*** Official ASUS P4C800/Deluxe (875P) Thread ***

[DaveR]

Well, I have not had to log in.

One other go around is that it seemed that I will want 1016 BIOS. Wasn't there a problem getting the utility to do this if you do not even have the OS loaded yet?

Also, I assume that with Raid0 you can switch from Intel to Promise with no Hard Drive issues.


Why are you up so late? I could not sleep so with VPN I am working!!

Originally posted by: computer
This damn site is as screwed up as the Asus site. Is anyone else getting logged out every time you leave this site? I'm having to login every time I visit to check this thread!

I'll be posting some extensive benchmarks soon comparing the ICH5R to the Promise. I've completed them, just have to finish the documentation. I also want to run a few more (WinZip, winrar, and Winstone).

BTW, use the 2mil thick tape when you can. The thinner, the less thermal resistance but the surfaces have to be glass smooth to use the thinnest material and the 2mil stuff is almost impossible to work with.

 

[computer]

I work nights, so I'll be knocking off shortly.

The only way I've ever updated the BIOS is via floppy, and I haven't run RAID on this mobo but I was able to switch the Raptor between the ICH5 and Promise OK.

I forgot to mention below that another reason the Promise is faster is because the Asus retards removed UDMA 6 support on the Native controllers in BIOS 14 and later. Morons. So, if you have an ATA133 or SATA drive, that's why they really suck on the ICH5 Native w/BIOS 14 or later since they're only running UDMA 5. But even ATA100 drives are faster on the Promise.

Did you see my post below (or above) on the Promise drivers? I don't know which to install since I lost my CD.

 

[computer]

Well I tried the Asus PC Probe, and it sucks. So, I'm back to still needing a Hardware Monitor that works. You can't change settings on this thing, and no alarm beeps work, plus it only gives you a few voltages. :| Does anyone know if the Abit one will work with this mobo? That was a great utility. Had about 25 voltages monitored (including Vdimm, which is what I need), you could set the alert levels very easily, and if they were reached, you got a beep and PopUp warning. It's not the one on the Abit CD, but another I got from their site. It's just called "hwm_is7.exe" and the PC it was on is gone now, so I can't look at the name or brand of it but I think it was Winbond. If that one won't work, then I'm open to suggestions for a HW monitor that fits that criteria above.

 

[DaveR]

Yes, I saw your post. I will get those drivers. I saw a post somewhere that did give the Promise drivers to use and I will look for it again.

I know you used a floppy, but without an OS, will the P4C look for the BIOS on a floppy? I know, RTFM...does it come with a full printed manual or do I need to print it at work?

Originally posted by: computer
I work nights, so I'll be knocking off shortly.

The only way I've ever updated the BIOS is via floppy, and I haven't run RAID on this mobo but I was able to switch the Raptor between the ICH5 and Promise OK.

I forgot to mention below that another reason the Promise is faster is because the Asus retards removed UDMA 6 support on the Native controllers in BIOS 14 and later. Morons. So, if you have an ATA133 or SATA drive, that's why they really suck on the ICH5 Native w/BIOS 14 or later since they're only running UDMA 5. But even ATA100 drives are faster on the Promise.

Did you see my post below (or above) on the Promise drivers? I don't know which to install since I lost my CD.

 

[Jack4KickAss]

I find Motherboard monitor very handy. Very customizable. Can show temps in the system tray.

Link

Sorry, that's not the homepage. Best link I can find now.

 

[DaveR]

Very good news. I called KOMUSA about my order. They said YES, it is a tested matched pair double sided using AData chips. And they are proud of the copper spreaders and it comes with clips and 3M TAPE.

Originally posted by: computer
I never noticed before either way, I just thought I'd let you know how to make links clickable without having to click that "http" button at the top.

I've been screwing around with my mobo since last September!! So, I know all too well how much work this can be. I wasted months trying to figure out the WMD program getting errors on the Promise controller, then had to RMA my mobo, research and decide on support hardware and order it, and I'm right now as I type finally putting it in the case & sleeving the PS and cables, installing fans, etc., but still without a decision on a video card or a WD360 or WD740. Right now I'm about to lap my HSF unit. Even when buying fans I spent weeks trying to find the highest output 80mm, 92mm, and 120mm fans and the best prices. I don't plan on upgrading for a LOOOOOOONG time so this build is going to be FLAWLESS.

