OK received the new Rampage Extreme. Installed and powered up. Installed a fresh copy of XP. Rebooted. Installed mobo drivers. rebooted . Started a search for a specific program - after a few minutes - a quick flash of A BSOD and the reboot. Nothing in event viewer.

Using new Corsair 1800 ram with the 9650 - ALL settings at default - figured I'd let the RE set it up initially.

Did I get another dud mobo?

Want to install XP64 when I get it but if the system is unstable at default settings..........

Am I missing something?

Vic I will look at this tomorrow.. too late to post on it now

You probably will need to make changes to run 1800 stable

NB: 1.45-1.58, VTT: 1.28 and Vcore: 1.28-1.35 and possibly the GTL we discussed however I would leave GTL's on auto unless its not stable

and run the memory at its max rated spec of 2.0v

remember tRD wont be 6... probably 7 and 1T may, or may not be possible on that memory as it depends on the batch

the memory is not clocked vic.. it will run without clocking it, but you must still clock the FSB/CPU to get to 1800 which means the same settings you were running in the past except 1800 becomes available when you set 450FSB and a 333 STRAP

Still puzzled tho - just tried to run SuperPi with everything still at auto - failed instantly with rounding error. Set vcore 1.30  Vtt 1.28  NB 1.5 and Vmem 2.0 - same issue.

Possibility of still having bad hardware or just not set right? Only thing  haven't replaced is the CPU altho I have gotten two bad mobo's in a row before.

Right now all  want is stable at stock speeds so I have  solid base to go from. I feel like I'm chasing  moving target.

Think I have to step back, take a deep breath and revisit all the work we did prior and set everything except the GTL.



I'll try the mushkins at 1600 and see what cracks. 400x9

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING NOW???


you mean things like that?   

or did you want me to include the 3-10 colorful metaphors which usually come with it?


LOL!!


no worries


just kidding

It wont matter when the time comes what you set first.

The only thing you may need to deal with at higher memclock is GTL's and NB voiltage. Everything else should be the same since the CPU speed remains a constant hoever I have seen times when a touch more Vcore is needed.

I would simply start by manually setting the FSB, memspeed, mem timing, DRAM voltage and see what happens

If it fails add in a touch of NB and retry.. then GTL.. if stable start dropping NB to find lowest, if not then try a bit of Vcore

You have to work it but you really should not have that much trouble. I would think with the Corsair product it will all be in NB voltage

Usually those Corsair sticks do need the full 2v although you can try trimming that back and see if its stable, last

I dont see any reason why you cant go ahead and install the Corsair product and work out the setup now

Waiting is not going to change how the memory may or may not work.

ok corsair stable at 400x9 7-7-7-20 PL7 2T

going to kick it up to 450 8-8-8-24-pl7 2t with same voltages and see what happens.

What is the current NB voltage?

you may need to raise NB voltage a bit and there was a NB GTL in use as well as CPU GTL as I recall

I would probably work NB voltage if CPU GTL still fails and set GTL back to AUTO until I confirm a safe NB high end is not stabilizing the memory

If a high NB voltage such as 1.6 has no effect then I would try GTL

Thare ya go!


Now you're on the right track



just work them numbers.. we know the GTL is correct for the VTT so if it got stable on that then I would leave GTL and if you see any hiccups raise NB a touch with GTL set

I would only set GTL back to auto if memtest failed the same as before

If after all is said and done its more stable with the GTL then leave it and work NB but do keep in mind the GTL AUTO is an option with NB tapped up too.

there is nothing set in stone.. its a matter of working the variables and do remember a touch of Vcore may also help too..




..and one other thing.. dont stress about 1T @ 1800. Thats the last thing to go for and at 1800 and above its not as critical to hit. 2T is fine

OCCT and Memset stable after 1 hour.

Tried PL6 - lockup - didn't even try 1T

Do latency and read values seem low or am I thinking of PL6/1T?

Also - noticed on reboot that windows 'sound' is scratchy - seem to recall a post by you about possible cause - can't locate it.

ok OCCT stable 1 hour with both disabled

trying IT

ok - that's a little better!  

