ASUS Maximus Formula SE

[TheSamurai]

nice to have you aboard!!

[ninogui]

You must enable RAID in SATA Configuratino. And yes you should have installed w/ f6 floppy from new install, but it can be fixed in existing OS, but needs some tricks. Yo will need "2" extra SATA HDD's asside from the OS SATA, a sepperate 3rd party SATA controller to boot from, or a 2nd PC to with the 2 sepperate SATA controllers, one using an Intel ICH8R/9R.

Let me know if you need further help as other mate above.

Hi guys

well for raid i really couldnt tell but heres my 2 cent contrib for anyone using just 1 disk and plans to switch to AHCP mode (which you should!) without reinstalling win, i did it myself:

- DL the intell drivers to make diskette, for your op.system, copy then to a temp folder or wherever u wish

files:

iaahci.cat
iaahci.inf
iastor.cat
iastor.inf
iastor.sys
txtsetup.oem

- do a first reboot to make sure the IDE part of the bios is in SATA mode compatible, to avoid probls

- go to the device manager, ide sata controllers, right click on the main sata controller and choose update driver, direction it to wherever u copied the files, choose the ICH9R (were talking maximus right, although cant really remember anymore the shown description)

- reboot, controllers will update and voi la....


here´s my hd_tach for the great seagate 7200.11 non raid, of course its NCQ 2nd generation and 32MB cache will be finally used








greets

[Nuckin_Futs]

I’m not sure what you mean when you say “RAID/AHCI mode”. In the BIOS I can only choice RAID or AHCI, not both.

What I can’t figure out is that when I load Windows XP/32 Bit, I have no problems at all with the RAID drivers so it can’t be a BIOS setting.


Asus Maximus Formula SE / BIOS 901
Core 2 X6800
Corsair XMS2 Dominator 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400/C-4)
Evga 8800 Ultra “Superclocked”
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (74GB) (RAID 0) -Windows Vista Ultimate/64 Bit
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (150GB) (RAID 0) -Windows XP Pro/SP2
PC Power and Cooling 1000Watt SR
SilverStone TJ-09 (Black)

Enable RAID, w/ boot rom enabled and 32sec delay, write protection off for now (on later if you need).

AHCI (Advance Host Controller Interface) uses all the performances of the RAID controller but as single or multiple disc in non RAID fashion. (NCQ, speed boost etc.)

Since RAID is AHCI plus more, it is perfectly fine to just always use (Enable) RAID weather running an array or not. This is known as an Intel RAID ready install mode. Where later in Windows, one can continue the RAID install
by migrating it form a single disc to the 2nd and so on as desired.

I'm just used of doing it this way since new on ICH5R, but I'm sure many here do it from initial fresh install and can help get it going this way too.

Just remember that if doing fresh install and using RAID ready, to use f6 floppy during install, after 1st loading to desktop, run chipset INF, followed directly by Matrix Storage Manager Utility if migrating to RAID array in Windows, followed by set up as usual from there. I'd make sure system is fully set up in terms of drivers, updates and such before migration (no yellow makrs in Device Mannager).

Good luck!

[tiesum]

I use only a 3-pin connector but the fan still spins at maximum.. Anyone have this same problem??

I just contacted Asus. They said it only works if I use a 4-pin fan (as on the Intel stock cooler). Is this right? Does anyone know of a fan that has a 4-pin plug (no molex)?

[KRich]

Are any of you guys having any trouble running an E6600 (B2 Stepping) with a CPU ratio of either 6 or 7?

My CPU (as above) is good for 415x9 and 466x8, but even trying a 6 or 7 ratio at best is finicky and at worst, won't boot.

I got the latest OCCT beta stable at 465FSB (8 ratio) for 12 hours in RAM mode so that is all good, but trying to get the board to boot with a 7 ratio above around 465 isn't going anywhere.

I can get the board to POST at 470FSB with the 8 ratio but that is past the CPU's capabilities and it reboots

Settings for 465FSB with the 8 ratio that I got 12 hours OCCT RAM mode stable have all the motherboard voltages one notch below turning yellow.

RAM is PC2-9200 OCZ stuff which is good.

I am wondering if the original B2 stepping E6600 didn't like the lower ratio because I also tried the settings in the 500FSB templates some of you guys have listed and I am not getting anywhere. In fact, anything above 470 with a 6 or 7 ratio doesn't get anywhere. Can't go any higher with an 8 or 9 as the CPU has walled I've tried all combinations of FSB straps and so on and am currently using BIOS 0901.

I reckon the CPU (stepping?) isn't playing nicely with the high FSB and lower ratio?

[djt]

Try to change Harddrive priority so your raid array is in priority one.
I had trouble with my USB mem ending up Prio 1 so it tried to install on that one.

