MOBO: Epox 9NPA+ Problem???

[kiks]

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Need some feedback on this problem:



System Specs:
Proc: AMD64 3200+ Venice (AS5)
Mobo: Epox 9NPA+ NForce4
Mem: Kingston HyperXUL(2-2-2-5) 2x256
HDD: Maxtor 120 Gig SATA I
PSU: HEC ACE Power 480 Watts
VGA: MSI 6600GT PCI-E
Optical Drive: 16x DVD +/- RW
Casing: Thermaltake Soprano (Silver)

Problem: System will not boot to Windows after Installing the chipset driver. All seems to be normal while it's installing Windows.Â* Right after installing the NForce4 driver, the system will not boot to Windows in the normal mode but can boot to safe mode.

TS Performed:

1. Everytime I install the OS, I install the Silicon Image controller (SATA Driver), no go.
2. Updated BIOS version and used the latest NForce4 driver, no go.
3. Used an IDE HDD and everything seems to be ok.
4. Tried installing WinXP Pro SP1, WinXP Pro SP2, WinXP Pro Gold(Doesn't have SP), no go.
5. This is the replacement mobo already. The firstÂ* mobo I got has the same problem. We tried putting a PCI SATA controller into the previous mobo and connected the SATA HDD in the expansion card, and the chipset driver was installed without any problem and the system is running flawlessly. That's why the mobo was replaced because based on the troubleshooting steps performed, the SATA controller of the mobo seems to be defective. The replacement mobo arrived, brand new, still having the same problem.
6. All BIOS settings seems to be OK. I even tried to lower the HT setting, no go. I don't think that tweaking the BIOS will fix this problem because based on the previous troubleshooting performed, when we used the PCI SATA controller, the system worked fine, the BIOS settings was not changed at all.

**The system is not being overclocked while installing the OS



All feedback will be much appreciated.

It's really frustrating to be having this problem. I waited 2 weeks for the replacement mobo to arrive and I'm still having the same problem. This system was assembled on the second week of December, 2005. I haven't really used my system.

Maybe one of you guys have used this mobo. Can you please give me feedback on how you installed the OS and the chipset driver and if you're having problems same as this.

[duneman]

bay suwayi og browse ni, siguro makatabang nimo http://www.rhcf.com/sisubb/ultimateb...f=38&submit=Go
or here http://www.ocworkbench.com/ocwb/ulti.../forum/28.html

[akari]

try using an updated chipset driver and not on the driver cd that came with your mobo.

Try looking for an updated drivers in this website: www.epox.com.tw

[jordinho]

@akari please read his post.

if theres an option to skip installing nvidia sata controller driver skip it. try using microsoft's sata controller driver.
if still doesnt work try an older version of the chipset driver

[kiks]

Thank you for all your feedback guys. I really appreciate it.

Just an update. I found out that the SW IDE driver is the one causing the problem. I did not install the driver and everything seems to be fine. If you're using a mobo like this, don't install the SW IDE driver. Do not install also the RAID driver. Some of the users of this type of mobo is having problems if these drivers will be installed.

Everything seems to be running smoothly now. It's stable running 2350 MHz.

[jordinho]

good to hear man. happy overclockin.

[AMD_infinium05]

good job.