OCCT stable 1 hour

Static read disabled.

Any benefit to be gained by enabling it?

hmmmmm

Windows boot sound being scratchy and all other sounds OK would indicate the issue is some kind of switch taking place. As Windows boots its initializing ACPI systems and that could be an indication of a resource share not quite worked out at the time of sound init

That may resolve itself on another Windows install as Windows will make the assignments as it is being installed clean.

DRAM STATIC READ ENABLED is allowing higher functions of DDR3 memory which typically in a clock you really do not need but it does provide a bit of a boost if ENABLED.

You may find that to be unstable in FSX use when the NB is really getting hammered. Thats the first setting to DISABLE if you see any problems like that


Now..

ChaVref +25mv
ChBVref +25mv

Not sure that is needed. Reset those to AUTO and see if its still stable. IF so leave them on AUTO but do note them in case you see anything in 3D stress and can try them again lock down stability

Everything else is looking right on the money.

Once you establish everything then you need to go through that BIOS on all screens and write down all the settings



NOTE: When you do switch to the 64bit OS (or before you install it) you need to enter the ADVANCED CHIPSET area and find the setting MEMORY REMAP FEATURE. It needs to be ENABLED for a 64bit OS, DISABLED for 32bit OS

Set CHA&B Vref to auto. No problems - OCCT 1hour.

Did notice that Memory Remap was set to Enabled by default in RE Bios. Left it alone since I recd the 64bit OS and plan on installing later tonight after I document all the BIOS settings.

Do you see any problem with my doing the XP install at the 4G clock? Seems stable so far. Actually, what difference does it make - I'm going to format the drive and do a clean install anyway. If it screws up, reformat, lower the clock and try again.

One other thing I noticed - not being anal but JIC it is relevant - if I do repeat passes with Everest Bench - I get latency anywhere from 47.9 to 48.3ns with a change in read speed of +- 40mb/s.

Thanx

ROFLMAO!!

That's why I put in the disclaimer  "not being anal but JIC it is relevant "

Currently installing XP64.........

oops - just got a BSOD - bad pool caller - while CP was copying files from the CD.

Think it relates to the clock? I can drop back to 400x9 and try again.

you dont need any RAID driver if you are not using RAID..

It would probably be best to back off the CPU clock with the Windows install but a bad call when copy files from CD would indicate either the CD cant keep up with the clock or the disk itself was smudged

You probably just needed to back off the DRAM STATIC READ and 1T

with one disabled and the other on 2T you would probably have been fine

you are really pushing it with both those enabled

The memory is not rated for 1T and I know anything above 1600 with DSRC  Enabled is really pushing your luck

huh?

They took out the 32bit version of IE?

you sure?

Check and see if there is a

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer

If so the iexplore.exe in that folder should be 32bit

If not.. let me check and see if its possible to install IE7 x32 from MS directly which is probably how its done now... upgrade IE6 to IE7 from Windows Update

Use IE6 to access Windows Update..   TOOLS - WINDOWS UPDATE. Do all the songs and dances they ask for then check to see if IE7 is included in the offerings

I bet it is


You need to get all your updates anyway and you should use IE6 to do that before doing anything else.

It does not sound like you have been to WindowsUpdate yet

vgbaron wrote on Jan 6^th, 2009 at 11:30am:



hold it

Your disk dd not come with SP2 on it already?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378

where did you get it from because I can tell you from my own nightmare experience that applying SP2 via the web update caused Nvidia video drivers to crash and burn in any 3D. The only solution was to make a slipstream SP2 XP x64 CD and install clean

It sounds to me like you got a VERY OLD copy of XP x64

vgbaron wrote on Jan 6^th, 2009 at 12:20pm:



I would

they completely replaced the HAL in SP2 and if you dont do the slipstream and install clean you wont get the HAL upgraded at the same time


I could not believe it when I saw it... I mean the same CRAP issue in the web update for the x64 version (causes different failures but the same reason... the HAL is not updated) and that SP2 x64 patch came out just undeer 2 years ago!

