|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 25, 2021 9:32:08 GMT -5
Same old story we've all heard and know about. The boards in question have been sitting for sometime unused and yesterday I decided to put them to use for what I have planned. And of course they're being a total PITA. Both my Expert and SLI-DR exhibit the same exact behaviour. When first powered on they booted up, the difference was the Expert was quick-flashing the silicon RAID controller message and woudn't go into the BIOS. When it finally did, each time I tried to save settings it acted up again. The SLI-DR was different when first powered on, it booted normally without a problem and acted OK - That is until I saved settings and rebooted, now it's doing the exact same thing. What these are doing is the 4th LED will blink, sometimes going to the third and it stays on (NO blinking) but sometimes it will blink the 4th LED, then stop and it will sit a few moments and that LED will start blinking again. Other times it will simply go through all LEDs and boot fine but always fails to reboot after saving BIOS settings. When it does work or not is random, both boards when they decide to work will boot and get to the BIOS but that's it. Any attempt to save settings and reboot reverts back to the LED thing. What I've done: I've swapped CPU's, RAM (TCCD and BH-5 sticks), GPU's, PSU's used, swapped RAM slots in use, CMOS batteries, plugged in and left out the keyboard and mouse, the HDD is not plugged in, has a fan on the CPU fan header (Shoudn't affect it) and whatever else, both are still doing the same thing. I'm wondering if the very fact they sat unused for so long is the cause. The ULtra D itself is OK and works as allmof you have already seen from earlier but it's not a FSB champ and that's why I was trying these. I had been using it on and off over time so it hasn't sat for too long between setups like these two boards have. I did run the Expert through the dishwasher after the first round of problems, got it dried out but still the same, haven't done that to the SLI-DR BUT I did find a few bad caps. Replaced those BEFORE trying it the first time and as said, it started up on first boot no prob. Upon first boot it acted fine but started doing all the same crap right after saving settings, each and everytime. I can reflash the BIOS chips of course but since they did respond I'm not so sure it's a corrupted BIOS - Could be but I don't think the very fact of just sitting would cause that. Hmmmm.....  |
|
|
|
Post by Mr.Scott on Dec 25, 2021 9:36:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 25, 2021 9:47:22 GMT -5
Will do and I'll be sure to check for bad BIOS chips too.
Say that because the old Soyo I've got has lost two along the way, both times after just sitting for a few years on the shelf and this isn't so different under that circumstance.
Got spare BIOS chips if I need 'em here.
|
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 25, 2021 9:47:50 GMT -5
Try a different PCI-E slot for the 1 dot solid deal. That's where my card is on my SLI-DR, cause it won't post with the card in the first slot due to a swollen cap, or at least I think that's the cause.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 25, 2021 9:56:08 GMT -5
Try a different PCI-E slot for the 1 dot solid deal. That's where my card is on my SLI-DR, cause it won't post with the card in the first slot due to a swollen cap, or at least I think that's the cause. Tried that too already and note I did do a recap of the SLI-DR before trying it. That means I inspected both boards before trying them to find the bad ones I did replace. The Expert is OK, found three bad ones on the SLI-DR and got those taken care of before any attempts to use it were done. As said it's not a consistent problem related to exact behaviour. It's all over the place right now, going from working to utterly balking with completely Christmas-Like LEDs blinking all the while - And it is Christmas you know.  Either I'll get these sorted or fire up the last 939 I have, the A8N32 and see what it's got left. |
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 25, 2021 10:46:29 GMT -5
Try a different PCI-E slot for the 1 dot solid deal. That's where my card is on my SLI-DR, cause it won't post with the card in the first slot due to a swollen cap, or at least I think that's the cause. the A8N32 and see what it's got left. Oh, wish I had one of those. I thought it to be a better board than DFI's. That was my first 939 board and it clocked rather well even on the stock bios. |
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 26, 2021 13:36:06 GMT -5
Looks like I'll be running the A8N32, the DFI's are still acting up and have as yet to flash a BIOS due to time constraints but will get it done once I get this board setup and ready to go.
I did swap BIOS chips from the Ultra D to the SLI-DR but it's still doing the same thing. Since those boards use the same BIOS and the Ultra D itself works I figured it was worth a shot.
May have to find another one "Just in case" and go from there.
In other developments I now have two A8N32's, courtesy of Pioneerisloud - Did some soldering work for him and he said I could keep one of those for doing it and yes, it works too. He wasn't sure if it was any good but testing showed it to be OK and he said he really didn't care about it anyway, just wanted the other 32 he was using back.
|
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 26, 2021 19:21:29 GMT -5
I really think it's an underrated board.... Wish mine could come back lol...
