GA-X48-DS5 Can't get stable even at stock

[NimrodAUS]

Na it is still doing it with the heaps good fan on the NB, Its got to be some sort of MB problem as the SATA is just all over the place. I knew about GA controlling the Purple, thats why I gave it a go, it definatly seems more useable, im on that pc now. but its still playing up I can hear when the HDD just dies off and then spins up, and its not the HDD. Thanks for your post Dark, and VorLon any help or info I can get is always good.

[NimrodAUS]

Well its really annoying cause it wants to work so well, I bet It would sit 3.8ghz no worries, I just need to get this problem sorted. Now even though it has been off for over an hour I turn it on and it says it cant find boot disk. and in bios the HDD is not detected. Come on someone must know.

[VorLonUK]

I can't understand why you've added a chipset fan. I know you are in AUS but 40-50C is Cold in the world of electronics.

Also are you still trying to get it to run at stock - I've admittedly skip read your posts, but I'm not exactly sure where you are, or if you established a decent base config or what.

Are you trying to just prove the board is ok now and hence using the 533Mhz ram.

You should forget about installing Vista or any OS until Memtest reports all is ok.
I have a feeling that if you are not using the ram you wish to use for the build proper, that you will end up going through all this again, when you do.

[NimrodAUS]

Originally Posted by VorLonUK

I can't understand why you've added a chipset fan. I know you are in AUS but 40-50C is Cold in the world of electronics.

Also are you still trying to get it to run at stock - I've admittedly skip read your posts, but I'm not exactly sure where you are, or if you established a decent base config or what.

Are you trying to just prove the board is ok now and hence using the 533Mhz ram.

You should forget about installing Vista or any OS until Memtest reports all is ok.
I have a feeling that if you are not using the ram you wish to use for the build proper, that you will end up going through all this again, when you do.

I put the Fan on there because I read somewere that you should be able to touch it for 10 seconds at least, well i couldnt as it felt real hot. I just wanted to Isolate that as a problem, anyway the fan is gone and I am running with the XMS2 ram which is what i want to run. The problem is NOT RAM i would think, because it does this with any ram, the HDD are turning off and on as they please. ITS NOT POWER OR HDD, so it has to be the MB, I bet ya $50 bucks that if i put an old IDE drive in it would work all day long. That may be my next step as my road trip is cancelled due to road flooding.. (yay)

[NimrodAUS]

Hmm heres a good one for ya, Now my SATA DVD drive is dropping off the radar. Did i mention that it also showed up on a different channel than it was plugged into as well. And yes I have tried without the DVD even plugged in and it still plays up. I currently have DVD in SATA 0 and HDD in SATA A. HDD IS in bios now but DVD Is not. If I re boot it will probably switch.

[NimrodAUS]

OK So here is Memtest with both 2gb XMS 2 Sticks in. 2nd Pass and i think Its found an error. What does this all mean. Anyway Ill pull out the stick that i think is dodgy( wont boot on other computers) and run it again just on 1 stick.

[NimrodAUS]

Also How do you get into the "extra" features in the MB i cannot find a definitive Ram Volts setting anywere. I thought it was Control + F1 but that does jack squat.

[VorLonUK]

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

V2.11 is what you want.....

Ram voltage should be at the bottom of the MIT Screen (scroll down)

You may need to run your XMS at 2.0 volts

Set Performance Enhance = STANDARD.

There are other things you can try and have been covered a zillion times on this forum.

[NimrodAUS]

Thanks for helping me VorLonUK, I have just downloaded the V2.11 r just giving the 3.4 another pass. But it has done 2 and not failed with the one xms I should try the other one by itself. anyway I have been poring through this forum for hours on sata issue and this chipset and i still havent found an answer. So if you have any suggestions on what the hell is going on with my SATA that would be sweet. I dont think ram would cause this issue. Performance Enhance is set to STANDARD. I have my voltages manaul but all normal and its flashing voltages are not optimised or some crap? IDK, 2.0v u say, well i can give it a go.

[VorLonUK]

I have my voltages manaul but all normal and its flashing voltages are not optimised or some crap? IDK, 2.0v u say, well i can give it a go.

That's good news! lol Atleast i know and anyone who is familiar with these boards, that you have got manual control now. When everything is left to Auto, the GB bioses, Increment all and sundry (which can be good) to support the overclock. Sometimes though depending on your configuration that isn't always a good thing and thats when you need manual control.

Edit:-
The screenshot above of course shows an error with 4GB?

Try both sticks individually and if they both pass with memtest 2.11, do this:-

1) Install both sticks (4GB)
2) Set your main timings manually (ie don't use SPD) to 5-5-5-15
3) In the advanced section, set all the sub values to AUTO, BAR; tRFC (Refresh to ACT delay) = 56
4) Try DDR2 Voltage of 1.9 volts, if there are still errors;
5) Try DDR2 Voltage of 2.0volts.

I've forgotten what your SATA problem was. But it's best just to start at one point first. If you are using an uptodate Bios (not beta) and you have Flashed with Q-Flash and loaded up the optimised defaults, then that can be reasonably expected to be ok. I can't remeber exactly what you have done now and the problems you have. Best stick to one thread and sort one thing at a time.

Edit:-
Reference to help you with memory settings:-
Memory Timings Explained W/ Suggested Timings & Memset VS. BIOS