Asus a8n-e..

[ProviaFan]

Did you install the Nvidia firewall with the Nvidia chipset drivers? That's a very bad idea - many people have nothing but trouble with it; I highly recommend not using it.

 

[danskii]

yeah i did. thanks for the tip, i'll try to uninstall now.
i haven't figuredit out yet
but the computer seems more stable this morning than last night after resting a night.. but it wasn't overheating or anything.. i dunno..

ok scratch that, it jst got a BSoD and restarted on its own, but it was stable longer. could it be the power supply? i have a thermaltake case and i'm using the provided 430W supply. I know it's probably not great, but the amps provided at the different voltages seemed okay.

also is there another forum or thread where i should be asking for help?

 

[ProviaFan]

I would suggest a fresh install without any NVidia firewall-related stuff before worrying about your power supply. A 430 watt PSU seems like it would be enough, but I really don't know; taking the PSU question to the tech support forum was probably a good idea.

 

[danskii]

wow thanks a lot. it's pretty amazing that a stupid little thing like that was messing everything up. i took your advice and freshly installed windows again and there seem to be no problems.. for about an hour. thanks man

 

[guzerio]

Can someone please give me the procedure for installing Windows XP Pro without service packs on this mobo using sata disk?

Also, will I gain some performance upgrading from 1024 dualchannel 3-3-3-8 to g.skill 2-2-2-5 TCCD?
I do also have some picturequality problems using an Asus n6600 gt card with vga out.
May this be contributed to this mobo also, giving the graphic card unclean, insufficient or noisy power?

 

[mechBgon]

On the A8N-E, Windows XP should install on your SATA disk without any special procedure. Be aware that WinXP without any service pack is very vulnerable to attack, so do not plug it into your broadband connection without a router inbetween the computer and the modem.

<Internet> ---- <modem> ---- <router> ---- <computer>

and not

<Internet> ---- <modem> ---- <computer>

I made a page about getting WinXP installed without getting worms, maybe it will help someone: link to it Welcome to the Forums, hope that helps

edit: also, install Service Pack 2 before your motherboard drivers, to ensure that your USB2.0 works normally.

 

[guzerio]

Guess I need to disable my IDE disks in bios then, so
windows recognize my sata disk.

 

[ProviaFan]

Like Mech's guide said (please do read it), have SP2 burned to a CD ahead of time so you can apply it and enable the firewall before plugging your computer into a network (especially directly to a modem). A router is a great thing for security, btw, even if you only have one computer.

Also, welcome to AnandTech.

Edit: I recommend unplugging everything except the SATA disk that you're installing on, and one CD-ROM (or DVD-ROM, or -RW, or whatever) for installing Windows. That method prevents things such as a Zip disk ending up with C: while the hard disk becomes F:, and other "fun" stuff. It also keeps you from accidentally wiping the wrong hard disk, if you have more than one.

 

[Blazter]

I have now replaced the stock fan with a ADDA 40x40x10mm fan. It fits perfect on the top of the heatsink and it works perfect! It wasnt a hard job to change it. The only thing that was a little bit hard was to find screws who fitted because the original screws doesnt fit.

 

[mechBgon]

I splurged and got the Swiftech MCX159-A, and just toodled down to the office to install it today. Very quiet system overall: mech's specs Next upgrade... mmmm, probably 2 x 1GB memory modules while the prices are good

 

[djnsmith7]

I just upgraded my system with this board this weekend & I haven't had any problems. Hopefully I won't, either.

Everything worked fine out of the box. Easy upgrade, easy install. As of right now, I would highly recommend this board, not because of how well I know it, but because of its features, upgradability & price point.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

ok I installed my new a8n-e mainboard tonight and a retail boxed 3200+ venice. No overclocking. Installed xp w/sp2, and a zalman 7700 alcu. idle temp about 32c, load about 42c. Nice. Used the 6.66 drivers, got all the windows updates, etc. I did not install the firewall.

First problem: the first time after a reboot or power-on start, when the browser is brought up, there is about a 30 second delay where nothing happens.. Nothing in the status bar at the bottom. It is blank. After about 20-30 seconds, it pulls up my homepage just like it should.

The next time I open the browser all is fine (unless I reboot between times).

Any thoughts? I have no idea where to start.

 

[ProviaFan]

If you set the browser to use about:blank for the homepage, can you manually enter an address right after starting the browser for the first time, or do you still experience a delay? Honestly, I have no idea what's going on...

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe it's set to detect a proxy. Check your Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > Automatically Detect Settings (uncheck it, see if that changes anything).

