My Dual Harper - Asus Z7S WS living review *56K warning*

[STEvil]

anything that fits P35/P45 will fit the nb.

digital pwm's have stepped base on the heatsinks to cover multiple chips.

I dont want to pull the HR-01X's off to get the PWM/southbridge stuff off lol..

[milkmandan]

I have a problem with the ASUS z7s.

i have 4 hdds in sata and i have 2 dvd burners. thats all 6 sata slots on this board
i am trying to install vista, but i have 2 of the hdds in raid. can i can't seem to get the board to pick up the dvd burners.

O_O
the only way to get it to pick up is if i change storage configuration to AHCI and if i do that, i lose RAID. O_O
how do i get it so i can do both? or am i screwed?

---
edit: or am i suppose to configure RAID, then switch back to AHCI? will the system know that the 2 hdds are in raid?

[D_A]

You were screwed the moment you decided to use Vista, but that's a separate issue.

[STEvil]

The last 2 ports need to have the AHCI/RAID drivers installed to be useable or something.. dont have my manual handy but its in there.

[milkmandan]

The last 2 ports need to have the AHCI/RAID drivers installed to be useable or something.. dont have my manual handy but its in there.

How do i get it installed perse?

I have Sata0,1,2,3 all hooked up to HDDs. and DVD Burner Hooked up to Sata4,5.

Should I swap the dvd burners to Sata2,3?

[s0lid]

anything that fits P35/P45 will fit the nb.

digital pwm's have stepped base on the heatsinks to cover multiple chips.

I dont want to pull the HR-01X's off to get the PWM/southbridge stuff off lol..

Ok but give even the cpu cooler mounting dimension which i've waited long

[milkmandan]

The last 2 ports need to have the AHCI/RAID drivers installed to be useable or something.. dont have my manual handy but its in there.

I took a look at the manual.

the settings have to be AHCI for the last 2 ports to be used, but it doesn't say anything about RAID not being able to use the last 2 ports. O_O

[milkmandan]

I am in deep need of help..........

okay so i tried a few things and have gotten jacked each time.
but before that, let me explain so people here know what my problem is.

I have 6 SATA ports on my ASUS Z7S.

I have 1 WD Velociraptor HDD
I have 3 Seagate HDDs
I have 2 Samsung DVD Burners

All of them are SATA, so it fits perfectly. 1+2+3 = 6. Just enough ports.

Here is my problem, the ASUS Z7S mobo will not pick up ANY DVD drive and will not boot to the Windows Install if I don't have "storage configuration" set to AHCI.
I have 3 options in the storage configuration...IDE...RAID...AHCI.

- In IDE, only SATA Slots 0,1,2,3 get read. Which is pointless for me since I can't RAID and I can't use Slots 4 and 5.
- In RAID, all SATA Slots are supposedly used. But my DVD burners can't be booted from (can't install windows, I don't know if they are detected, BIOS reports it as 2xATAPI CD-ROM). I've put my burners in slots 2 and 3 and my Seagates in 3 and 4. And the computer sees the HDDs, but not the burners. I swapped the SATA slots of the HDDs and Burners, and it does the same. Sees ALL the HDDs, but no DVD.
- In AHCI, all drives are detected, all burners are detected as ATAPI CD-ROM and I can boot from the Windows DVD.

This is where I am stuck, I need to install windows, but I would like to be able set my extra 2 Seagates in RAID 0.

I've read the manual and it doesn't really help.
I've even created a RAID driver disk, and in AHCI mode, I get to the installation part where I can load driver, but they only recommend to me the AHCI driver. I could force to load the RAID driver, but how is that going to help, if I haven't set up the Raid Array in the BIOS?

What should I do?

----

I thought about doing the following, but haven't had time to test this out.
Set Storage Config to RAID, create the RAID 0 Array, reboot, go back to storage config and set to AHCI (I don't know that in doing this if it kills my RAID 0 Settings). Then boot to windows install and force load the RAID driver. PRAYING that maybe after doing that, Windows will pick up my RAID 0 Array as ONE HDD.

What do you guys think?

---
Does anyone here have any experience in loading windows with RAID 0, with DVD -Rom/burner that is SATA?
I wouldn't have this problem if i used a IDE DVD Burner, but i don't like IDE, cables are ugly and just not cool.

[D_A]

I suppose you could just use the IDE optical drive for the install and switch back to the SATA unit when you're up and running.

