EPoX 9NDA3J issues

[daveshel]

Wondering about others' experiences with this board.

Mine are not bad, but I may be having some AGP issues. I want to use a Matrox G400 and it keeps recycling. if I go back to a PCI vid, it is OK.

(Mods, if it is OK to start an official thread, I will adjust the title.)

 

[daveshel]

Anyboby out there?

 

[AStateOfMind]

does it have SATA lock?

 

[daveshel]

I don't believe it does. I noticed an AGP clock adjustment just below the FSB adjustment but did not look for any SATA features since I don't have any SATA drives.

 

[daveshel]

Am I the only one who has this board?

 

[caboob]

My installation went smoothly. What do you mean by recycling? Rebooting or looping?

 

[daveshel]

Originally posted by: caboob
My installation went smoothly. What do you mean by recycling? Rebooting or looping?

Yes, it would go through POST, start to load whatever, then start over. The scenario was different depending on what I was booting from. memtest86 would reboot about 2 seconds after starting to read the floppy. Knoppix lasted a bit longer. A Windows XP installation would get partway throught the driver load during the blue screen part. It really looked to me like more of an I/O issue and I was surprised that it turned out to be video.

 

[Cryption]

"About 50% of the time, the Epox board with either BIOS would fail on reboot and freeze at the first BIOS screen." - Anandtech
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/sh...c.aspx?i=2253&p=13

Has this problem been fixed in a new bios update?

 

[daveshel]

Apparently it has. This build has been rock solid - it just won't work with my AGP card.

 

[daveshel]

A new BIOS came out this week (1/11/2005 is its date). This has made no difference. I have set the HT to 4x and cannot boot to a Windows desktop at 9 X 220. This is not a good overclicking rig. Otherwise, the board has been fine: rock solid stable as long as I'm not fscking with it.

 

[arswihart]

It would help if you gave all your system specs/hardware and BIOS settings

 

[groebuck]

I just got this board - to replace a Gigabyte K8NS -939 which would not overclock two separate 3000+'s. The epox undervolts like a mofo. At default it is 1.34!! and I have the same reboot issues (that and I keep getting bios messages that I have changed the boot order and to enter my bios to confirm). This happens at bone stock settings AND when I OC.

When I can get into XP - @ +.0225 volts I get run SuperPi, Prime95 Aquamark you name it. The temps are fine too. I am almost afraid to ever turn it off as I never know if I am going to make it back into the OS again.

My set up is as follows -

Epox - 9NDA3J
A64 3000+ 939
(2) Kingston HyperX DDR500 dimms
Tagan 480 Watt Power supply
ATI X800 Pro AGP
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Gamer ed.
(2) Hitatchi Sata 200 GB drives not in raid

I'm at a loss here - this is my second 939 mobo and although this one OC's much better than the Gigabyte (that would not budge above stock on identical hardware.)

I never should have left 754 - I have spent so much money trying to get it to work I could have just bought the baddest 754 proc and saved some $$$

 

[Wags1974]

I have had a few issues with it showing quick blue screen, and then reloading bios right when it starts loading windows.

Doesnt happen always, kinda frustrating.

 

[Zebo]

Use mem slots 3 and 4. All of you.

 

[Wags1974]

Just put them in 3 and 4, after boot got same blue screen then went back to the screen that asks whether you want safe mode, chose start normally windows loaded fine, did a restart and no blue screen went straight through to windows.

So Im hoping its ok now.

 

[Wags1974]

Did a few more reboots no probs so far.

Zebo, your short reply seemed to have worked, but why?

 

[arswihart]

also you should need to increase the CPU voltage by at least 0.05v to avoid BSOD and reboots, I have mine at +0.1v which really equals 1.42v-1.44v, yes it does undervolt like a mofo

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Wags1974

Zebo, your short reply seemed to have worked, but why?

i've done extensive testing with this board ...over 4x types of memory used and none work very well even at stock speed and SPD in slots 1 and 2. ..maybe epox trace lengths are bad there? Don't know..bu this helps these issues y'all taking about.

 

[Wags1974]

Yeah thanks alot , I noticed a blue screen on reboot after installing and running the epox motherboard utility that shows temps / voltages and fan speeds. Also I noticed codes 32 and 33, which seem to be reserved (dont know what that means).

The codes and blue screen went away after removing it. Back to FF which I guess in windows means its doing ok.

