David Gorton

Can you tell me what your full BenchMark Breakdown is, in the SiSoft File System Information Window.

Mike

REPOST

Don't know what I have to do to get this thing even working. Had it for a week and can't even reach Windows.

Bought a Tagan 600W power supply today and the thing still doesn't work. Previously the comp kept on getting blue screen crashes just because loading up windows and this lead to a continuous loop.

Now, the comp freezes before searching for hard drives.

The bios was updated previously and the settings were set to the ones suggested by Sanders.

Any ideas? Was in the process of formatting and just about to reinstall Windows before it rebooted.

Update: Formatted in quick and slow mode and the system would reboot just before installing Win Xp.

Thanks for all your help Mike.


Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Amd Athlon64 3200+ (Standard Supplied CPU Fan atm)
Asus EN6600GT (Single Only)
Corsair 1024 TwinX 3200XL
Tagan 600W Power Supply (TG6068-W01)
Seagate Barracuda ATA 80gb (ST380021A)
Seagate U8 17.2gb (ST317221A)
LG 16x DVD-Burner
D-Link DWL-G520

Peter Wong

REPOST

Don't know what I have to do to get this thing even working. Had it for a week and can't even reach Windows.
>>>You're not the only one. lol

Bought a Tagan 600W power supply today and the thing still doesn't work.
>>>Not the power supplies fault.

Previously the comp kept on getting blue screen crashes just because loading up windows and this lead to a continuous loop.
>>>Other issues we will try and resolve.

Now, the comp freezes before searching for hard drives.
>>>Other issues we will try and resolve

The bios was updated previously and the settings were set to the ones suggested by Sanders.
>>>I would never change a BIOS with the factory BIOS in place. How can you tell if it's not a problem with the flash method you used, a corrupt file or something!

Any ideas?
>>>Lots

Was in the process of formatting and just about to reinstall Windows before it rebooted.
>>>Settings, RAM, wiring, BIOS???.

Update: Formatted in quick and slow mode and the system would reboot just before installing Win Xp.

>>>In BIOS under MAIN go to Primary Master, press enter then select transfer mode UDMA 3-4 or 5.

LG 16x DVD-Burner
>>>Is your DVD on IDE 2?

Make sure you see your hard drive under the Primary IDE Master in MAIN. Disable all RAID functions. SIL and NV. Set Video to NORMAL. Perform full format only. Let me know.

Set RAM timings to 3-3-3-8 2T
BIOS>
Advanced>
CPU Configuration>
DRAM configuration>

-Max Memclock (MHz)---------------[DDR400]
-1T/2T Memory Timing----------------[ 2T ]
-CAS# latency (Tlc)--------------------[ 3 ]
-RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd)--------[ 3 ]
-Min RAS# active time (Tras)-------[ 8 ]
-Row precharge TIme (Trp)----------[ 3 ]
-Row Cycle Time (Trc)----------------[ AUTO ]
-Row Refresh Cycle Time (Trfc)---[ AUTO ]
-Write Recovery Time (Twr)---------[ AUTO ]
-Read-to-Write Delay (Trwt)---------[ AUTO ]

Please leave your settings to this, if it doesn't fire up go here http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/cdrom/ and create a bootable XP cd with SP2 Slipstreamed. Someone else in the forum had the same problem as you and I got him to make the cd and it worked.

Mike

To Everyone who's having the problem of random white lines on the lower half of the screen in SLI Mode....

I have been hounding ASUS to look into this problem for awhile and last friday (it's monday now) their techs got the parts to re-create my problem (A8N-SLI Deluxe and 2 EN6800's <--plain not GT or Ultra)

I spoke to them again today and sure enough they found the same problem so apparently there is a compatibility issue between Asus' Mobo and their own Vid Cards (hmmm?)

They said they are working on a fix and it should be a couple of days from now (which we all know means a month in the real world)

I'll post here when I hear anything
Brian

joe doe,

Hang in there. I'm having the same problem. Mike is going to help me via MSN Messenger. I'll post what we find after we solve it (see how confident I am in Mike T's abilities? <G>).

Yippee38

..........

Mike,

Before I got your reply I swapped the memory from the blue slots to the black slots and made sure all the connections were ok (which I'm sure they already were).

Gave it another shot, and reached the Windows installation screen. Installing now so I'll let you know how it goes.

But did anyone else have problems with the blue dimm slots? The manual says they should be placed in A1 and B1.

Even though it's working now, I'd prefer to fix the problem now than having to wait for later if I need more RAM.

Thanks

Peter Wong

A1 and B1are the correct slots... Anything less depicts a problem... But since you are in the middle of an install, keep going.

Mike

Hi,
I was wondering, is there anyway at all to run MBM5 with the Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe motherboard? I know it's not in the list, but it's sometimes possible to select another motherboard and have it monitor correctly.
The reason for this is MBM5 has support from Matrix Orbitals software (LCDC) whereas SpeedFan doesn't (as far as I know).

