A8N-SLI Deluxe SATA Drive recognition problems

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

System:
Winchester 3000+ (Waiting on the FX 55)
A8N-SLI Deluxe
2 IDE Harddiscs 300 + 250 GB
2 SATA Harddiscs Maxtor 250 + 160 GB
Creative Audigy 4 Pro
ATI X700Pro PEG (Waiting on the 6800 GTs)
Card Reader Front w/USB board connect
Floppy
ASUS E616 DVD ROM
Benq DW1620Pro DVD DL Burner
PSU Be Quiet 470 W with 24 pin connector and PCI Express plug, dedicated 12v
Pin for SLI modus

Hi,
I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are not
being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the BIOS
will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2 minutes,
1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I try
to work with that drive, the computer freezes up. Both SATA drives were on
my previous system, (A7V8X Deluxe), already formatted with files and
partitions. These files and partitions are visible for a while, but then
flat go away. OK, REBOOT, and during the POST, 1 or BOTH of the SATA
drives are no longer there. I'm thinking nVidea SATA controller is faulty.
Both were activated, nVidea and Silicon Image, and I then deactivated the
SI, as I wanted no RAID config. I've also tried the SI SATA slots, but there
is no recognition.Without the SATA Harddiscs, the system appears stable.
BTW, the A7V8X SATA installation was running stable, no problems, for about
a year. Therefore, I believe the Harddiscs not the problem. Any suggestions?
I'm pretty sure I'm taking the board back today, but maybe I'll have the
same prob with the new motherboard.
Dave

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Additionally, I remember installing the Asus Overclock utility on the fresh
Windows install. Is it possible that the overclock utility could damage the
Hard discs by increasing the voltage to the them? Is that possible. I can't
imagine an overclocking tool that would change voltage to Discs.
"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
> System:
> Winchester 3000+ (Waiting on the FX 55)
> A8N-SLI Deluxe
> 2 IDE Harddiscs 300 + 250 GB
> 2 SATA Harddiscs Maxtor 250 + 160 GB
> Creative Audigy 4 Pro
> ATI X700Pro PEG (Waiting on the 6800 GTs)
> Card Reader Front w/USB board connect
> Floppy
> ASUS E616 DVD ROM
> Benq DW1620Pro DVD DL Burner
> PSU Be Quiet 470 W with 24 pin connector and PCI Express plug, dedicated
> 12v
> Pin for SLI modus
>
> Hi,
> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
> not
> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
> BIOS
> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
> minutes,
> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
> try
> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up. Both SATA drives were on
> my previous system, (A7V8X Deluxe), already formatted with files and
> partitions. These files and partitions are visible for a while, but then
> flat go away. OK, REBOOT, and during the POST, 1 or BOTH of the SATA
> drives are no longer there. I'm thinking nVidea SATA controller is faulty.
> Both were activated, nVidea and Silicon Image, and I then deactivated the
> SI, as I wanted no RAID config. I've also tried the SI SATA slots, but
> there
> is no recognition.Without the SATA Harddiscs, the system appears stable.
> BTW, the A7V8X SATA installation was running stable, no problems, for
> about
> a year. Therefore, I believe the Harddiscs not the problem. Any
> suggestions?
> I'm pretty sure I'm taking the board back today, but maybe I'll have the
> same prob with the new motherboard.
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Darkelldar]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

The Hard disks get there own power from the PSU. The MB can't raise the
power to them, But if your PSU is not sufficiant or is damaged the lower
voltage and current to the computer components will cause problems if they
don't get enough power. Your PSU is more than enough for what you are trying
to power. I would look at getting another board, seems the SATA controler is
faulty.


