EPoX "EP-9NPA+Ultra" NVIDIA nForce4 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard

[gfngfgf]

Straight from "System Information". The "OpenHCD" device on IRQ20 is the motherboard's built-in port. The others, I'm guessing, are from my PCI card.

IRQ 0 System timer OK
IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard OK
IRQ 3 Communications Port (COM2) OK
IRQ 4 Communications Port (COM1) OK
IRQ 5 NVIDIA nForce PCI System Management OK
IRQ 6 Standard floppy disk controller OK
IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK
IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System OK
IRQ 12 Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2 OK
IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK
IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel OK
IRQ 15 Secondary IDE Channel OK
IRQ 17 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller OK
IRQ 18 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller OK
IRQ 18 Envy24 Family Audio Controller WDM OK
IRQ 18 RADEON X300/X550 Series OK
IRQ 19 Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller OK
IRQ 19 VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller OK
IRQ 20 Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller OK
IRQ 21 NVIDIA Network Bus Enumerator OK
IRQ 22 Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller OK
IRQ 23 Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller OK

I just disabled SMART in my BIOS, but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. With SMART enabled, I've tried "USB Legacy" both enabled and disabled, and I think it's called "USB Memory Type" - the options are "SHADOW" and "Base (640k)". Neither has worked. I have not tried an external powered hub (and don't plan to in the near future).

 

[thesurge]

a little off topic but it's about this motherboard nonetheless (albeit any mobo w/ onboard audio) the realtek AC'97 thing...that's not really a sound card is it. I believe the CPU is the processor that handles most sound processing correct?

 

[Mem]

I believe the CPU is the processor that handles most sound processing correct?

Yes it will use some CPU processing power,to reduce the amount switch to a dedicated sound card like an Audigy for example.

 

[Mem]

IRQ 18 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller OK
IRQ 18 Envy24 Family Audio Controller WDM OK
IRQ 18 RADEON X300/X550 Series OK

gfngfgf: I would try and move those,try moving the sound card to a different slot,nobody likes to have soundcard,video and USB sharing same IRQ even if it looks and seems ok.

Btw the latest BIOS dated 21st Dec 05 still does not show up on their website ,but you can get it via Magic Flash in Windows,I still don't know what it fixes.

 

[Fallengod]

The Dec. 21st bios is on their website now. It fixes "Solved CPU RATIO JUST FAIL"

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: gfngfgf
I just disabled SMART in my BIOS, but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. With SMART enabled, I've tried "USB Legacy" both enabled and disabled, and I think it's called "USB Memory Type" - the options are "SHADOW" and "Base (640k)". Neither has worked. I have not tried an external powered hub (and don't plan to in the near future).

Yes, use the "Shadow" option for the USB in the BIOS, especially if using USB mouse or keyboard.
Shadow is also the default.

 

[imhungry]

Originally posted by: Azkarr

Originally posted by: Su1c1da1
Hi, has anybody used a 24pin adapter on a 20pin psu on this motherboard? did it ran good? I got my old trusty enermax and would hate to get a new psu just for newer mobos.. I know the DFI is a nogo.. just wondering on this 1..

I don't think an adapter is even necessary; it booted and ran for me without one. I am using one now though, with a Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W, and it's very stable. Try not using one first, and if it doesn't work, get an adapter. However, your PSU needs decent wattage and amps to be able to handle an adapter.

So running a 500W 20-pin PSU into this should work fine right? Even with OC'ing and everything?

 

[mrza]

Can anyone here help me with some issues I'm having as a result of using 2 HD's with this motherboard?

I'm using one SATA and one IDE hard drive. The OS is on the SATA (master) and I use the IDE for storing large media files (slave). I haven't had any problems until recently when I restarted and got a "NTLDR is missing" error (windows trying to boot from a non bootable device). What I have done so far is:

1. Changed the boot order to boot to CD-ROM first, then hard drive.

2. Made sure the SATA is ordered to boot before the IDE.

3. Re-partitioned and formatted the IDE drive.

I don't get the NTLDR is missing error anymore but windows stays on the loading screen for about a minute or two then just loads to a black screen with nothing but the mouse. When I unplug or deactivate the IDE drive windows loads perfectly.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dvs666]

which would be better for this board opty 144 or 146? also which ram would be better too Mushkin Redline XP4000 1GB (2 x 512MB) or patriot PC3200 DDR400 Patriot RAM CL2 pep1g3200ll (2 x 1gb

 

[Avrojet]

@ mrza:

You said the IDE drive was the "slave".

Make sure that it is jumpered as master on one of the IDE channels. If there are no other IDE devices on the IDE channel (the SATA is seperate) then it needs to be master.

Maybe you meant that it was just secondary to the SATA drive by saying slave, but anyway, check the jumpering.

 

[imhungry]

Still need help about the 500W 20-pin PSU into this 24-pin mobo.

It'll only go in on one-side BTW, and I heard that adapters are probably worse than plugging a 20-pin into a 24-pin mobo.

