Abit NF7S Problems Update
A couple months ago I started this thread about my problems.
Here is an update cause I need some more help. I finally got together some money and purchased a new Antec True Power 420W psu. Well thankfully, the new psu fixed my voltages problems. My voltages are all now stable and fine, woohoo.
But unfortunately it did not fix any of my other problems. Problems such as EXTREME sluggishness of my computer, harddrive access times. Those still exist.
Also I STILL have TONS of duplicates in my system devices section of my device manager. I took people's advice and deleted EVERYTHING from that section and then rebooted. Unfortunately the computer wouldn't get past the Windows XP screen on boot up once I did this. I had to "boot using most recent working settings" or whatever its called.
So I still have extreme sluggishness, and duplicates in my device manager I can't get rid of.
Here is my current status. I'm trying to narrow it down between the motherboard IDE channels, install of XP, and actual harddrive. I ordered a brand new Maxtor 120gig HD today, along with 4 new cables (to eliminate that too). I DID format the current drive and fresh install XP when I first got this board, but maybe something did get messed in the process..
THis is my plan, pull out current HD, take out everything but basics, 1 stick ram, video card, 1 HD(new one), CDROM drive. Format my new drive, and fresh install XP. See if I can get it running ok, then slowly stick my other pieces back in to see if problems are gone.
This is where I need help. Since I hate installing OS' cause of the time involved, I only want to do this once. So I'm hoping someone who has the NF7S can give me exact instructions on the "correct" order in which to do things. HEre is what I'm thinking, please correct if needed:
Format new drive
Install XP
Once XP installed, install drivers from Abit CD
reboot
Download newest drivers from Abit website and install
reboot
(if things seem ok at this point, runs fine, no duplicatse in DM)
start putting back in other PCI, and drives
I'm just worried that maybe installing the drivers from the CD first, then the newest ones from the site after maybe is what caused all the duplicates. Would it be ok to just burn the new drivers to CD, then when XP is loaded, just loading THOSE only? Do the drivers from the site, update ALL the needed drivers? Or only chipset?
ANY suggestions/help would be appreciated. Thanks to AMDFAN, Ageek and all the others who helped before.
Here is an update cause I need some more help. I finally got together some money and purchased a new Antec True Power 420W psu. Well thankfully, the new psu fixed my voltages problems. My voltages are all now stable and fine, woohoo.
But unfortunately it did not fix any of my other problems. Problems such as EXTREME sluggishness of my computer, harddrive access times. Those still exist.
Also I STILL have TONS of duplicates in my system devices section of my device manager. I took people's advice and deleted EVERYTHING from that section and then rebooted. Unfortunately the computer wouldn't get past the Windows XP screen on boot up once I did this. I had to "boot using most recent working settings" or whatever its called.
So I still have extreme sluggishness, and duplicates in my device manager I can't get rid of.
Here is my current status. I'm trying to narrow it down between the motherboard IDE channels, install of XP, and actual harddrive. I ordered a brand new Maxtor 120gig HD today, along with 4 new cables (to eliminate that too). I DID format the current drive and fresh install XP when I first got this board, but maybe something did get messed in the process..
THis is my plan, pull out current HD, take out everything but basics, 1 stick ram, video card, 1 HD(new one), CDROM drive. Format my new drive, and fresh install XP. See if I can get it running ok, then slowly stick my other pieces back in to see if problems are gone.
This is where I need help. Since I hate installing OS' cause of the time involved, I only want to do this once. So I'm hoping someone who has the NF7S can give me exact instructions on the "correct" order in which to do things. HEre is what I'm thinking, please correct if needed:
Format new drive
Install XP
Once XP installed, install drivers from Abit CD
reboot
Download newest drivers from Abit website and install
reboot
(if things seem ok at this point, runs fine, no duplicatse in DM)
start putting back in other PCI, and drives
I'm just worried that maybe installing the drivers from the CD first, then the newest ones from the site after maybe is what caused all the duplicates. Would it be ok to just burn the new drivers to CD, then when XP is loaded, just loading THOSE only? Do the drivers from the site, update ALL the needed drivers? Or only chipset?
ANY suggestions/help would be appreciated. Thanks to AMDFAN, Ageek and all the others who helped before.