"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:cuvfpb$6fk$00$1@news.t-online.com...
> Additionally, I remember installing the Asus Overclock utility on the
> fresh Windows install. Is it possible that the overclock utility could
> damage the Hard discs by increasing the voltage to the them? Is that
> possible. I can't imagine an overclocking tool that would change voltage
> to Discs.
> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
> news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>> System:
>> Winchester 3000+ (Waiting on the FX 55)
>> A8N-SLI Deluxe
>> 2 IDE Harddiscs 300 + 250 GB
>> 2 SATA Harddiscs Maxtor 250 + 160 GB
>> Creative Audigy 4 Pro
>> ATI X700Pro PEG (Waiting on the 6800 GTs)
>> Card Reader Front w/USB board connect
>> Floppy
>> ASUS E616 DVD ROM
>> Benq DW1620Pro DVD DL Burner
>> PSU Be Quiet 470 W with 24 pin connector and PCI Express plug, dedicated
>> 12v
>> Pin for SLI modus
>>
>> Hi,
>> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
>> not
>> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
>> BIOS
>> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
>> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
>> minutes,
>> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
>> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
>> try
>> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up. Both SATA drives were
>> on
>> my previous system, (A7V8X Deluxe), already formatted with files and
>> partitions. These files and partitions are visible for a while, but then
>> flat go away. OK, REBOOT, and during the POST, 1 or BOTH of the SATA
>> drives are no longer there. I'm thinking nVidea SATA controller is
>> faulty.
>> Both were activated, nVidea and Silicon Image, and I then deactivated the
>> SI, as I wanted no RAID config. I've also tried the SI SATA slots, but
>> there
>> is no recognition.Without the SATA Harddiscs, the system appears stable.
>> BTW, the A7V8X SATA installation was running stable, no problems, for
>> about
>> a year. Therefore, I believe the Harddiscs not the problem. Any
>> suggestions?
>> I'm pretty sure I'm taking the board back today, but maybe I'll have the
>> same prob with the new motherboard.
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...

> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
> not
> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
> BIOS
> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
> minutes,
> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
> try
> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up.

I have the Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA drive. I ran flawlesly in my old A7N8X 2.0
Deluxe and also on the A8N-SLI Deluxe. One problem though: I tried upgrading
to the 1003 BIOS, and the disc didn't even spin up when powering on the
computer. If I removed the SATA cable beforehand, it would spin up, but to
no use of course. I therefore tried hitting Pause during memory testing and
then plug in the SATA cable, and then it worked! OK, this was not a
procedure I would like to do on a daily basis, so I instead flashed the beta
1 of the 1004 BIOS, and the problem went away. My old Seagate PATA disc did
spin up like normal with 1003 BIOS, so I assume something was changed in the
signals from the S-ATA controller. The Maxtor didn't like them for sure.

Not sure if any of this is in any way related to you problems, but you could
try with the latest beta BIOS, if you're running BIOS 1003 now. You can find
it at
ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_939/NVIDIA_Chipset/nForce4_SLI/


Regards,
Steen B.

 

[milleron]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:24:53 GMT, "DarkElldar" <atcompsys@shaw.ca>
wrote:

>The Hard disks get there own power from the PSU. The MB can't raise the
>power to them, But if your PSU is not sufficiant or is damaged the lower
>voltage and current to the computer components will cause problems if they
>don't get enough power. Your PSU is more than enough for what you are trying
>to power. I would look at getting another board, seems the SATA controler is
>faulty.

Both SATA controllers?? Possible but it seems like an unlikely
coincidence. What's common to both SATA controllers is the SATA
cables, and SATA connections are notoriously flaky. It is conceivable
that something could have happened to the cables in the trip from the
old computer to the new one, and a flaky connector could certainly
account for the drives showing up and working momentarily, then
"disappearing." I'd be very interested to know what happens with at
least one new cable.