System will be
AMD 3500+ OC'ed to 2.4 - 2.75
1 gig OCZ VX Gold - OC'ed hard.
7800GT - Also OC'ed hard..
Epox 9NPA+ Ultra.

 

[DKT]

Originally posted by: imhungry
Still need help about the 500W 20-pin PSU into this 24-pin mobo.

It'll only go in on one-side BTW, and I heard that adapters are probably worse than plugging a 20-pin into a 24-pin mobo.

System will be
AMD 3500+ OC'ed to 2.4 - 2.75
1 gig OCZ VX Gold - OC'ed hard.
7800GT - Also OC'ed hard..
Epox 9NPA+ Ultra.

We just built 2 systems with this motherboard on Christmas day. One was with a 20 pin 500 watt power supply (Ultra) with a 20 - 24 pin adapter. The other was with a 520 watt power supply with a 24 pin connector that crapped out upon power up. We took a older 450 watt power supply (that only has 18 amps on the +12 rail) and a 20 pin connector. We plugged this 20 pin connector into the 24 pin slot, and the system has worked fine.

We have overclocked one 3200+ to 2.6 Ghz (260 X 10), and our sons have been playing Battlefield 2 non stop since Christmas day. The OC is on the 450 watt power supply with the 20 pin connector into the 24 pin slot. We RMA'd the DOA power supply and will install it when the replacement comes in.

We haven't overclocked the 500 watt with the 20-24 pin adapter, but feel certain that this would be no problem.

Great motherboards. We initially had the overclock @ 2.7 Ghz @ 1.57 volts, but I wanted the voltage to be lower, so now we are at 2.6 Ghz @ 1.5volts.

 

[imhungry]

Great news, now I'm just awaiting that $145 7800GT for my friend.

 

[mrza]

Originally posted by: Avrojet
@ mrza:

You said the IDE drive was the "slave".

Make sure that it is jumpered as master on one of the IDE channels. If there are no other IDE devices on the IDE channel (the SATA is seperate) then it needs to be master.

Maybe you meant that it was just secondary to the SATA drive by saying slave, but anyway, check the jumpering.

The IDE drive was set to slave (no jumpers). I set it to master using a jumper but windows still wont load properly.

 

[Rythan]

Just another data point... I too have the USB 2.0/X2 problems. Large file copies to/from an external USB 2.0 drive are almost guaranteed to freeze the system, usually after a GB or so, sometimes faster. I've seen this on two of my Epox/X2 systems. Good thing my external HD has firewire as well, but annoying nonetheless.

 

[mrza]

I've tried setting the IDE to master and slave, and changing the SATA to different ports. I don't know what else to do.

 

[teddyv]

I set my pata drives to cable select - works like a charm.

 

[mrza]

Just tried setting it to cable select and it still won't work. Any other ideas short of buying a new SATA drive to take its place?

 

[GTaudiophile]

I had been set on this mobo until I started reading all the USB2 problems. Does the latest BIOS fix this?

 

[raystorm]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I had been set on this mobo until I started reading all the USB2 problems. Does the latest BIOS fix this?

here's a bump because I would also like to know the answer. I have an Opteron 165 on the way and need to pick a motherboard thats a good overclocker and this board seems to overclock well and is stable but now all this USB2 issues I'm reading about is making me reconsider.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: raystorm

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I had been set on this mobo until I started reading all the USB2 problems. Does the latest BIOS fix this?

here's a bump because I would also like to know the answer. I have an Opteron 165 on the way and need to pick a motherboard thats a good overclocker and this board seems to overclock well and is stable but now all this USB2 issues I'm reading about is making me reconsider.

Thanks for the bump! Where are all the Epox 9NPA+ owners?

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: mrza
Just tried setting it to cable select and it still won't work. Any other ideas short of buying a new SATA drive to take its place?

Have you tried re-installing XP after the drive was set to master (or CS)?
(I know this is not the news you need to hear.)

 

[RideFree]

Just another data point... I too have the USB 2.0/X2 problems. Large file copies to/from an external USB 2.0 drive are almost guaranteed to freeze the system, usually after a GB or so, sometimes faster. I've seen this on two of my Epox/X2 systems. Good thing my external HD has firewire as well, but annoying nonetheless.[/quote]I also had the Firewire available, but as long as I had the USB2.0 problem, Firewire did not work, either.
Now that USB 2.0 is working, I have not tested the Firewire.
I also have 1394b ready to go but haven't had the time to implement it.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: raystorm

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I had been set on this mobo until I started reading all the USB2 problems. Does the latest BIOS fix this?

here's a bump because I would also like to know the answer. I have an Opteron 165 on the way and need to pick a motherboard thats a good overclocker and this board seems to overclock well and is stable but now all this USB2 issues I'm reading about is making me reconsider.

Thanks for the bump! Where are all the Epox 9NPA+ owners?

I do not have an x2 running on this board but Mem has stated time and again that his has no errors.
I think he is using the 3800 x2.

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: imhungry
Great news, now I'm just awaiting that $145 7800GT for my friend.

I'd like to be your friend also, especially if it would get me a $145 7800GT.
PS I'd like it in PCIE, please.