*** Official ASUS P5W DH Thread ***

[CRChickadee]

ASUS responded back with how to create a 'CrashFree Bios updater: here's the info:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a link to link to BOOTDISK.com if you need a CLEAN boot disk: http://www.bootdisk.com/donate.htm#lunch

The AWDFlash utility can be found here: http://www.asus.com.tw/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=Tools

1) Use the DR DOS For Flashing BIOS utility from the link above to create a clean boot floppy. Or, you could format a floppy from a Windows 9x or DOS based system, checking the option to "Copy System Files Also". You can also download a DRDOS or a Windows 9x boot disk from http://www.bootdisk.com.
2) Extract the BIOS file to your floppy disk. The BIOS file can be downloaded from http://www.asus.com/support/download/download.aspx. MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT BIOS FOR YOUR BOARD. Flashing with an incorrect BIOS will render your machine un-bootable
3) Extract the file "AWDFLASH.EXE" from the link above to your floppy disk.
4) Make sure to remove or rename files "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and "CONFIG.SYS" from your boot
floppy if they exist (shouldn't be there if disk is freshly formatted).
5) Boot PC with the boot disk. If this boot disk is not a "clean" boot disk (contains an AUTOEXEC.BAT and/or CONFIG.SYS), tap F5 at the "Starting Windows" text message. If done correctly, you will get a "Windows Is Bypassing Your Startup Files" message.
6) At the A:\> prompt, type "awdflash" and press [ENTER].
7) Follow on-screen instructions, making sure to save your old BIOS file to
your floppy. Name it anything you want.
8) When instructed safe to do so, power cycle your machine, wait 10-15
seconds, then power on.
9) Enter BIOS SETUP using the [DELETE] key, load setup defaults by pressing
[F5] within BIOS SETUP
10) Save and Exit.

If system fails to boot after BIOS update, please follow the instructions in your
manual to CLEAR your CMOS, making sure to remove the power cord and battery
before shorting CLR RTC jumpers.

Be advised that flashing your BIOS is a risky procedure and should ONLY be
done if necessary. If something fails during the flash, DO NOT POWER OFF
YOUR MACHINE. Doing so will render your machine un-bootable. Try to
reflash your BIOS or reflash your BIOS with the OLD one or contact us at
502-995-0883 (M-F 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM EST) for instruction.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, I note that a Cd can be made just the same as a floppy. To be truly automatic, so to speak, keep the autoexec.bat file in the floppy or CD, remove all other entries in the autoexec.bat file, and then put in the command line to write the bios, with the bios name in the command line, and if you wish to save the old bios, the directory path and filename for that.

The command is:

awdflash [FileName1] [FileName2]
FileName1 : New BIOS Name for Flash Programming
FileName2 : BIOS File for Backing-up the Original BIOS

Also, I see that the ASUS cite indicated in their first few lines:

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=Tools

appears currently under work.

Here is the german link to the AWDFLASH app.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/flash"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/flash">ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/flash</a></a>

 

[Austin2k]

It's over clocking time...yah yah yah....It's over clocking time...yah...yah (Off to see Taj Mahal tonight)

XP64
4 gigs crucial ballistix 2.2v 4-4-4-12 DDR2-800
e6400
RAID-0 on 2 sets of 2 320gig 7200.10 drives OS and progs on one volume and data on another volume.
Raptor 150 for scratch and temp R/W space, DVD Authoring, Premiere, Photoshop
SB Audigy 2 ZS Paltinum Pro

I'm updating drivers, bios, etc right now but I'd like to set up some overclocking and burn it in while Taj plays this evening.

Suggestions?

 

[Aquiel]

Thank you guys for your help and advice,
as soon I have the parts I will get here

thanks again

 

[Billyzeke]

Im thinking about installing a Scythe ninja rev 2 HSF on my Asus p5wdh and E6600. My question is how much clearance is needed between the tower heatsink and the rear exhaust case fan?

 

[J5bullet]

I heard people had issues with cooling the SB on this P5W MB. They seem to run almost around 50C. I have a intel core 2 duo at 2.4GHZ, and this MB, and the cpu idles at like 35C, but the MB stays at like 46C. After a bit of internet search.. i came across this website...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106563

It shows how to take off the heat sinks on the MB and put in our own thermal paste because company paste is CRAP... And the article suggests that the copper decors on the heatsink be taken out because they are causing such a increase in temperature...