>"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>news:cuvfpb$6fk$00$1@news.t-online.com...
>> Additionally, I remember installing the Asus Overclock utility on the
>> fresh Windows install. Is it possible that the overclock utility could
>> damage the Hard discs by increasing the voltage to the them? Is that
>> possible. I can't imagine an overclocking tool that would change voltage
>> to Discs.
>> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>> news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>>> System:
>>> Winchester 3000+ (Waiting on the FX 55)
>>> A8N-SLI Deluxe
>>> 2 IDE Harddiscs 300 + 250 GB
>>> 2 SATA Harddiscs Maxtor 250 + 160 GB
>>> Creative Audigy 4 Pro
>>> ATI X700Pro PEG (Waiting on the 6800 GTs)
>>> Card Reader Front w/USB board connect
>>> Floppy
>>> ASUS E616 DVD ROM
>>> Benq DW1620Pro DVD DL Burner
>>> PSU Be Quiet 470 W with 24 pin connector and PCI Express plug, dedicated
>>> 12v
>>> Pin for SLI modus
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
>>> not
>>> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
>>> BIOS
>>> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
>>> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
>>> minutes,
>>> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
>>> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
>>> try
>>> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up. Both SATA drives were
>>> on
>>> my previous system, (A7V8X Deluxe), already formatted with files and
>>> partitions. These files and partitions are visible for a while, but then
>>> flat go away. OK, REBOOT, and during the POST, 1 or BOTH of the SATA
>>> drives are no longer there. I'm thinking nVidea SATA controller is
>>> faulty.
>>> Both were activated, nVidea and Silicon Image, and I then deactivated the
>>> SI, as I wanted no RAID config. I've also tried the SI SATA slots, but
>>> there
>>> is no recognition.Without the SATA Harddiscs, the system appears stable.
>>> BTW, the A7V8X SATA installation was running stable, no problems, for
>>> about
>>> a year. Therefore, I believe the Harddiscs not the problem. Any
>>> suggestions?
>>> I'm pretty sure I'm taking the board back today, but maybe I'll have the
>>> same prob with the new motherboard.
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Ron

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Welp, It's beyond me. This is a perfectly working system, other than it
balks at using the SATA drives. I only want them in an IDE double master
arrangement. No RAID or anything. I have disabled the SI controller in BIOS,
disabled RAID on the nVidia controller, tried new cables, disconnected the
160MB, then reconnected the 160MB and removed the 250MB, then reconnected
the 250MB, and removed both. All WITHOUT power, of course. On booting it is
doing the exact same thing as the first board, only working properly
without the SATA boards. I have reconnected the 160MB (They are both
Maxtors), on my working Asus A7N8X computer, (I'm corresponding with the
group on it), and it recognizes the Disc, although it wouldn't import it,
only connect it as a new disc with fresh partition. I thought, "maybe now
the A8N-SLI will recognize it with the fresh Format", buuut... it still
refuses to "see" the 160 disc, and can only "see" the 250 disc shortly,
before "losing" it, and booting only with the IDE drives. Is it possible
that I have a second bad board. Not likely, but I can't imagine what I am
doing wrong. As I said, the drives "Seem" to be ok, booting on another
computer, but almost invisible to the A8N-SLI. Anyone have any other
suggestions?

