Two questions pertaining to my GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard.

[JWT2k6]

I have two questions pertaining to the X38-DQ6 motherboard.

1) I'm trying to use the Q-Flash utility with a USB flash drive to flash my bios. I press END during the POST screen, the utility pops up, but it doesn't detect my flash drive at all. It is an FAT32 formatted flash drive, so it should be able to detect it. Any help on this?

2) I have 3 1GB sticks of RAM installed on my computer currently (Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066 PC2-8500). I've tested all 4 sticks seperately in all 4 slots (16 tests total) on the motherboard, and they all work fine. So I have these 3 sticks of RAM in the machine currently, and it works fine. However, when I try to install the fourth stick of RAM on the computer, I start getting memory errors (This is using the memory tester utility booted from a Vista disc). Any idea on what the problem could be? I've heard that you have to reduce voltages or something like that. I've also heard that this RAM could just be incompatible with a X38-DQ6 (This sounds a lot less likely). If I could get help on this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[rhansme]

I'm not sure why you would press end to enter the Q Flash utility. You need to press the "delete button" to enter the bios screen. There will be instructions to enter the "q flash" utility at the bottom of the screen. F12 or something like that.

As for your memory you will need to adjust your memory voltage in the bios. Most likely you will need to set it at 2.1V to get your ram to run stable with all 4 stick present.

I have 8GB of ram installed and they work perfectly at 2.1V, and I have used the "Q Flash utility" several times to upgrade the bios with a thumb drive.

[Lsdmeasap]

You must leave the USB Stick in when you reboot to Qflash. And you need to enable Legacy USB Storage Detect in the Integrated Peripherals page (Disable when you are done unless you plan to later use a USB Storage device)

Crucial does not work very well with GA boards, Just a heads up right up front.

Vista's Memory test is junk, use Memtest86+

Yes you make some voltage changes. You need to Increase not decrease voltages. You need to set a few things for 4GB. One would be you will need to set tRFC (Refresh to Act Delay) to 52-65, and you will need to manually set your DDR2 voltage to +.3 = 2.1V.

You will also need to add some MCH voltage, likely between +.1 and +.2

You may also want to see this now, incase you can get your $$ back on that Ballistix >>> X38/X48 Ballistix Tracers Compatibility Dropped

If you cant Return for a refund let me know and I will post a full set of timings for you to try, that will likely not help since you now have 2 things working against that ram and your board

[JWT2k6]

I just returned my memory to the local computer store for OCZ Reaper 2x2GB PC2-8500 RAM. They're pretty awesome. So I don't have anymore memory errors.... for now.

I've left the stick in and rebooted the computer, but it still doesn't detect it. I'll try it again, but I'm pretty sure it isn't going to work.

I think I read somewhere that your HDD has to be formatted in FAT32 for it to work as well... but I'm not very keen on that idea.

EDIT: Also, I am really wanting to completely optimize my BIOS settings (After flashing, of course). I've done some initial optimization (disabling ports I'll never use, etc. etc.) but I want to get the most out of my RAM, video card, etc. etc. without overclocking anything (Is that even possible?). I guess I'm mostly interested in optimizing my memory settings.

[JWT2k6]

Well, I've done some messing around since I really want to get this thing reformatted tonight...

I was messing with the boot priority, and changed the first boot device to USB-HDD. I saved, restarted, and went into Q-Flash, and it saw two Floppy drives - Floppy A and Floppy B. Floppy B is the standard one that does nothing, but when I hit enter on Floppy A, it sits there for a few seconds then returns a disk read error. I made some progress, but still haven't arrived to a solution yet. :P

I want to know the best way for me to flash my BIOS WITHOUT a floppy drive, and with the least amount of risk involved. To me, this sounds like using Q-Flash with a USB flash drive.

[Lsdmeasap]

Nothing needs to be FAT32 for it to work (Unless you mean Qflash with a USB stick yes) but other then that I am not sure what you mean.

Your Main OS hard drive does not need to be FAT32 for sure if that is what you meant.

If you meant memtest86+ no, it only needs to be burnt correct onto a CD as a ISO image (If you need help there let me know, as it is NOT The same as burning any other Data or Music, ect to a CD) or ran from a floppy

If you meant Qflash must be FAT32 yes, that is correct.

You can flash using a USB Stick, must be FAT32 as said above or FAT16 either will do. Legacy USB Storage Detect Must be enabled as well in Integrated Peripherals page. That is it. And then put the BIOS only file on the USB and leave it in when you reboot to Qflash. The one Name BIOS_Filename_Example.FX <<<< X is the BIOS #

If you do have a actual floppy drive this is way easier, just put the .FX file on the Floppy. Then go in qflash and select the Floppy. You should have First Boot device set to Floppy not USB-HDD, although this does not matter as Qflash will read from the floppy anyway. You should have (If you have a floppy installed) your boot order as this >>>

Floppy >>> Hard Drive With OS >>> CD/DVD Drive

You can also make a FAT32 1GB partition on your Hard drive and put the BIOS files there and from Qflash you will then be able to choose Disk/HD as well and see BIOS files within this 1GB partition


I think maybe you are trying to use the BIOS_Filename_.exe

If this is the case that wont work, that exe is a SFX file (Self extracting file) made to extract the BIOS file (.F10 << Example of F10 Bios File extension) along with the DOS flash based utility to a Floppy drive, to flash in DOS. You can double click this EXE though and let it put all 3 files onto a floppy and Qflash will see only the needed BIOS file.

But if you want to use USB or the 1GB partition way you will need to extract the BIOS file out of the exe. To do this you will need winrar, here is the trial >>>>
http://rarlab.com/download.htm

Scroll down and download "WinRAR 3.71"


Then after you install this, you will right click the exe BIOS file and choose Extract Here. 3 files will be extracted, only the .F7 (Again .F7 is a example of a F7 BIOS file extension name) will be needed to flash. This .F file is the actual BIOS file and is the only one you need to flash with any of the above 3 methods

[JWT2k6]

On the FAT thing, I just meant the USB stick to use with QFlash. I am using a Lexar JD Firefly USB stick, if you need that information.

Also, I do not have a floppy drive at all - that's why I want to use QFlash with a USB stick.

In my particular case, I am using X38DQ6.F9D. That is the only file that is on my USB stick right now.

But anyways..... I have the stick in my computer right now. It is formatted in FAT32. It has the bios file on it. And when I reboot my computer and go into QFlash, it does not see the stick.

[Lsdmeasap]

Ok, Yeah USB Must be FAT32 or FAT16

Did you try another USB slot? Have you reformatted the USB disk again and put the file back on it and tried again?

Did you enable Legacy USB Storage Detect?

If all of the above seems to still fail do you know how to make a new partition? If so make a new partition on the END of your disk as FAT32 and put the BIOS file there.

If you need help doing this let me know and I will help you.

[JWT2k6]

I've tried all your suggestions, and they didn't work. So yes, I guess I'll have to make a partition. And no, I do not know how to do that. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Lsdmeasap]

OK

I will be making you a tutorial right now, just incase you see me answering others and not your thread.

It will be a few minutes