ASUS P5W DH - Problems + Fixes Thread

Anyone running with G.skill 4GB (2x2GB) 6400c5 PQ - if so how do they perform. I cant find a decent review of them. I have just dual installed Vista x64 with winxp pro
and have ordered these sticks instead of 4x1gb ballistix 8500C5. I though they would be easier on the board memory controller from what I have read but I might regret it if they they wont run decent timings.

Edit 06/07 - Answer my own question. I got these sticks and found I could only post and boot to winxp pro with SPD enabled. Vista x64 hung on black screen after logo - I know there is a hot fix for 4GB problems but I think this is more board compatibility. I trired reducing to rated settings of 5,5,5,15 with memset and the system froze. This was running on my current settings for 3.6ghz. - fsb400 and ddr800 FSb=1.3v,MCH=1.65,ICH=1,2v. I tried memory at 1.8-2.0v and with MCH=1.75 with no joy . I also flashed to BIOS2103 in case there was a memory compatibility issue I had missed but no joy so I am going to change them for 4x1GB ballistx 8500C5's and see how I get on with them.

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Originally Posted by phoenix.bits

i am using p5wdh deluxe + e6400 2.13 ghz .......
i have installed vista ultimate .. and my bios version is 1305...
i am thinking to upgrade it...
please tell me.. which version is the best and also WHETHER there are any RISKS involved in bios updation ?
thanks in advance....

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I am running mutli boot winxp pro and vista x64 and have been running no problems with 1707 and dont see anything that makes me want a later version - not really much differences with later versions apart from support for other CPU's and so called memory compatibility. Search the thread or comments on each version and take your pick! You can always reflash older bios using afudos 2.11 or earlier and renaming the bios to be installed as P5WDH.ROM. Check the thread for more detail - there was a recent post on BIOS 2103. I and others have posted the detail numerous times.

well im hoping asus gives us a update so we can run the new go steppings chips

Apparently 2103 includes the updates for running G0 stepping cpus

I hope this includes e6750/e6850..

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Originally Posted by lawrywild

Apparently 2103 includes the updates for running G0 stepping cpus

I hope this includes e6750/e6850..

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thanks lawry i do to im waiting for price cuts. 1901 update the 1333 fsb so guess we will see

OK, here's my tip to the "extremely slow booting" problem. I was also left staring at the POST screen for 40-50 seconds, and this is what helped:

If you don't have a fan, change it's BIOS setting to "Ignore". If it set to N/A, the mobo will search for it. N/A doesn't mean it's not there, just that the mobo can't find it, but it will look for it...

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Originally Posted by bern_viking

OK, here's my tip to the "extremely slow booting" problem. I was also left staring at the POST screen for 40-50 seconds, and this is what helped:

If you don't have a fan, change it's BIOS setting to "Ignore". If it set to N/A, the mobo will search for it. N/A doesn't mean it's not there, just that the mobo can't find it, but it will look for it...

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Useful tip ! Thanks bern_viking :up:

mainly i came here because i found this in the official FTP
ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...eluxe/2205.zip
BIOS2205!

I really wish that ASUS would add changelog into their ZIPfiles like other Vendors...
Can any 6600-B2 User confirm Multichanges to 10+ with 1601BIOS?

iLL

2205 bios allow to go up and down with the multiplier of the Core 2 Extreme (at least for my QX6800)!!

No more need of 1601.

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Originally Posted by SKiLL3D

mainly i came here because i found this in the official FTP
ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...eluxe/2205.zip
BIOS2205!

I really wish that ASUS would add changelog into their ZIPfiles like other Vendors...
Can any 6600-B2 User confirm Multichanges to 10+ with 1601BIOS?

iLL

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I 'm waiting every day for a new bios. I will try it.
In any case Thanks a lot SKiLL3D !
Regards from Athens !

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Originally Posted by Peanuts

2205 bios allow to go up and down with the multiplier of the Core 2 Extreme (at least for my QX6800)!!