You will need to upgrade to IE7 from IE6 via Windows Update unless they included IE7 in the SP2 package now... I do not know if they did or not

welll you know what... I would rather smack you in the face now than later when I see a thread entitled

"WTF??? NOW MY SYSTEM WONT RUN 3D STABLE?????"

I'M AT MY WITS END.. NOT AGAIN! 


I BOUGHT CUTTING EDGE AND I AM ABOUT TO CUT MY WRISTS!


HOW MANY THINGS CAN GO WRONG WHEN I WANT TO PLAY!


I DONT KNOW SQUAT ABOUT IT BUT ITS PISSING ME OFF!















i7 HERE I COME.. SCREW INTEL PQUAD 






go ahead.. erase them ...   I'm way ahead of you   

It goes through the entire shutdown process,.. Windows sign-off, music.. monitor shuts down, but the tower stays on?

Hmmmmmm

That is strange

It sounds like a BIOS. not Windows setting however I would make sure  Windows is set to Always On, and Hibernate is disabled.

Also, in Winodws.. check to see what is set for the POWER BUTTON feature in the power properties - advanced tab

Make sure the power button is set to SHUT DOWN and sleep is set to DO NOTHING

In the BIOS:

note: i'm typing these from memory so they may not be exactly the same

Power

Suspend Mode [Auto]
Repost Video on S3 Resume [Disabled]
ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled] //ENABLED for older PCI cards
ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]


APM Configuration

Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]
Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled]
Power On By External Modems [Disabled]
Power On By PCI Devices [Disabled]
Power On By PCIE Devices [Disabled]
Power On By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]


I do use Qfan control under the hardware monitor with Speedfan in Windows to control fan speeds

CPU Q-Fan Control [Enabled]

CPU Fan Profile [Performance]

Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled]

Chassis Fan Ratio [80%] //too low may cause problems

Chassis Target Temperature [34°C] //set by tuning for the system needs

0901 - heard they were having troubles with 1003.

Updated chipset.

XP64 usenet group had a headsup - something about Fast User Switching being hidden when using Classic menus. I usually turn it off but in this case the option was greyed out. I'll reset the windows to XP normal and see what happens.

Other thing I didn't try was a quick push of the power button to see if system 'returns'.

vgbaron wrote on Jan 7^th, 2009 at 9:19pm:




Sure do...

but now a days I pay someone else to take care of my spare time things for me

like the Playboy 55th Anniversary Edition Cessna Mustang 510 I just ordered




http://mustang.flight1.net/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=483


http://mustang.flight1.net/cmx_landing.aspx

We got the Cesssna seal of approval on how that aircraft looks, works and flys in the sim. Their engineers say it matches the real world version very close

It has a full Garmin 1000 so the system needs to be a good one to run her. A real Garmin trainier (real pilot Garmin simulation without FSX) will bring a system to its knees and the one in the Mustang is no slouch.. its that real but F1 managed to get a G1000 working dang near perfect in that girl.

This probably doesn't belong in hardware any longer but:

did a full format and install of XP64 w/SP2 from Newegg -

System shutdown gets "shutting down message" then mouse cursor freezes, sreen turns blue background ( not bsod), HDD's shut down but all fans, coolers etc remain on. Nothing I tried would wake system. Held power in for 5 seconds to power down.

REALLY strange!

after all updates it's back to shutting down the screen and HDD but not the system.

BIOS settings are as you outlined in a post above.

Reg setting is ok

Did the install at 3.6 clock - no problems. Other than shutdown, everything is moving along nicely.

I'll keep digging at it - gotta be some obscure setting that didn't take for some reason.

BTW, ordered the Mustang - won't d/l it until I get FSX back up tho.

If you think of someting else to try on this shutdown thing, let me know - I'll worry at it until I figure it out.

Yes, I saw that

If you are completely updated and Windows is shutting down fast without hanging.. and the system is simply not powering down, I would have to question either the chipset drives or the motherboard BIOS

Well, for now, I've run out of ideas. Reset clock to stock, flashed BIOS to 1003, formatted & reinstalled XP64 - tried shutdown b4 installing chipset drivers - same problem.

