*** Official ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe (nForce4) Thread ***

[Dream Operator]

Well, I wish I could trouble shoot this more and find out the source of the issue, however, I have a job tomorrow and must have my stuff working.

Here goes Windows install #5 since getting this board!

My p4 1.7 was slow, but it was damn stable.

 

[ArborBarber]

Dream Operator...
When I first put my a8n together it wouldn't even post on the first go...pulled the audigy2 and removed all the case usb and firewire connections...posted with out a hitch. There seems to be a couple of issues with this board, well maybe not issues as much as finicky. Try pulling everything other then what you exactly need to get the system running. There has also been issues with the PSU not being powerful enough....good luck. Also, if you have an ide hd try using that instead of the sata connectors, this may get you up and running long enough for you to deal with your customers and then you can sort things out.

 

[mlc]

Well, I wish I could trouble shoot this more and find out the source of the issue, however, I have a job tomorrow and must have my stuff working.

the stop message you are receiving is usually associated with some type of hardware incompatability problem... which can be BIOS or driver related, but also an issue with running matched memory sticks, etc...

I would do as suggested by others.. remove the audigy card as these have had issues .. and then I would also try running with only 1 stick of memory for now , in the B1 slot, given your short runway... then when you have more time you can look into running some memory tests ....

 

[runestone]

Originally posted by: Dream Operator
Well, I wish I could trouble shoot this more and find out the source of the issue, however, I have a job tomorrow and must have my stuff working.

Here goes Windows install #5 since getting this board!

My p4 1.7 was slow, but it was damn stable.

Dream, have you tried another PSU? A shot in the dark perhaps, but worth a try.

 

[ronin17]

I am having the same problem as some of the people on here. When using SLI, after coming back from standby any game crashes my computer. I have tried just about every driver and BIOS and nothing has helped.

Anyone have any success tracking down this problem? It's kind of annoying having to reboot everytime you want to play a game after leaving the computer idling for 15-20 minutes.

Also one weird thing is that I have zero options for standby in windows, so i can't just turn it off.

 

[DfiDude]

would you guys go with the asus a8n sli or the msi?

 

[tmchow]

Originally posted by: ronin17
I am having the same problem as some of the people on here. When using SLI, after coming back from standby any game crashes my computer. I have tried just about every driver and BIOS and nothing has helped.

Anyone have any success tracking down this problem? It's kind of annoying having to reboot everytime you want to play a game after leaving the computer idling for 15-20 minutes.

Also one weird thing is that I have zero options for standby in windows, so i can't just turn it off.

have you tried pulling your devices out one by one and seeing if that makes a difference? I narrowed it down to teh Evga Dual tuner card in my PC. I'm about to try the DEP workaround that mwarner suggested earlier.

 

[tmchow]

Originally posted by: mwarner
You may find it's the TV Tuner driver writing to memory that it hasn't allocated, which is picked up by DEP. You may wish to turn off DEP by editing your boot.ini file in the root of c:.

/NoExecute=OptIn - enables DEP for Windows system files (default, and includes drivers)

/NoExecute=OptOut - enables systemwide DEP

/NoExecute=AlwaysOn - enables systemwide DEP without pssibility of individual application exclusion

/NoExecute=AlwaysOff - disables DEP completely.

Try the last one to see if it solves your problem. Obviously it isn't ideal to turn DEP off as it catches rogue software, but it can cause a BSOD if hardware drivers are badly written.

Originally posted by: mwarner
> If it was a badly written driver, wouldn't this affect any mobo, not jsut Asus A8N's?

If it is a problem with No Execute causing a BSOD due to an incorrectly written driver, then it should appear on any machine with a NX-capable processor - i.e. AMD64 or recent P4 - and using an OS with NX awareness - e.g. Windows XP SP2 (not SP1 or earlier).

Mwarner: I tried the above suggestion to disable DEP completely by editing the boot.ini, and that didn't change the crashing behavior I'm seeing. I appended "/NoExecute=AlwaysOff" to the applicable line in my boot.ini and there is not change -- still geting the same BSOD message of "MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION".