[fart_plume]

sounds just like my dq6, you'll have to use the ide drive to install windows and get your raid drivers installed before windows will pick it up. It's a PITA, but the only way i could find to do it.

[[XC] riptide]

Milkmandan. This is what I do/have done.

1) Intall onto IDE drive.
2) Also install Acronis Workstataion 9.
3) Set up Raid SATA disks and clone entire installation from IDE to SATA Raid. Works like a charm. CLone only takes about 30min.

[milkmandan]

I suppose you could just use the IDE optical drive for the install and switch back to the SATA unit when you're up and running.

Thats the thing :\ i am not sure that when I switch back to SATA if the RAID will still exist. Even if I installed the raid drivers during windows installation.

This BIOS setting in "storage configuration" seems to override everything O_O.

anyone know if Asus has a support forum?

sounds just like my dq6, you'll have to use the ide drive to install windows and get your raid drivers installed before windows will pick it up. It's a PITA, but the only way i could find to do it.

So getting the RAID drivers installed will have it pick up my SATA DVD Burners?

[fart_plume]

that's what i had to do on my dq6, the board would recognize the burner but the windows setup couldn't.........if you have any way you can get the drivers on to floppy , pressing f6 will allow you to install them during setup. Just watch for the dialog asking if you have any mass storage device drivers you want to add............

[milkmandan]

so my PSU for the ASUS Z7S busted. After my format for a HDD, the whole PSU just shut down and now it wont power my mobo. I tried to attach it to another mobo and it wont even power that so my PSU is done.

Anyone wanna recommend a PSU brand? 1000W is what i am looking for.
And i need to be able to hook up a 4870x2 as well.

[STEvil]

I'm running an Antec Quattro Pro 1000w. 5450's @ 3.5 (fb-dimm limited until I get my 800mhz ones in), 4 hdd's, 2 optical, 4 120mm fans, X1950XTX 666/999 1.525v or XFX 8800GTS/512 800/2000/1000 1.3v

PSU has been tested to 1100W

[milkmandan]

I'm running an Antec Quattro Pro 1000w. 5450's @ 3.5 (fb-dimm limited until I get my 800mhz ones in), 4 hdd's, 2 optical, 4 120mm fans, X1950XTX 666/999 1.525v or XFX 8800GTS/512 800/2000/1000 1.3v

PSU has been tested to 1100W

I ended up getting this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139007

Its not pretty, but it seems ROCK solid, and that is something i need O_O

I hope my mobo isn't dead. -_- no way to check as I dont have another PSU compatible with this mobo.

Argh ><
Whoa hwoa howa...anyone

dead psu, just as I finished installing vista >< didn't even get a chance to test temps under 100% load.

-----

Holy crap, does this CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX have enough pins for the ASUS Z7S? Doesn't the ASUS require 20+4pin, 8pin and 4pin?

[STEvil]

1000HX has 20+4(24) and 4+4(8) pin connectors; http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...W+Power+Supply

To get the P4 (4 pin) connector just get a molex to 4-pin adaptor. Try to get one that uses 2 molexes.

[milkmandan]

1000HX has 20+4(24) and 4+4(8) pin connectors; http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...W+Power+Supply

To get the P4 (4 pin) connector just get a molex to 4-pin adaptor. Try to get one that uses 2 molexes.

where would one find this adaptor?

why dont i just use the 4 pin for the asus 4 pin, but get a 8 pin adaptor? works too right?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812887002

Bah
i found it thanks STEVil
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...roducts_id=196

This molex fix better not cause any stupid troubles.. This compy has been a headache already

[jcool]

Thats the thing :\ i am not sure that when I switch back to SATA if the RAID will still exist.

If you switch to RAID mode and set up your Raid 0, you got the information written to the first few blocks of the HDDs. These will stay even if you switch back to IDE or AHCI, enabling the Raid 0 to come back into existence once you go back to Raid mode. However, you must not access the HDDs during install or after (meaning no formatting, just leave them alone). You will also see 2 physical HDDs as long as you are not in Raid mode, but once in Raid mode they will be.

Sounds like something Asus needs to fix, be sure to let them know about it and maybe in a few months we can get a fix
I run IDE mode (I think), since I only got one SATA DVD connected to the mobo, the HDDs all run off the Adaptec controller...

About the PSU, sorry to hear yours crapped out
But what are you guys talking about adapters?!
The Corsair HX520 and 620 have all the needed power connectors (24 + 8 + 4), so why on earth would the 1000HX lack EPS capability?

