Asus p5W DeLuxe Intel 2 Quad 8Gb bios reports 3.2

Just to be clear, you are checking from the BIOS screen, not from within Windows, correct?

Yes here is bios info:

I am wondering if I have selected correct settings for the amibios to ensure that the memory that could
be used by the OS is made available to it.

Bios reports presence of 8G but only identifies 3.2G available.

Here is Bios Info:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bios Setup Utility v02.58 American Megatrends
Reports
Amibios
Version :1602
Build date: 11/08/06

Processor
Type :Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz
Speed: 2524Mhz
Count :4

System memory
Total :8192MB
Appropriated :896MB
Available :3200MB

Advanced CPU settings shows

Cache L1 :32KB
Cache L2 :8192 KB
Cache L3 :0 KB

Ratio Status : Unlocked (Max:09, Min:06)
Ratio Actual Value :9
Modify Ratio Support : Disabled
Microcode Updation Enabled
Max CPUID Value Limit Disabled
Execute Disable Function Disabled
Enhanced C1 Control Disabled
Virtualization Technology Enabled
Intel SpeedStep (tm) Disabled

Chipset
Configure DRAM Timing by SPD Disabled
Dram CAS# 5 Clocks
RAS# 5
RAS# to CAS# 5
RAS# Activate to Pre 18
Dram Write recovery 5
DRam ECC Mode Disabled
Hyper Path 3 Auto
Dram Throttling Threshold Auto
Memory Remap Feature Disabled [This one I am particularly doubtful about -- see below]
Boot Graphic Adapter PCI Express/PCI
PEG Buffer Length Auto
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am wondering if the memory remap feature was selected correctly before installing the OS and if not
does that have anything to do with not being able to incled the additional $G in available memory.

If it is not correct should I simply change it or are additional steps needed (e.g changes to the windows configuration?)

Sorry -- but I do not understand the implications of these options!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Boot.ini file reads:
+++++++++++++++
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /PAE
OS is win prof x64 with SP2.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




David

Change the Memory remapping in the BIOS

1Haplo

I assume you meant P5W DH Deluxe? If so, BIOS 1602 would be at least nine BIOS versions and two years out-dated. I'm surprised 8GB is even able to get beyond POST. If board is P5W DH Deluxe, you can use this bootable BIOS update CD image I created for BIOS 2704:

http://s89934018.onlinehome.us/BIOS/P5WDHD2704.iso

Sorry, I don't have one for BIOS 2801 (latest version). Standard ISO image that should be compatible with any CD burning application. After burning the CD, you should find a README file on the CD for further instructions.

Remove the /PAE switch from boot.ini. 64-bit OS don't support PAE.

Ok Thanks for that. I have now hit a problem. I believe I have inadvertently made some changes in the bios which have resulted in windows failing to boot. The OS is installed on the EZ-backup drives. I cannot find the original CD which has the detailed instructions for managing the ez-raid system. The fuill instructions for this are nopt in the printed manual.
I recall there was a setting that had to be made to enable the system to boot from a raid on the ez-backup raid. Can anyone help me through this -- the file is on the manufacturer's CD along with other manuals.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.

BTW when I changed the memory remapping in the bios the 8G are reported. But right now I have no way to boot up in windows!!!

I have just made some changes to the bios .. some progress but not a full solution yet!!
I configured sata as Raid for the second raid system and the Boot sequence now shows:
1st Drive : [RAID:External Disk]
2nd Drive : [RAID: Intel Library]

On boot up I now get the windows failed to boot options. Last known good config and all other options do not enable the system to boot. Safe mode shows the system loading the files from the drive and like Last known good config puts the system into reboot
I am suspecting something incorrectly set in the bios.

Just adding some more detailed information.

Here is a full reading of the BIOS settings after upgrading the BIOS - Many thanks for the image.

There is still the same problem -- cannot get past the windows apologising for the inconvenience - boot failure screen and an immediate reboot.

Here are the Bios settings

(BTW the Last File shown on safe mode list of accessed files
system32\acpitabl.dat)

Bios Settings
Main
_____
++++
Primary IDE Slave 32 Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]
IDE Configuration
Configure Sata As [RAID]
OnBoard Serial-ATA BOOTROM [Enabled] NOTE if altered to Disabled system does not

reach the windows "failed to boot" options
*****System Information
Bios Setup Utility v02.58 American Megatrends
Reports
Amibios
Version :2704
Build date: 03/20/08

Processor
Type :Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz
Speed: 2400Mhz
Count :4

System memory
Total :8192MB
Appropriated : 0MB
Available :8192MB
++++++++
Advanced
________
+++++++
*****Jumper Free Configuration
AI Overclocking [Auto]
Performance Mode [Auto]
Digital Home Mode [Disabled]
Lan Cable Status [Disabled]
USB Configuration
Module Version - 2.24.0-10.4
USB Devices Enabled
1 Keyboard, 1 mouse, 1 Hub
USB Function [8 USB PORTS]
Legacy USB Support [Auto]
USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