"milleron" <millerdot90@SPAMlessosu.edu> wrote in message
news:l228115tn4lo328sece5qenobmeq4t5419@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:24:53 GMT, "DarkElldar" <atcompsys@shaw.ca>
> wrote:
>
>>The Hard disks get there own power from the PSU. The MB can't raise the
>>power to them, But if your PSU is not sufficiant or is damaged the lower
>>voltage and current to the computer components will cause problems if they
>>don't get enough power. Your PSU is more than enough for what you are
>>trying
>>to power. I would look at getting another board, seems the SATA controler
>>is
>>faulty.
>
> Both SATA controllers?? Possible but it seems like an unlikely
> coincidence. What's common to both SATA controllers is the SATA
> cables, and SATA connections are notoriously flaky. It is conceivable
> that something could have happened to the cables in the trip from the
> old computer to the new one, and a flaky connector could certainly
> account for the drives showing up and working momentarily, then
> "disappearing." I'd be very interested to know what happens with at
> least one new cable.
>
>>"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>>news:cuvfpb$6fk$00$1@news.t-online.com...
>>> Additionally, I remember installing the Asus Overclock utility on the
>>> fresh Windows install. Is it possible that the overclock utility could
>>> damage the Hard discs by increasing the voltage to the them? Is that
>>> possible. I can't imagine an overclocking tool that would change voltage
>>> to Discs.
>>> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>>> news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>>>> System:
>>>> Winchester 3000+ (Waiting on the FX 55)
>>>> A8N-SLI Deluxe
>>>> 2 IDE Harddiscs 300 + 250 GB
>>>> 2 SATA Harddiscs Maxtor 250 + 160 GB
>>>> Creative Audigy 4 Pro
>>>> ATI X700Pro PEG (Waiting on the 6800 GTs)
>>>> Card Reader Front w/USB board connect
>>>> Floppy
>>>> ASUS E616 DVD ROM
>>>> Benq DW1620Pro DVD DL Burner
>>>> PSU Be Quiet 470 W with 24 pin connector and PCI Express plug,
>>>> dedicated
>>>> 12v
>>>> Pin for SLI modus
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives
>>>> are
>>>> not
>>>> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
>>>> BIOS
>>>> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card,
>>>> and
>>>> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
>>>> minutes,
>>>> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
>>>> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as
>>>> I
>>>> try
>>>> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up. Both SATA drives were
>>>> on
>>>> my previous system, (A7V8X Deluxe), already formatted with files and
>>>> partitions. These files and partitions are visible for a while, but
>>>> then
>>>> flat go away. OK, REBOOT, and during the POST, 1 or BOTH of the SATA
>>>> drives are no longer there. I'm thinking nVidea SATA controller is
>>>> faulty.
>>>> Both were activated, nVidea and Silicon Image, and I then deactivated
>>>> the
>>>> SI, as I wanted no RAID config. I've also tried the SI SATA slots, but
>>>> there
>>>> is no recognition.Without the SATA Harddiscs, the system appears
>>>> stable.
>>>> BTW, the A7V8X SATA installation was running stable, no problems, for
>>>> about
>>>> a year. Therefore, I believe the Harddiscs not the problem. Any
>>>> suggestions?
>>>> I'm pretty sure I'm taking the board back today, but maybe I'll have
>>>> the
>>>> same prob with the new motherboard.
>>>> Dave
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
> Ron

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

I had this same problem with my Maxtor 250Gb sata drive after I upgraded to
the 1003 bios. I reverted back to 1002 and the problem cleared up. Don't
know why.
"Steen Brusgaard" <sbrusgaard@NOSPAM.tiscali.dk> wrote in message
news:SJRQd.100479$Vf.3903471@news000.worldonline.dk...
>
> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
> news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>
>> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
>> not
>> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
>> BIOS
>> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
>> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
>> minutes,
>> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
>> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
>> try
>> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up.
>
> I have the Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA drive. I ran flawlesly in my old A7N8X
> 2.0 Deluxe and also on the A8N-SLI Deluxe. One problem though: I tried
> upgrading to the 1003 BIOS, and the disc didn't even spin up when powering
> on the computer. If I removed the SATA cable beforehand, it would spin up,
> but to no use of course. I therefore tried hitting Pause during memory
> testing and then plug in the SATA cable, and then it worked! OK, this was
> not a procedure I would like to do on a daily basis, so I instead flashed
> the beta 1 of the 1004 BIOS, and the problem went away. My old Seagate
> PATA disc did spin up like normal with 1003 BIOS, so I assume something
> was changed in the signals from the S-ATA controller. The Maxtor didn't
> like them for sure.
>
> Not sure if any of this is in any way related to you problems, but you
> could try with the latest beta BIOS, if you're running BIOS 1003 now. You
> can find it at
> ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_939/NVIDIA_Chipset/nForce4_SLI/
>
>
> Regards,
> Steen B.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Hi Ed,
thanks for the suggestion. I reflashed, (BTW, going to the older BIOS
meant flashing with the AWDFLASH utility in DOS, sure like doing it in
Windows better) and the Disc was present. I then tried to reconect as a
fresh disc, buuuut... boom, computer freeze. This is my second board, and I
am beginning to think either I have gotten TWO fake Asus boards, or ASUS
quality management has gone to the DOGS. I sure am glad I have the time,
interest, and patience, (not to mention a second operating system) in
getting this system running, because what with the lost time, lost files,
and aggravation, I'd be mental about now. I am beginning to think that, ...
uup... oppp... I DID get a second rotten board! Still waiting for the
verdict on the first board, over at the tech shop of my computer supply. I
will keep posting. Dave


