VNF4 Ultra issues

[ITloser]

I recently got my VNF4 Ultra mobo replaced due to the "post code 50" problem. They left the Feb 05 BIOS installed. Is the latest BIOS (June) supposed to resolve this error?

Also, a few weeks before my mobo went belly up, I tried to install a PCI sound card (the onboard quality sucks) and was left with a box that rebooted as it got to the XP Logon screen. So I had to remove it.

After 2 days of troubleshooting I managed to get it back "to normal". When it did finally come up, it had to do Windows Activation again. Just for adding a new sound card! I did have to reinstall all the NForce4 drivers multiple times. And no I never made any other hardware changes (other than plugging in a new thumb drive).

Has anyone successfully installed a sound card after the system was built and stable? I will not be trying this again unless I have 2 days to waste.

Thx,
itloser

My Config

XP Pro sp2 (latest)
NForce4 ATA Drivers (don't even ask why I installed them)
VNF4 Ultra
1 GB RAM
WinFast PX6600 GT TDH

Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1 (the offending sound card)

 

[GadgetBuilder]

The June VNF4 BIOS, V5.0, mostly addresses dualcore issues. You didn't indicate what CPU you have so it isn't clear whether this version is appropriate for you. If you have a Winnie, stick with V4.0 for now.

It isn't clear what error you're trying to resolve by updating the BIOS. Post code 50 is generally caused by a USB issue which you often resolve by working with the USB hardware you have connected. The Feb BIOS, V2.0 works well for most things; if you want BIOS control of fans or more control of vcore for overclocking, use V4.0. I don't believe there were any USB or audio issues resolved in these later Bios's. Conventional wisdom is that flashing BIOS should be done only when required since a bad flash is always a possibility, even with Winflash.

Multiple re-installs of the nVidia drivers can lead to problems in itself. Depending on the nVidia version, sometimes it requires a clean install of XP followed immediately by the nVidia driver set to be successful. Even this isn't guaranteed, it just greatly improves the odds of success -- the nVidia mobo drivers remain a crapshoot, especially the firewall/NAM. Which drivers from the nVidia set you load has a big effect on the success rate of the install. I'm running nVidia's 7.12 Intel Beta drivers on my VNF4/AMD and think it is better than earlier drivers but still has serious "issues".

As far as a sound card goes, it depends what you're using the sound for. With games, some owners find a sound card improves things noticeably. For music, the Realtek driver works well with the on-board sound chip; I use it with Winamp and like it. The nVidia audio drivers don't work as well as the Realtek for music.

Visit the PCPER Chaintech mobo forum for more detailed answers on VNF4 questions:
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46

 

[LyNX31]

Originally posted by: GadgetBuilder
The June VNF4 BIOS, V5.0, mostly addresses dualcore issues. You didn't indicate what CPU you have so it isn't clear whether this version is appropriate for you. If you have a Winnie, stick with V4.0 for now.

It isn't clear what error you're trying to resolve by updating the BIOS. Post code 50 is generally caused by a USB issue which you often resolve by working with the USB hardware you have connected. The Feb BIOS, V2.0 works well for most things; if you want BIOS control of fans or more control of vcore for overclocking, use V4.0. I don't believe there were any USB or audio issues resolved in these later Bios's. Conventional wisdom is that flashing BIOS should be done only when required since a bad flash is always a possibility, even with Winflash.

Multiple re-installs of the nVidia drivers can lead to problems in itself. Depending on the nVidia version, sometimes it requires a clean install of XP followed immediately by the nVidia driver set to be successful. Even this isn't guaranteed, it just greatly improves the odds of success -- the nVidia mobo drivers remain a crapshoot, especially the firewall/NAM. Which drivers from the nVidia set you load has a big effect on the success rate of the install. I'm running nVidia's 7.12 Intel Beta drivers on my VNF4/AMD and think it is better than earlier drivers but still has serious "issues".

As far as a sound card goes, it depends what you're using the sound for. With games, some owners find a sound card improves things noticeably. For music, the Realtek driver works well with the on-board sound chip; I use it with Winamp and like it. The nVidia audio drivers don't work as well as the Realtek for music.

Visit the PCPER Chaintech mobo forum for more detailed answers on VNF4 questions:
http://forums.pcper.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46

hey gadget builder,

trying to use that search function on that forum.. to search more on the nvidia driver stuff.. giving me an error when i search.. maybe its just down right now.

anyway u think i'll be ok with this chaintech build?
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1620792&enterthread=y
i plan to use the 4.0 bios

 

[GadgetBuilder]

Hey LyNX31,

The PCPER forums will provide more info about using the CPU you have in mind, I have the Winnie and haven't tried newer processors. However, several users who post on PCPER do use the later CPU's with good results.

I used the V1.0 BIOS for several months but went to the V4.0 about a week ago in case something had been fixed which might help my disk-activity-by-NAM problem. This seemed unlikely (and of course it didn't help) but hope springs eternal....

I don't know why the PCPER search didn't work for you. I've used it a number of times and it seemed OK, perhaps a temporary glitch.

To research the nVidia driver difficulties takes a while because you need to separate the wheat from the chaff as well as which complaint goes with which version of the driver (although relatively few mobo driver problems seem to have been fixed -- nVidia seems to be working on other things). The best place to research driver issues is:
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s=f3...ead353326152f9b12af806c46&showforum=34

Bear in mind that a minority of NF3/NF4 owners (perhaps 5%) have driver problems but in the nVidia forums you get a biased view because the sample self-selects to mostly those having problems. nVidia has ignored complaints about mobo drivers, apparently because it is such a small percentage of owners involved. Of course, if you're in the 5% having problems that doesn't make you feel any better One of the threads concerning NAM problems has over 11,000 views so it seems like it should get some attention but nVidia still doesn't respond.

 

[ITloser]

Thanks GadgetBuilder for the help. I have the FX-53 btw.