The A8V Case Files
:: The A8V Case Files ::
A big "Thank You" to all you guys.
Case 1: BioVader
System Specs:
A8V Deluxe Rev. 2.0,Athlon 64 3500+ NewCastle OC'd 2500 (10x250)
Thermaltake Pipe101 Hs,Corsair TwinX 1024-3200C2PT
ATI X800XT PE (Flashed Pro),SB Audigy 2ZS,
2 SATA Hatachi 80gig HD (non Raid) (Promise IDE)
1 Sony DVD,1 Optorite 8X DVD-R
PSU (400w CompUSA PSU) 1.5yrs old
Symptoms/Problems:
The problem is that I'm randomly locking up usually while in a game. It always locks up while in game with the same pitched tone. Also every morning when I wake up it's either locked up on the screensaver or it's locked up in power save mode and I have to reboot.
Back to while in game. It seems like I can play for a while and then all of a sudden I'll freeze, Reboot and jump back in the game. Then pretty much 90% of the time I'll freeze again within 30 sec.The computer didn't come out of sleep mode causing me to reboot.
Bios settings:
(Waiting for member input)
Analysis and Remedial attempts by the user:
1.Tried moving the sound card to different slots, which has not helped.
2.Uninstalled the Audigy and went with onboard, which didn't help.
3.Ran memtest (newest version) with no errors.
4.Pulled the HS off and reapplied AC5.
5.Done several formats with no change. Using both VIA and now Promise.
6.BIOS: Yesterday I downgraded my bios from the 1009.05 to the 1007 drivers (There is a downgrade bios option in the Asus windows flash program). Anyhow I didn't experience any problems over night. With that in mind I was kind of bummed since I had all the new hardware coming.
7.Today I installed my new PSU and checked the voltages. In the bios the 12v line is steady at 12.16. Using speedfan, I have a deadline at 11.55v. I think I seen it drop maybe twice for a second after watching it for about 15 minutes. The vcore is kind of all over the place but I really don't care at the moment since I'm running stock/auto everything (2.2ghz/mem 3-3-3-8.)
8.New WD raptor installed using the VIA controller. Did this since I really didn't have any problems when I first used VIA unless I tried to go over 170HTT. Seeing as how I had the same problem with the promise over 170. Also I didn't like how the XP promise boot drivers are not digitally signed.
9. Unknown Devices detected by Windows.
My Suggestions:
1. In an earlier post I had mentioned ACPI (Advance Configuration and Power Interface) as a possible cause of system instability.
THIS article confirms what I've suspected all along.
2. Disable all power saving options. Especially S3 on Post in the BIOS. Again I'm hoping my initial guess was correct. Look
HERE for more info. It is a BIOS fix page (NOT A8V) where a similar problem for another totally different system has been described.Ignore the system type and please pay attention to the symptoms mentioned in the BIOS fix.
3.Disable SUSPEND MODE and QUICK BOOT.
4.PCI Delay Transaction may need to be enabled.
More information can be found
HERE
5.Enable AGP Calibiration. More information can be found
HERE
7.PCI Latency Timer may need to be tweaked. Play around and see what suites you
best.
Measures which worked/Current Status:
1. Sqeualing lock-ups traced to a Creative SB Audigy problem (please look at the latest issue section).
2. Switching the Audigy to a different PCI slot, temporarily fixed immediate lock-ups. Still locks up when woken up after entering sleep mode.
3. Well my system seems to be almost back to full steam. Only problem is I had to install the VIA Video drivers to get my card to run 4 or 8x. For some reason when I installed SP2,
windows didn't load AGP 3.0 Support.
4. The two unknowns I was talking about earlier must be something to do with the radeon theatre chip because while trying to figure out why I wasn't able to run at 4 or 8x, I installed the latest ATI drivers. That's when drivers where installed for the two unknowns. For some reason the omega driver skipped these two during the install. Now being back to the omega driver I guess I have to deal with it.