|
|
|
|
Post by zila1 on Dec 26, 2021 20:27:18 GMT -5
I think I have an A8N32-SLI packed away somewhere still. Nice board. One day I will bring it back to life and see if I can't spank it.  |
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 26, 2021 22:46:55 GMT -5
I really think it's an underrated board.... Wish mine could come back lol... For the most part it is. DFI's do things in some ways that's better and more suited for screaming high OC's but this board can hold it's own in some ways too. It's actually better than a DFI when used for SLI and it's RAID function actually works. Had good OC'ing options overall and doesn't have the annoying thing about changing the RAM divider on it's own like a DFI will do. Normally where you set it is where it's at period and can clock RAM rather well too; It's not a "High RAM voltage for BH-5 sticks" kind of board, TCCD is what you want for this one. |
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 27, 2021 16:01:07 GMT -5
I really think it's an underrated board.... Wish mine could come back lol... For the most part it is. DFI's do things in some ways that's better and more suited for screaming high OC's but this board can hold it's own in some ways too. It's actually better than a DFI when used for SLI and it's RAID function actually works. Had good OC'ing options overall and doesn't have the annoying thing about changing the RAM divider on it's own like a DFI will do. Normally where you set it is where it's at period and can clock RAM rather well too; It's not a "High RAM voltage for BH-5 sticks" kind of board, TCCD is what you want for this one. I have issues finding a chip with a decent overclocking IMC or bus capability. Most cpus seem to dislike my 600mhz G.Skill, so I hardly use them. I think these are TCCD also. But high voltage on DFI requires a bios mod. Mine only goes to 3.2v with the additional .13v increase option. At least most over clocks up to 280mhz doesn't seem to require more than 2.9v. |
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 27, 2021 16:20:01 GMT -5
For the most part it is. DFI's do things in some ways that's better and more suited for screaming high OC's but this board can hold it's own in some ways too. It's actually better than a DFI when used for SLI and it's RAID function actually works. Had good OC'ing options overall and doesn't have the annoying thing about changing the RAM divider on it's own like a DFI will do. Normally where you set it is where it's at period and can clock RAM rather well too; It's not a "High RAM voltage for BH-5 sticks" kind of board, TCCD is what you want for this one. I have issues finding a chip with a decent overclocking IMC or bus capability. Most cpus seem to dislike my 600mhz G.Skill, so I hardly use them. I think these are TCCD also. But high voltage on DFI requires a bios mod. Mine only goes to 3.2v with the additional .13v increase option. At least most over clocks up to 280mhz doesn't seem to require more than 2.9v. Probrably for a Socket A but a 939 doesn't, if it's a non-LanParty 939 board that's certainly possible though. Even with an Ultra D you can get 4.0v's without any voltmods for the RAM and the BIOS has percentage offsets that will volt the snot out of a CPU. You have to be careful or you will kill a chip using those settings. Onbly thing that may be lacking is the NB voltage but even then the chipset responds well enough to what's available. The Asus boards like the A8N32 has decent voltage settings, not on the order of a DFI but decent. Biggest thing to me is things like ClockGen don't really work with it and the OC'ing utility that came with them on the disk is utter crap. Believe it or not the NF2 version of ClockGen works better than the NF4 version does with it. Go figure. |
|
|
|
Post by Mr.Scott on Dec 27, 2021 18:39:49 GMT -5
Biggest thing to me is things like ClockGen don't really work with it and the OC'ing utility that came with them on the disk is utter crap. Believe it or not the NF2 version of ClockGen works better than the NF4 version does with it. Go figure. Don't use CG-NVNF4 on it. Use this one. ClockGen_1.0.5.3.zip (327.76 KB) Had 2 A8N32-SLI Deluxe's. Thought they were just ho-hum. Not even in the same class as the DFI's. Matter of fact, my Abit AV8 with a VIA K8T800 Pro chipset out clocked them. My personal opinion of course. Everybody has their own thing. |
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 27, 2021 18:43:40 GMT -5
That's what I use, the one at eocf is where I usually dl, it's right on the front page dl section. Easy to get at.
CG NF4 doesn't seem to work with my board though.
But seriously, how much voltage are you guys pushing? I do 240mhz 2-2-2-2-7 @ 2.9v. Seems CL2.5 on some chips fairs better...
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr.Scott on Dec 27, 2021 18:45:57 GMT -5
For BH-5 I'm in the 3.6-3.7v range @ 2-2-2 @ 250+ FSB
For TCCD I'm in the 2.9-3.1v range @ 2.5-3-3 @ 250+ FSB
I don't even run Cas2 on TCCD. Waste of time. Cas2.5 as fast as you can will beat Cas2 as fast as you can.
|
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 27, 2021 19:49:41 GMT -5
Yeah, the bios I'm using doesn't go over 3.2v. So 3.6v isn't going to happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bones on Dec 28, 2021 1:45:49 GMT -5
Biggest thing to me is things like ClockGen don't really work with it and the OC'ing utility that came with them on the disk is utter crap. Believe it or not the NF2 version of ClockGen works better than the NF4 version does with it. Go figure. Don't use CG-NVNF4 on it. Use this one. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> Had 2 A8N32-SLI Deluxe's. Thought they were just ho-hum. Not even in the same class as the DFI's. Matter of fact, my Abit AV8 with a VIA K8T800 Pro chipset out clocked them. My personal opinion of course. Everybody has their own thing. Got it and thanks for that. |
|
|
|
Post by eidairman1 on Dec 28, 2021 2:41:06 GMT -5
I just remember back then Asus were ok boards before ROG and Abit, DFI were the top Dogs with GA and MSI having a few hits. Has anyone ever felt that members of the top dogs of the time went to Asus(DFI) and AsRock(Abit)? Biggest thing to me is things like ClockGen don't really work with it and the OC'ing utility that came with them on the disk is utter crap. Believe it or not the NF2 version of ClockGen works better than the NF4 version does with it. Go figure. Don't use CG-NVNF4 on it. Use this one. View AttachmentHad 2 A8N32-SLI Deluxe's. Thought they were just ho-hum. Not even in the same class as the DFI's. Matter of fact, my Abit AV8 with a VIA K8T800 Pro chipset out clocked them. My personal opinion of course. Everybody has their own thing. I felt Via had better chipsets than even Intel. I think Via went on with ATi to AMD lol. |
|
|
|
Post by cbjaust on Dec 28, 2021 6:40:35 GMT -5
Yeah, the bios I'm using doesn't go over 3.2v. So 3.6v isn't going to happen. Any nF4 LANParty should be able to do its party trick: |
|
|
|
Post by ShrimpBrime on Dec 28, 2021 6:52:10 GMT -5
Yeah, the bios I'm using doesn't go over 3.2v. So 3.6v isn't going to happen. Any nF4 LANParty should be able to do its party trick: <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button>
Thanks for that Chris. I'll check the jumpers. |
|
