all those with succesfull kt7a setups please post here

[elSmoko]

well, after being unable to figure out why my hard-drive benchmarks are so weak, I've broken down... I would like anyone who has this board working properly to post the files/patches they used, and the specific order in which they used them... this information would be invaluable to all those that are having troubles. I'm in windows 2000, I've installed the via 4.28a 4in1s, the agpfix, the ata100 fix, some busmaster jazz... this hasn't worked properly for me. anyone else care to add?

 

[elSmoko]

forgot:
-------------------
Viahardware.com file library
---- contains -----
via 4in1 4.28a drivers
Win2k ata/100 fix
Usb Filter 1.08 install file
-------------------
I don't know what to use exactly, those are the ones I've been pointed to...
hope this helps

 

[imonarock]

Im having tons of problems with my kt7a-raid. I would like to see someone having success with a KT7a-Raid 2-ibm 45gig drives and an AIW Radeon card. My computer locks up whenever the drives are accessed, I thought I solved the prob by disabling ACPI but I guess not. Well this is an $1300 paper weight.

 

[bonkers325]

how did u disable acpi ?

 

[compuwiz1]

I have a different problem. I have several people that are running 1GHz Tbirds from me @1300+ on other boards and these CPUs are choking on the Abit and not going anywhere near the speeds they test at here.

They were all from the same batch and tested all within 20MHz of each other, well over 1300.


One in particular with an Abit board says he can barely get it at 1260.

Damn Abit boards.....it makes me want to stop selling CPUs to anyone who has one.

 

[elSmoko]

so does anyone want to post what they did in which order to get their performance at least decent? I've done it all, and yet my performance of my ibm 75gxp 7200rpm 45gig hd is 11,000 in sandra, which is like half what it should be.

 

[imonarock]

El Smoko...

I was getting a sandra bench of 38000 on my Raid with 2-45gig ibm's
Then I installed the 4 in 1 via drivers and it went down to 12000. I couldnt uninstall them or at least I couldnt get my speed back unless I did a fresh install on win2k. But my damn computer still locks up.. Ive tried it all. Patch after fix after tweak. What a POS!

 

[LIVAN]

Reinstall dude.

 

[Skiracer]

It may be something specific to the IBM drives. I have two 40GB Maxtor Drives (ATA100, 7200 RPM) RAID 0 on my KT7A and Sandra 2001 benchmarks them at 36,750. 4-in-1 version 4.28, BIOS KT7_WZ.b04, Windows 98 (not 2000 yet) :frown: I installed all of the 4-in-1 drivers in turob mode (where it is an option). I don't have any great ideas, but those IBM drives should benchmark over 20,000 without RAID 0! Email Abit and ask if they have any known problems with the IBM drives. Failing that, try highpoint.

 

[elSmoko]

I just disabled acpi in win2k, and rebooted. had to provide drivers for everything again, so I did... and now sandra gives me 17,000 (instead of 11,000). When my new fan arrives for overclockin' (fop38) I'll reinstall everything, and see how that goes

- ElSmoko

 

[cheche]

What you could do, is get the program 'Ramidle'. I used this program which
allows you to set your hard drive cache higher. My sandra scores went from
16000 to 38000.
Also, make sure you set your hard drives to 'cable select'.

I can't find Ramidle, but here is one program that may work.
shttp://www.utilitygeek.com/software/harddrive/performance/cachebooster.html

 

[MigraineMan]

Installed the Abit KT7A, with two IBM 75GXP 45GB drives on the RAID-0. AMD 1GHz Thunderbird. Using the 3dfx V5500, running on W2K, with 256MB Mushkin Rev.2 memory. Using the latest Via chipset drivers 4.28, including IDE. Installed the latest Highpoint drivers (the 3b ones, I think).

Before upgrade, I was running one of the IBM drives on the MSI Pro-2A. Upgraded to get the RAID and 133FSB. Required complete reinstall of everything. Sandra scores on the IBM drive was roughly 22000 (writing this from work - numbers are at home). Also ran memory benchmarks, but all I can recall specifically is that performance is faster on the Abit. I can post some numbers when I get home...

Disk performance on the RAID-0 are now ~44000 on the C: partition (10GB) and ~38000 - ~41000 on the 80GB partition. I have a 72x CD-ROM, backup hard disk, and a CD-RW using IDE-1 and -2. Performance on the CD-ROM isn't great. For me, that is my primary performance concern.