Someone in another thread mentioned that they had a similar problem, but don't have it anymore after they changed a some bios settings. Since that person didn't systematically change the values, they had no idea which one it was that solved the problem.

A few folks have suggested that I disable things like SATA, etc. I already have:

Under Avanced | PCIPnP:
[*]"Plug and Play OS"=yes
[*]Resources controlled by=Auto

Under Onboard device configuration:
[*]SATA and NVRAID completely disabled
[*]serial port disabled
[*]Marvell lan=disabled, NVLAN=enabled
[*]game and midi disabled

Other setttings from the bios that are worth mentioning:
[*]SLI=off
[*]Not overclocked at all

[*]Suspend type=S3(STR)
[*]ACPI APIC support=Enabled

 

[Kriz]

I read somewhere that this motherboard has trouble fitting in the Antec Performance 1 series case. Anyone here have that?

 

[AaAtlantis]

Hi guyz,

I'm considering to buy the A8N-SLI Deluxe, but still have one question left. I've a triple head setup at the moment running on an AGP Geforce 4 ti 4400 card (main monitor) and a PCI Matrox G450 DH for left and right monitor (thus total of 3 mon).
I'd like to create same setup with the A8N, so dual graphics cards in the PCI-E slots.

THE QUESTION: In SLI mode the bandwidth is divided over the 2 PCI-E slots (both 8x), is this also the case when working with 2 graph cards in NON-SLI mode, or is PCI-E-1 then working at 16x and 2 at 1x?

Tnx alot!

 

[imported_starfury6]

I dont know all those answers but the bandwidth is indeed dropped to 8x when two PCI-e cards are running in SLI.

TBH I dont know anyone that's tried running 2 cards with multiple heads, NON-SLI.... You might be the first...

 

[ronin17]

Originally posted by: tmchow
have you tried pulling your devices out one by one and seeing if that makes a difference? I narrowed it down to teh Evga Dual tuner card in my PC. I'm about to try the DEP workaround that mwarner suggested earlier.

I'll go ahead and pull my audigy card and see if that makes a difference. But I really don't have anything else in there that could be causing any conflicts.

Maybe the A8N-SLI doesn't like the audigy on the last PCI slot? I'll see.

Thanks.

 

[steamnputer]

Originally posted by: AaAtlantis
Hi guyz,

THE QUESTION: In SLI mode the bandwidth is divided over the 2 PCI-E slots (both 8x), is this also the case when working with 2 graph cards in NON-SLI mode, or is PCI-E-1 then working at 16x and 2 at 1x?

Tnx alot!

I not by any means an expert but I believe i have read in several spots that having 2 cards in non-SLI'd provides 16X to both cards. I do know and was a little disapointed after I ordered my a8n that I could not run 2 monitors off mine once they were SLI'd. I think the BIOS tells the CPU to divide the PCI-E between the cards otherwise the channels are the same as having a AGP and a PCI-e you may want to look at this post in video http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1474360&enterthread=y

along with other posts in the video section.

 

[Dream Operator]

Thanks for all the help.

I pulled the Audigy 2 awhile ago (sorry haven't updated my sig). I had already reinstalled windows since then so no drivers were left hanging around.

I agree that the issue was some sort of conflict in the hardware. Not sure where though. Can't afford to run on one stick. My Nuendo projects need lots of RAM. I don't think it's the PSU because I have had the system up and running. Even oced to 2640/480/1t/2.5-3-3-7 w/o problems. After going from 1004-001 to 1004 final. I tried going past the 240 mark. Used clockgen. Crashed and corrupted windows install! The next install of windows was the one I had posted about with all the BSOD.

On this fresh install of XP, I dug up an older copy I have w/o SP1 stream lined. So basic XP install, then SP2 installed. Maybe had some issues there. So far so good. All software hasn't been loaded though. Trying to go slower this time to make sure everything stays working, or atleast be able to pin point a program if that should be the issue.

Happy Computing!

 

[JayN1]

TMCHOW

I had the exact same BSOD as you:

Machine Check Exception..something

It was worse before I installed bios 1005.05, it's almost stable now, havent had a crash for several hours!