Also you don't need 1000W unless you're planning on getting a 2nd 4870X2

[The Warlock]

There you are ,Jcool, i was getting worried, havnt seen you for awhile, now, you talked about a secret weapon earlier, to stomp me, now, where is it man?

[jcool]

You'll see as soon as I get a 2nd Z7S

[The Warlock]

You'll see as soon as I get a 2nd Z7S

Auch,Jcool, that is gonna rock
Seems you force me to really up the ante here,darn, well, already got a e8400 up and running, a e6750 will come shortly, then a e6600, ill even throw in a celeron d 336(and overeclock it), if that doesnt help!

[milkmandan]

If you switch to RAID mode and set up your Raid 0, you got the information written to the first few blocks of the HDDs. These will stay even if you switch back to IDE or AHCI, enabling the Raid 0 to come back into existence once you go back to Raid mode. However, you must not access the HDDs during install or after (meaning no formatting, just leave them alone). You will also see 2 physical HDDs as long as you are not in Raid mode, but once in Raid mode they will be.

Sounds like something Asus needs to fix, be sure to let them know about it and maybe in a few months we can get a fix
I run IDE mode (I think), since I only got one SATA DVD connected to the mobo, the HDDs all run off the Adaptec controller...

About the PSU, sorry to hear yours crapped out
But what are you guys talking about adapters?!
The Corsair HX520 and 620 have all the needed power connectors (24 + 8 + 4), so why on earth would the 1000HX lack EPS capability?

Also you don't need 1000W unless you're planning on getting a 2nd 4870X2

Yeah, the BIOS still needs a little tweaking, but its not lost from all hope. As I am not sure if its ASUS fault or Intel's fault. Either way the Intel Matrix Storage Controller website said 'RAID' mode is the recommended mode, since it gives highest performance with best future compatibility for upgrades. The site says in RAID mode, AHCI is enabled along with RAID. :\ So it should work, but oh well. I got it working.

Set it to RAID, get your Arrays set up, use a IDE DVD-ROM and it will boot. During windows install, it saw my array as well, so it was perfect. In Windows it saw all my DVD Burners and they all worked as well. Just no boot from SATA DVD. No real loss really... :\

jcool: for the psu....

true according to newegg, CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply does have EPS, but i think it only has 20+4pin and 4+4pin. O_O

Take a look at the picture below. It could be inaccurate of course, but i am not sure. I want to be prepared otherwise. I hate waiting for parts to come :\

What missing from this picture is another 4pin for mobo.

Edit: yup confirmed, http://www.corsairmemory.com/products/hx1000.aspx
Only has 20+4pin and 4+4pin. Oh well, an adaptor works just fine.

I've heard excellent reviews and recommendations for this PSU, so for a little hassle for an adapter, I should be good. Unless the ASUS board doesn't like the adapter. -_-

And yes i do plan on getting a 2nd 4870x2 in the future, when its cheaper..One is fine for now.

[STEvil]

Well yea i need also dimensions for nb, sb and mosfet blocks :P

CPU sockets measure 38.5mm x 80mm center to center if my tape measure is correct.

I tried digging up the mechanical specs and pdf's but couldnt find them for some reason. I think they're in the big thread on 2cpu.com for 5000/5100 overclocking though.

[ulvac]

Good evening gentlemen,

First off, thanks jcool for a great thread. Very entertaining and educational...

I'm in the process of starting up a Z7S rig for the first time tonight and... nothing. Fans spin up, the diagnosis card shows FF for the code, no beeps (buzzer seems to be missing from it's location on the board, so who knows), and no video. I'm going to start the usual drill of troubleshooting power supply, power connections, cards and CPU's being seated correctly, resetting the RTC, etc., but I wanted to throw this out in case anyone's got past experience with these symptoms.

Rig is as follows:

Asus Z7S, bios rev unknown (purchased from Newegg 7/31)
2x E5430's w/stock cooling for now
Kingston 2x KHX6400F2LLK2/2G RAM kits (4x 1GB total), 00,10,20,30
Asus EAH4850/HTDI/512M video (first PCI-E x16)
Creative X-Fi Titanium audio (PCI-E x1)
OCZ 2x OCZSSD2-1C64G SSD's, SATA1,2
Plextor Premium IDE CD burner, slave
Plextor PX-716 IDE DVD burner, master
Antec P190 +1200 case

The case was purchased open box, but was in excellent condition with all the parts bags sealed.

Any thoughts anyone?