Quote Originally Posted by raymeus3 View Post
I'm just at about wits end here. It wont even boot into a linux distro (ubuntu) from a CD, but could boot using the Nero 6 bios flash method. Tried a friend's ddr2 800 at 533 and 800, still no go. I figured the motherboard should be good, since I can go into the bios fine and at least halfway install windows. Memory should be ruled out (even underclocked it and tried different dimms). Graphics seem fine. Power supply should be ok (all fans/lights/graphics work fine).

So essentially, I have a $1400 paperweight.


EDIT: Emo emotions above.... sorry. I am pissed. Well, gettin further along. Figured out I had to OC the CPU and up the voltage on the CPU and NB to get any further. Now I can get about 85% through a windows xp install, then it either restarts or blue screens with "Driver IRQL Not Less Than Equal" error. Gettin closer at least...
This sounds like SATA/RAID driver issues. Using the 780i SATA/RAID drivers caused me reboot after reboot, even during Windows installation. The 790i drivers work flawlessly from the start.

Despite all of the trouble I've had with this board, I must say I'm now rather happy with it. After overclocking it and getting the voltages set up properly, it's been working like a charm. This is not a board for anyone intended to run stock settings, as it may be entirely unstable (as it was for me). Now that I'm running it at 1333 FSB, it's working like a charm. No reboots during use, no problems booting. I still don't intend to buy another MSI motherboard anytime soon (and I'm very weary of any driver produced by nVidia), but after enough tweaking, this board can certainly run well.

Perhaps other people are having more luck with it now, like myself?