Troubleshooting new build Asus A8N32-SLI

[thestain]

I can install and run hard drives in Sata 1, and from the Silicon Image Controller, but can't seem to run em in ports 2, 3 and 4.

I have the most recent nVidia drivers loaded.. 6.86

Also.. If I change anything by more than about 5% in the Bios, my system crashes.

I can't get my ddr 500 ram above about 430 and will usually crash at 420

I cannot load operating systems to Sata Ports 2, 3 or 4

I get error message on WD Raptors of :0139 DRQ not expected or :0138

I get this on all the nVidiaSata Ports for my older version 8 MB cache raptors, but only on 2, 3 and 4 for the ADFD new one which I did manage to load windows XP on and it runs.. but not very stably.

So.. if I put memory to 100 and lower cpu to about 2 GHZ at 10X.. cannot get FSB over 220

I am a little dissapointed..

Do I rma the memory, the raptors and/or the motherboard?

Is there a more stable, more easily overclocked motherboard I should be looking at.

I want to run the DDR 500 at something close to DDR 500

I want to be able to use ALL the Sata ports, not just a couple

i want more stability.. and the ability to tweak bios by small amounts without having to worry about system instability.

I was thinking.. about the Premium board from Asus instead or maybe an Abit board.. the AT8 32X has some good reviews on the Egg.

Anyway... my problems..

Memory, Hard Drive or Motherboard?

Could a different version of nVidia chipset drivers be a good idea as well? oh.. I tried to roll back the drivers.. no windows drivers for the nVidia Sata ports..

Thanks for any ideas, suggestions and help!

 

[Capt Caveman]

What bios is your motherboard using? Have you flashed your bios to the latest and greatest 1303?

Do you have Nvidia RAID disabled?

Do you have the SI controller set to SATA and not RAID?

When you're installing the OS do you only have the OS drive plugged in?

In attempting to get your FSB up to 250 for your RAM, what are your setting in the bios for ram timings, ram voltage, cpu voltage, etc?

I have always left memory speed at 200 to be able to run at 1:1 with FSB.

My guess off the bat is user error and not hardware. I would try setting FSB to 250, drop your cpu multiplier to 8(or whatever to keep your cpu speed as close to stock or below), change your CPU to NB Multiplier from 5x to 4x, raise your ram voltage to 2.8v, make sure your pci-e is set to 100mhz and pci to 33mhz.

What are the rest of your system specs?

 

[thestain]

I have the voltage for the ram set to 2.75 which is what Corsair recommends

I have done all you have mentioned... prior to you even mentioning ... so you have confirmed that I did ok.

Sata Ports do not work reliably for the nvidia ones.. somehow the Silcion image works fine for all hard drives. WD tech said he thought that my adfd might have worked because of error correction.. and said it was motherboard, as did tech at corsair..

I plan to rma motherboard

out