----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Smith" <roturro@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 5:08 AM
Subject: Re: A8N-SLI Deluxe SATA Drive recognition problems


>I had this same problem with my Maxtor 250Gb sata drive after I upgraded to
>the 1003 bios. I reverted back to 1002 and the problem cleared up. Don't
>know why.
> "Steen Brusgaard" <sbrusgaard@NOSPAM.tiscali.dk> wrote in message
> news:SJRQd.100479$Vf.3903471@news000.worldonline.dk...
>>
>> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>> news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>>
>>> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA drives are
>>> not
>>> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and the
>>> BIOS
>>> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic card, and
>>> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to 2
>>> minutes,
>>> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB, will be
>>> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working, or as I
>>> try
>>> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up.
>>
>> I have the Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA drive. I ran flawlesly in my old A7N8X
>> 2.0 Deluxe and also on the A8N-SLI Deluxe. One problem though: I tried
>> upgrading to the 1003 BIOS, and the disc didn't even spin up when
>> powering on the computer. If I removed the SATA cable beforehand, it
>> would spin up, but to no use of course. I therefore tried hitting Pause
>> during memory testing and then plug in the SATA cable, and then it
>> worked! OK, this was not a procedure I would like to do on a daily basis,
>> so I instead flashed the beta 1 of the 1004 BIOS, and the problem went
>> away. My old Seagate PATA disc did spin up like normal with 1003 BIOS, so
>> I assume something was changed in the signals from the S-ATA controller.
>> The Maxtor didn't like them for sure.
>>
>> Not sure if any of this is in any way related to you problems, but you
>> could try with the latest beta BIOS, if you're running BIOS 1003 now. You
>> can find it at
>> ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_939/NVIDIA_Chipset/nForce4_SLI/
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>> Steen B.
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

I arrived at the conclusion that the A8N-SLI BIOS has problems
recognizing Maxtor DiamondMax drives.

BIOS version 1002 would only recognize my DiamondMax 9 intermittently.
But when it was recognized, it had a strange effect on the system where
the machine freeze for a couple of seconds at a time. My DiamondMax 10
would work fine until I upgraded to version 1003 where neither drive
was recognized. Both drives performed flawlessly on my Shuttle XPC.

I ended up replacing them with Hitachi drives.


Edward Smith wrote:
> I had this same problem with my Maxtor 250Gb sata drive after I
upgraded to
> the 1003 bios. I reverted back to 1002 and the problem cleared up.
Don't
> know why.
> "Steen Brusgaard" <sbrusgaard@NOSPAM.tiscali.dk> wrote in message
> news:SJRQd.100479$Vf.3903471@news000.worldonline.dk...
> >
> > "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
> > news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
> >
> >> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA
drives are
> >> not
> >> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and
the
> >> BIOS
> >> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic
card, and
> >> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to
2
> >> minutes,
> >> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB,
will be
> >> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working,
or as I
> >> try
> >> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up.
> >
> > I have the Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA drive. I ran flawlesly in my old
A7N8X
> > 2.0 Deluxe and also on the A8N-SLI Deluxe. One problem though: I
tried
> > upgrading to the 1003 BIOS, and the disc didn't even spin up when
powering
> > on the computer. If I removed the SATA cable beforehand, it would
spin up,
> > but to no use of course. I therefore tried hitting Pause during
memory
> > testing and then plug in the SATA cable, and then it worked! OK,
this was
> > not a procedure I would like to do on a daily basis, so I instead
flashed
> > the beta 1 of the 1004 BIOS, and the problem went away. My old
Seagate
> > PATA disc did spin up like normal with 1003 BIOS, so I assume
something
> > was changed in the signals from the S-ATA controller. The Maxtor
didn't
> > like them for sure.
> >
> > Not sure if any of this is in any way related to you problems, but
you
> > could try with the latest beta BIOS, if you're running BIOS 1003
now. You
> > can find it at
> >
ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_939/NVIDIA_Chipset/nForce4_SLI/
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Steen B.
> >