Could you please clarify this.

Thanks,
Karl Moon

Kevin Estes

I have one more thing for you to try before you RMA, if you haven't already.

Mike

Hi!

Tonight I'm going to share one of my secrets with you.

One of the main problems I had on my system for weeks before I could get it stable were tons of BSOD's. Infinite Loops, IRQ Not Less , Paged in non paged, STOP exception etc.. I think I got them all a thousand times. One day I got 5 reboots in a row with all 5 different messages, as though it were programmed that way, to show up in sequence. I got to thinking about that one let me tell you! I mean normally you get 1 or 2, and the same or different, but 5 different in a row! I really think that these messages do not mean any specific thing, they are randomly generated when an error occurs Well, at this point I said ok, what's up here, an NV conspiracy was unfolding within me. I tried to methodically isolate this scenario on paper; I then proceeded to try something out. I noticed that the .inf file for the 66.93 was in C:\NVIDIA\Win2KXP\66.93\nv4_disp.inf and that that file was referenced to the GPU's in the device manager, a single file for both cards, plus some other nv4_ with less info on it than the original. If you were to install the 66.93 display drivers via the windows wizard it picks up that .inf to finish the driver install. I decided to create two files, nv4_disp1.inf and nv4_disp2.inf and updated the drivers in Device Manger using GPU 1 to 1inf and GPU 2 to 2 inf. Ok, what will this really do for me I thought? I had nothing to lose at this point because my errors, BSOD’s, freezing etc. just wouldn’t let up. After making this change I rebooted and lost SLI, I just re-enabled SLI and rebooted again. Presto, a stable computer,.not a single solitary BSOD, error, freeze nothing. Coincidence? I don’t think so! I never really sat down and investigated why this would work to this day! The closest I can figure is that both cards are accessing the .inf at the same time causing a fight. When I do have time to investigate though, I will.

PS- An autorun.inf file defines the following:

The process or application that will automatically run when a disk is inserted
>>>In this scenario though, the nv4_disp1.inf (37K) and the nv4_disp2.inf (37K) I created, define the processes or applications that will automatically run upon disk boot up, and each file will control on a one to one basis, how your video cards will work in SLI mode or not.

Mike Thellend
SLI Scientist @ Work

Mike,

You truly are a scientist. Very impressive. I would like to know what you find. It's funny. because I was thinking the exact same thing before I jumped into the SLI band-wagon. If the cards, running in SLI using the same .inf/.dll, etc. file at the same time, Windows will choke. I would be interested to hear what you find.

Again, all I can say for everyone one is to not jump and RMA your board. My setup has been running solid for a month, in multiple configurations (Single Card, SLI, Sil raid, NvRaid etc...) Just keep going. One Item at a time one driver at a time. Slow and methodical. REBOOT after ever driver/software install no matter what.

Again, not to inuslt those with problems, but this is one of the most stable systems I've ever built. Just keep trying. In fact, as I am typing this post, I am running Prime95, which has been running since 11pm last night, Defrag, Temp record and Virus scan. I was also running 3dMark05 in a demo loop, but had to stop to get on this forum. Anyway.....torture the hell out of the computer. This machine is amazingly solid.

A cavaet to my stable system claim. I readily admit and firmly believe that NVRAID and NIC are a cause of most of the problems. The drivers for these devices.....ummmmm, what's the scientific term.......SUCK!!!! Use the tried and true Marvell Nic, Sil controller. Microsoft certifies drivers for a reason. Yeah money too, but also for a certain level of guaranteed stability as well. Until there's a driver rev update, I will not use the nvidia devices.

Lancer VI

I was only saying to my friend 2 days ago that I have nebver had the joy of a new build as I have when using this motherboard, literally everything worked first time and I think most of it was down to a slow and methodical physical build and a slow and methodical installation.

I have never built a machine that hasn't BSOD', reset itself, flashed up random messages etc.. But I haven't had any on the A8N-SLi. Fantastic.

Though is anyone able to comment on my question above? Compatability with MBM not SpeedFan (due to LCDC - Matrix Orbital plugin).

Short of a mod on the board I don't see you getting any motherboard in the MBM5 list that will give proper readings. You can try the A7N8X-E-Deluxe with the asb100 Standard 2 and add/subtract the values from your current values to get a close enough values until they do support this board. I'm on cryo, if I had a normal air system, I would have looked into this for you.

Mike

Been running my A8N-SLI Deluxe for a month now without ANY problems to speak of. I am very much wanting to use the SLI function but am not willing to pay for another XFX 6800GT. So I am going to most likely sell this card on eBay and get two of these:

http://www.bfgtech.com/6600GT_PCIX.html

Thoughts?