I STILL KEPT my copper decors on the heatsink on, because i guess it voids the warranty or something if i take it off...

I tryed it out but it doesn't do much good, maybe a temperature drop of 1C so far, but i used articsilver 5, and its supposed to take like 200 hours of operation and heat cycles before it takes effect or something....

Only thing that seems to help right now is, i keep a small 3cm fan under the SB... the fan is pointing up, and doing so got the temperature to go down from 46C to 36C in mins...

I was wondering if any of you guys had such a problem can you give me some suggestions..

thanks

 

[phile]

The mobo temp diode is located by the SB, which is why you saw such a dramatic decrease in temp after adding the fan. It's precisely because of the temp diode placement that a normal idle temp can be anywhere between 40C and 50C. You will also see a significant improvement by removing the heatsink caps. They do nothing but impede proper airflow. Whether doing so voids the warranty, I do not know. However, I doubt ASUS would deny a legitimate RMA request on this basis alone. The caps are decorative, and I challenge anyone to argue that removing them constitutes a modification of the board.

-phil

 

[CRChickadee]

"I challenge anyone to argue that removing them constitutes a modification of the board. "

Though I agree with you, the challenge would not be with anyone here. Any challenge would legally be with ASUS, at their sole discretion/determination. Call and ask them. Large companies have a way with anally retentive policies.

 

[CRChickadee]

Originally posted by: J5bullet
I heard people had issues with cooling the SB on this P5W MB. They seem to run almost around 50C. I have a intel core 2 duo at 2.4GHZ, and this MB, and the cpu idles at like 35C, but the MB stays at like 46C. After a bit of internet search.. i came across this website...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106563

It shows how to take off the heat sinks on the MB and put in our own thermal paste because company paste is CRAP... And the article suggests that the copper decors on the heatsink be taken out because they are causing such a increase in temperature...

I STILL KEPT my copper decors on the heatsink on, because i guess it voids the warranty or something if i take it off...

I tryed it out but it doesn't do much good, maybe a temperature drop of 1C so far, but i used articsilver 5, and its supposed to take like 200 hours of operation and heat cycles before it takes effect or something....

Only thing that seems to help right now is, i keep a small 3cm fan under the SB... the fan is pointing up, and doing so got the temperature to go down from 46C to 36C in mins...

I was wondering if any of you guys had such a problem can you give me some suggestions..

thanks

You gotta be living some place warm. My MB is constantly at 38-40, even when the CPU is maxing 100% (via stress tests) and is at 55 C. Normal CPU idle is 38 evening and 40 days. Ambient climate here (Costa Rica) is mid 70's day time.

 

[SkyYYZ]

Hey guys (and gals!),

Just joining the party - GREAT MB! Always had good luck with ASUSTeK.

If any of you have problems installing Windows (won't load), check your RAM. Had a bad experience with OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 2GB Platinum XTC Revision 2 (OCZ2P800R22GK) and this MB.

Strangely enough, it would post no problem, and the BIOS recognised it as 2048MB (Dual Channel) -- it just wouldn't install Windows. The system would hang after loading set up files (and ICH7 RAID drivers from floppy) as soon as I hit "enter" to "set up Windows now". I finally removed one stick and the problem was solved. Got the machine going, downloaded Windows updates, installed drivers from the ASUS disk, shut down and threw the second stick back in. Surprise... it hung starting Windows.

So, I exchanged the OCZ for Corsair XMS2 6400C4, formatted, and re-installed Windows. The system is running flawless. Awesome machine!

Jay

 

[iamdw]

I must say, I've been browsing through this thread and find it very informative and helpful.

One thing I have not stumbled upon yet is trouble with Crossfire mode. The search seems bunk to me as "Crossfire" and even "Overclock" yield no results, so I apologize if this is redundant - didn't feel like reading through 65 threads >=P.