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:cv41bb$7an$04$1@news.t-online.com...
> Hi Ed,
> thanks for the suggestion. I reflashed, (BTW, going to the older BIOS
> meant flashing with the AWDFLASH utility in DOS, sure like doing it in
> Windows better) and the Disc was present. I then tried to reconect as a
> fresh disc, buuuut... boom, computer freeze. This is my second board, and
> I
> am beginning to think either I have gotten TWO fake Asus boards, or ASUS
> quality management has gone to the DOGS. I sure am glad I have the time,
> interest, and patience, (not to mention a second operating system) in
> getting this system running, because what with the lost time, lost files,
> and aggravation, I'd be mental about now. I am beginning to think that,
> ...
> uup... oppp... I DID get a second rotten board! Still waiting for the
> verdict on the first board, over at the tech shop of my computer supply. I
> will keep posting. Dave
>
>
Hi to all,

I am not sure of the cause, but the A8N-SLI board seems to be working well
with a new Maxtor SATA 2 250MB disc. 2 HDs went up in smoke at once. What
are the odds? Seriously, I don't know what happened to damage both discs,
but I did play with the overclocking solution from Asus (Ai), and set NOS to
110% at one point. It wasn't long, buuut, could just be long enuff. Maybe
the HDs got hit with too much juice? I think I read in an overclocking forum
that first in the 1004 Beta BIOS the system voltage can be configured
independently. Sooo... it's off to see the wiz, ..oop, shop guy and return
the HDs, as they have 2 year warranties. But it looks like I can keep my
faith in Asus, although the possibility that the OC proggy damaged my discs
doth vex me. Thanks again for all suggestions and comments.

BTW, that Ai booster seems to like to sit at 103%, although I have
repeatedly reset it to "Standard". I've even changed CPU and Memory speeds,
and it always returns to 1809.36 MHZ after about 15 secs. Comments?

Dave

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Dave McCaleb wrote:
> I am not sure of the cause, but the A8N-SLI board seems to be working well
> with a new Maxtor SATA 2 250MB disc. 2 HDs went up in smoke at once. What
> are the odds? Seriously, I don't know what happened to damage both discs,
> but I did play with the overclocking solution from Asus (Ai), and set NOS to
> 110% at one point. It wasn't long, buuut, could just be long enuff. Maybe
> the HDs got hit with too much juice? I think I read in an overclocking forum
> that first in the 1004 Beta BIOS the system voltage can be configured
> independently.

The voltage to devices such as (S)ATA drives comes directly from the
PSU, and no setting in your BIOS will change that voltage. So the HD's
couldn't have gotten 'too much juice' unless you have a faulty PSU. I
suppose the problem lies elsewhere. Perhaps the AI overclocking util
also speeds up the SATA controller, and that either the controller or
your drives didn't like that.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

