SuperMicro P4DCE+ Problem...

[jamison]

Ok, I know this is general hardware and this post does have something to do with drivers, but I think the issue is a bad motherboard OR bad drivers. I would not go against the forum rules if I thought this post was totally a software based issue. Mods, please do not lock, this is a very weird issue from my experience.


Setup:

SuperMicro P4DCE+
Intel Xeon 2.2GHz
Samsung 512MB ECC RDRAM
Maxtor D740X 40GB
SuperMicro Case and Xeon Power Supply


Problem:

System starts with a GeForce2 MX, boots up, Windows XP Pro is installed, everything is just fine. The first bootup after Win XP Pro installation, it gets to the loading screen (with the little loading bar animation) and then just to a black screen. Nothing is on the screen.

Next up, a GeForce3 - gets into Windows XP Pro now, but I change the resolution from 800x600 to 1024x767 (which I know the monitor supports...) and I get a screen filled with off white symbols, I can't even explain what they look like. So I reboot, and I get the same black screen as the GeForce2 MX.

Next up, Matrox G550 - Gets into Windows, install drivers, reboot, everything works fine! Success! But this system was made to be a high end workstation for 3D modeling/animation. So...

PNY Quadro4 900 XGL is put in. Gets into Windows XP Pro, drivers installed, reboot, same blank black screen. (If you ask why the Quadro wasn't put in originally, I didn't have it at the time of first build).



Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Drivers used are 29.42 WHQL and 30.82 WHQL. Latest BIOS is installed for the motherboard. It is essentially a bare system, the setup listed above is the entire system except for a CD drive and floppy. I have contacted SuperMicro who say they have tested this configuration with no trouble and I have contacted PNY who are no real help. I am desperate for any information available.

 

[ScottMac]

I'm using a P4DCE+ with a pair of 2.0G, Everything's fine.

I have had, and successfully used, A GF3Ti500, an ATI AIW8500DV, and ATI AIW Radeon (nw the 7000?), and it currently has a Matrox 550 coupled to a Matrox 2500 (for video production). Everything was running under WinXP Pro.

Make sure you have the power cord unplugged (or the power supply-mounted switch to off) when you plug & unplug boards - the PCI spec has power running to the processor and slots, even when the power button is "off."

I'd try resetting the CMOS with the video board installed that you really intend to use. AGP has a dedicated interrupt, so a hardware conflict is unlikely.

Good luck ... post your progress

Scott

 

[jamison]

While doing an extensive search of numerous forums, I finally found the issue.

SuperMicro loaded the 1.2 BIOS for the SuperMicro P4DCE onto the P4DCE+ motherboard. By updating to the 1.2 BIOS for the P4DCE+ which was taken from their web site, the problems are corrected.

I will be contacting SuperMicro to make them aware. This wrongly loaded BIOS error may be with just one batch, a select few boards, or all of the boards. Thank you for your reply.

 

[ScottMac]

I'm surprised at this kind of error. I've had three other SuperMicro MOBOs, and they've all been rock solid and error free. I can't say that about other that I've had (Asus & Tyan come to mind).

Glad you got it resolved. Should be a breeze from here on out.

Good Luck

Scott