ASUS P5W DH - Problems + Fixes Thread

[Striph]

Anyone else have the problem where your EZ Flash just doesn't work? I had mine stop responding after about bios 1701, it just hangs, never gets past turning the screen blue. Asus said I could buy a new bios chip to replace mine but had no real fix for it.

[nicepun]

I'm debating wether to flash to the latest betas. I've been running 2103 no problem.

[Chrysalis]

can someone please mirror the latest bios the rapidshare link in 1st post just gives me a upload file page.

thanks

[Bloke]

I also have installed 2103 and 2205 and I don't appear to have any problems. From reading the posts of people that do have problems they seem to have disabled devices in the BIOS, but aren't disabled because Windows is discovering the new devices.

The amount of memory I'm not sure about, but I have 1 GB 2x512MB DDR2800

Ok, I forgot to mention, I have the following disabled on both BIOS:

Onboard audio
Firewire
Jmicron

Settings can be saved without any problem. Though I did not touch the Jumperfree settings. Everything is set to default.

@Chrysalis
Here's the direct link from Asus for BETA BIOS 2205:

http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...eluxe/2205.zip

[MacClipper]

I'm debating wether to flash to the latest betas. I've been running 2103 no problem.

2103 already supports G0, imo you can keep it unless you run into problems later.

[Chrysalis]

thanks Bloke.

I have been trying to fix a problem for a while now.

Basically I have an old amd 900 mhz that can play xvid files with ease no skipping etc. my amd64 also does this fine, this board however I get stuttering and I also get stuttering running zsnes a snes emulator, the stuttering happens without cpu saturation ie. low cpu usage.

I just spent an hour moving my 4th sata from the jmicron to the ich7 4th port hoping this would solve it due to bad things said about jmicron but now its actually worse, previously files played of that hd did not cause stuttering and now they do so I have concluded the ich7 sata controller is the culprit.

I have just upgraded to the latest intel storage matrix drivers which has helped slightly but not gone.

Drives all benchmark fine just below 150mbit burst etc. but they acting like as if they in pio mode so when accessed things stutter, in device manager the 2 drives still on the jmicron pata controller have write cache ticked, however my 4 sata drives that section is greyed out with no write cache option, the drive that used to be on the jmicron controller also had write cache on but now like the other 3 on the intel sata it is greyed out and I think disabled.

In the bios I have AHCI mode enabled is this my mistake?

2 gig of ram and the cpu is a 6420 clocked at 2.66ghz, have also tried at stock speed same problems.

[mikepaul]

Quick question to clarify the BIOS update posts: does it now seem important to use AFUDOS to install ANY BIOS because it does an erase before installing that doesn't happen otherwise?

I'm just wondering if I should stop using the USB flash method and stick with a floppy from now on...

[bichi]

Chrysalis,
- bummer. stuttering is a tough one to fix sometimes
- no stuttering here, either video nor audio, with ICH7 in AHCI mode (set for hotswapping HDs, write caching not used)
- fairly intensive video NLE apps used, editing MPEG, Xvid/Divx, H.264, etc., without issues
- media playback, DVD, MPEG, Xvid/Divx, etc., also normal
- opted not to use JMicron controller, instead, installed an Adaptec 1430SA PCIE controller for additional 4 SATAII ports)

A few things come to mind:
- check quality of codec(s) used for your particular media?
- video and audio card drivers?
- IRQ assignments?
- monitor processes to dectect any high usage?
- if Maxtor, then Google for SATA issues (remember seeing Maxtor issues recently)

FYI:
- Intel 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Controller - driver v8.2.0.1011
- Intel 82801GR/GH SATA AHCI - driver v7.5.0.1017
- HDTach of 7200.10 250gB, connected to SATA3 port in AHCI mode, for comparison:
- Device Manager "Policy" showing cache setting:

mikepaul,
- have been lucky with EZFlash 2 and using USB flashdrive method
- I do recall seeing "BIOS erase" and "write bootcode" during flashing with above method
- only time I use AFUDOS is to revert back to earlier BIOS, if needed
- had only one mis-flash, where "Alt-F2" and floppy with 1701 renamed to "p5wdh.rom" was needed
- some will claim AFUDOS/Floppy is the safest method (I was one, prior to this board...)

