several problems with a new EP43-DS3

[lioryb]

Hi.

I just bought a few days ago a new computer:
Intel Q9550
GA-EP43-DS3
G.Skill 2X2GB
Cube 9500GT 512MB silent
Leadtek PVR200
Seagate 500GB 32Mb cache.
NZXT HUSH with SeaSonic 500W

I have two main problems with it:
1. When my external Western Digital My Book Essential Edition is pluged in (USB) and I restart my computer, it can't load, and the computer keeps restarting itself until i unplug it (when a common SanDisk flash is connected, the problem doesn't occure).

and the main problem:
2. I installed Windows XP SP3, updated all drivers, but almost everytime i reboot my computer, the Windows startup screen get stuck, and only by hard reboot again, Windows starts correclty (choosing "load windows normally" in the menu I get). sometimes i have to hard reboot the computer twice or three times until windows starts correctly.
When installed Mandriva 2009 i didn't get any similar probelm (tough when using the live CD it couldn't shutdown).

I think the BIOS version on my board is F4 (never changed it from purchase).

I would be very gratefull for anyone's help.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Legacy USB Enabled? If so disable it

Update your BIOS, and DO NOT USE @BIOS. Here is a Qflash guide >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Then please use only one stick of ram until you get installed, then you can get your ram setup. Auto for your ram and voltages is the issue there. 2x2GB needs some adjustments (MCH 1.2-1.3V, trfc 52-62, and Performance Enhance on Standard is a good starting point)

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Legacy USB Enabled? If so disable it

Update your BIOS, and DO NOT USE @BIOS. Here is a Qflash guide >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Then please use only one stick of ram until you get installed, then you can get your ram setup. Auto for your ram and voltages is the issue there. 2x2GB needs some adjustments (MCH 1.2-1.3V, trfc 52-62, and Performance Enhance on Standard is a good starting point)

Where do I check and disable Legacy USB ? in the BIOS menu ?
In the guide you mentionened, it says i should enable the lecacy USB for updating the BIOS from USB (i don't have any floppy drive, is there a possiblity to create a bootable CD for updating the BIOS?)
you say while updating my BIOS i sould be using a single ram stick?
which adjustment should i do for 2x2GB ?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Sorry, yeah it is in the Integrated Peripherals page of the BIOS.

No you have to use a floppy or USB, well... Ya, you can use any boot ccd that will run DOS, and then use the flash895 or flashspi files to flash from DOS with

I say use one stick of ram because you are having issues, and with 2 sticks you dont want a error while you flash or you will be RMA'n your board as you should ONLY flash when for sure stable

I posted the Main issues with 2x2 in the above adjustments. Once you get going I can help you with full timings if you like. But you need to get stock stable first and that BIOS updated >>>
GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP43-DS3 (rev. 1.0)

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

in order to update from USB drive, i don't have to maek the USB bootable, isn't it? from the BIOS menu i just read the file from the USB drive, right?

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Okay.
I updated my BIOS to F9 and i am still using a single memory stick (only 2GB of RAM).
What should I do next?
(Windows started in it's first shot, is it the BIOS update or the single stick issue ?)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Na! You just need to put the bios.fxx file onto the USB and go into Qflash and flash with it.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

For 2x2 you need to set the above things I mentioned for sure. So make those changes with one stick in and then shut down and put in the second stick. And be sure you manually also set your ram voltage to the spec you see on your ram sticker

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

As I said - BIOS update done (F9).
Still a single RAM stick is connected.
(windows loaded in its first shot)

BTW: thanks for your help.

What should I do next?

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

here's the default values:

DRAM performance control:
Performance Enhance: Turbo
Extereme memory profile (X.M.P): Auto
(G)MCH Frequenct Latch: Auto
System Memory Multiplier (SPD): Auto
Memory Frequency (MHz) 800 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD): Auto

x CAS Latency Time 4 Auto
x tRCD 4 Auto
x tRP 4 Auto
x tRAS 12 Auto


Voltage control:

MCH core: 1.1V (auto)
MCH reference: 0.76V (auto)
MCH/DRAM Reference: 0.9V (auto)
ICH I/O: 1.5V (auto)


DRAM voltage: 1.8V (auto)
DRAM Termination: 0.9V (auto)
Channel A reference: 0.9V (auto)
Channel B reference: 0.9V (auto)



so when you mentioned MCH, which one you ment?
I couldn't find any trfc that you mentioned.

The memory sticker says 2.1V, does that mean that i should set the DRAM voltage to 2.1V and the the other values the half of it? (1.05V)

Thanks for your help, again.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Install all your drivers and windows updates. Then you can make those changes and put in your second stick of ram

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Here would be the settings you would need to set for 2x2. Give me a link to your ram and I can edit/fill in the rest>>>>

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.83


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-150


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [333 or Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40B 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800Mhz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................4
tRCD .........................................4
tRP'...........................................4
tRAS..........................................12

Set to all highest below first.  Then later you can lower testing with Memtest86+ as you go

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................3-6 (may need 12 first)
tWR............................................4-6 (May need 14 first)
tRFC...........................................52-68
tRTP...........................................3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................800-1066


For A & B Static Tread set to 10 or 12 for both for now


[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333 MCH latch (8/9-12 400 MCH latch)
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333 MCH latch (8/9-12 400 MCH latch)
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Auto
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.15-1.26 -1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.9-2.0V 

DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

here's a link:
DDR2

my sticks are not black but silver, but all the others are okay.

once I looked at the data ****, i noticed that the P43 chipset is not suppoted.
Does that mean that i should replace my memory sticks?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

Since you say that, are you SURE that is the model? You can link me to where you bought them if you like

Well, I think you are fine with those. Many rams are not on the data sheets that work great! And even some that are on there that dont work so great.

I will edit the top post with some setting for you now, if your ram is the same as that (2x2GB 800Mhz 444-12 and 1.9V)

[lioryb]

Re: several problems with a new EP43-DS3

sorry.
I just found the excat link for my DDR's

DDR2

can you please update your post again, here it says 2~2.1V (and if you can, please write a new post, so i'll notice that you updated... thanks again).

Thanks again.