To summarize my issue, I upgraded my old ECS PA1 MVP 2.0 board to the P5W to resolve an issue with my X-Fi sound card. All things have gone well, er better than well so far except for my Crossfire setup. All components are exactly the same since the upgrade yet when I pop in both x1900 XT there is no video signal, though when I pop either card in alone, everything seems fine...

Attempts to resolve so far:

- Swapping PCI slots
- General overclocking to get some extra power.
- Checked cables and Crossfire dongle for bent pins, etc.
- Removed a stick of RAM
- Removed some and eventually all other PCI components
- Unplugged IEEE 1394 and USB cabled from MoBo

Is there anything else I should try? Something particular in the BIOS?

I'm not a pro since I grew up on locked down Mac OS hardware, but I learn fast and have a above average understanding of components and how they work. I'm quite comfortable adjusting BIOS setting so don't hesitate on suggestions...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

- dDub

 

[luckyinfil]

Hi Phil,

I've followed your advice regarding setting up AHCI but I seem to be having ALOT of trouble. I'm planning on doing a format to fix any problems!

In an earlier post, you told me to download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, which I did. I ran the program which in turn created a boot disk for me.

Now after restarting, I go into the bios, change the hard drive configuration to AHCI and then I boot the computer using the WinXP install cd. When it asked to install RAID or other drivers, I hit F6, but other drivers kept loading. After a while i got to a screen that said something about unable to find drivers, and then press "s" to install manually ( I believe this is the result of hitting F6). My usb floppy drive was already plugged and had the floppy disk in, but no matter what i tried, it wouldn't load drivers or give me the screen to choose the ICH7R drivers.

I also tried this using the normal IDE instead of AHCI and it didn't work. I also tried booting with the floppy but that didn't do anything. Please advise on how I would go about setting up AHCI.

Second, I seem to have very slow boot times. I have my HD partitioned into 3 (C:, D:, E and when i first setup this computer (with no programs or anything), Windows would load up at the black "Windows Screen" with the "moving block" only going from left to right 3 times. Now it takes about 6. How do I make it faster? What should i do to make my computer have fast load times?

Thanks in advance for your help.

John

 

[Big Mike]

Originally posted by: Yelf
Many times the 4+4 will snap apart giving you 2 - 4 prong plugs.

Thanks again Yelf, upon close inspection, the 4+4 snapped right apart (and will lock back together should I need it that way at a later date). Booted right away, and I installed Windows and drivers last night on a minimal setup. Now that I know my compoenents work, it's time to fix those NB and SB heatsinks and replace my video card heatsink.

To any who can help, what would the settings be for a simple overclock to begin with? I've got Corsair DDR2 6400, with 5-5-5-12 timings and 1.9V. Thanks in advance.

BTW: A very nice suprise for those who don't know, the mobo comes with something called "Q Connectors". These allow you to plug in your power switch, reset switch, and HD LEDs into a small socket adapter that then plugs directly into the board. Makes it very easy for people with large hands, like myself, to get those tiny plugs taken care of. For such a simple idea, it was so helpful and time saving.

 

[Austin2k]

Some RAID notes:
Set it up before install the OS.
I set it up so the OS installs on a stripe volume.
ICHR7 / Intel Manager will take up to 4 drives. Not all of them need to be RAIDED. Install them in this order:
SATA1, 3, 4 and EZRAID_1 These map to Port 0,1,2, and 3
In the BIOS "Configure SATA as" needs to be set to RAID. (Manual 4.3.6)
During POST use CTRL+I to get into the Intel Utility. If you don't see it them recheck "Configure SATA as"
I configured 4 identical drives into 2 RAID 0 volumes. I could have RAID5 on 3 drives and left the other one as a single. You can play around with this utility BEFORE installing an OS.
I pulled the jumpers off the EZ_RAID jumper block. I can't find any documentation pro or con on doing this.
Install the OS. During XP install the volume will format. Go to a movie.

It appears that if you use 4 drives as described then the EZ_RAID_2 SATA connector on the board is not usable. To add another drive I enabled JMicron in the BIOS and set the drive to BASIC. ACHI did not work on the JMicron with a WD Raptor 150.
The other RAID volume and single disk can be managed using Disk Management in XP.
Also interesting, when I added the raptor drive via Jmicron AFTER installing the OS the disk became DISK 0 in Disk Managment. Next I'll see what happens when I 'try' to add an eSATA drive.

e6400
Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
Gigabyte 7600 GT (with the heatsinks)
4 gig Crucial Ballistix PC-6400
4x 7200.10 320 gig drives as 2 596gig volumes
Raptor 150 for scratch ,swap, etc.