[lawrywild]

I just reflashed 2103 from 1707 which I loaded straight from the Crashfree Bios 3 yesterday. I used Ez-Flash 2 this time, rather than afudos, and it works fine. I'm not risking the 2205 though, 2103 supports E6850, so that's the only reason I wanted it.

[w2richwood]

ok i just put 2205 oh my rig. but i only have 650 3.4 no c2d tell after the 22 of this mouth i have 2x1gb ram so i gues i'll see what happens. have seen any changes in anything

[Discoboy]

2205 installed without issues, from 2103 (early P5WDH; Rev 1.02g; 66MOAG)

- Used AFUDOS v2.17 with AFUDOS /i2205.ROM /pbnc /n flash command
- rebooted and loaded setup defaults
- setup BIOS settings
- no new "devices" appeared
- no problems with onboard sound staying at "disabled"
- tested 4gB (4x1gB sticks), no issues
- FSB @ 333Mhz
- running Vista Ultimate 32b

[roger_h99.nor]

2205 installed WITH issues.

- Afudos 2.21 from bios 1601 to 2205 (with switches)
- confirmed multiplier above default NOT WORKING on my X6800 (g..damn it)

back to 1601 - hopefully it will work

Otherwise, 2205 looks OK, no disabled devices popping up i device manager.
No new options in bios.
Not checked OC on this bios - too pissed off.

EDIT1: Mobo 68M0AG - ver. 1.02G
EDIT2: Afudos /i1601.rom /pbnc /n worked OK - back to 1601. (Afudos ver.2.11)
EDIT3: Strange - on first boot (after flash) MP is changeable above default, but not on second boot.

[Peanuts]

i have installed a qx6700 cpu and it wont let me set the multiplyer past 10?

bios version 2004

You need bios 1601 or 2205 in order to have multiplier past 10 for your CPU.

[Chrysalis]

Chrysalis,
- bummer. stuttering is a tough one to fix sometimes
- no stuttering here, either video nor audio, with ICH7 in AHCI mode (set for hotswapping HDs, write caching not used)
- fairly intensive video NLE apps used, editing MPEG, Xvid/Divx, H.264, etc., without issues
- media playback, DVD, MPEG, Xvid/Divx, etc., also normal
- opted not to use JMicron controller, instead, installed an Adaptec 1430SA PCIE controller for additional 4 SATAII ports)

A few things come to mind:
- check quality of codec(s) used for your particular media?
- video and audio card drivers?
- IRQ assignments?
- monitor processes to dectect any high usage?
- if Maxtor, then Google for SATA issues (remember seeing Maxtor issues recently)

FYI:
- Intel 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Controller - driver v8.2.0.1011
- Intel 82801GR/GH SATA AHCI - driver v7.5.0.1017
- HDTach of 7200.10 250gB, connected to SATA3 port in AHCI mode, for comparison:
- Device Manager "Policy" showing cache setting:

mikepaul,
- have been lucky with EZFlash 2 and using USB flashdrive method
- I do recall seeing "BIOS erase" and "write bootcode" during flashing with above method
- only time I use AFUDOS is to revert back to earlier BIOS, if needed
- had only one mis-flash, where "Alt-F2" and floppy with 1701 renamed to "p5wdh.rom" was needed
- some will claim AFUDOS/Floppy is the safest method (I was one, prior to this board...)

This is very weird, but I loaded up device manager to do you a screenshot since the enable write cache was missing on all my ich7 drives. Now it is there but was unticked and I have now ticked it (windows didnt need reboot so looks like a on the fly setting good)

Driver versions
7.5.0.1017 ich7 sata
8.2.1011 ich7 pata
1.17.20.3 jmicron pata and sata it uses same for both

codecs should be irrelevant I think since I use the exact same ones on all my pcs, if the codecs were a problem I would expect the problem on every pc, I have also tried setting cpu affinity to just one core to see if it was a SMP issue. But so you know I am using the feb 2007 ffdshow pack and zoomplayer 5 standard, zoom player 5 runs in above normal priority, also tried high priority. Tried vmr9 as well as standard overlay.

geforce 7600gt driver version 94.24
xi fi driver version 5.12.8.1201 this was actually updated only last week on windows update, made no difference tho.
the soundcard is sharing irq with nothing and is in bottom but 1 slot.
pci-e 7600gt sharing with a pci-e root device I guess thats normal.
nic also sharing with a pci-e root device since on pci-e bus I guess its normal.
jmicron sharing with pci-e root device
ich7 pata not sharing
ich7 sata not sharing

to save irqs serial,parallel and 6 out of 8 usb all disabled also have no floppy drive.

nothing using high cpu usage.