Overclocking is also tough, but about the same if not a tad worse than the MSI board. I am running at 1150 stable, and can post at 1200 (10 x 120 FSB), CPU is not unlocked even though I tried to. Will check the graffite tonight.) but PC spontaneously reboots, even with volts at 1.8. CPU temps are within normal range.

So, overall, my RAID-0 is more than acceptable, and with overclocking, as small as it is, the system is a great performer. UT at 1600x1200 with 50-60FPS (Glide) isn't bad at all!

 

[MigraineMan]

BTW, I disabled ACPI in Windows 2000 after the installation. A few driver reinstalls later, and its done. I benched before ACPI (don't recall the numbers), but the differences were quite remarkable as I recall. I'm glad I did it.

 

[rarebear]

I just ran HD Tach and I am getting 18,000 avrage with Win2K SP1
20gig ata66 7200 drive on ide3 no raid array setup..

I just posted the below today on another thread
KT7a R + CD-R + Win2K VIA 4in1 driver

I read the note added to the VIA drivers with my new board, it said don't add Bus Master drivers with Win2K..
I noticed that the only way I could burn a CD was if the software supported Burn Proof (new to most CD-RWs)

I just installed the BusMaster my HD scores in Sandra were down a 1000 points from 13660 to 12600 but all the software works now...

Has anyone installed new HDs with the method on note ?
(uninstall BM drives add or remove drive the add drives back)

 

[elSmoko]

I just moved the hd to Cable Select and noticed zero improvement in benchmarking, although (probably psychologically) the system seemed faster heh.

 

[Nikepete]

You can flash the new bios wz04. Do not install the Via Busmaster drivers. Set your jumper to cable select. Connect your drive to the HPT370 as single drive and you should have decent HDD performance.

My IBM 75GXP 45 GB yields about 24000 in Sandra (win2K SP1). I can gain a little more if I disable ACPI but decided not to since I like to keep hibernation.

 

[elSmoko]

hmmm so what is this about either setting up your system to be able to burn stuff, or to have good hd performance, but not both.
and does acpi do anything of value? I've never used it

 

[grendelkhan]

Supposedly, it makes PnP actually work, and facilitates IRQ sharing better.

I too have 2 IBM 45GB drives, and the only way I've ben able to get a stable install running is to not use a RAID setup. This totally bites.

 

[kingz]

I have a Abit KT7a-RAID, with one 45GB 75GXP installed. I just bought another 45GB 75GXP and planning on running it in RAID 0. Should I be concerned? Is this happening with everyone?

 

[imonarock]

Let us know how it goes.. My 2 45gig ibm Raid0 is crap... im using my old computer for now. I still can get the Raid0 and three pci cards to exist without lockups. Acpi or not. Ive tried tweaking out the bios in every way I could think of.. still no help. Ive tried installing the 4.25 through 4.28 drivers with or without BUs mastering. Im running the 1.03b Highpoint driver. Drives are Cable select. IDE 2 is not used and disabled. Serial ports and parallel are disabled as well. My all in Wonder Radeon will work but if im running the TV then access the raid, Lock city... Ive tried the Windows Radeon patch, Ive tried the latest Radeon drivers. Someone with the following config or close please let me know how you did it.

Kt7a-raid
2-ibm 45 gig on raid0
Maxtor Firewire Pci
Realtek Ethernet pci
Monster mx 400 pci
AIW Radeon AGP
2-Micron pc133 cas 3 256MB
IDE 1 populated with master and slave Cdroms
IDE 2 disabled
IDE 3 ibm 45gig master
IDE 4 ibm 45gig master

ps.. ive tried every combo on the pci slots

Thanks,

 

[kingz]

Will let ya know how it goes, as soon as buy.com ships my drive :|

imonarock, have you tried the newsgroup:

alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit

There are a lot of knowledgable people in there, all with KT7 troubleshooting experience

 

[elSmoko]

Once I get a job, my next priority is to buy a new video card, new ram and another 75GXP, but I guess that might change if this raid feature remains so useless.

 

[Mustanggt]

Its Sounds Like alot of people here are going to alot of trouble to get Raid 0 to work. Is it really worth it? It looks better on benchmarks but real world is hardly noticable unless your doing video editing etc. How are the abit KT7As working without running Raid??

 

[Muckshifter]

The answer to your KT7's here

and some

Have lots of paper in your printer