No more need of 1601.

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Peanuts, is there any new option about tRFC, tRD etc ?
What about cpu temperature indication ?

edit : I saw ! No tRFC, no tRD, only change multiplier 6 - 20 (and cpu temp).

Rapid Mirror as usual:

http://rapidshare.com/files/41961174...eluxe-2205.rar

i can also concur with peanuts higher up that the 2205 bios allows multiplier changes on extreme chips i have a qx6700 and it works well, also first time ever ai booster shows the right cpu frequency

2205 is the worst bios ever for me

EIST does not work unless you turn C1E on too, multis screw around on my E6600, disabling onboard devices doesnt work, windows is telling me it's finding new devices.. 2103 f*cked up my rig, i have no idea how but it's unstable as f**k now, even after flashing back (too coincidental to NOT be 2103, after i just flashed to it 10 minutes earlier) and now 2205 is just SH*T.

WTF

sorry to hear that Lawrywild. I dont upgrade bios since 1707. In this motherboard, unless you have a new cpu I think its pointless. At this time, TRD and TRFC its only a geeks wet dream. :shakes:

I know, I just wish I didn't upgrade bios from 2004 now :(

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Originally Posted by lawrywild

2103 f*cked up my rig, i have no idea how but it's unstable as f**k now, even after flashing back (too coincidental to NOT be 2103, after i just flashed to it 10 minutes earlier) and now 2205 is just SH*T.

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Is there really a chance that a new BIOS flash can permanently affect the MB, even after flashing back?

While I'm at 1707 now, I tried some newer ones but kept being beaten back by the requirement that I hit F1 to accept defaults when it refused to correctly save my new settings. No amount of CMOS resets ever helped, like my revision of the MB isn't quite up to the specs of the ones around which they now design the BIOS...

I'm pretty sure there is yeh, I have two theories;

1. The bios itself fed too much voltage on first boot, or just had some dodgy setting or something that's damaged my ballistix or chipset (pretty sure cpu is fine).

2. There are still remains of the old bios that even afudos /pbnc /n won't flash over when flashing an old bios.

The second theory I thought about a long time ago, remember how everyone said they'd noticed a decrease in overclocks over time, well we were also all updating ours bioses too.

Some people experienced better overclocks with 2004 (I didn't) but it shows that the bioses can affect overclockability and hence my theories are a possibility (imo) :p:

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2205 is the worst bios ever for me

EIST does not work unless you turn C1E on too, multis screw around on my E6600, disabling onboard devices doesnt work, windows is telling me it's finding new devices.. 2103 f*cked up my rig, i have no idea how but it's unstable as f**k now, even after flashing back (too coincidental to NOT be 2103, after i just flashed to it 10 minutes earlier) and now 2205 is just SH*T.

WTF

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Id, there is something wrong with this bios. I just flashed to 2205, immediately after reboot, when I entered windows, it said: "Found new PCI-Device" - I was like "wtf?". I took me a while before i recognized it was one setting in bios that wouldn't be saved; more exactly "Disable onboard sound device". This is freakin' irritating, since I have X-Fi and don't want to use the onboard, it keeps popping up on every reboot. I haven't had any problems with anything else though, but this problem is extremely enoying.

I'm forced to just "disable" the yellow "?"(PCI-Device) in Device manager to keep it from popping up on every reboot. It helps, but I hate to have yellow "?" in my Device manager.

I have tried to revert back to 2004 - but I haven't figured out how to do it. When I try to flash back with Asus Update Utility(even with "Bios downgradable" enabled), It says: Warning! Bios date is older etc etc. Please use ASUS DOS. And when I use the Asus Ez Flash utility, it says the same; "Bios is older than current version" - and program ends back to main menu.

I really would like to flash back with AFUDOS, in DOS mode; however here comes my problem: How can I flash with a bootable floppy when the bios file is too large to fit on a floppy? I mean, I made a bootable floppy disc and copied AFUDOS on it - but the bios file is over 1 mb large, so there's no space for it?

