The *Official* MSI K8NGM2-FID GeForce 6150 Motherboard Thread

[imported_Neo69]

Hi Guys,

i face a problem with this motherboard!! I just can't install Windows XP! After booting on the CD, I have a message in the top-left corner saying that the installation program is analyzing my devices. At this stage, the screen turns black (it is still on, not in stand by mode) and nothing happens I don't even have an error message.

I have several times, trying a new solution each time (removing a HDD or Ram, changing some options in the BIOS...), but it would never let me install Windows XP.

The strange thing is that I meet no problem if I want to install Windows 2000, everything goes on perfectly well...

Am I missing some options in the BIOS or something else?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[imported_derekn]

Originally posted by: sjschwinn

Originally posted by: derekn

Originally posted by: chup
NCQ is not working with my Barracuda 7200.7... any clue?

I have 2 Seagate 250GB SATA II 7200.9 HDs. I am using bios 3.20. I noticed too that NCQ was greyed out. I wasn't really concerned though because it's quick enough for me. I am also using the SATA cables that came with my 2 year old Asus a7n8x deluxe motherboard. So I have no idea if that's the reason why NCQ is greyed out or not. It still shows up as SATA II so I figured that the cables were fine. But as winguy says it might be because our MSI mobo could be an initial 400/430 chipset batch that doesn't support NCQ.

Please forgive me for my ignorance, but where do I look to see if NCQ is enabled/disabled?

I have 3 WD 400GB drives that support NCQ set up in RAID5, but I didn't know if iNCQ was being utilized or not.

Also, you say it shows up as SATA II. Where is that listed?

Thanks.

sjschwinn,

It's all listed under Device Manager under the SCSI and RAID Controllers tab and right click on Serial ATA Controller and select the Primary or Secondary Controller Tab.

 

[ultrachrome]

I have this board in an Antek NSK2400. I just installed the Thermalright XP-120 last night with a Nexus fan.

Installation with heatpipes toward rear of case interfere with one or two capacitors on the left side (looking from back to front of case). The caps will move a bit but not far enough.

I notice the heat pipes are not symmetrical and there doesn't seem to be a clearance problem on the right side of the socket, just the left. Loose manufacturing tolerances? Someone might get lucky with their XP-120 and not have a clearance problem at all.

Flip the XP-120 around and the heat pipes encroach on the first DIMM slot so I'm using 3 and 4.

I noticed reading the first post that there might be CnQ problems unless DIMM 1 is used. I guess if it comes down to it I'll replace the offending caps.

 

[renethx]

Neo69,

Did you read Choosing Components > Hardware Compatibility Issues > Hard Disk Drives? I don't know if it is related to your problem, though.

 

[renethx]

ultrachrome,

Thanks for the information. I referred to your post in the main post.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: derekn
sjschwinn,

It's all listed under Device Manager under the SCSI and RAID Controllers tab and right click on Serial ATA Controller and select the Primary or Secondary Controller Tab.

I was looking forward to this info too. But I see that in Device Manager, I have only an entry for ATA/IDE/ATAPI controllers. Nowhere can I find a tab for SATA controller or SCSI and RAID. I have only one HD and it is a SATA drive.

I would like to check for NCQ too, but can't find where to look for this.

Thanks

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: ultrachrome
Flip the XP-120 around and the heat pipes encroach on the first DIMM slot so I'm using 2 and 4.

Then the system is not running in dual-channel mode...Right?

 

[ultrachrome]

Originally posted by: BernardP

Originally posted by: ultrachrome
Flip the XP-120 around and the heat pipes encroach on the first DIMM slot so I'm using 2 and 4.

Then the system is not running in dual-channel mode...Right?

Oops, you are correct. I need to be using 3 and 4. The colors threw me.

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: BernardP
Nowhere can I find a tab for SATA controller or SCSI and RAID. I have only one HD and it is a SATA drive.

I would like to check for NCQ too, but can't find where to look for this.

You can see these entries only when you installed NForce Storage Driver.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: renethx
You can see these entries only when you installed NForce Storage Driver.

OK renethx, thanks

...I understand installing these drivers is not recommended if one wants to be sure of avoiding the dreaded NForce Data Corruption. That is why they are not installed on my system.

Checking the NCQ status was only a matter of curiosity. I have read on a few occasions that NCQ brings no speed increase in a single user environment

 

[sjschwinn]

Originally posted by: derekn

Originally posted by: sjschwinn

Originally posted by: derekn

Originally posted by: chup
NCQ is not working with my Barracuda 7200.7... any clue?