I gave that a try but it does not help.

Enable RAID, w/ boot rom enabled and 32sec delay, write protection off for now (on later if you need).

In the “SATA Configuration” I have “Configure SATA as” “RAID”. “Hard Disk Write Protect” is set to disable and “SATA Detect Time Out” is 35. That’s it for the RAID options in BIOS.

I have my drives also configured in RAID 0 (Ctrl-I function) in the Intel Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility.

The “Onboard Serial-ATA BOOTROM” that is mentioned in the motherboard manual is not even present anywhere in my BIOS.



Asus Maximus Formula SE / BIOS 901
Core 2 X6800
Corsair XMS2 Dominator 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400/C-4)
Evga 8800 Ultra “Superclocked”
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (74GB) (RAID 0) -Windows Vista Ultimate/64 Bit
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (150GB) (RAID 0) -Windows XP Pro/SP2
PC Power and Cooling 1000Watt SR
SilverStone TJ-09 (Black)

[Cumulonimbus]

I just contacted Asus. They said it only works if I use a 4-pin fan (as on the Intel stock cooler). Is this right? Does anyone know of a fan that has a 4-pin plug (no molex)?

On the CPU-FAN Connector, you need a 4 Pin PWM-FAN. Only PWM-Fan can be controlled by BIOS (QFAN), not more 3 PIN but still you can use 3-PIN FAN's, but their are not adjustable and are running alltime 100% and you can't controll, like QFAN or Speedfan.

[dMITIj]

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2101[/url]

that will bring you to the page to get the correct drivers. from there, there should be two files. one, will be a console (i think the top file). the second will be the drivers that will help you make a floppy disk that you use during boot. when you install windows, you press F6 when it tells you. you then choose "s" and it looks in your floppy disk for the files. you should choose the ICH8R/ICH9R (desk/work/server) one. then it continues on with install.

if you nee step by step, shoot me a pm and i'll help you out. i don't know your level of knowledge. hope it helps!

# TheSamurai Thx a lot

But if is okay ill like to ask a nother question, how do i fit a Asus maximus BIOS file to a flobby-disk? do anyone have a link for a newbie like me? ore can tell me how to step by step

[btdvox]

Hi Guys, With a FSB of 427 and my DRAM set to DDR2-1138
I set my AI Clock twister to Strong
and my DRAM static read to disabled.

Im wondering waht i should have my Transaction Booster to- ive always had it to auto but im seeing most ppl have it set to enabled and level 0.

What does this do and what setting would you reccommend

[JH_man]

On the CPU-FAN Connector, you need a 4 Pin PWM-FAN. Only PWM-Fan can be controlled by BIOS (QFAN), not more 3 PIN but still you can use 3-PIN FAN's, but their are not adjustable and are running alltime 100% and you can't controll, like QFAN or Speedfan.

Tnx for letting us know. I am testing it right now, only using the 3-pin connector on the fan. Qfan enabled, still fan is running at the rpm it used to; just over 1000 rpm. So in other words at least this type of Nexus fan cannot be controlled by qfan.

JH_man

[Renegade5399]

# TheSamurai Thx a lot

But if is okay ill like to ask a nother question, how do i fit a Asus maximus BIOS file to a flobby-disk? do anyone have a link for a newbie like me? ore can tell me how to step by step

You don't. Use a USB thumb drive.

Hi Guys, With a FSB of 427 and my DRAM set to DDR2-1138
I set my AI Clock twister to Strong
and my DRAM static read to disabled.

Im wondering waht i should have my Transaction Booster to- ive always had it to auto but im seeing most ppl have it set to enabled and level 0.

What does this do and what setting would you reccommend

I run static read enabled, clock twister to strong, and trans booster disabled with relax set to 0.

[S1mon-]

Just got my board... It came with 401 Bios and I don't have any problem atm; is it a good BIOS?

[Renegade5399]

That's the newborn BIOS. Flash to 0802.

[S1mon-]

That's the newborn BIOS. Flash to 0802.

Are there any improvement with 802 BIOS?

[hiwa]

Ybris liquid cooling
ambient:20



Will be try 802

[Bigchrome]

Time is terrible^

[hiwa]

Time is terrible^

i know no tweak and old os

[djt]

This just gets better and better.

I changed the “Suspend Mode” option in BIOS from “Auto” to “S3 Only” and what do you know it loads the RAID drivers in Vista 64 and I’m able to load Windows no problems.

To make sure that was definitely the problem I tried it again, and it now it won’t load the RAID drivers again.

This has got to be one of the flakiest boards I’ve come across in a long time.

I think this POS is getting yanked and my Evga 680i SLI is going back in.


