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Problem with IDE


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Hi there,

 

I just bought a DFI Infinity, and after I've installed it, I've booted with WinXP SP1, and proceed as usual. After files were copied into HD, when XP instalation attempts to boot from HD, it freezes, sometimes with blank screen, sometimes the progress bar cycles forever.

 

At first, I left MemTest running a full batch of tests, and after 8 hours, no problems occured. I've restarted the install procedure, and again the same problem, tried with FAT or NTFS, replaced HDD, played a lot with BIOS settings (SATA always disabled), and nothing...

 

Also tried to flash the latest official bios in DFI site, but no sucess.

 

I've set the DVD Drive in different positions also, Primary Slave, Secondary Master and Secondary Slave, but I could only boot when I set the HDD to secondary IDE, so I suspect that Primary IDE isn't OK.

 

If finally booted, but very unstable, with random freezes, and the mouse were stopping (only the mouse) after the first click. Tried with both USB and Serial mouses (there were no PS/2 here) and the same problem. Even without mouse, I tried installing the NForce drivers. Firstly I tried the latest one (4.27), but at next reboot, WinXP could not load. I've reinstalled XP again, with full format of the partition, the mouse were still stopping responding, and installed the NForce drivers that shipped with CD (2.45). Again, XP couldn't load.

 

Another format, but then, installed only the LAN drivers. Mouse were still bugging, but now installed the DX9 (as the latest drivers asked for it), and reinstalled the rest of the NForce, ignoring the IDE and Sound drivers. XP loaded at least, but still unstable, the mouse were not stopping at first click, but after a random time of use. When I tried to install the Sound drivers, it crashed during the file copy. Rebooted and tried again but with IDE Drivers, the same...

 

After all that, returned to my old ASRock and I'm going to RMA it tomorrow.

 

Is there something I did wrong or is this mobo really faulty? I've triple checked everything I could, but I really could not make it stable.

 

I've read here that the SW-IDE driver make the system unstable, but won't make my HD performance slower because of default windows drivers? Is there any IDE driver that doesn't make the system unstable?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

With Regards,

 

IronMan.Lok

 

PS: Sorry if I mistyped something as english isn't my mother language.

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I think that you shoud begin with a mininal amount of HW... 1 stick of RAM, CPU, video card, and 1 HD... no other peripherals.

 

Download the DIAMOND FLASH Bios boot disk and use that to flash your BIOS. Follow these steps (posted by AG in his sticky) when flashing your BIOS

Here is the 'official' DFI way of clearing the CMOS:

 

every time you flash to a new bios, it is very important to clear the old BIOS settings out this way:

 

1. pull power

2. pull battery

3. clear cmos jumper for minimum of 30-60 seconds

4. replace cmos jumper to normal position

5. replace battery

6. replace power

7. boot to bios and load optimized defaults

8. save and exit

9. boot back to bios and now you can change settings to your liking.

 

Ensure LBA mode is set for the HD in the BIOS.

 

Switch your IDE cables around to rule it or your IDE Channel at fault.

 

Start your install and report results.

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just some notes from peronal experiences:

 

1) the NVidia IDE driver will not load into widows unless:

->APCI is enabled in both BIOS and Windows

->CPU disconnect feature is enabled

->Vcore is < 1.8V

 

Even if the above conditions are met, it doesn't gaurantee stability. Personally, I haven't been able to run these drivers stable. They always end up causing corruption sooner or later. If anyone cares to contradict/explain why the drivers are working otherwise, please feel free. I'd love to get them working, as I do get a perormance boost when they're there.

 

The standard WinXP SP1 IDE controller drivers should work fine (....is what I'm using). Supposedly, MS updated the drivers in SP2, but with all of the other crap that comes with SP2, I think I'll wait until they work the bugs out.

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hi there,

 

except for dual channel, no other peripherals were connected... to flash the bios, I used the AWDFlash with clear cmos, clear escd, and clear pnp data... (/cc /cd /cp)

then I used load optimal settings... when I did this, HD were set to LBA...

 

Switch your IDE cables around to rule it or your IDE Channel at fault.

 

As I said, my english isn't so good, so could you explain that?

 

Start your install and report results.

 

I'd like to, but have no time, I need to ship it tomorrow for RMA, I'm quite sure IDE-O is faulty.

 

everyone running RAID arrays is saying to stay away from SW/IDE...

 

SATA Raid were always disabled

 

->APCI is enabled in both BIOS and Windows

always on

->CPU disconnect feature is enabled

I don't remember this setting on bios

->Vcore is < 1.8V

I tried from 1.60 to 1.75 =(

 

well, thanks anyway, I hope I get a good one soon

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yes plz try as mong suggested. Im very sure you IDE controller is NOT defective at all, and you will waste more time by RMA'ing and getting another board back that has the exact same issue for you.

 

Swap cables, try different drive configs. Always try with a minimal boot (ie JUST the hard drive connected, nothing else). If you can get it to boot no problem with only the hard drive connected, then you can rule out bad IDE controller.

 

also check the bios and make sure your drive(s) are set to either LBA or AUTO. If set to LBA already, try AUTO. If set to AUTO, try LBA.

 

Here's some screens that might help:

 

http://www.angrygames.com/LP-B_BIOS1.htm

http://www.angrygames.com/Infinity_bios.htm

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