5. Still can't fugure out why i had to install the via 4-1 video support.
Case 2: Eldonko CASE CLOSED
System Specs:
A8V Deluxe Rev. 2.00, Athlon 64 3500+ NewCastle OC'd 2300 (11x210)
BIOS 1005.021,OCZ PLATINUM Edition, Dual Channel Series, PC3700 EL 466MHz, 1024MB (2x512), GeForce 6800GT, ULTRA X-Connect,
500W ATX PS with 2 80mm Fans, Seagate 200GB Barracuda 7200.7 Serial ATA 8MB Cache, Thermalright XP-120.
Symptoms/Problems:
My system works fine when I run at stock speeds however, even when I do a minor OC to 2300 (210X11) I get instability. I have tried a number of things so far and am stumped. Specifically, everything freezes. When I'm just sitting on desktop, when I'm in a game, when my screensaver is up, etc. No noises, no blue screen, no error messages, just freezes.
Bios settings:
2.5-3-3-8
Memclock Mode: Limit 2:1 DDR400
1T, 4 beats
Bank interleaving: enabled
FSB: 210
CPU Mult: 11
AGP/PCI Freq: 66.66/33.33
DDR Volt: 2.8v
AGP Volt: 1.5v
CPU Voltage: 1.6v
HT: 800 (4xLDT)
C&Q disabled
Analysis and Remedial attempts by the user:
1.When I built my rig a few months ago, I immediately flashed in BIOS 1008.003. However I realized I had no AGP/PCI lock and guessed that that may be a cause for OC instability. So I flashed 1005.021 (only 1005.021 and 1005.022 enable a lock), cleared cmos, fixed all my settings.
2.I tried using the AI OC feature, it was stable but gave huge temps (70C+ @ 7% OC!) and a vcore of 1.72+ which was scary so I went to manual settings.
3.Next I thought the problem may be because my LDT was at 5 and 5x210>1000. I changed HT to 800 (which is 4x LDT). So I tried 800Mhz, which should have given me stability with 210FSB (201-250 = 4xLDT or 800MHz setting). Didn’t work.
4.I enabled AGP 3.0 Calibration Cycle
5.RAM settings - I adjusted FSB and RAM settings about 20 different times, trying basically every combination possible.
- I tried setting RAM @ 5:3 so it wouldn't go over 200, and used multipliers ranging from (9.5x252-10x225).
- I tried loosening settings (tried 2-3-2-6, 2-3-3-8, 2.5-3-3-8, 2.5-3-3-11, etc)
- I tried using 2T
*Goal:*
Ideally I want to run my RAM @ 1:1 and FSB@ 240 x 10= 2400Mhz.
*Notes:*
Voltages and temperatures have been fine throughout the process. I monitor everything constantly with probe, PCpTray0945, CPU-Z.
My Suggestions:
1. Set everything to AUTO and read off those settings by using CPUz or Sandra. Now, get back into the BIOS and use the settings you noted down. The only difference here is that YOU set the VCore.
2. AGP Voltage to 1.6V
3. HTF to 5 x LTD. Strangely this is the best value! I'm at 258 x 10 (increased OC yesterday by running at 3-4-4-10) and HTF 5 x LTD!
4. What Sound Card do you have? Did you try switching PCI slots??
5. Look at my suggestions for BioVader and try 2, 4, 5, 7.
Measures which worked/Current Status:
Stability!
1. The only thing that worked:
I set AI OC to 10%, booted to windows, then went back into BIOS. I changed OC to manual and left all AI 10% settings except I changed the vcore to 1.625 from 1.7 that the AI uses and set AGP to 1.6V. Other than that I left everything as the AI OC had it. I’m running @ 220x11=2419Mhz. RAM is @220Mhz so I guess auto is running my RAM @ 1:1. Not the biggest OC, but its all my silly MB will allow.
