ASUS P5W DH - Problems + Fixes Thread

[ppcli]

lol i wish the crash free bios worked.i went threw the floppy then usb, before i made the call to asus.had a new bios chip in 20 hours.now i want to see if evga gets the new 780i back from rma as fast.that was just throwing 300. out the window.

[w2richwood]

Can anyone help me and tell me how I set up raid0 on this? I just bought another 150gb raptor and want to install vista but I cant even get the board to detect the drives. Got them plugged in the ez_raid1 and ez_raid2??




hmm never mind I think I got it working now was looking at the wrong things in the manual

the intel raido works much better ports 1 n 3

[MacClipper]

This sounds to me like the nasty PEG LINK mode option in the BIOS is affecting these cards even before any serious 3D Function calls are being made.
If you don't already know - PEG LINK is feature on nearly all boards, just called different things by different vendors, but it overclocks the card at boot-up and its handled by the motherboard. It handles nVidia and ATI cards differently. In my experience, it's never been a good thing. If you're running the "entire" system at stock/default levels - sure it can help. But, who the heck does that? Go into the BIOS and turn that nasty PEG LINK mode to NORMAL and see how things go then.

Some contrary findings today.

I had been setting the Link Mode to Normal for the past 1.5 years following the advice of many on the www till I ran into obvious hardware (?timing) issues with a Powercolor PCS 512MB HD3870 card today. The PC freezes even in Safe Mode and until the Link Mode was set back at Auto, I could not install the card at all.

Just in case someone stumbles over this one.

[Troop]

Hi guys,

I just noticed a few days ago that my PC will boot by simply moving the mouse when the PC is fully shut down. I did not change anything in the BIOS, I have run virus and spyware scans etc.

I checked the BIOS for WAKE on LAN type settings and unless I missed something, everything seems to be disabled. What am I missing here or does anyone have any ideas?

I am running Windows Vista Business edition, 32bit, and using BIOS version 2302. Should I upgrade? Also, what is the best way to upgrade the BIOS? I was using the software that came with the mobo, but I have read here that some folks have had problems using it.

Any help/ideas on this strange problem would be appreciated. Thanks, and let me know if you need more information.

[~aoe~]

I know this may be a stupid question, but are you actually using the 'Shut Down' option in Vista or the button that looks like a broken circle with the vertical line at the top (same icon as the WinXP shut down icon)?

I ask because the first few times I used vista, I thought this icon was the shut down (the WinXP shut down icon is the same), but it's actually a hibernate function that saves your session and puts the PC into a low power state.

If you're hibernating, then mouse movement will reactivate the PC. I've started using this option as startup is much quicker, and I will now only 'Shut Down' around once a week.

[whoodiestyle]

I know this may be a stupid question, but are you actually using the 'Shut Down' option in Vista or the button that looks like a broken circle with the vertical line at the top (same icon as the WinXP shut down icon)?

I ask because the first few times I used vista, I thought this icon was the shut down (the WinXP shut down icon is the same), but it's actually a hibernate function that saves your session and puts the PC into a low power state.

If you're hibernating, then mouse movement will reactivate the PC. I've started using this option as startup is much quicker, and I will now only 'Shut Down' around once a week.

haha same here i thought that was the power off button in vista. but i never shut my pc off anyways unless im installing new hardware, power failure or restarts for updates.

[~aoe~]

Just thought of another possibility. If it's a USB mouse plugged into either of the 2 lower USB ports (the ones for use with the remote), then mouse movement could create a signal sufficient to trigger a system power up. I noticed when I removed a mouse attached to one of these USB ports that my system powers up. Obvious solution to this problem is to use one of the 2 top USB ports.

[Lurker246]

Obvious solution to this problem is to use one of the 2 top USB ports.

That's the only solution, as far as I'm aware.

There's also an option to disable Digital Home mode in the Bios, but it worked on some BIOS' and not on others.... can't remember which ones though sorry.

[Troop]

Just thought of another possibility. If it's a USB mouse plugged into either of the 2 lower USB ports (the ones for use with the remote), then mouse movement could create a signal sufficient to trigger a system power up. I noticed when I removed a mouse attached to one of these USB ports that my system powers up. Obvious solution to this problem is to use one of the 2 top USB ports.

Just wanted to say thanks so much. That was exactly it! Moved the mouse to the top USB port and voila, no mysterious start up upon moving the mouse.

Cheers man.

So what BIOS are you guys running these days for stability purposes? The latest and greatest or no?

[rvltion909]

So my box was built for strictly DAW purposes. I run some pretty CPU heavy audio plug-ins (VST) and recently picked up a Q6600 to help take some of the load off. I planned to overclock it to 3.0G and although I've been able to do so...sort of... my temps seem VERY high (as in dead CPU high)!