I have 2 maxtor drives 3 western digital one of which is a raptor (os drive) and a seagate.

I well get back to you later if any improvement after enabling write caching.

[ChronoDog]

Sorry for the offtopic question, didn't find anything about it in the thread:

The P5WDH's bios (v2004 here) disables QFan by default when the CPU speed exceeds 3ghz. Now the Asus PC Probe piece of crap allows you to enable it back from within windows, regardless of the CPU speed, the downsides of it being having to run the utility every time, enable the option, then close it, close the "aaCenter.exe" service and put the Wave volume all the way back up, since for whatever reason PCProbe sees it fit to reduce it to 0% whenever it starts

The question is simple - does anybody know an easier way to enable QFan at over 3ghz?

Thanks in advance.

[lawrywild]

Yes, Enable Digital Home Mode and then set the QFan to Optimal. That did it for me.

[ChronoDog]

Thanks lawrywild,that actually worked

Somehow I've never thought of that option in the first place...

[Chrysalis]

ok was unrarring a dvd whilst watching a music vid and there was a very large stutter followed by a BSOD. No driver references in the error on screen. So something is massively wrong, I have moved that hd now back to the jmicron controller but unfortenatly I still have to keep 3 hds on this problematic ich7 controller.

After the reboot I noticed also the raptor properties box looks like this. Initially the other 2 hds on the ich7 could be toggled on the write cache but now after I have loaded the browser they are also the same.



Not only that the raptor is feeling very sluggish right now apps loading slowly etc. The general tab which shows the location of the hd will normally say what bus its on etc. But it simply says location 0 for the raptor location 3 and 4 for the other 2 ich7 hds respectively.

[ChronoDog]

Chrysalis,

Pardon the noobish question, but have you tried a clean reinstall with the latest (v7.5.something) Intel Matrix driver? Because the problems that you're describing could easily be caused by various system file corruptions.

Also, verify that the Raptor is 100% functional, I've had similar trouble with my old Raptor, it stuttered here and there, annoyingly at times. Then it began suddenly turning off and back on in the middle of operation, causing file corruption. After 5 reinstalls I got fed up and simply RMAed it - no problems ever since.

[Chrysalis]

this is a more or less new install the time of installation was approx 2-3 weeks ago, I slipstreamed ahci drivers and these intel matrix are installed after, no drivers in between.

The raptor should be fine it is also fairly new (under 6 months old) and hasnt had any problems up until now. Also bear in mind the problem is with 3 different drives on the controller. Right now they all have write cache ghosted out.

I am considering putting the raptor on the jmicron and then reinstalling windows with it on that.

[lawrywild]

Jmicron's rubbish. Try standard IDE not AHCI

[Chrysalis]

Jmicron's rubbish. Try standard IDE not AHCI

Yes thats planned now, will do it within next 2 days.

Although the jmicron works for me just fine right now its the ich7 been bad, so if jmicron is usually considered poor my ich7 must be performing way below par.

[AndrewSh]

Hi, lawrywild!
Finally I'm able to post here (not only at Asus forums)
Concerning the BIOS 2103 and 2205 unstable system behavior: I found out that I got problems with Disk Management feature and also something's going wrong with shell extensions installed (mean some problems with right-click)....
At the moment I'm trying to detect the real reason of the processor marginality and system unstability.... Write as soon as I get the solution....
P.S. At the moment - system is stable for two days (2205). The detailed report - later...

[bithkits]

So is the 2205 BIOS stable or not? seems there is some controvercy...

Its a beta right? will there be a final release 2205 soon?

[uOpt]

My board doesn't seem to post with a B1 Conroe, although it works fine with a different CPU.

Is that a known problem and/or is it fixable? Getting really frustrated with this board