I dont know if I should sweat the ocassional blue screen , I am playing farcry and doom3 fine (got them just to check out some 6800 gt features). It only happens when on windows load screen after bios runs its checks and switches to initiate o/s.

Maybe I am worrying too much. The ram slots did help alot. Im gonna reboot now and see if im still ok lol . Edit: I must have a bad case of the newb jitters, seems fine now.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Wags1974
Yeah thanks alot , I noticed a blue screen on reboot after installing and running the epox motherboard utility that shows temps / voltages and fan speeds. Also I noticed codes 32 and 33, which seem to be reserved (dont know what that means).

The codes and blue screen went away after removing it. Back to FF which I guess in windows means its doing ok.

I dont know if I should sweat the ocassional blue screen , I am playing farcry and doom3 fine (got them just to check out some 6800 gt features). It only happens when on windows load screen after bios runs its checks and switches to initiate o/s.

Maybe I am worrying too much. The ram slots did help alot. Im gonna reboot now and see if im still ok lol . Edit: I must have a bad case of the newb jitters, seems fine now.

What? You're still getting blue screen?

Some other issues to address. Both Vcore and Vdimm undervolts.

Always set Vcore to +.05 with this board overclcoking or not.

You should always set mem to 2.7 or 2.8 volts. Escpecially if you tweak it at all like lower timings ot high bandwidth..

 

[Wags1974]

I only got it after using the motherboard utility that monitors stuff... Havent since dont know if it is coincidence or not with the mobo utility.

 

[Wags1974]

Ok went through did the bios adjustments you mentioned, now I am 1.42 v core, and 2.7 vdimm.

Still BSOD.... This time even worse. Something was telling me this may be video related since the windows screem would appear greyed when it would BSOD.. I dont know if this is underthinking or not.

Anyhow searched google and found this.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1647&page=4

I narrowed it down using the guide to hardware or drivers, The only questionable drivers I had were the new Nvidia ones I dl'd from link in our video forums. I rolled them back and no more bsod, several reboots and cold boots to assure myself.

I am still skeptical well mainly because this is my first build and I put alot of money into it (1400$).

Thanks.

 

[groebuck]

I have been dealing with EPOX support - they are not much help. Apparently they only recommend 4 types of memory with this board (although the article they sent me was for the + not the J) Corsair 3200, 4400, OCZ and G.Stop or something like that.

I just had it happen again before typing this. I can leave the system up all day - run SuperPi to 32M, Prime 95 you name it - with a 3000+ I can get to 2400 with memory @1:1..and still never crash the box while running but...

reboot and I am like Hurley winning the lotto, bad luck follows. No matter what - bone stock settings (1.8 GHz all bios defaults) or up at 2.4Ghz same issues. I can increase the voltage at default bone stock and still the same issues.

Epox basically told me to buy one of the four brands of memory recommended. I replied it was cheaper for me to replace the motherboard than buy 1 GB of ram..so that's what I did (what I should have done in the first place) and ordered a Gigabyte K8NS Ultra 939....

Soon as that shows up I am sending this POS back to NewEgg and never..never ever buying anything with the words EPOX on it again (told them that too - their reply was "sorry to hear that..") I Guess they would rather lose a customer than admit there were any issues or god forbid, ship me a replacement to test with..

 

[groebuck]

Here is the full text of my Support case with them enjoy -

-Customer reply 2/27/2005 2:34:56 PM-

REV: 2.x
BIOS: 02/12/2005
Processor: A64 3000+ Winchester
Memory: 1024 Kinston Hyper X
Video: ATI 800 Pro
HDD: Maxtor 6B200M0
OS: Windows XP Pro
Other:

The motherboard has some serious issues. Sometimes it will boot up saying the drive configuration has changed and to confirm in the bios. Sometimes it will spontaniously reboot. It will not boot into windows several times in a row, then other times it will be just fine. It is getting so I am afraid to turn the computer off because I am afraid I will never get back into windows. All of the other hardware is good as I replaced a Gigabyte K8NS 939 with this board and that system was just fine.
-Support reply 2/28/2005 11:27:55 AM-

Dear User,
Just to verify,If you are having trouble with stability try the following multi-step procedure.