"Oliver Daniel" <oliver@covad.net> wrote in
news:1108822806.437109.309550@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I arrived at the conclusion that the A8N-SLI BIOS has problems
> recognizing Maxtor DiamondMax drives.
>
> BIOS version 1002 would only recognize my DiamondMax 9 intermittently.
> But when it was recognized, it had a strange effect on the system
> where the machine freeze for a couple of seconds at a time. My
> DiamondMax 10 would work fine until I upgraded to version 1003 where
> neither drive was recognized. Both drives performed flawlessly on my
> Shuttle XPC.
>
> I ended up replacing them with Hitachi drives.
>
>
> Edward Smith wrote:
>> I had this same problem with my Maxtor 250Gb sata drive after I
> upgraded to
>> the 1003 bios. I reverted back to 1002 and the problem cleared up.
> Don't
>> know why.
>> "Steen Brusgaard" <sbrusgaard@NOSPAM.tiscali.dk> wrote in message
>> news:SJRQd.100479$Vf.3903471@news000.worldonline.dk...
>> >
>> > "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
>> > news:cutqjg$5m7$04$2@news.t-online.com...
>> >
>> >> I've been working with this system about a week, and the SATA
> drives are
>> >> not
>> >> being recognized . I am using the nVidea SATA slots, IDE mode, and
> the
>> >> BIOS
>> >> will find both SATA HDs on first start up. IDE drives, Graphic
> card, and
>> >> Audigy all recognized and running, but after a few seconds, up to
> 2
>> >> minutes,
>> >> 1 SATA drive just dissappears from Windows. The second, 250 GB,
> will be
>> >> available for a while, but then it too will either quit working,
> or as I
>> >> try
>> >> to work with that drive, the computer freezes up.
>> >
>> > I have the Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA drive. I ran flawlesly in my old
> A7N8X
>> > 2.0 Deluxe and also on the A8N-SLI Deluxe. One problem though: I
> tried
>> > upgrading to the 1003 BIOS, and the disc didn't even spin up when
> powering
>> > on the computer. If I removed the SATA cable beforehand, it would
> spin up,
>> > but to no use of course. I therefore tried hitting Pause during
> memory
>> > testing and then plug in the SATA cable, and then it worked! OK,
> this was
>> > not a procedure I would like to do on a daily basis, so I instead
> flashed
>> > the beta 1 of the 1004 BIOS, and the problem went away. My old
> Seagate
>> > PATA disc did spin up like normal with 1003 BIOS, so I assume
> something
>> > was changed in the signals from the S-ATA controller. The Maxtor
> didn't
>> > like them for sure.
>> >
>> > Not sure if any of this is in any way related to you problems, but
> you
>> > could try with the latest beta BIOS, if you're running BIOS 1003
> now. You
>> > can find it at
>> >
> ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_
939/NVIDIA_Chipset/nForce4
> _SLI/
>> >
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Steen B.
>> >
>

No question about it - there are massive bugs in the Nvidia SATA
firmware or BIOS.

I have a pair of Western Digital Raptors in a stripe set, and a pair of
Maxtor DiamondMax10's in a mirror set. Both are on the Nvidia SATA
ports.

I was having a heck of a time getting the Maxtors to be seen after
updating to the 1003 BIOS.

I learned that if I pull one of the Western Digital Raptor drives, the
Nvidia RAID BIOS loses the DiamondMax10's completely - i.e. like they
are not even there.

If I remove one, but not both, of the DiamondMax10's, the Nvidia RAID
BIOS complains that the Raptor RAID set is has failed and can only see
one of the Raptor drives.

The sequence above is repeatable.

With BIOS version 1002 I had encountered similar difficulty, but not in
a repeatable fashion like now...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

> No question about it - there are massive bugs in the Nvidia SATA
> firmware or BIOS.

Is the nVIDIA firmware upgradeable and is it separate to the motherboard
BIOS?

Thanks, Rob.

PS. I stand by my observation that the A8N-SLI isn't quite ready for
mainstream use Far too many rev 1 issues and quirks...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Rob Nicholson wrote:
> Is the nVIDIA firmware upgradeable and is it separate to the motherboard
> BIOS?

there is a seperate nVidia RAID bios. The A8N-SLI Deluxe Bios 1004 final
is supposed to update the NVRAID bios to version 4.81.
>
> PS. I stand by my observation that the A8N-SLI isn't quite ready for
> mainstream use Far too many rev 1 issues and quirks...

The only thing ready for mainstream use is something that has been tried
and tested, is cheap and offers decent performance. The A8N-SLI is not
about mainstream (yet), but about getting the latest hot new technology,
ultimate performance, and a solid upgradability path. I'd say it's more
for performance junkies, hardware geeks, notorious tweakers or people
with the sense to buy a mobo that will survive the next few upgrades.
All these people know how to flash a bios, how to solve the odd quirk.