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

I can enter a page address, but it goes nowhere for a good little while (20 seconds or more). It's a standard xp install with sp2 integrated, no changes from install defaults at all.. I tried popping my asus p5gdc and 550j chip back in and reinstalled from new and it works as soon as I click the 'e'.. with the amd it's got a real delay after pulling up the 'e'..

 

[blurp]

I just can't overclock this board at any level without SATA corruption! I found out the HTT x5 bug from the other thread and i can confirm that when you "load default" in bios then save and come back you can now reduce the HTT to less than 5x. Confirmed with Sandra.

But ... with only a small increase in FSB from 200 to 215 for example, coupled with a decrease in the memory divider to 333 and lock on PCI-E to 100 and PCI to 33.... I always end up with SATA corruption while copying the same files. If I put back the setting to default, the SATA corruption disappear immediately on reboot. I tired all the 4 SATA ports with the same result.

So far I know that my memory is fine with memtest 1.6. and the CPU is fine too up to 2550 mHz with pi and prime. The problem is with SATA.

Any suggestion ? BTW I have BIOS 1006-003. Had same problem with 1005

 

[cornholio2]

Can somebody please help uninstall the Nvidia Firewall? I was looking for this firewalls' uninstall button but can't find it. Have to uninstall it, maybe this is the reason why my computer keeps on restarting.

 

[Metropolis2000]

I got this board last week at the AMD Tech tour.

I am getting ready to place an order for a hard drive, video card, etc. and had a question about memory.
I plan on putting 1GB of PC3200 (Kingston) on the board.

A) What is the advantage/disadvantage of (2 * 512MB) sticks versus (1 * 1GB) stick?

B) Of these three Kingston 512MB products, which is best for this board:
* 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC 3-3-3 DIMM
* 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC 3-3-3 Kit Single Rank
* 512MB 400MHz DDR ECC 3-3-3 DIMM Dual Rank

Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Metropolis2000
I got this board last week at the AMD Tech tour.

I am getting ready to place an order for a hard drive, video card, etc. and had a question about memory.
I plan on putting 1GB of PC3200 (Kingston) on the board.

A) What is the advantage/disadvantage of (2 * 512MB) sticks versus (1 * 1GB) stick?

B) Of these three Kingston 512MB products, which is best for this board:
* 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC 3-3-3 DIMM
* 512MB 400MHz DDR Non-ECC 3-3-3 Kit Single Rank
* 512MB 400MHz DDR ECC 3-3-3 DIMM Dual Rank

Thanks!

Using two memory modules allows the CPU to use both of its memory controllers, which should help it perform at its best. Of the three items you listed, the first one looks like the best bet. The second one says "kit" which suggests to me that it's two 256MB modules(?) and the third is ECC, which will not really benefit you for home/enthusiast uses (ECC is error checking & correcting, of more value for servers and workstations).

Big picture: if you can afford it, then this might be the right time to get Kingston's 2 x 1024MB kit while RAM prices are depressed.

 

[zinguy]

 

[zinguy]

Oops, hit the wrong button...

I've just picked up an A8N-E but have no video card yet. As I'm not a gamer but do occasional video editing, I'd appreciate recommendations on a card that runs fairly cool and doesn't break the bank. Thanks.

 

[ProviaFan]

Do you think you may have a need for dual DVI in the future? Anyway, I do all sorts of things (with lots of Photoshop) but no gaming, and went for a Gigabyte 6600 PCI-E that is passively cooled. It works fine for what I do with a Samsung 213T on DVI.

 

[zinguy]

I doubt I'll need dual DVI. Since I posted, I've checked some reviews and like the feature set and prices of 6600 cards, plus a couple 6600GTs under $140. Thanks for the tip about Gigabyte's passive cooling....a plus that's worth considering.

 

[Metropolis2000]

Thanks for the help mechBgon!
I ordered 2 sticks of the 512MB (not the kit). Thanks again.

Originally posted by: zinguy
Oops, hit the wrong button...

I've just picked up an A8N-E but have no video card yet. As I'm not a gamer but do occasional video editing, I'd appreciate recommendations on a card that runs fairly cool and doesn't break the bank. Thanks.

Newegg has the Gigabyte Geforce 6600 at $108 for the 128MB and $120 for the 256MB version. Both are passive-cooled (no fan).

 

[bishop98]

Hi everyone, I just had an issue with this board that I'm not sure if its a prelude to a problem or just a quirk of the board and I was hoping that someone else might be able to confirm.
I've setup my system 3 weeks ago and I've got everything running fine at stock with no issues, the funny thing is when I shutdown the PC through windows everything turns off including my USB mouse but some point afterwords my USB mouse powers up (red light turns on) but the PC is still off. I've turned on the PC and shut it down again and the same thing happens, I have a surge protector hooked up to the PC so I don't think its a spike in power.

Anyone come across this ?

thanks