Ask 3M to send you some samples. I have a hardware biz and I got a bunch of free samples from them, but if you tell them you need to test/sample some thermal interface materials for a college project or "your business" they should send you some samples. I got 3 types of thermal pads in 8.5 x 11" sheets, and about 5 rolls of thermal tape each a different size. The rolls are not very long, but it's certainly more than enough for one person. You'd be surprised how many companies will send you free samples if you just ask, heck I never even had to ask. I also got some Loctite electrically conductive glue/adhesive for free and that stuff is expensive. They sent it Next Day Air in a HUGE dry ice container, the kind that would hold about a case of beer! Stuff doesn't work though, it never dries and it's not conductive UNTIL it dries!!

 

[DaveR]

I found the site, of all places...

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,9795635~mode=flat

I see my autoparse is on so lets see if it works. A ways down they give the driver to use.

Originally posted by: computer
I lost the CD that came with my mobo. As I expected, I went to the Asus site and they don't have the HW monitor Asus PC Probe. Does anyone know where I can d'load it from or another good, accurate, hardware monitor?

Which one of these am I supposed to download for the Promise controller:

Promise FastTrak 378 RAID Driver V1.00.1.37 for Windows 98SE/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003

Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30

Promise FastTrak 378 RAIDDriver V1.00.1.30

Am I to understand you have to use a different driver if you're going to run RAID on the controller?

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: computer
Is that M0 the 1.425v unit? What's the specs of that memory?

The Promise controller has better performance.

All of the MO stepping chips show 1.525v on the box. The heat spreaders do not have any voltage stamped on the multi-vid chips. Some of the MO chips will read 1.425v when set to auto or 1.525v in the bios. Others will show up to 1.525v with the same settings in the bios.

The voltage / temp programs will only read what is set to read in the bios. Asus does not read the vdimm as does Abit. Motherboard Monitor is still the best program IMHO for readings but you are still limited to what is set for the board.

 

[Willian]

I have Bios version 1011 should I update my Bios if im having no issues? What do i hit F2 during bootup to flash my bios?

 

[computer]

Yes, I saw your post. I will get those drivers. I saw a post somewhere that did give the Promise drivers to use and I will look for it again.

I know you used a floppy, but without an OS, will the P4C look for the BIOS on a floppy? I know, RTFM...does it come with a full printed manual or do I need to print it at work?

Thanks Dave.

I'm not sure what you mean on the BIOS. You put the BIOS ROM file on a floppy, and the flash executable then boot off the floppy and follow the directions. I don't have the link, I just saved the page as a .mht file but you can find it at the Asus site. That pertains to you as well William, although I wouldn't flash it unless the newer versions have something you need. Can you please verify something William? See if there is a "UDMA 6" listing in the BIOS for the Native controller (regular IDE). This is why I think I'm going back to v1011 since 14 and later removed UDMA 6 support.

Jack & John, thanks, mobo monitor looks good. Are you saying John that there is no way to monitor Vdimm on this mobo without the use of an external meter?

 

[computer]

I found the site, of all places...
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,9795635~mode=flat

Dave (or anyone else), what I need to know is if different drivers have to be installed for RAID and for non-RAID. This doesn't make sense. I don't mean the drivers to load before XP, I've never had that problem. I mean the drivers to install after XP is installed to rid the Device Manager of the yellow marks for the Promise controller. That's the drivers I need, (what was on the Asus CD). I'm not running RAID now, but I might soon.

 

[jhites]

Are you saying John that there is no way to monitor Vdimm on this mobo without the use of an external meter?

That is correct. You can't monitor vdimm with any program on this board.

You should only need the promise raid drivers if you install raid. If you do set up a raid array, you will need to set up the raid array, put the drivers on a floppy and use the F6 key when prompted on a new XP install. You will also loose everything when you set up the raid array, so back up anything that you want to save.

There is also promise drivers for SATA and ATA listed at the Asus website that might solve you ATA6 vs 5 issue. (Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30)

 

[computer]

I guess then it's mandatory that I finish my Vdimm meter. That's ridiculous. I also notice it has no AUXPM monitor (power supply on the mobo).

I'm decided I'm not going to be running RAID, I have no need for it. (Some time in the future I may get another WD740 and run them in RAID, but not now). So, where does that leave me driver wise...use the Promise drivers that don't mention RAID, and different drivers have to be used if I run RAID? How can the "Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30" give UDMA 6 support on the Native controller?
Thanks John.

 

[computer]

To anyone running BIOS 1011 or earlier:
Please see if there is a "UDMA 6" listing in the BIOS for the Native controller (regular IDE).

