IC7-G - Need Help Please

[Player0]

I have the new IC7-G installed with a P4 2.4C, a WD Raptor SATA drive, and I'm trying to install Windows XP on it.

However, Windows XP freezes when it sais "Windows is Starting Up" or something like that, this is the point just before it asks about where to install itself.

I flashed to the latest Bios 13, and have tried some different BIOS settings, and XP still crashes in that same spot. The machine is running stock, 43c now and isn't crashing for any other reason than a misconfiguration and a Windows XP bug or something.

Obviously some others out there have this board. im gonna head to lunch, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Player0]

Huh! I actually got it to install Windows XP. It just stopped freezing up at that point. I have NO clue what I did. I just happened to look and Windows Installer was being happy again.

I think it had something to do with Force ESCD Update, which seemed to become 'stuck' on. Disabling that again manually may have caused this to work.

Weird.

[Major]

PlayerO glad it worked out for you, sorry I didn't have an answer for you. Could have been alot of things !

[Player0]

Pictures here :)
http://www.liquidninjas.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=6019&ppuser=1

Ill be overclocking it tommarow...cant wait to get my hands dirty on this one! The Zalman cooler is giving me 45c temps stock. Seems quite high yes?

[Major]

Most of the Zalman hs are designed for quite operation and only offer modest performance with the fans they provide. I have seen some of their hs perform very well with higher cfm fans installed though.

[Player0]

Well, quiet = good really. This isnt a home PC for gaming, so I wont be seriously overclocking.

The fact is, I have no idea how good 45c is for a p2.4C stock hehe. Does that seem high? normal?

I might trade the fan. Or point the fan downwards. Its sucking from the heatsink, might not be breathing enough that way.

[OPPAINTER]

Player,

The IC7 temp reading is very high.
I'm reading -13c right now but on most all other mobos I would read -30 or so at this speed and voltage.

OPP

[Player0]

Im not going by your temp for an air cooled workstation hehe ;)

30c seems more admirable. Ive already reseated the zalman, so thats all good. Ill fiddle with some fans tommarow. I should get 40c out of it at least. Im not worried too much. I got me a prommy coming ;)

[mdzcpa]

I think OPP is just saying that the IC7 reports temps about 10c higher than what other Intel boards are showing:) No worries.

[Player0]

The larger fan did nothing for my temps. Im still seeing 47c in BIOS and 55c with MBM. I dont know if these temps are reading properly or not, over overclocking will tell I guess. I really dont think the CPU is running that hot. But, maybe. Im not even sure if I have MBM set up right. Which WinBond selection is the CPU anyway?

RAM Problems. OMG, this board does NOT like Corsair XMS memory. I can't even run my XMS3200LL with SPD mode. I have to set the ram timings to 2.5/6/3/3 in order for the machine to run stably even at 200mhz! I know the ram is quite capable of doing much more. Does anyone have any fixes for this problem??

[jaawood]

if you are curious about temps you can always just tap the hs with your finger to see if it is getting overly hot. it should not feel hot to the point that you burn yourself, and it should feel either slightly cool, or moderately warm.

[mdzcpa]

Hey P0:

Unfortunately there are issues with the Corsair 3200 LL and dual channel DDR boards. The LL modules suffered with the NF2 boards, and now the Intel boards. The popular method of dealing with LL module troubles seems to be upping the DDR voltage...even at stock speeds. That may not be what you want, but it seems to do the trick for many.

Also, make sure you have the latest 1.3 BIOS....later BIOSes do help memory compatabilities quite a bit.

Don't sweat the temps...the IC7 is just reading high.

[dim3z]

i think my IC7 is the exception to the rule, 37 degree idle with a p4 2.6C@ 3.45GHz 1.55volts...

thats with slk900u and a TTsmartfan 2 at !!!1500rpm!!!

yes thats rite 1500rpm(Y)

[Player0]

Is the RAM bunk or should I wait for a new BIOS? Ive underclocked the ram for now, but the CPU is pusshing 2.8g right now and not even breaking a sweat.

[Player0]

1000mhz overclock. Haven't touched a voltage. Running 285mhz quad-pumped, for 3,420mhz. Runnnig Prime, 3dmark and folding, 63c temps reported by MBM at full load. Rock solid, all default voltages, and with a Zalman cooler designed for quiet. All out of a $1000 work machine with nothing special.

W.O.W.

Have I mentioned that I haven't capped the default voltage yet? Everytime i raise up the FSB, it keeps taking it. I can still go higher!

More to come.