I set the CPU to run @ 333 MHz and the lowest VCORE option (around 1.2)

My RAM says its designed to run at 1.9V 5-5-5-12 ...so I set it at that with a corresponding 667 MHz.

It posted fine and CoreTemp showed idle temps at 48-50 degrees

Next, I ran the latest version of Prime 95. Then saw the cores shoot up to 60,70 then 80....I stopped it when it hit 82 (it had run under 1 min)

The "small fft" test shot all cores up to 82 within about 6 seconds and caused a reboot.

I see posts here for load temps at around high 60's-low 70's and idle temps in the 30's. I hear people running Prime 95 for about 30min-an hour. I wouldn’t dare running it for more than a couple mins at this point.

I must be doing something wrong. I've got six friggn fans running on this thing not including the cpu fan.

Im considering "lapping" the CPU but Im not sure I want to take a risk like that yet. My temps seem to be so extreme from most of the specs I see here that I must be missing something. I might go out and get some Artic Silver (Im using some random Radio Shack knock off ATM) but I dont think that will make a 10+ degree difference.

Im actually pretty disappointed with the board (for OC purposes). Looking at Tomshardware.com I could have spent half the price and gotten MUCH better OC specs (according to their Q6600 testing) if I would have gone with an MSI.

Any ideas guys?

[t_ski]

I think part of the problem may be the Freezer Pro heatsink. Are you sure that's enough for a Quad? I'd think you'd need something bigger than that if you want to OC.

Have you checked CPU temps in the BIOS? Is that a B3 or G0 quad core CPU? Are you sure the heatsink mount is secure?

[secretworld]

So my box was built for strictly DAW purposes. I run some pretty CPU heavy audio plug-ins (VST) and recently picked up a Q6600 to help take some of the load off. I planned to overclock it to 3.0G and although I've been able to do so...sort of... my temps seem VERY high (as in dead CPU high)!

I set the CPU to run @ 333 MHz and the lowest VCORE option (around 1.2)

My RAM says its designed to run at 1.9V 5-5-5-12 ...so I set it at that with a corresponding 667 MHz.

It posted fine and CoreTemp showed idle temps at 48-50 degrees

Next, I ran the latest version of Prime 95. Then saw the cores shoot up to 60,70 then 80....I stopped it when it hit 82 (it had run under 1 min)

The "small fft" test shot all cores up to 82 within about 6 seconds and caused a reboot.

I see posts here for load temps at around high 60's-low 70's and idle temps in the 30's. I hear people running Prime 95 for about 30min-an hour. I wouldn’t dare running it for more than a couple mins at this point.

I must be doing something wrong. I've got six friggn fans running on this thing not including the cpu fan.

Im considering "lapping" the CPU but Im not sure I want to take a risk like that yet. My temps seem to be so extreme from most of the specs I see here that I must be missing something. I might go out and get some Artic Silver (Im using some random Radio Shack knock off ATM) but I dont think that will make a 10+ degree difference.

Im actually pretty disappointed with the board (for OC purposes). Looking at Tomshardware.com I could have spent half the price and gotten MUCH better OC specs (according to their Q6600 testing) if I would have gone with an MSI.

Any ideas guys?

I´m running mine as a DAW too, with a zalmann 9500 cooler and artic silver5. Under full load I get low 60´s core temperature, at the moment @340 fsb, 350 is stable too, only the onboard network starts generating errors (any ideas anybody? I run @ stock voltages)
If you havn´t upped the voltage, I guess the high temps mean the heatsink is either to small or isn´t seated properly.
Good luck!

winxp pro sp2
P5W DH deluxe FSB340 All V auto
Conroe Q6600 G0 @3.06
"gb corsair XMS2C4 @4-4-4-12-5 2.1v 4:5 850mhz
Ati 2400pro + 2X17"

[xMrBunglex]

i ordered a Wolfdale E8400 today and wanted to know if i have to update my BIOS to run it. i currently have ver. 2205 now and see no need to flash if i don't have to. anybody know?

[P5WDHdeluxe]

@xMrBunglex: You must have the latest Bios to support Penryn with this mobo.. check bios menu on Asus Homepage under our Mobo's download link

@secretworld: what do you mean "Network card generating problems"?

[secretworld]

Thanks for asking P5WDHdeluxe!
If I open or copy a large winrar (*.rar) file over my home gigabit network I get CRC errors. Roughly 3 per gigabyte (ok not many but it just doesn´t work like that).
Things I have tried without success;
Switched from lan 1 to lan 2 port
Changed cable
loosened memory timings,
raised ram voltage
raised cpu voltage
Switched back to 100mbit
pcie fixed @100 and auto
(pci is fixed @33)

What did help is lowering the FSB from 350 to 340.
@350 the pc is 4X prime (all cores ~60°c) stable and memtest (on floppy) stable.
Vincent

[Falkentyne]

Those high temps show that you have a bad mount. Reseat the heatsink immediately. You should not have 80C temps within 6 seconds, even with an abysmal heatsink.