0
Comments
So if I go to Abit's site and download the latest drivers. That is all I'll have to install for the mobo?
Edit: The only drivers I see are the "NF7-S nForce Chipset Driver for Windows 2000/XP " Is that I need to install ? I "think" there was more drivers on the CDROM that came with the mobo, like USB etc etc. I'm assuming I still install all of those, but just don't install the chipset drivers from the CD, and install the downloaded ones instead?
Edit2: Just noticed this as well "Intel OrangeWare USB 2.0 Driver for Windows9x/Me Released Date: 2003-03-19
- For Windows2000 users: Please run Windows Update.
- For WindowsXP users: Please update to Windows XP Service Pack 1 "
So sounds like I don't even need to install the USB ones from the CDROM? As windows has a better one with updates?
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series CMX512-2700C2 PC2700 DDR RAM 333MHz w/ Heat Spreader
So you think I should boost it up to Agressive settings then ??
If you find any mention of mem timings in any of my other posts it is always tight. You have the 2700 (333) and I have the 3200 (400). I think you should be able to run it to pretty close to what I am at 400 or at least get those timings to around 185 or so.
I purchased a new 120 gig maxtor drive, judging by the multiple entries in my device manager on my old drive for this mobo, I thought a clean install on a brand new drive might prove helpful...
I'm glad I bought it, because I think I narrowed down the "sluggishness" problem I had before to my mobo IDE channel 1 being fubared.
I pulled everything out of my comp, left in ram, gfx card, cdrom, and attached my brand new drive to IDE1 master, cdrom to IDE2 master.
Booted up formatted drive using MaxBlast, no problems. Tried installing Windows XP, it would copy over all the files for setup then go to the "starting windows" message in the dos section. My harddrive light went on, then nothing, just sat there for ages. Tried rebooting, same exact thing. Switched jumped from CS, to Master, still same exact problem.
Was thinking what the fuck ? This is BRAND NEW drive! Installed recently bought MAxtor PCI ATA133 controller card, attached HD to IDE channel on that. WIndows installed instantly without ONE hitch.. So I am almost positive now that my IDE connector on the mobo is just broken..
So anyway, I have all my HD hoooked up to the controller card, and just my CDROM on IDE 2 master still. Computer "seems" to be running great, no sluggishness as of yet, I can actually burn CD's now without my computer freezing up. Everything "seems" fine..
But one problem remains. In my device manager, after a clean install of Windows XP on a brand new drive. I STILL have MULTIPLE duplicates of items under the system devices. HOw can this be? Is this related to maybe my mobo being fucked? Does anyone else have an NF7S R2? DO you have these duplicates? If i delete them, then reboot, they just come right back.. I'm curious as to why there are all these duplicate, I have attached a SS of my device manager. If anyone with an NF7 can comment I'd appreciate it!
Also for reference, I had downloaded the recent drivers from Abits site and burned them to CD. I installed Windows, installed SP1 and all the updates. I then installed the newest chipset drivers from ABIT, then gfx drivers, audio drivers etc..
Should I send my mobo back? Get a new one since my IDE seems broken? Or just deal with it?
btw: having duplicate devices is normal
My list is the same and that is quite normal. If everything is working well I would say it's OK.
After about a week of running apps, and testing out various programs, I"m happy to say my computer is running flawlessly. I can be burning a full CD and running After FX, PS, and surfing the net all at the same time with no problems.
The large file download/halt/freeze up problem I mentioned before is also gone. My sound is now crystal clear and never stutters. Everythings seems 100% great !!!
I'm glad to know others have the duplicates in device manager. In my old thread people were telling me that was very wrong so it had me concerned..
It just seems like the only problem left is that my IDE channel 1 on my motherboard is still obviously broken. Do you think it would be worth my time to RMA the board just for that? Right now I'm cool without it, but just thinking down the road, those extra 2 ide channels might be need.
I got the board from Newegg, would I contact them? ANd if so, do you think they would cross ship?
Thanks again everyone for the help..
Todd
I never heard of anyone being able to format a drive and do whatever you did to the drive then you have the idea that the IDE channel 1 would be defective??
That I don't get.
If that channel was bad, you would not have been able to format the drive etc.
You definately have another problem.
If you are happy with the way the system is running.
I think I would just use it however makes you happy.