Asus Maximus Formula SE / BIOS 901
Core 2 X6800
Corsair XMS2 Dominator 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400/C-4)
Evga 8800 Ultra “Superclocked”
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (74GB) (RAID 0) -Windows Vista Ultimate/64 Bit
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (150GB) (RAID 0) -Windows XP Pro/SP2
PC Power and Cooling 1000Watt SR
SilverStone TJ-09 (Black)

[kup]

DJT, I'm starting to feel the same. Got my Striker Extreme sitting here running a spare E6850 but I'm so tempted to put the Quad back in it and sell/rma the Maximus on the grounds of the million and one issues this board suffers from!

On a plus note, the Full Load issue has gone. I can use up to 1.65v (not gone higher) without it losing some of the CPU time to the "System" process!

[S1mon-]

I just got my board and I haven't had any problem since it has been running... Hope it will stay like that :S I got BIOS 401 btw

[kup]

Bios 0401 is the oldest bios there is... Update to either 0802 or 0901 for a faster more stable board!

[Nuckin_Futs]

@ Djt "The “Onboard Serial-ATA BOOTROM” that is mentioned in the motherboard manual is not even present anywhere in my BIOS." If you do not have the iostar driver (Intel SATA RAID Controller 82801IR), BIOS & ROM won't see anything connected to it yet.

@ btdvox, RE: "Im wondering waht i should have my Transaction Booster to- ive always had it to auto but im seeing most ppl have it set to enabled and level 0.

What does this do and what setting would you reccommend"

Depends on how stable your OC is. Enabling Transaction Booster and Ai Clock Twister to Strong is really only for lesser OC w/ loose timings or very stable stock speeds & ratios. Static Read Control is mainly needed fro high FSB OC's where is helps keep FSB to NB strap curve smooth/level as FSB is increased, but relaxing it to anything other then "0" can improve stability but at a memory performance cost. So relax only if unstable for high FSB and RAM frequency. For good stable performabce to 500FSB I like to keep Static Read to "enabled" , w/ Transaction Booster "Disabled" and Ai Clock Twister to "Moderate" (down to light for stability testing). Use "strong" at own risk, as it put a big stress load on MCH to NB frequency and will require more FSBT, NB and Vdim volts to keep stable. Clock Twister is basically a RAM frequency performance booster for best used in Ai OC profiling.

@ KRich, RE: "Are any of you guys having any trouble running an E6600 (B2 Stepping) with a CPU ratio of either 6 or 7?"

I had a challange getting my E6600 to 495FSB on several mobos before this (havent tryed on it yet). So it may be the CPU but mostly the lack of PLL & GTL Ref control I ahd on P5WGD2-WS and P5B.

As for this mobo, It is jsut pick with up deviders period at certain FSB to NB straps. Enabling Static Read Control helps for the most part, but manual FSB strap and RAM frequencies make it harder to lock in. Some will, most wont. Hopefully newer BIOS will fix this. Eveen most P35's were trick here too. For best stability and dailly user performance, I'd stick to 1:1 and use FSB to get frequency since thats what X38 is built for. 500FSB is a butter zone if your CPU and other stuff can get there.

Hope this helps.

[Nurn]

I’ve been trying for two days now to install Vista Ultimate 64 Bit and RAID 0 with this board. I’ve tried the floppy install drivers off of Intel’s site and the drivers on the Asus CD, without any luck. I keep getting a message after loading the drivers that say’s
“This computer’s hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk’s controller is enabled in the computer’s BIOS menu.” Clicking the next button I get
“ Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation.”

I have no problems installing RAID 0 on Windows XP 32 bit with this setup. Any ideas? my specs are below.

I ran into this issue when I tried to install Vista onto two "right out of the box" SATA drives that had not yet been initialized or partitioned. I had to "initialize" the drives before installing Vista. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925481/en-us

You can also read up about another (different) type of problem and solution at:

http://www.intel.com/support/chipset.../CS-025783.htm

[btdvox]

You don't. Use a USB thumb drive.



I run static read enabled, clock twister to strong, and trans booster disabled with relax set to 0.

Hmm, I should note that i use a E6850 Dualcore. not quad, Reading the anandtech site, they note that AI should be set to strong and static read to disabled, as enabled enahnces performance very slightly yet causes alot of instablity, which ive found to be true.

Transaction booster they say to enable and set to 0. disabling decreases performance

what you think?

[kup]

Hmm, I should note that i use a E6850 Dualcore. not quad, Reading the anandtech site, they note that AI should be set to strong and static read to disabled, as enabled enahnces performance very slightly yet causes alot of instablity, which ive found to be true.

Transaction booster they say to enable and set to 0. disabling decreases performance

what you think?

I use those settings with my Quad and MFSE and it runs perfectly stable right up until 465MHz, 470 is unstable, but still...nice clocks IMO!