*****CPU Configuration
Manufacturer : Intel
Brand String: Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz
Frequency: 2400Mhz
FSB Speed: 1066

Cache L1 :32 KB
Cache L2 :8192 KB
Cache L3 : 0 KB

Ratio Status: Unlocked (Max:09, Min:06)
Ratio Actual Value :9
Modify Ratio Support [Disabled]
Microcode Updation [Enabled]
Max CPUID Value Limit [Disabled]
Execute Disabl;e Function [Disabled]
Enhanced C1 Control [Disabled]

CPU Internal Thermal Control [Auto]

Virtualization Technology: [Enabled]
Intel (R) Speedstep (tm) tech. [Disabled]

****Chipset

Configure DRAM Timing by SPD [Disabled]
Dram CAS# 5 Clocks
RAS# 5
RAS# to CAS# 5
RAS# Activate to Pre 18
Dram Write recovery 5
DRam ECC Mode Disabled
Hyper Path 3 Auto
Dram Throttling Threshold Auto
Memory Remap Feature [Enabled] - This setting makes the 8G Visible
Boot Graphic Adapter PCI Express/PCI
PEG Buffer Length [Auto]
Link Latency [Auto]
PEG Root Control [Auto]
PEG Link Mode [Auto]
Slot Power [Auto]

***** On Board Devices
HD Audio Controller [Enabled]
HD Audio Mode [Non-Vista]
Front Panel Support Type [AC97]
Onboard 1394 Controller [Enabled]
Onboard PCIE GbE LAN_1 [Enabled]
Onboard PCIE GbE LAN_2 [Enabled]
LAN Option ROM [Disabled]
JMicron SATA/PATA Controller [Enabled]
JMicron Controller Mode [Basic]
JMicron SATA/RAID BOOTROM [Enabled]

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]

***** PCI/PnP
Plug And Play O/S [YES]
PCI Latency Timer [64]
Allocate IRQ to PCI VGA [YES]
Palette Snooping [Disabled]
IRQ-3
---
IRQ-15 assigned to [PCI DEVICE]

*****DH Feature Page
EZ Backup RAID Mode Change [Disabled]
+++++++++++

AHA more infor
Tried booting from the Windows CD and fgot ther following error:

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Technical Information

*** STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x0000000000000000, 0x000000000000000C, 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000)

Can anyone point me in the right direction here?
This is getting urgent -- I have a deadline to meet Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thanks in advance - david

After enabling spd DRAM timings I got a new fault when trying to boot from win xp pro x64 CD:
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
*** STOP: 0X00000050 (0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF, 0x0000000000000000, 0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF, 0x0000000000000000)

I am hoping someone may have some ideas here. I have done some more tests with the ram. I removed 2 of the 4 2GB sticks and then tested those in each pair to no avail. I removed that memory and tried again with 2x1 GB sticks of pc2 9200 OCZ FlexXLC all to no avail. So I am pretty sure the problem is not due to memory. Both the raids appear to be reported correctly. However as the system gets the problem when loading from the windows CD it looks as though there is either a hardware or a bios setup error.

Ok Some progress but still not there yet. I changed the system back to the previous ram (2x1G) and after removing and replacing the battery to flush the cmos started off again. This time I used F6 to load the the JMicron36 Raid/AhCI driver and the intel ICH&R 64 bit raid driver. I then got the "Setup did not find any hard drives installed on your computer" error. However the Intel (R) Matrix Storage manager ROM v5.1.2.1002 ICH7R reports the presence of RAID Volume 0 as RAID 1 with normal status and bootable comprising two ST31000340AS 931.56G drives as members AND
External disk 0 as a non-raid disk (But this is what I believe to be the way EZ_Backup raids are "announced".
It is weird that files are loaded when I select safe mode as a boot option. So it seems I am missing some essential piece of software. Any ideas anyone?

PS When referring to files loaded in safe mode - files are reported in the safe mode file list as being loaded but then the system immediately reboots!

From the sound of things, you may need to go back to an older BIOS to straighten this out. Some times newer BIOS can bring changes that conflict with an existing configuration due to differences in ACPI and IRQ routing tables, and updated firmware for storage controllers that aren't compatible with older storage driver versions.

I finally found BIOS 1602 (it was there all along, I just didn't see it), so we'll try going back to that:

http://s89934018.onlinehome.us/BIOS/P5WDHD1602.iso

Same instructions as before.

HWell I have just updated all the drivers/matrix controller and go the syystem runniong again. However the bad news is that a lot of files on the Matrix Raid System seem to have disappeared so I now need some data recovery tools that will work with a RAID 1 volume. The strange thing is that not all the data from the raid has been lost - The contents of a windows back up file apppear to be complete but major directories and their many subdirectories appear to be lost from both partitions.
My instinct is that the data should be recoverable but what tools to use??