 

[Austin2k]

One IMPORTANT thing
Make a driver disk before installing the OS. I used the method in 5.5.1 with out any problems. Remember to set the drive order back after making the driver disk. A tidbit missing from the instruction list.

 

[Big Mike]

Originally posted by: Austin2k
Some RAID notes:
Set it up before install the OS.
I set it up so the OS installs on a stripe volume.
ICHR7 / Intel Manager will take up to 4 drives. Not all of them need to be RAIDED. Install them in this order:
SATA1, 3, 4 and EZRAID_1 These map to Port 0,1,2, and 3
In the BIOS "Configure SATA as" needs to be set to RAID. (Manual 4.3.6)
During POST use CTRL+I to get into the Intel Utility. If you don't see it them recheck "Configure SATA as"
I configured 4 identical drives into 2 RAID 0 volumes. I could have RAID5 on 3 drives and left the other one as a single. You can play around with this utility BEFORE installing an OS.
I pulled the jumpers off the EZ_RAID jumper block. I can't find any documentation pro or con on doing this.
Install the OS. During XP install the volume will format. Go to a movie.

It appears that if you use 4 drives as described then the EZ_RAID_2 SATA connector on the board is not usable. To add another drive I enabled JMicron in the BIOS and set the drive to BASIC. ACHI did not work on the JMicron with a WD Raptor 150.
The other RAID volume and single disk can be managed using Disk Management in XP.
Also interesting, when I added the raptor drive via Jmicron AFTER installing the OS the disk became DISK 0 in Disk Managment. Next I'll see what happens when I 'try' to add an eSATA drive.

Thanks for the info. I had a question that I'm hoping you could clarify. I would like to have a single Raptor boot/OS drive, and a 3 drive RAID-5. From your post I'm thinking it should be set up as follows:

SATA1 Port: Raptor (Boot Drive)
SATA3 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)
SATA4 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)
EZ_RAID1 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)

Then I follow your instructions as described: BIOS Settings, Intel Utility, and OS Installation.

Does this seem correct?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Austin2k]

That sounds right. Let me know if it works/fails!

Originally posted by: Big Mike

Originally posted by: Austin2k
Some RAID notes:
Set it up before install the OS.
I set it up so the OS installs on a stripe volume.
ICHR7 / Intel Manager will take up to 4 drives. Not all of them need to be RAIDED. Install them in this order:
SATA1, 3, 4 and EZRAID_1 These map to Port 0,1,2, and 3
In the BIOS "Configure SATA as" needs to be set to RAID. (Manual 4.3.6)
During POST use CTRL+I to get into the Intel Utility. If you don't see it them recheck "Configure SATA as"
I configured 4 identical drives into 2 RAID 0 volumes. I could have RAID5 on 3 drives and left the other one as a single. You can play around with this utility BEFORE installing an OS.
I pulled the jumpers off the EZ_RAID jumper block. I can't find any documentation pro or con on doing this.
Install the OS. During XP install the volume will format. Go to a movie.

It appears that if you use 4 drives as described then the EZ_RAID_2 SATA connector on the board is not usable. To add another drive I enabled JMicron in the BIOS and set the drive to BASIC. ACHI did not work on the JMicron with a WD Raptor 150.
The other RAID volume and single disk can be managed using Disk Management in XP.
Also interesting, when I added the raptor drive via Jmicron AFTER installing the OS the disk became DISK 0 in Disk Managment. Next I'll see what happens when I 'try' to add an eSATA drive.

Thanks for the info. I had a question that I'm hoping you could clarify. I would like to have a single Raptor boot/OS drive, and a 3 drive RAID-5. From your post I'm thinking it should be set up as follows:

SATA1 Port: Raptor (Boot Drive)
SATA3 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)
SATA4 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)
EZ_RAID1 Port: 400GB (RAID Drive)

Then I follow your instructions as described: BIOS Settings, Intel Utility, and OS Installation.