I only have ATA HD's like you, makes you wonder..

Hardware:

Asus SLI Deluxe w. 1005.05 raid&sata disabled
Maxtor 160 & 80 GB Diamondmax 9+ ATA
Maxtor 200 GB Diamondmax 10 ATA
Pioneer DVR 108D
NorthQ 4775-500 PSU w. 34A on 12V rail.
2 x 512 ballistix
AMD 3200+
Powercolor X800XL
Antec Superlanboy

 

[mwarner]

@jayn1 / tmchow / dream operator

Have all you guys tested your memory to make sure this isn't the cause of the problem?

I would recommend a thorough check using memtest86+ (1.51) and goldmem 6.64. Personally I think goldmem is the better of the two, since I have exposed problems using this software that others didn't pick up (memtest86+, docmemory and MS windows memory diagnostic). PC Mark 04 is also good, but you can't access the memory tests unless you have a registered version (although I have discovered faults with this more quickly than even GoldMem). If you have high performance memory, don't forget to ensure the memory voltage is set correctly in the BIOS!

If there are no issues with your memory, I would remove all non essential components (i.e. just motherboard, memory, CPU and graphics card - ideally PCI if you have one) and run some thorough tests. I personally use SuperPI, PCMark 04 and 3DMark05 (or 03 if you don't have a DX9 card) and leave them running for a number of hours.
Once you have a stable base system then you can reintroduce your additional hardware.

I also find CPUZ is a useful tool to ensure your CPU, HT and memory are within specs. Only when you have a rock solid system should you start to overclock. You should always retest using a memory checker and a benchmark when you hit your OC targets to ensure stability.

It also goes without saying that you should NEVER use an old Windows installation & install the new drivers on top. When changing a significant component such as the motherboard, ALWAYS start with a fresh OS install.

 

[AaAtlantis]

Originally posted by: steamnputer
[I not by any means an expert but I believe i have read in several spots that having 2 cards in non-SLI'd provides 16X to both cards. I do know and was a little disapointed after I ordered my a8n that I could not run 2 monitors off mine once they were SLI'd. I think the BIOS tells the CPU to divide the PCI-E between the cards otherwise the channels are the same as having a AGP and a PCI-e you may want to look at this post in video http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1474360&enterthread=y

along with other posts in the video section.

Tnx for your reaction, I hadn't thought of trying to find info on this subject the other way around (Video in stead of Mobo), stupid of me.

Unofortunately nobody in that thread knows it for sure. Did find in the meantime 2 reviews where was stated that when set in dual mode (<> SLI), the lanes are divided over PCI-E1 and 2.

For those who are interested the links:
http://www.hardware.info/reviews.php?id=521 (Dutch site)
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.cfm?articleid=612

Within a week I hope I can confirm over here that the setup i'd like does work: I just took the gamble and ordered 1 ASUS EN6600 GT /TD and one ASUS EN6600 /TD, both 128 MB.

PS: I couldn't find any other threads, than the one you mentioned. Which other one's did you find?

 

[steamnputer]

may not have even been here or in a review possibly no-one has in my memory said that they have run them that way just guestmated which everyone seems to do.

 

[squonk]

OK, Hi all

 

[squonk]

OK, Hi all

Id like to get some feedback on what everyone does when updating video drivers on the A8N SLI Deluxe. Especialy with regard to sli being enabled on the previouse version. This may help set a standard if we can compile everyones thought so im looking for everyones opinions.

If your in sli mode do you :

A) turn off sli reboot and then update the drivers

B) load em right over the top leaving sli on

or

C) turn off sli, unistall drivers from device manager or controll panel\add remove and then load the new drivers

Note--- all of the options above asume the obviouse that anti virus is disabled

 

[ThomasE66]

Originally posted by: squonk
OK, Hi all

Id like to get some feedback on what everyone does when updating video drivers on the A8N SLI Deluxe. Especialy with regard to sli being enabled on the previouse version. This may help set a standard if we can compile everyones thought so im looking for everyones opinions.