 

[DaveR]

WOW...a lot going on. My MoBo should be here by Thursday. I will see what I have for ATA6 if it has a d/l BIOS.

Computer, you seem to be the only one so far on all the forums who thinks the Promise is faster than the Intel for Raid.

Also, I started reading the manual and it also seems that you can hit ALT-F2 during bootup and it will look for a floppy with an updated BIOS. Is that a good way to update? I was thinking anyway that I should make sure all works before I flash anything.

P.S. Does this MOBO only need a powered set of speakers on the audio output line in order to hear the POST messages?

I ask as I was thinking that I could put the board in the case, hook up power and the speakers and then power it on to hear it complain about no cpu.

 

[DaveR]

Computer...one thought as I keep seeing the Intel Raid as being the one of choice. What was your stripe size? It seems as though most say a 128K is best in the real world but makes the testing programs barf. It seems the benchmark programs like 32K.

 

[Willian]

I have Bios version 1011 should I update my Bios if im having no issues? What do i hit F2 during bootup to flash my bios? Anyone?

 

[senior guy]

Originally posted by: Willian
I have Bios version 1011 should I update my Bios if im having no issues? What do i hit F2 during bootup to flash my bios? Anyone?

My moto is: "If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it" - but the moto of most others here seems to be: "If it isn't broke, tweak it until it is!"

If you do decide to flash your BIOS, "AFUDOS is the safest method of all" (according to Asus).

 

[DaveR]

Hey...that is almost my sig!!!

Originally posted by: senior guy

Originally posted by: Willian
I have Bios version 1011 should I update my Bios if im having no issues? What do i hit F2 during bootup to flash my bios? Anyone?

My moto is: "If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it" -- but quite a few others here would disagree and say: "If it isn't broke, tweak it until it is!"

If you do decide to flash your BIOS, "AFUDOS is the safest method of all" (according to Asus).

 

[senior guy]

Sorry Dave - I really didn't mean to plagiarize your sig., but it does validate my point!

 

[DaveR]

I know. At work I also have a sig that says "If it's not on fire, it's a software problem".

Originally posted by: senior guy
Sorry Dave - I really didn't mean to plagiarize your sig., but it does validate my point!

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: DaveR
WOW...a lot going on. My MoBo should be here by Thursday. I will see what I have for ATA6 if it has a d/l BIOS.

Computer, you seem to be the only one so far on all the forums who thinks the Promise is faster than the Intel for Raid.

Also, I started reading the manual and it also seems that you can hit ALT-F@ during bootup and it will look for a floppy with an updated BIOS. Is that a good way to update? I was thinking anyway that I should make sure all works before I flash anything.

P.S. Does this MOBO only need a powered set of speakers on the audio output line in order to hear the POST messages?

I ask as I was thinking that I could put the board in the case, hook up power and the speakers and then power it on to hear it complain about no cpu.

That's because I'm the only one that's done hundreds of benchmarks comparing several drives, and the ICH5 & Promise controllers. That's also why I do things myself since you can't believe what you read, UNLESS someone has done what I have done. The ICH5 only won maybe 1 or 2 out of 12 tests, and not by much on those. Now, again, this is with BIOS 14 with only UDMA 5 support on the ICH5, however like I said before, the ATA100 drives which are UDMA 5 were also faster on the Promise. Everyone automatically assumes the ICH5 is going to be faster because it's not on the PCI bus. Logically, that makes sense but there are obviously other factors that come into play here like the massive buffering on the Promise controller that I also mentioned before. Since drives never see the 133mb/sec on the PCI bus in the first place, evidently it's a non-issue to require a bus of 266mb/sec bandwidth.

I can't answer about the BIOS update.

Remember, this mobo has no beep codes unless you have USB devices hooked up (or a problem), and only then if you have a case speaker connected. I don't think you need external speakers to hear Voice or beeps.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: DaveR
Computer...one thought as I keep seeing the Intel Raid as being the one of choice. What was your stripe size? It seems as though most say a 128K is best in the real world but makes the testing programs barf. It seems the benchmark programs like 32K.

I didn't use RAID, I used stand alone single drives.

 

[computer]

I know. At work I also have a sig that says "If it's not on fire, it's a software problem".

That's hilarious.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: computer
To anyone running BIOS 1011 or earlier:
Please see if there is a "UDMA 6" listing in the BIOS for the Native controller (regular IDE).

Yep - UDMA 6 is in the 1011 BIOS. I am still running 1011 on mine. The bios picks up my Maxtor as UDMA 6 but it still shows UDMA 5 in XP device manager.