Does this seem correct?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Austin2k]

Ouch! Is anyone able to get Memtest86+ to work on this mobo? I OC'ed the board a little bit and ran PRIME95 which fails after 1 minute in torture mode. Then I tried memtest with loads of errors. So I load a default bios and ran it without OC and I get the same failures in Memtest and Prime95.

6400/4 gigs of crucialballistix 4-4-4-12 (BL2KIT12864AA804.000) PC2=6400 CL4

Something is wrong...maybe user error!

Thanks!

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: Austin2k
Ouch! Is anyone able to get Memtest86+ to work on this mobo? I OC'ed the board a little bit and ran PRIME95 which fails after 1 minute in torture mode. Then I tried memtest with loads of errors. So I load a default bios and ran it without OC and I get the same failures in Memtest and Prime95.

6400/4 gigs of crucialballistix 4-4-4-12 (BL2KIT12864AA804.000) PC2=6400 CL4

Something is wrong...maybe user error!

Thanks!

Have you tried running memtest on each stick, separately? Also, make sure you're using enough volts. I would imagine your mem has a rated voltage of 2.0v or 2.1v.

Update: Yelf's post (below) alerted me to the fact that you're using 4 DIMMS. I have read elsewhere that using 4 DIMMS may require you to loosen the timings a bit. Not sure why. Try a memtest with SPD Timing enabled.

-phil

 

[Yelf]

Try it with only 2 sticks or 2 GB.

Edit: Or what he ^^^^^ said.

Originally posted by: Austin2k
Ouch! Is anyone able to get Memtest86+ to work on this mobo? I OC'ed the board a little bit and ran PRIME95 which fails after 1 minute in torture mode. Then I tried memtest with loads of errors. So I load a default bios and ran it without OC and I get the same failures in Memtest and Prime95.

6400/4 gigs of crucialballistix 4-4-4-12 (BL2KIT12864AA804.000) PC2=6400 CL4

Something is wrong...maybe user error!

Thanks!

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: luckyinfil
Hi Phil,

I've followed your advice regarding setting up AHCI but I seem to be having ALOT of trouble. I'm planning on doing a format to fix any problems!

In an earlier post, you told me to download the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, which I did. I ran the program which in turn created a boot disk for me.

Now after restarting, I go into the bios, change the hard drive configuration to AHCI and then I boot the computer using the WinXP install cd. When it asked to install RAID or other drivers, I hit F6, but other drivers kept loading. After a while i got to a screen that said something about unable to find drivers, and then press "s" to install manually ( I believe this is the result of hitting F6). My usb floppy drive was already plugged and had the floppy disk in, but no matter what i tried, it wouldn't load drivers or give me the screen to choose the ICH7R drivers.

I also tried this using the normal IDE instead of AHCI and it didn't work. I also tried booting with the floppy but that didn't do anything. Please advise on how I would go about setting up AHCI.

Second, I seem to have very slow boot times. I have my HD partitioned into 3 (C:, D:, E and when i first setup this computer (with no programs or anything), Windows would load up at the black "Windows Screen" with the "moving block" only going from left to right 3 times. Now it takes about 6. How do I make it faster? What should i do to make my computer have fast load times?

Thanks in advance for your help.

John

Sounds like you might want to start from scratch.

Prior to installing Windows, you should set SATA as AHCI in the BIOS. Then, do the F6/driver loading routine during the install. Are you sure your USB floppy drive is recognized by the Windows install application?

If for some reason you can't load the drivers from your USB floppy drive, install windows with SATA set to Standard IDE, and load no drivers during the install. Once Windows is installed, follow these instruction for setting AHCI mode after Windows install:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t457699.html

Once that is done, and you're now running Windows with the drives in AHCI mode, download and install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts...ct_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2101&lang=eng

First item.

-phil

 

[SemiNoob]

I was a little worried and aprehensive with my order after reading here about some of the problems experienced with this board. I am 'blessed' with the ability to hit every pothole in the road and even find new ones, so I was looking forward to a long night and a migraine.