[DrSlump]

Thanks for asking P5WDHdeluxe!
If I open or copy a large winrar (*.rar) file over my home gigabit network I get CRC errors. Roughly 3 per gigabyte (ok not many but it just doesn´t work like that).
Things I have tried without success;
Switched from lan 1 to lan 2 port
Changed cable
loosened memory timings,
raised ram voltage
raised cpu voltage
Switched back to 100mbit
pcie fixed @100 and auto
(pci is fixed @33)

What did help is lowering the FSB from 350 to 340.
@350 the pc is 4X prime (all cores ~60°c) stable and memtest (on floppy) stable.
Vincent

What kind of cable are tou using?
Keep in mind that for 1000Mbit you should use:
Cat5/e or Cat6, generally a screened cable.
It's olso good to keep away the cable from powerline.

[secretworld]

Sure, as I said Lowering the FSB to 340 cures it so it seems that altough the network adapters are on the pcie bus, they are not influenced by the fixed pcie ratio, or the receiving chip is crapping out.

[rvltion909]

I´m running mine as a DAW too, with a zalmann 9500 cooler and artic silver5. Under full load I get low 60´s core temperature, at the moment @340 fsb, 350 is stable too, only the onboard network starts generating errors (any ideas anybody? I run @ stock voltages)
If you havn´t upped the voltage, I guess the high temps mean the heatsink is either to small or isn´t seated properly.
Good luck!

I think I will pick up some Artic Silver, and actually try popping the board out of the case and make sure its seated properly since I cant see a whole hell of allot besides the top of it (anybody else have as much trouble as I did trying to get that damn heat sink on there…that twist/turn clip technology is simply genius…..)

T Ski it’s a G0. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

[xMrBunglex]

just installed BIOS 2504 and put in my new Wolfdale E8400 and i can't say i'm very happy right now. vCore options are either Auto or 1.45-1.70. wtfrig were they thinking?

Auto has it running at 1.225, which is really too low to overclock with. 1.45 scares me with a brand new 45nm CPU. i just wanted to put this up here to see if anyone knows something i don't.

[S1mon-]

Bunglex, with 1,225V, you should get something between 3,6-4GHz

[xMrBunglex]

Bunglex, with 1,225V, you should get something between 3,6-4GHz

you're right. i did a CMOS reset with the new CPU and didn't have my north bridge volts set right. while i would like the next BIOS to fix this awful situation, i'm now running stable at 3.6 with Vcore on auto (1.225 V). i don't think my motherboard wants to go beyond 415 FSB, but i'd like to try with this new CPU and see what i can do.

for now, i score 16,786 on 3DMark06:

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4845175

[S1mon-]

you're right. i did a CMOS reset with the new CPU and didn't have my north bridge volts set right. while i would like the next BIOS to fix this awful situation, i'm now running stable at 3.6 with Vcore on auto (1.225 V). i don't think my motherboard wants to go beyond 415 FSB, but i'd like to try with this new CPU and see what i can do.

for now, i score 16,786 on 3DMark06:

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=4845175

Yup, I used to have a P5W DH Deluxe and it wouldn't be stable at all above 410 FSB with 1,65 vMCH... I had the first revision of the board so there's was nothing I could do except modding it...

[xMrBunglex]

i did some tweaking and got it up to 3.825 GHz (425*9). the motherboard definitely is the weak link. Vcore was only 1.225 so i know the CPU has tons of headroom.

i had to crank all my chipset volts all the way up to hit 425 FSB. i did a 3DMark06 run of 17,606 then put it back. i can't afford to fry this mobo right now. so i'm doing 400*9 stable with lower chipset volts. this will have to be my speed until i can afford an X38.

thanks for all the help, S1mon and P5W. i appreciate it.

[whoodiestyle]

i did some tweaking and got it up to 3.825 GHz (425*9). the motherboard definitely is the weak link. Vcore was only 1.225 so i know the CPU has tons of headroom.

i had to crank all my chipset volts all the way up to hit 425 FSB. i did a 3DMark06 run of 17,606 then put it back. i can't afford to fry this mobo right now. so i'm doing 400*9 stable with lower chipset volts. this will have to be my speed until i can afford an X38.

thanks for all the help, S1mon and P5W. i appreciate it.

lucky you my board cant even pass 380 fsb maxxed out chipset volts early adopter got me good and hit my wallet quite hard for a crappy board