If anyone could explain it for me, I would appreciate it - and surely try to revert back to 2004.

Hope someone is able to help =)

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Originally Posted by tentp0le

I really would like to flash back with AFUDOS, in DOS mode; however here comes my problem: How can I flash with a bootable floppy when the bios file is too large to fit on a floppy? I mean, I made a bootable floppy disc and copied AFUDOS on it - but the bios file is over 1 mb large, so there's no space for it?
If anyone could explain it for me, I would appreciate it - and surely try to revert back to 2004.
Hope someone is able to help =)

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Not all the hidden files on the bootable diskette are necessary. Delete from the floppy the file named somewhat like “ Drvspace.bin” it’s about 68 Kb.
Use afudos 2.17 or 2.11. These versions doesn't check the date or/and the version of the bios, so you will be able to downgrade with the command “afudos /p5wdh.rom /pbnc /n“

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Originally Posted by tentp0le

Id, there is something wrong with this bios. I just flashed to 2205, immediately after reboot, when I entered windows, it said: "Found new PCI-Device" - I was like "wtf?". I took me a while before i recognized it was one setting in bios that wouldn't be saved; more exactly "Disable onboard sound device". This is freakin' irritating, since I have X-Fi and don't want to use the onboard, it keeps popping up on every reboot. I haven't had any problems with anything else though, but this problem is extremely enoying.

I'm forced to just "disable" the yellow "?"(PCI-Device) in Device manager to keep it from popping up on every reboot. It helps, but I hate to have yellow "?" in my Device manager.

I have tried to revert back to 2004 - but I haven't figured out how to do it. When I try to flash back with Asus Update Utility(even with "Bios downgradable" enabled), It says: Warning! Bios date is older etc etc. Please use ASUS DOS. And when I use the Asus Ez Flash utility, it says the same; "Bios is older than current version" - and program ends back to main menu.

I really would like to flash back with AFUDOS, in DOS mode; however here comes my problem: How can I flash with a bootable floppy when the bios file is too large to fit on a floppy? I mean, I made a bootable floppy disc and copied AFUDOS on it - but the bios file is over 1 mb large, so there's no space for it?

If anyone could explain it for me, I would appreciate it - and surely try to revert back to 2004.

Hope someone is able to help =)

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Yes, and also for me it found pci modem (i assume the gigabit controller) which I had disabled in the bios. Just a seriously badly coded bios, nice one asus :clap:

edit: (as well as the onboard audio)

Seems that this crappy little bugger has made it official..(Asus Web site).

Found this at Asus forums: (pay attention to the last paragraph!)

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My system: E6600, 8800GTX, 4GB Corsair (dual), 640 Gb HDD, P5W DH Deluxe. Vista Ultimate.

I flashed 2103 several days ago and problems started. The system became totally unstable! PC hangs up even when I try to open file manager. In my E6600 core 1 is loaded for 5 - 7% and core2 - for 100%.
So it's no way to reboot or shut down the computer. Explorer stops responding completely
The rollback to bios 2004 does not help to solve the problem!
I've tried to tune the bios up in different ways - no chance to fix the bug!
BTW, Asus had already removed 2103 from ftp. I asked the support of Asus in my country about the problem but until now - no response.

Now I flashed 2205. Loading the defaults after flash procedure to apply the new bios was a problem - the defaults did not apply from the first time - I had to repeat it 3 times to make changes!!!

So - DO NOT FLASH to 2103!

Next thing:
How to get rid of existing 2205 bios.
Method 1.
Under Windows start AsusUpdate utility (from the original support CD)
Start flashing 2205 procedure. Straight after "Erase ROM" part is finished - kill the process with Task Manager or Process Explorer. That's it. You don't have any bloody bios at all.
Insert original motherboard CD to drive. Reboot. The system will start to recover bios from the CD. In my case I obtained finally bios ver. 0801.
Method 2.
Do the same without windows. Start AFUDOS.exe. Start flashing 2205. After it deletes the current ROM - just unplug the power from the outlet. The rest - is the same as above. Insert CD. Recover...