I have 2 Seagate 250GB SATA II 7200.9 HDs. I am using bios 3.20. I noticed too that NCQ was greyed out. I wasn't really concerned though because it's quick enough for me. I am also using the SATA cables that came with my 2 year old Asus a7n8x deluxe motherboard. So I have no idea if that's the reason why NCQ is greyed out or not. It still shows up as SATA II so I figured that the cables were fine. But as winguy says it might be because our MSI mobo could be an initial 400/430 chipset batch that doesn't support NCQ.

Please forgive me for my ignorance, but where do I look to see if NCQ is enabled/disabled?

I have 3 WD 400GB drives that support NCQ set up in RAID5, but I didn't know if iNCQ was being utilized or not.

Also, you say it shows up as SATA II. Where is that listed?

Thanks.

sjschwinn,

It's all listed under Device Manager under the SCSI and RAID Controllers tab and right click on Serial ATA Controller and select the Primary or Secondary Controller Tab.

Just call me stupid! Thanks.

So now the question is, why is NCQ not available (option grey'ed out) with the 430/C51 when nVidia touts the fact that it supports it? I know that prior NF4 chips had bugs/problems with NCQ, but I assumed that this "new" product would have fixed it. I guess I was wrong!

Anyone know the story behind NCQ being disabled without the option for ENabling it?

 

[bogolisk]

Sorry , wrong button


me dummy

 

[bogolisk]

Can the board support 4GB of ram?

I saw this on msi website:

Due to the South Bridge resource deployment, the system density will only be detected up to 3+ GB (not full 4GB) when each DIMM is installed with an 1GB memory module

 

[yehuda]

It's a shame that such a comprehensive motherboard cuts on configurable settings for the CPU fan controller.

In particular I miss the option to turn off the fan completely as soon as the temperature falls below a predefined threshold.

Here's how Gigabyte implemented it in one of their recent nForce4-based motherboards:
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4230/278235989yo.png

Any chance MSI will fill the gap in future BIOS updates? Is it technically possible?

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: yehuda
It's a shame that such a comprehensive motherboard cuts on configurable settings for the CPU fan controller.

In particular I miss the option to turn off the fan completely as soon as the temperature falls below a predefined threshold.

Here's how Gigabyte implemented it in one of their recent nForce4-based motherboards:
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4230/278235989yo.png

Any chance MSI will fill the gap in future BIOS updates? Is it technically possible?

There is no chance that MSI fill the gap in future BIOS updates unless there is a great demand for such functions. So far you are the only person that complained of and posted this point. MSI has been neglecting even CPU voltage adjustment that is clearly in great demand.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: yehuda
It's a shame that such a comprehensive motherboard cuts on configurable settings for the CPU fan controller.

In particular I miss the option to turn off the fan completely as soon as the temperature falls below a predefined threshold.

I find that the CPU fan is relatively quiet. What I would have liked is a way for the motherboard to control the case fan speed, as Asus has done with their Q-Fan feature, if I am not mistaken. Despite this, there are other factors that made me choose the MSI board over the competing Asus model.

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: renethx
There is no chance that MSI fill the gap in future BIOS updates unless there is a great demand for such functions. So far you are the only person that complained of and posted this point. MSI has been neglecting even CPU voltage adjustment that is clearly in great demand.

DO they know it's in great demand?

anyone who wants to see cpu voltage support, please drop them a line.

usersupport2 at msicomputer dot com

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: pctwo
DO they know it's in great demand?

I am not sure. But many user must have contacted MSI asking CPU voltage adjustment. Email address is:

MSI Technical Support Team USA

 

[imported_Marcm]

Hi all,

I've just build a new htpc machine running media centre using this board. I'm pretty happy with it except one thing: Is there really no way to resume from s3 via usb input (ie media centre remote). My old nf7 allowed it. I see there is resume form keyboard and mouse which is fine - but it still means getting up in order to turn the machine back on

Thanks

Marc

 

[CthulpiSS]

Hi, and thank you all for info on this sweet mobo.