2. I tightened my timings, upped ram volts, and tried 230x10 with memtest @ 1:1. Ran through fine and things seem to be stable.
Case 3: Nomanor (Rev1.02 Board)
System Specs:
A8V Deluxe Rev. 1.0 (wi-fi),Athlon 64 3800+ NewCAstle OC'd 2580 (12x215),
Zalman 700CU-B Hs, Mushkin Level 2 3500 BH-5, eVGA GeForce Ultra 6800 Extreme Edition (450 / 1200), SB Audigy ,2 SATA Raptor 70gig HDs
1 DVD-Rom,1 DVD-RW,PSU (550w AntecTrue 550)
Symptoms/Problems:
Games crash into windows.
Bios settings:
2-2-2-6
1T
Bank interleaving: enabled
FSB: 215
CPU Mult: 12
AGP/PCI Freq: 66.66/33.33
DDR Volt: 2.8v
AGP Volt: 1.5v
CPU Voltage: 1.65v
HT: 1000
C&Q disabled
Analysis and Remedial attempts by the user:
1. Chage CPU voltage to 1.5 and FSB to 200 (x12) and everything works fine again. I think the problem happenes because of CPU overheating ?
(during 1 particular game it hits 60'C)
My Suggestions:
1.Increase AGP Voltage to 1.6 V
2.Run Prime95 stress test as described
HERE for atleast 14 hours. (Blend Test followed by Max heat generating test)
3.If P95 Fails during Blend Test, relax RAM timings to 2.5-x-x-x, changing each x sequentially to higher values.
If it fails the CPU test, you need to work on your Temps.
4.Download Speed Fan and make a note of Temps, VCore and PSU line voltages.
5.Use the 1005.021 BIOS
Measures which worked/Current Status:
Waiting for Nomanor to update.
Case 4: Moykmoyk (Rev1.02 Board)
System Specs:
A8V Deluxe Rev. 1.02 (wi-fi),Athlon 64 3500+ NewCAstle OC'd 2310 (10x231),
Stock AMD Cooling/Hs (CPU 40C Idle, Mobo 36C), Generic 3-3-3-8 DDR400, Leadtek 6800GT (modded 400/1100 BIOS stock voltage), Onboard realtek sound ,1 standard Seagate 7200.7 80gig HD ST380011A
1 ASUS CDRW,475W HEC PSU, 4 80MM Case fans,No PCI cards
Symptoms/Problems:
System isn't stable at 2.4GHz. Prime95 will fail the blend test when it starts with the 8K FFTs, or will fail in a minute after starting the Small FFT test.
Games also hang the system (War3) or crash to desktop (Rome:TW).
Bios settings:
3-3-3-10
1T
Bank interleaving: enabled
FSB: 231
Memclock 5:3
CAS 3
TRCD 3
TRP 3
TRAS 10
Read Preamble AUTO
Max Async Lat AUTO
CPU Mult: 10
AGP/PCI Freq: 66.66/33.33
DDR Volt: tried 2.7/2.8v
AGP Volt: 1.5v
CPU Voltage: 1.525v
HT: 1000
C&Q disabled
Analysis and Remedial attempts by the user:
1. I tried using the 1005.020 and .021 BIOSes
2. Clocked down the graphics card to stock.
3. Used different Vcores (1.5 to 1.65) and Vdimms (2.7 to 2.8)
4. Raised RAM latency to 3-4-4-10 and 3-5-5-10.
5. Tried 9x267, memclock 3:2.
6. Attempted Case file remedy.I Set AI OC to 10%, booted to windows, then went back into BIOS. I changed OC to manual and left all AI 10% settings except I changed the vcore to 1.625 from 1.7 that the AI uses and set AGP to 1.6V. Other than that I left everything as the AI OC had it. I’m running @ 220x11=2419Mhz. RAM is @220Mhz so I guess auto is running my RAM @ 1:1. Not the biggest OC, but its all my silly MB will allow.