If your in sli mode do you :

A) turn off sli reboot and then update the drivers

B) load em right over the top leaving sli on

or

C) turn off sli, unistall drivers from device manager or controll panel\add remove and then load the new drivers

Note--- all of the options above asume the obviouse that anti virus is disabled

You don't need to take any special steps or turn off SLI. I just uninstall the old, reinstall the new. Works fine.

 

[tmchow]

Originally posted by: mwarner
@jayn1 / tmchow / dream operator

Have all you guys tested your memory to make sure this isn't the cause of the problem?

I would recommend a thorough check using memtest86+ (1.51) and goldmem 6.64. Personally I think goldmem is the better of the two, since I have exposed problems using this software that others didn't pick up (memtest86+, docmemory and MS windows memory diagnostic). PC Mark 04 is also good, but you can't access the memory tests unless you have a registered version (although I have discovered faults with this more quickly than even GoldMem). If you have high performance memory, don't forget to ensure the memory voltage is set correctly in the BIOS!

If there are no issues with your memory, I would remove all non essential components (i.e. just motherboard, memory, CPU and graphics card - ideally PCI if you have one) and run some thorough tests. I personally use SuperPI, PCMark 04 and 3DMark05 (or 03 if you don't have a DX9 card) and leave them running for a number of hours.
Once you have a stable base system then you can reintroduce your additional hardware.

I also find CPUZ is a useful tool to ensure your CPU, HT and memory are within specs. Only when you have a rock solid system should you start to overclock. You should always retest using a memory checker and a benchmark when you hit your OC targets to ensure stability.

It also goes without saying that you should NEVER use an old Windows installation & install the new drivers on top. When changing a significant component such as the motherboard, ALWAYS start with a fresh OS install.

Thanks for the tip. I've run through a memory diagnostic and everything worked out fine. .I'll try to see if Goldmem can find anything else wrong.

Problem I was having with many of the diagnostic tools i found online were that it wanted a floppy disk in A: drive to write out the bootdisk. It would accept a drive letter other than A: or B: so I couldn't use my USB key. My media center has no floppy drive so this is severely limiting.

Also, i'm convinced it's a bad driver or just incompat problem with Asus A8N and the Evga tuner, since my machine runs rock solid when the Evga Tuner is removed.

Others that are experiencing crashes who don't have an Evga Tuner, may have faulty memory though.

 

[JayN1]

"Also, i'm convinced it's a bad driver or just incompat problem with Asus A8N and the Evga tuner, since my machine runs rock solid when the Evga Tuner is removed."

I reckon it's a driver problem as well. Everything ran fine on my old NForce 2 motherboard, the only hardware that is changed is CPU, PSU, MOBO and GFX.

I have turned of "automatic restart at system failure", and uninstalled network access manager and everything has worked since then.

I have tested my ram with PCMark04, and they seem to be alright.

 

[mikl]

Need some advice.
I've ordered ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe and wonder which memmory I should buy. I'm thinking about Corsair CMX512-3200XL XMS3200 4x512Mb. Is this a good option? Or can anyone recommend any other good memmory?
Any thoughts on buying Zalman CNSP7700-CU or Thermalright XP-120?
I?ve hade a Zalman 7000-cu for my old system but I?ve heard that the XP-120 is a bit quieter.

 

[tmchow]

Originally posted by: JayN1
"Also, i'm convinced it's a bad driver or just incompat problem with Asus A8N and the Evga tuner, since my machine runs rock solid when the Evga Tuner is removed."

I reckon it's a driver problem as well. Everything ran fine on my old NForce 2 motherboard, the only hardware that is changed is CPU, PSU, MOBO and GFX.

I have turned of "automatic restart at system failure", and uninstalled network access manager and everything has worked since then.

I have tested my ram with PCMark04, and they seem to be alright.

actually tongiht I just tried an ATI TV Wonder Elite to replace the Evga tuner and I'm still getting the same crash problem. These are completely different drivesr.. i"m convinced now that it's the asus motherboard that's the problem.

I've submitted an RMA request to Zipzoomfly.com to try to replace this with a Gigabyte board..i'm through playing with this piece of junk.