Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

[zaone]

I have some weird problem when enabling AHCI with this board. I have an WD6400AAKS hdd and when AHCI is enabled in bios i have some issues under windows (vista), when i try to copy something from one partition to another, try to install something or try to download something with speeds higher tham 1 MB the system freezes for a sec or two and then comes back and freezez again and so on untill i finish what i`m doing. I looked in my bios settings and after playing with them for a while i`ve noticed that when the hdd is in IDE mode it works fine, no issues or freezes whatsoever but when i turn it to AHCI mode it starts giving me freezes. I`ve used the latest version of bios for this boatd, beta f3e and the last official one , F2 but there were no differences between the two. I`ve installed the latest drivers on the Gigabyte site for AHCI and Intel chipset utility. I know i could just disable AHCI and use IDE but i was hoping not to get to that, can anyone help me on this?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

First IDE is really SATA so dont let it make you think it is that much slower because it says IDE, it is just GA's way of saying SATA mode in the BIOS. Alot of boards say it this way

Second, when you installed your System did you install the Pre OS driver with the F6 method (Or in vista's case the load driver method)? If not that is likely why you are having issues, you MUST install the driver during OS install

Did you check to make sure there is NO jumper on your disk? Some ship with them and some do not, if you have on on there please remove it

Also, what do you have PCIE Freq Set on in the BIOS? If you are overclocking, or not really you should manually set it to 100

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Well actually i tried installing the OS with those drivers but it didn`t want to, i really don`t know why, the hdd has no jumpers on it, i checked and the PCI-E clock is set to auto.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Set PCIE to 100

Maybe you tried using the wrong driver, vista does have a Built in one but that is a "Generic" one and you should be using this one during Pre Install (If you are using the Intel Controller ~ Yellow Ports). This is the 32bit driver, let me know if youw ant 64bit>>>

Intel ICH9R AHCI SATA Download Pre OS Install Driver

Copy those files onto a Floppy or USB disk or CD if you dont have a floppy/USB and point the vista Installer to them

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Thanks for the link, i`ll do a fresh install later and i`ll be back with the results. I have a question though, are you and employee of Gigabyte also? I sent the a mail and unfortunately they haven`t responded yet although i checked on their Global Technical Site and i saw my question status change from : the mail will be processed to the mail is being read.. But noone has responded so far.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Good luck, And no I dont work for Gigabyte, just hear to help when I can

Be sure you set your BIOS properly for AHCI >>
SATA RAID/AHCI Mode >>>>> AHCI
SATA Port0-3 >>> Enabled

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Those options were set before, ide was disable, smart was enabled, and curiously with a vista instalation disk it didn`t want to install windows, it only works with a vista sp1 pack while AHCI is enabled.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

The bottom/middle SATA settings you mention have nothing to do with the Intel Controller, only the GA/J.Micron one using the purple ports. Just letting you know this because what you set those to does not matter to anything on a yellow or orange controller

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

I know i know i was just saying, well in a few mins i`ll try to do a clean install and see if it works and how it works afterwards.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Ok, Just wanted to be sure ya knew.

Good luck, and I will see ya later today

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

The install is done, I used a disk to load the AHCI drivers befor starting the install, unfortunately the problem has not been fixed.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Are these new drives? Either way you should test the disks to be sure they are notalmost dead or dying >>>


HDD Health v3.3

I should also tell you ram can also sometimes cause this issue, incompatible ram or incorrect settings. What ram is it you have, and how much in what configuration? Also what CPU so I can suggest some settings for you below

And what are the settings in the MIT section you are using? >>>

Just a template I use to ask people there settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours, and add anything that is not listed

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [102]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]
Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________ 1-31
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 1-31

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

Ok so 1st of all I checked the hdd with Western Digital`s software and it was ok, I also tested it with hd tune pro and there were no problems with it,it`s a brand new hard drive I bought it a few weeks ago. I have an e8400 with 2 GB DDR 2 Corsair at 1000 mhz 5-5-5-15.I had a WD2500AAKS before running on this board and had absolutely no issues with it whatsoever so i don`t know what to say, i have a Fortron 400 PNF PSU but i don`t think that`s the problem, the rest of my system is a Ati 3850, DVD-RW unit and a PCI Ethernet card so i don`t think that my PSU is at it`s limit, I tend to blame the drivers, or the BIOS I don`t really know which of them and i still have no reply from my mail sent to Gigabyte.
My BIOS settings are as follows :
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]
Performance Enhance = [EXTREME]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________ 1-31
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 1-31

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.200V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Auto]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Auto]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Auto]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Auto]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

That PSU may just be cutting it, and could be the issue. 400 W is not much with all that you have. It also likely does not put out enough on the 12V rail for your GFX card + everything else. I would suggest you upgrade this to a 500 or above, and do not ever skimp on price in buying a PSU

And there could also be something wrong with the firmware for your HD since you said you other had no issues

What is that ram Rated at? 800 or 1066?

Try this >>>

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15/18

Start with settings at highest suggested for now
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________3-4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 9-11
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 3-5
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 38-42 (For 2x1GB) and 52-62 (For 2x2GB)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3-6
Static tRead Value_______________ 7-10
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 1-31 << Leave always

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] << For stability
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] << For stability
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] << For stability
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Auto]

[zaone]

Re: Gigabyte EP35C DS3R AHCI problems

I really don`t know what to say about the PSU it has 18A on two 12V rails,and about the firmware there are two firmwares for my hdd i seem to have bough the one that has less speed and higher access time with aam on low but noone reported freezes and such besides it works perfectly fine in IDE mode.