1) Update to the latest BIOS from our website if possible (if you have not already done so).
2) Load the BIOS defaults (optimized or fail-safe).
3) Shutdown and remove all cards and devices EXCEPT for video, RAM, CPU, CPU heatsink/FAN.
4) Ensure your CPU temperature remains within 30-55 Degrees C. Check in the CMOS or use USDM for this information.
5) Check that your power supply is ok for your particular processor. We generally suggest 350-400W or better.
6) Set all voltage and clock jumpers to the factory default.
7) Retest.

8) If you use a variable RPM fan ensure its set for full speed.

9) If using AGP set the AGP aperature size to 64M in the BIOS.
10) Ensure you had a fresh load of window with all udpated drivers loaded. thanks

-Customer reply 2/28/2005 11:39:03 AM-

1.) - I am running the latest BIOS dated 2/15/2005
2.) System is running in full default mode
3.) Only other card in the system is the sound card and I have removed it and tried the onboard sound and have the same issues.
4.) CPU temps remain constant at 34 C idle - 41 C load
5.) Power Supply is a TAGAN 480 Watt and previously powered the exact same system with a Gigabyte K8NS -939 system without issue
6.) System is running in full default mode
7.) Problems persist, this sunday I had to reboot 6 times to get into windows as it would randomly reboot - tell me my drive positions have changed..etc.
8.) Cpu fan is not variable
9.) - I will set it to 64 M and test although I am not sure how that is an issue as it was previously set to 128MB on two other motherboards before upgrading to this one.
10.) - OS is a clean install - updated drivers, XP Professional SP2 with all of the latest hot fixes (although again I am not sure how this is a factor when I get erronious bios messages about drive position changes and the system fails to even boot into windows.)

I will try the suggested changes and update.
-Customer reply 2/28/2005 1:43:43 PM-

I did a little research on the web and found a review on anandtech.com for the 9NDA3+
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2253

While mine is a 9NDA3J it appears the reviewer had similar issues with reboots and lockups.
-Support reply 3/1/2005 9:35:18 AM-

That issue was resolved with bios update and using the correct rams module and configuration's. http://www.epox.com/USA/article.asp?ID=1824&showsupportlinks=YES
-Customer reply 3/1/2005 10:27:14 AM-

I have the Kingston HyperX DDR500 modules are they not supported by the 9NDA3J?
-Support reply 3/1/2005 12:45:22 PM-

IT NOT ON OUR RECOMMENDED TESTED MODULES LISTS. THANKS
-Customer reply 3/1/2005 1:06:22 PM-

So I continue to have the issues with the motherboard after trying all your suggestions. Am I to understand that my only other option to to use one of the 4 suggested sets of memory? (memory that has worked just fine on two different asus boards and one gigabyte board??)
-Support reply 3/1/2005 4:02:17 PM-

What's the chipset of the other manufacture board? Thanks
also try the memory voltage .01 or higher.
-Customer reply 3/1/2005 5:37:40 PM-

intel 865, 875, and I just replaced the nf3 754 with this one and now it's been nothing but problems. I am re-installing for the second time tonight and again - it will not boot into windows half the time (on board diag reds FF.
-Support reply 3/2/2005 11:21:32 AM-

We understand, but the asusu board has intel chipset not Nvidia. Since the Nvidia chipset support dual ddr fully, you can try with one stick of rams listed on our recommended lists and retest. If problems. persist rma the baord through your place of purchase. Thanks
-Customer reply 3/2/2005 11:33:54 AM-

Both the 865 and 875 intel chipsets support dual channel (which is what I ran them in). My previous Board was a Gigabyte Nforce 3 and it had no issues either. So your suggestion is for me to purchase one of the four pieces of memory that is recommended? My apologies but I think it would be cheaper for me to purchase another vendor's motherboard that supports more than 4 kinds of ram.(now and in all future hardware purchases). I won't be purchasing Epox brand again, ever. Thank you for your time.
-Support reply 3/3/2005 9:31:58 AM-

Sorry to hear.

 

[perillo34]

Sorry about your problems with the board, my AJ has been rock stable oced at 2.55ghz 3000+ Winnie, 285LTDx9, powering it along with a 6800nu with my 350 enermax with a 24A 12V rail, and with 2 sticks of PDP pc3200 Extreme performance memory at 236mhz 2.5-3-2-10 at stock voltage. Only time I had a reboot problem was when I forgot to lower my HT multi and had freezing studdering issues with agp aperture at 128mb. Other than that I do not think you can find a better board for the buck. I recommend this board to anyone looking to create an awesome OCing machine, without to many of the bells and whistles, if you want that move up to the A+.