Hi all ( and Mike lol )....here are some 'newbie' questions, i pm'd you Mike and you responded but i thought i would put this post in here in case someone else is having this issue....
actually a few questions....

my usb ports do not seem to be working, maybe this is related, when i installed the drivers from the asus mobo cd, i installed all 3 components...then after that, the network icon appeared in system tray ( which was good i think lol ) and ALSO the "remove hardware safely" icon appeared in the system tray. when i right click that and open it up, IT SHOWS MY 2 SEAGATE HDs ! lol....uh oh.....my PGNPL thing is set to 'enable' in the bios, and all 3 onboard things are enable....i plugged my mouse ( reliable heretofore mouse, microsoft, works on this old computer and works using serial port adapter in new comp ), but when i plug it into ANY of the usb ports, including the one adapter bracket i did install from mobo kit, nothing.....booted it up in almost every port, nothing.....is this related to the odd icon in system tray showin my hard drives as some kind of 'removeable' usb thing..i have never seen a hard drive show up like that...mostly the comp seems to be working....

2nd question...i have a MSI NX 6600 GT, should i install those drivers after i install the nVidia mobo drivers? ( from the asus cd disc?)

3rd question related to first question, dang i am out of order here....i MAY (not sur ) have plugged my firewire from the case into a usb header when i first got the board, not sure.....could that have fried something....the little light now shows up in the optical port ( red ) on the bck of my input output stuff, my keyboard and serial mouse ports work, but my usb don't seem to - related ?

4th question...anyone else notice that the usb drivers are not in the asus cd? i just get a message saying that if i used windows sp1 or greater than they already have usb 2.0 support....are the drivers really on that disc? or am i missing them from my disc?

sorry for the newbie q's...but heck this is my first comp build and i am limping along..oh yeh i am running windows xp pro, but i have not been able to get online so i don't have any updates, other than i did download and intall sp 2 and it seemed to go fine....

thanks again mike and all for the help here.....paul

Basically no, the USB drivers are in the Windows Service Packs, thats why it tells you to upgrade.

It's also likely you blew something when you plugged your firewire onto a USB socket if something isn't working, there are warning about this.

Personally, I would keep the 6800GT and buy another one later down the line when they drop in price, 2x 6600GT's are about the same as 1x 6800GT so it really wouldn't be worthwhile spending more money for the same, keep your money now, add to it and buy another XFX 6800gt when you have the money (I am doing the same with my 6800Ultra, I could have had 2x GT's but went for 1x Ultra and another one down the line.

Hi guys. Got a couple questions, maybe someone can help. I've just purchased the A8N SLI deluxe.
I've got the following installed....
1x 1gb kingston memory 3200
2x Sata 160 Gig Seagate Drives
2x GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB PCI Express
1x 500 PS
System will not let me load windows. Occasionaly the drives disapear drom the bios screen, though after a couple restarts they reapear? Checked all connection, replaced adapters with no luck. My biggest probel is not being able to load windows xp Pro 64. I continue to get the error that the apic is not enabled, but after checking the bios I see that is it. I've tried clearing cmos and loadind defaults to no avail. I've tried loading windows 2000, but it hangs at "System is inspecting your computer configuration", and thats as far as I get. Trying to load xp 64 gets me the apicm error I mentioned above, Anyone else come across these problems? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello All, this forum is great. Does anyone have the problem of the very occasional blue screen? When I say very occasional I mean like 1 to 4 times per week. It has happened during a game and also during just normal operation. For example, I played Battlefield 1942 for 2 hours this morning, exited out fine and then I got a blue screen while on this forum!!! I let Prime95 run overnight, no errors and memtest86 overnight produced no errors either (and that was on 1T 2 2 2 5). It'll run perfectly for days and then with no change crash on me. Should I just wait on drivers to clear up this minor issue?

Thermaltake 560W
A8N-SLI (non-deluxe)
3000+ 90nm set on AUTO
TwinX1024-3200XLPT (2x512) set at 2T 2.5 3 3 6
pny 6600gt at 66.93 stock speeds
2 80 GB SATA Seagate Barracuda HDs w/ NCQ striped
1 200GB WD IDE HD
Plextor 12x IDE DVD burner

Did I miss anything? Thanks in advance.

Hi guys,

It's been too much fun after I got my machine running for about a week. I appreciate all the good work people have been contributing. One minor question I have though is I am using the onboard sound and have been having trouble with one of the speakers (left). I am currently hooking up my 2.1 output from the green port. My front panel's headphone was properly hooked up and i can hear both left and right correctly. I tried to configure the software provided by nvidia (ver 6.39) but to no avail. Of course when I did the sound test, my left speaker produced nothing. So how do you guys think I can troubleshoot this? I know my speakers are working cause I could test them on another machine fine.

Clay

P.S. Paul Bennett, fyi, I have the same issues with the "remove hardware safely" icon using my 2 SATA seagate hdds. I haven't figured that one out yet. Someone also discussed that issue towards the end of page 28 but I didn't have time to check and see if that was the case. One thing though I don't have a SATA optical drive so this might just be a different issue. Personally I don't really care so I am not going to look into it anytime soon.