Oh, and btw, my setup has been rock solid from the day I put it together
- and I was one of the first to get the board.

 

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Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

milleron wrote:

> What combination of hard drives are you using?

I'm using two Seagate ST3160827AS 160GB NCQ SATA150 drives, with command
queuing enabled, on the nForce SATA controller channel 1 and 2 master,
in a RAID 0 configuration. Like a charm from day one, and NCQ has worked
with every beta bios I've tried - and I've tried nearly all. I'm
currently using bios 1005.003.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

> I have to say that I have noticed that a lot of those (but not
> everyone)who have experienced "no problems" also are only running one
> video card, or are not using the NVRaid, or are not trying to run a SATA
> DVD drive on the Silicon Image controller (that one actually worked for
> me just fine), or aren't trying to use the Nvidia Firewall, etc....

Yes but take all those together and it's a *tidge* too many potential
problems. Knowing my luck, I'd hit them

Rob.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

Hi to All!
Just to update on all this:
The 2 Maxtor drives worked well on my Asus A7V8X system, (yup, the 3rd
system, actually the first, which is now redundant and will be sold to the
highest of 2 bidding friends) so I thought I'd leave it at that and chalk it
up to bad experience. On my A8N-SLI board, I just installed the SATA quick
plugs in a free slot in the back, and curious as I am, tried the Maxtors on
the free plugs there. BTW, I updated the BIOS to 1007-02 beta, and lo and
behold, the Maxtors are now operating as removable drives on the new system.
So, I can only think that the BIOS needed to be improved, although I am no
computer speciallist and cannot imagine what was changed in the BIOS to make
that difference. Needless to say, I have a couple of expensive removable
storge discs for the system now. Oh well, in summation, I believe the
A8N-SLI Deluxe BIOS 1006 and up, is now mature enuff for dependable use.
cul8r, Dave
"Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
news:cvc8rf$7e7$02$1@news.t-online.com...
>
> "Dave McCaleb" <boelander@t-online.de> wrote in message
> news:cv41bb$7an$04$1@news.t-online.com...
>> Hi Ed,
>> thanks for the suggestion. I reflashed, (BTW, going to the older BIOS
>> meant flashing with the AWDFLASH utility in DOS, sure like doing it in
>> Windows better) and the Disc was present. I then tried to reconect as a
>> fresh disc, buuuut... boom, computer freeze. This is my second board, and
>> I
>> am beginning to think either I have gotten TWO fake Asus boards, or ASUS
>> quality management has gone to the DOGS. I sure am glad I have the time,
>> interest, and patience, (not to mention a second operating system) in
>> getting this system running, because what with the lost time, lost files,
>> and aggravation, I'd be mental about now. I am beginning to think that,
>> ...
>> uup... oppp... I DID get a second rotten board! Still waiting for the
>> verdict on the first board, over at the tech shop of my computer supply.
>> I
>> will keep posting. Dave
>>
>>
> Hi to all,
>
> I am not sure of the cause, but the A8N-SLI board seems to be working well
> with a new Maxtor SATA 2 250MB disc. 2 HDs went up in smoke at once. What
> are the odds? Seriously, I don't know what happened to damage both discs,
> but I did play with the overclocking solution from Asus (Ai), and set NOS
> to 110% at one point. It wasn't long, buuut, could just be long enuff.
> Maybe the HDs got hit with too much juice? I think I read in an
> overclocking forum that first in the 1004 Beta BIOS the system voltage can
> be configured independently. Sooo... it's off to see the wiz, ..oop, shop
> guy and return the HDs, as they have 2 year warranties. But it looks like
> I can keep my faith in Asus, although the possibility that the OC proggy
> damaged my discs doth vex me. Thanks again for all suggestions and
> comments.
>
> BTW, that Ai booster seems to like to sit at 103%, although I have
> repeatedly reset it to "Standard". I've even changed CPU and Memory
> speeds, and it always returns to 1809.36 MHZ after about 15 secs.
> Comments?
>
> Dave
>