to use the software unless you don't like paying the electric bill each month. I crunch United Devices on all of my PCs, so they all run 95%+ cpu util, 24/7, so its worthless for my needs.

Mojo, good to hear you have your problems mostly solved.

Hey, sharing personal experience is very useful and your's is as valid as anyone else's My experience is that the SW IDEs have come along ways though, and I have zero issues with the latest and better performance than the default MS. You haven't tried them so you can't speak to their stability and performance, and I'm just pointing out you are basing your comments on experience with older buggier versions. I can relate to your attitude of not wanting to get burned again though

While there is a good probability the OP is having trouble with the new ones based on his initial troubleshooting results, it may be due to an issue with his aging drives since the drivers are optimized more for the nF3 250 platform than nF2 or nF3 150 and the contemporary harware most couple with it. The MS ones are fine, but I get better performance from the newest SW IDEs so I have nothin but love for them.

BTW, I do BOINC , and also have zero use for C&Q :beer:

 

[MojoJJ]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
My apologies for treating you like a n00b I guess the SW IDE wasn't playing nice with your older HDDs, they are working great for me. Weird about the C&Q issue, but as you know by now, Soltek has very good tech support and will probably get a bios fix out promptly, presuming is the issue. You are using the latest A64 CPU driver found here correct?

Hey,

No problem... I am a noob when it comes to building comps, after all this is my first time building one from scratch. I've got limited knowledge of this stuff except from what I read on the forums. Thanks.

Yea, actually it does make sense when I think about it now. I didn't think the Forceware IDE drivers would cause problems... heck, I didn't even think the hdds were the issue. I decided to reuse my old HDDs instead of buying an SATA drive. I wanted to save the extra $100 and put that towards my 9800 pro. I gave myself a budget of $1000 =p.

While on the subject of HDDs, you think I should upgrade to an SATA drive? If I do I would most definitely like to keep my 7200 rpm maxtor on the ide controller. What do you think? Suggestions on drives?


JJ

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you want to upgrade drives just buy a 8mb cache PATA or SATA. The tiny cables on the SATA are nice and typically make for better air flow and tidyness. You will see a performance boost regardless of which interface or drivers you use over old 2mb cache models that is for certain. Also, You are using that A64 CPU driver right?

 

[MojoJJ]

Yup, I just installed the drivers last night and everyhing is good (except for the 10 celsius increase i temp reporting).

Thanks,
JJ

 

[WT]

DP, I posted that a minute after your post, and it actually looks like I'm being rude, but I swear I had started typing it before even seeing your post. Verrrry sorry for the misunderstanding. I always find your input in a thread a very useful and informative read. Sorry for sounding so negative, but I have had no luck with the Nvidia IDE drivers.

Update: I may even try the new Forceware IDE drivers once I get my C: partition backed up reliably. I'm still (happily) using Win2k so no rollbacks.

 

[cyberknight]

Hey Mojo, I'm in the same boat as you with regards to the temp reporting. Also, have you tried other hardware monitors? Cuz for some reason, when I use AIDA32, SpeedFan, Everest, or Sandra, I get about 40 degrees on my CPU temp and 38 for my system temp.

BUT, on SoltekHM, I get like 51 degrees on my CPU temp and 29 degrees for my System temp.

with regards to the +10 degrees upon activating CnQ, I get that too on all the motherboard monitor programs, except Sandra.