Installed chipset drivers - same issue.

Ran it and desktop remained as it was but hdd shut down.

it's like it goes into sleep mode but won't wake up. Help power button in until shutdown. Restart - click start/ control panel - wait 32seconds before it showed - after that - fast as hell.

edit: LOL! Figures - just on a hunch, I selected Standby mode instead of shutdown - yup - it shut down completely.

I may have to rma the board AGAIN - I'm getting pretty good an whipping these things in and out of the case.

ok, Nick - will do.

Interesting - wnet into safe mode - same problem.

Spoke to Asus - they won't RMA the board becuz they say it's an OS issue - probably right.

Will run thru the devices and go from there.

I'll let you know.

thanx

I'll dl the software and try BUT I've identified the problem but dont what to do. If I disable the secondary IDE channels - system shuts down BUT I don't have all of my HDD's

ran xp spy - no change

OK so we have an IDE driver system not playing nice

I thought this may be ACPI hardware related

What is connected to the secondary IDE channel specifically, and is that device IDE or SATA in nature?

A SATA drive can be driven from an ADVANCE SATA interface or a ENHANCED IDE interface from the board.. let me check on the drivers for this board and see if you missed something

When you installed this system in the BIOS under the SATA Controls did you select the AHCI or ENHANCED IDE option?


and

did you install this driver for your SATA ports

Version 1.2.0.57

   Description Marvell 88SE6111 SATA Controller Driver V1.2.0.57 for Windows XP/Vista & 64bit XP/Vista. 

OK...

In order for AHCI to install correctly you MUST install Windows CLEAN with AHCI enabled in the BIOS

Once Windows is installed on it you can THEN shut it down and switch to ENHANCED IDE

I run ENHANCED however I DO install install Windows with AHCI enabled first

So perhaps that is the key here. Having the advanced BIOS register to Windows may make the difference

Now, as I recall there are 2 different versions ove the marvel SATA ports. Ones for SATA and ones for RAID which include the Intel Matrix AHCI driver

I need to look up that manual and see exactly what the layout is here to be sure that not installing that is OK on all ports.. I can not remember and I can not look at it tonight

If I were you, I think I would enable the devices in the BIOS and go ahead and run the 2 driver installers. You can always shut down things after in the BIOS but just to be sure, install all the device drivers and see what happens

you can kill the Intel Matrix Storage Manager on Windows boot in the registry or MSCONFIG.. wont hurt anything

I cant remember if the Matrix AHCI driver is for RAID only or if it is used for both AHCI and RAID on that board... so lets just be sure here.

OK.. lets just leave it

Something about those drives does not seem to like IDE EHANCED

Now I know when you switch from AHCI to ENHANCED you must F10 save and exit then reenter the BIOS and usually you must make sure the correct drive is selected for boot.

However If all else fails, just leave it on AHCI


The problem is the ENHANCED IDE driver in use is not addressing ACPI correctly to power down

If I tell you will you get upset?

vgbaron wrote on Jan 9^th, 2009 at 10:12pm:



Yes.. you will lose perf on performance hard drives such as WD Raptors. They are being pounded by NCQ, a unneeded cache and read-ahead feature only network servers can take advantage of

Dont have cow.. its not a massive drop in perf but you know every cycle counts.

So just go with what you have.

Whats really strange is you can not shut down AHCI and switch over to ENHANCED IDE. Usually on reboot you go into Windows and windows then installs the ENHANCED IDE driver for the system automatically.. then you reboot again with a huge list of primary and secondary IDE's showing up.. the same number as the SATA ports on the board

Why its not working that way for you is strange.

vgbaron wrote on Jan 9^th, 2009 at 10:23pm:



let it reboot BACK into Windows before you screw with that to be sure the Windows Updates are registered!

then shut down and try

Somthing does not like the change

Just leave it

The change to the 64bit OS alone will probably overcome the loss so dont worry about it


Im off to bed   got the flu