I'm about to change my MSI RS482M-IL to K8NGM2-FID - but I have one question - has anybody tried resolutions as funky as 1680x1050 (landscape) or 1050x1680 (portrait) ?
(I mean - using integrated nvidia chip, AND DVI output)
The very first post in this thread mentions "Custom resolutions" for landscape,
and, unfortunatelly, "Custom resolutions are not allowed." for portrait (with none of the above in lists )
I have LCD DELL 2005FPW monitor,
and I have managed to set the above resolution on my MSI RS482M-IL
(http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=696) (based on ATI® Radeon XPRESS 200 chipset) - still, it was only possible with Power Strip,
and not the Ati original drivers.
I saw pctwo post about his monitor and 1650x1080 resolution,
but with no details.

The only reason I'm willing to change my setup is DVI on K8NGM2-FID - so, guys, any clue ? Thanks in advance

 

[denpgeorge]

I was wondering if anyone could expand on the Gigabyte GA-K8N51PVM9-RH business board? I am really leaning towards buying this board over the MSI K8NGM2-FID because of the NV Business Certified deal. I think that what this actually means is that IT departments who cling to this "Platform" can have an easier time dealing with networked machines and image deployment etc. This isnt what appeals to me about this though. My experience with Gigabyte boards to date has been more than excellent as far as system stability goes. Stability is my most important criteria...

It might actually be erronous on my part to equate this Business Platform stuff with extra comfort in stability... Especially considering the problematic ASUS board is NV Business Certified as well. It just does somehow give me extra assurance, which is illogical I know. I guess Im a sucker for such gimmicks. Plus the Gigabyte board is about $10 more and doesnt even have firewire on board.

The thing is, I've looked everywhere for some thorough reviews of this board to tell myself "stop being dumb and just go with the MSI board" but I have come up short. This thread is the closest and most informative I could find but doesnt even have any info on the board except for listing it. I really want to weigh this board against the MSI. Is there anyone who has experience with this Gigabyte board that can describe their experience for me?

By the way, I want SPDIF out, and I have a SPDIF bracket from my old 7NNXP. Will this bracket work with this new board? If so, this would save me the trouble at least of needing to get a bracket for the Gigabyte board. Sure would be nice to have firewire.

[
Possibly off topic, sorry! :
Im building an HTPC and have decided on the Venice 3000+ and installing in the nMEDIA HTPC 200BA. Havent decided on what ram to get, but I do want 2GB.

Should I go MSI or Gigabyte?
Should I not get the Venice 3000+?
What RAM should I get?
Will there be any pros/cons for each of these board installed in this case?
]

 

[cool]

I just had a cold-boot problem, sort of... System would turn on but CRT didn't. HDD LED was on too but you couldn't hear any disk access. I powered the system down, waited a few secs and turned it back on. System booted fine now. After the Windows login, I noticed artifacts all around the desktop. It's similar to when using a graphics card with faulty memory. Only thing is that I'm using the onboard video (GeForce 6150)... After another reboot everything is fine and works like it should. I've been using my 2x512MB RAM sticks for 2,5 years without any problems. So I kinda doubt it's a RAM issue. What I noticed, is that the northbridge heatsink gets really hot (too hot to touch). I will test the RAM modules later with memtest to be sure it's not them.
My system config:
Athlon 3500+ - K8NGM2-FID, BIOS 3.20 - 2x512MB PC3200 RAM@3.0-3-3-8-1T - Enermax Noisetaker 375W - using onboard video+sound

@renethx:
First of all, awesome guide! Thx a lot for the hard work!
I just wanted to inform you that there's an updated Realtek driver (R1.35):
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dlh...d=2004052&series=2004061&Software=True

@all:
I have CnQ disabled in BIOS. The CPU is running fine, temps are in the lower 30s. Is there any benefit installing the AMD CPU driver?

 

[renethx]

If you don't need CnQ, you don't have to install the single core CPU driver. However the dual core CPU driver may fix problems of apps that do not like dual core.

 

[pctwo]

Originally posted by: CthulpiSS
Hi, and thank you all for info on this sweet mobo.

I'm about to change my MSI RS482M-IL to K8NGM2-FID - but I have one question - has anybody tried resolutions as funky as 1680x1050 (landscape) or 1050x1680 (portrait) ?

yes 1650x1050 is a standard rez supported by the 6150. Works with both DVI and VGA to my f2105. You can get portrait going to the nvidia control panel (select rotate). I tested it and it works fine (my monitor can't actually rotate so it's no use to me, but I verified that it does work.)

 

[pctwo]

Is anyone using a Y fan splitter to control 2 fans with the onboard smart fan feature? I'm thinking of tying both my case and CPU fan to the CPUFAN header so I can ramp up and down both fans based on CPU temp.