I was pleasantly surprised to find everything went together easily (this is the first system I have built myself - specs in my signature), and booted up the first time. It recognized my GPU, SATA HD, optical drives, and installed Windows XP with no problems. I think the fact that it came with the 1305 BIOS and wasn't a 'Friday board' had a lot to do with it.


My only problem was self-inflicted when I smudged the thermal grease on the stock intel heatsink/fan at 3:30AM (got home at 11PM and had to be back at work by 8AM). My CPU temps were 55-70C at idle so I shut it down after loading the OS. I'll be picking up a better heatsink/fan on the way home from work tonight.


Thanks to everyone here, especially Phile (can I plug my ODs into the JMicron? jk, lol) You've got a LOT of patience) for the recon and education, I felt much more prepared if problems did arise. From what I hear Asus should fire their tech support dept., and just cut you a check every month.

Can't wait to load my sims/games and get accused of cheating (for the next 6 months to a year, anyway) online again. That's when you know you have a fast machine.

 

[phile]

LOL!

Welcome to AT, SemiNoob. Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy the new build.

-phil

 

[imported_ubigosong]

Hey guys, this is the first computer I'm actually building by myself, and I had bought the Asus. And this was a later model so I think it might be Core 2 duo compatible. The Bios chip reads 1201, just to let you guys know.

Anyway, the cd drive, hard drive, power supply, processer/fan, ram and vid card are in.
Just last night I finished putting in all of the parts, and I hooked up the cables but im not sure if its totaly correct and I was wondering if someone could check it for me.

The package came with 4 hard drive cables, 2 red and 2 orange, but instead I used the black cable that came with the hard drive and plugged it in the SATA 1 socket that was in red on the mobo. I connected the usb and fire wire things(easy), and I also connected all of the fans. I put the 4 pin connecter and 24 power cord on the mother board. I connecter the power cord to the hard drive and cd drive.and the data cable of the cd drive to the mother board.

The only thing I wasnt that sure of is the cd drive's flat cord(blue) and the left over cord that was labled HDD. On the right side of the mother board is a blue socket nammed IDE slot. I'm pretty sure I plug the cd drive cable into that(correct me if ive been wrong on anything yet so far please.). Then theres the remaining HDD cable, I dont know, but it loks pretty important. And i plugged the PCI-E power cord to my ATI 1950XTX cart, Do I need to do anything with that?


Anyway, thankyou for giving your time and reading my problems. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Austin2k]

Okay. One bad stick (out of 4). Lots of advice to do a stick at a time. Good advice. It was easy to find the bad stick. I'm burning the other 3 sticks w/ memtest86+ now and with the BIOS settings for a little overclocking. RMA was no prob with ZipZoomFly. I will have to send 2 sticks back as I bought it as a kit.

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: ubigosong
Hey guys, this is the first computer I'm actually building by myself, and I had bought the Asus. And this was a later model so I think it might be Core 2 duo compatible. The Bios chip reads 1201, just to let you guys know.

Anyway, the cd drive, hard drive, power supply, processer/fan, ram and vid card are in.
Just last night I finished putting in all of the parts, and I hooked up the cables but im not sure if its totaly correct and I was wondering if someone could check it for me.

The package came with 4 hard drive cables, 2 red and 2 orange, but instead I used the black cable that came with the hard drive and plugged it in the SATA 1 socket that was in red on the mobo. I connected the usb and fire wire things(easy), and I also connected all of the fans. I put the 4 pin connecter and 24 power cord on the mother board. I connecter the power cord to the hard drive and cd drive.and the data cable of the cd drive to the mother board.

The only thing I wasnt that sure of is the cd drive's flat cord(blue) and the left over cord that was labled HDD. On the right side of the mother board is a blue socket nammed IDE slot. I'm pretty sure I plug the cd drive cable into that(correct me if ive been wrong on anything yet so far please.). Then theres the remaining HDD cable, I dont know, but it loks pretty important. And i plugged the PCI-E power cord to my ATI 1950XTX cart, Do I need to do anything with that?


Anyway, thankyou for giving your time and reading my problems. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks

Sounds like you've correctly connected everything. That extra HDD ribbon cable would be used if you had IDE/PATA HD. Since your HD is SATA, that cable will not be needed. Have you tried to power-up the machine?

-phil