7. I tightened my timings, upped ram volts, and tried 230x10 with memtest @ 1:1. Ran through fine and things seem to be stable. Except I didn't use 1.6v AGP, and used the 2.4GHz that came with the 10% OC.
My Suggestions:
From what you have describes, the limiting factor seems to your CPU. Your locks seem to hold so thats a good thing. I'm not sue about your tempratures though. Here's what I'd suggest:-
1.Download CPUz or Rightmark memory analyzer and note down the SPD.
2.Use the Promise SATA Controller instead of the VIA. (If your not on the Promise, your OC may be severly limited.)
3.Download Speedfan and make a note of tempratures at full load.(I suspect your load temps are going to be a bit high because your MoBo temp is way too high.)
4.Note down idle/load temps as you increase VCore. 40C at stock is a bit high.I'm sure you will see a huge jump in temps as you up VCore.
5.You may need to reseat your HS and apply arctic silver. It would be a great idea to lap your HS.
6.Set VDimm to 2.8
7.The 6800GT is a power hog.Use speed fan to monitor voltages.You may find Voltage issues that you haven't really considered.
8.Set AGP Voltage = 1.6 V.
9.Try keeping the ratio at 5:3 (DDR333) and increase HTT. Looks like your RAM break point is 230MHz.Pretty decent.
10.Set VLink Voltage to 2.5V
Measures which worked/Current Status:
1. I decided to change the PCI latency timer from 64 default to 248 (or something like that). Amazingly, I passed the first 8K FFT Test. I'll see If I can lower it more, and test prime95 stable.
(Looks like ^^ has a videocard issue instead of a HDD issue which was comminicated to me through pm)
Case 5: fish eyed
System Specs:
A8V Deluxe Rev. 2.0,Athlon 64 3500+ NewCastle
Zalman CNPS7000B-ALCU Heatsink
Corsair CMX 1024RE-3200 x2 (1 stick installed)
Asus V9999 NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT
2 SATA WD 74GB Raptor’s on Promise Raid (Striped)
2 Plextor DVD-R,1 Plextor CD-R
PSU (500w) Ultra X-Connect
Windows 2000 Pro SP4
Symptoms/Problems:
During POST I receive a 2 beep Parity alarm and a Bad checksum error. I can boot from floppy, cd or hard drive if I skip the BIOS setup by pressing F2. When I enter the BIOS (v 1009.007) booting fails upon exit & save requiring a CMOS jumper reset in order to boot or attempt another change. Performing a hard reboot gives me a blank screen and after approx. 20sec the fans power down slightly, and sometimes a POST vocal cpu o’clocking error. I have CPUZ pictures and ASUS Probe pictures detailing spec’s. Located on my website
http://eastendsoccer.com/index_files/myscores.htm and
http://eastendsoccer.com/index_files/asuspcprobe.htm
Bios settings:
Auto in order to boot.
Analysis and Remedial attempts by the user:
Various.
My Suggestions:
1.First off, what do you mean by setting the BIOS to AUTO mode? If you are setting the AI overclocking mode to AUTO, change that to either Standard (if don't plan on OC'ing) or to Manual, to OC.
2.I need your BIOS settings if you don't mean "AUTO" in the above context.
3.The parity check error usually points to a bad BIOS. Try to flash to the latest stable BIOS.
4.When you press F2 you are loading default settings. Press F1 and try the settings in my guide.
5.Set VCore to 1.550 V to start off . Then you need to bump it up till you reach your desired OC. DO NOT EXCEED 1.675 V. You need to do a stability test with Prime 95 (Look in the General Hardware section for more info) every time you incerase the VCore. Monitor temps and ensure that you don't exceed 54C full load.
6. The fans slow down because by default CPU Fan speed control is enabled. You can disable it.
7.I think all your problems are because you arn't OC'ing manually.
Measures which worked/Current Status:
Waiting for updates.