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Link: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us

Wow, so I'm not the only one, I'm seriously pissed off about this. That's a dodgy way to correct the issue, but I will probably end up trying it if I can get my rig stable again. Strange thing is, my pc goes through 18 hours orthos, 8 hours memtest and then crashes on MSN minesweeper and some media center service in the background.. :banana::banana::banana::banana:ing asus!

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Next thing:
How to get rid of existing 2205 bios.
Method 1.
Under Windows start AsusUpdate utility (from the original support CD)
Start flashing 2205 procedure. Straight after "Erase ROM" part is finished - kill the process with Task Manager or Process Explorer. That's it. You don't have any bloody bios at all.
Insert original motherboard CD to drive. Reboot. The system will start to recover bios from the CD. In my case I obtained finally bios ver. 0801.
Method 2.
Do the same without windows. Start AFUDOS.exe. Start flashing 2205. After it deletes the current ROM - just unplug the power from the outlet. The rest - is the same as above. Insert CD. Recover...

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O.O that sounds risky, isn't there any other way to revert back to an older bios?

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Quote:
Next thing:
How to get rid of existing 2205 bios.
Method 1.
Under Windows start AsusUpdate utility (from the original support CD)
Start flashing 2205 procedure. Straight after "Erase ROM" part is finished - kill the process with Task Manager or Process Explorer. That's it. You don't have any bloody bios at all.
Insert original motherboard CD to drive. Reboot. The system will start to recover bios from the CD. In my case I obtained finally bios ver. 0801.
Method 2.
Do the same without windows. Start AFUDOS.exe. Start flashing 2205. After it deletes the current ROM - just unplug the power from the outlet. The rest - is the same as above. Insert CD. Recover...
O.O that sounds risky, isn't there any other way to revert back to an older bios?

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CONFIRMED!

First I want to thank roger_h99.nor for sharing this with us.
I decided to try this solution #1, and can confirm it worked - I'm now at bios 2004 again (thank god), and everything is working 100%. I have rebooted, shut down the PC to check that everything is OK.

Just a little heads up!

I tried it because I have another PC next to me, I can do things on if my main rig fails; and in this situation I'm glad I had another PC.

My steps where as follows:
(Before I started, I made sure my boot priority where as follows: 1. CD/DVD-rom, 2. HDD)

-Started ASUS Update Utility (v.7.10.03), and loaded bios 2205 (from this site) In task manager it recognized it as "Update.exe", when you load the bios "from file" and push "flash", it changes to "WinFlash.exe" <- This is the task you need to kill after it's done with "Erase EPPROM"

-Loaded ASUS Recovery CD. When it rebooted it started "Bios recovery" immediately, however it couldn't find "P5WDH.ROM" as a valid file on the CD. I checked it on my other computer, and the file on my CD was named "P5WDHD.ROM", so first it wouldn't recover from CD. The bios recovery process goes in a loop between; "USB, CD-rom and floppy" until it finds the proper bios file on one of these units. Therefore I renamed bios 2004 to "P5WDH.ROM" (on my other computer) and copied it on a fresh floppy.

-Loaded the floppy to my main rig, and voíla - bios recovery flashed back to 2004.

Conclusion, before you do this, you should be prepared with the issues at hand, and make sure you got everything at hand. This worked great for me, and I'm thanking lord vader for that I have bios 2004 back again. My problem with "PCI-Device" popping up, and a bios that wouldn't save settings are history.

I will not be responsible for any damage done to your rig, by using my method - but I surely hope that it works for you that have had problems with bios 2103 and 2205.

Next time I will read a lot more about the bios before I flash again.