Legit Reviews

Ok, Ken and I have been trying to figure out why this thing is running so slow. I have it up and all my stuff loaded on it but it's way way way slow, slower than a pent 2.

So it's an athlon 64 3400+ with a MSI k8t neo ms6702 version 1 with 1 gig value ram, (new) seagate 200 HD with 8 mb cache, running xp home.

After the old HD messed up and lost it's head, I took it into a shop and they said they had to format it, so they did. I got it back and it was slow and the HD was making a gravelly sound. So I went and bought the new HD and put it in. I loaded windows and somehow it defaulted the new HD as F instead of C (didn't catch it til had most of the stuff loaded). The HD makes a chirp sound every so often (someone said to look to make sure the power to the HD is not connected to something or other, well the people who built it have all the cables zip tied with 1000 ties, there are 2 power outlets that can reach the HD, so I just plugged one in). I also made sure the HD is secure in there. Chirp still there.

PROBLEM: The damn system is running so slow you woulnd't believe it. It was somewhat fast before all this happened and now it sucks. To restart the computer (like after loading something) it takes 2 and a half or 3 minutes for it to completely get to the desktop (most time is spent on the screen saying "loading user preferences). If I want to open IE, it takes 45 seconds to open (I'm connected to cable via a router and all other computers are ok). If I want to bring up "my computer" it takes like 30 seconds and then to click properties takes another 30 seconds to open. If I want to open anything on the desktop, it takes 30 seconds to a full minute to open.

Stuff that I've tried: I have fully updated everything I could, xp, chipset, processor drivers, ethernet drivers, video drivers, pretty much everything is updated (didn't help at all). I ran a HD test to see the read speed (average read is 54.7. I looked at the task manager, the cpu is using 0% and it has over 780000 memory left on ram. There are 27 processes listed and none are using any cpu power. The memory on 3 services are high yahoo messenger, svchost, and IE, the rest are way lower. I download Tuneup Utilities 2006 and set everything like my other 3 computers, I fixed/defrag the registry (HD is only 3% defrag), I optimized everything I could on both windows and the internet (just like my other puters), downloaded and ran AVG antivirus (nothing), downloaded and ran adware (not much of anything erased), downloaded winpatrol and spyware blaster. Checked all the devices under the device manager (no problems found no ? or !, not sure what's supposed to be in each spot, but there were a few things that said "generic" and a few had multiple listing, but no conflicts). The guy at the computer place said he updated the bios (don't know how to do it myself), I went in bios to look around, changed the boot sequence to HD then CD took the floppy off totally). Disabled some cache setting that isn't used any longer and can cause slowness (Ken told me it was ok, don't remember the name though). Checked to make sure all plugs are secure (it has the black end connected to the HD, not the gray).

Things I'm wondering: Did I knock something off when installing the HD? (I don't see anything off or bent, the ribbon cables that go on the motherboard to the yellow outlet, may have gotten switched? Not sure. The power cable to the HD is the correct one? Not sure. There are 2 cables there that reach the HD). As I understand it, the HD labeled F instead of C won't slow anything down, just a pain to search F every time you install something. Not sure if the new HD is set right, the jumper is on the "cable designate" part like it said in the book and the black end is on it.

There may have been more things I've tried but I don't remember them. That's most of it anyways. So what the heck is wrong with this thing? My oldest compter (thunderbird 1400) is way faster than this one, opening apps, internet, everything. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Anything I can look at or try? Please Help! Thanks everyone!

I'm still under the impression your letting the frustration get to you.

My questions for you=

Whos Ken, Where does he fit into all of this, Whats his skill level in computing?

If memory serves me right, you have a total of 4 computers, yes?
If you have other computers at your disposal, why is it I get the impression your in a real hurry to get this one going. Every little error now will only compound itself and cause more problems to sort through. Take a step back- A breather- get focused with a clear mind.

You have a lot of questions, I'll make a few suggestions
Your HDD hook up= Set it to master via the HDD jumper. Make sure if its connected to an ATA IDE connector on your mother board it does not have a CD rom-DVD- anything else hooked to it on the same cable/MB IDE connector other than another HDD. Anything else other than the HDD will slow it down.

1000 zip ties or 10, If you want to learn, at somepoint you'll need to take the plunge and undo them. Theres nothing in there you can't learn or understand with some time. If you continue to let Frustration ride shotgun over your learning curve, your in for a rough ride.

How your computer shop handled your problem still does not impress me. I'm also wondering if they got the right bios for you

From what I can tell, you have: MSI K8t NEO-FIS2R/FSR (MS-6702)
Here is the latest BIOS:
http://www.msicomputer.com/support/bios ... ewsearch=1

Check this current version agaisnt yours.

One step a a time.

Yea, just so happens, the wife needs this computer because her work is loaded on it. It's a real pain to load and you have call in and get permission and blah blah blah, so that's why it's not on all of them, plus, you have to have an id that is unique for each computer and she only has one.

Kenc51, moderator here on this site. He knows about 20 times more than the computer shop I took it to and I couldn't even extrapulate how much more than me.

Ok, so I am going to take this somewhat apart, what am I looking for power cord wise? I'll trace the ide and make sure it's only connected to the HD.

Where does it say what bios version I have on the computer?

Thanks again

Fogey wrote:Whos Ken, Where does he fit into all of this, Whats his skill level in computing?

That would be me! sbjlsmtj sent me a PM the other day......

sbjlsmtj -> Did you install the latest chipset drivers from the link I sent you?
Also you should be able to see your bios version with CPUZ -> Link

Legit reviews Kenc51= Your good to go. I wasen't sure if you were talking about someone here or you had someone there with you as you just mentioned "Ken"

Bios: Several ways. Since your machine will load and boot, just real slow.
<Start-Programs-Accessories-System tools-System Information>
Should be listed under BIOS Version/Date

You can also find the same info in your BIOS.

Flashing a BIOS can be scary. Done right, its no big deal. I've done it via windows and by DOS. Have never had a problem to date. Find that doing it from within windows is just way more convient/easy. Only have one machine left in my network that has a floppy drive in it. I'll be glad when they kill off the floppy drive all togeather

I can now understand why you seem to be in a hurry.

Ok, checked the ide cables, there are 2 of them. Both have double ends (or 2 connectors or whatever you call, looped whatever), one is looped from the dvd to the cdr, the other is only one the HD.

I don't know what I'm supposed to look for about the power cable going to the HD, but there is only a single plug to it (not the double wired plug that loops to something else).

I switched the HD to Master instead of cable default.

The most interesting thing I found is that under bios (the way you told me to look it up) it says "american megatrends Inc Version 07.00T, 4/2/2001". So unless the link to the pick the board that you have listed here is really american megatrends, I'd say it's the wrong bios in there, not to mention it says 2001. So looks like I need to redo the bios on it. That brings a lot of questions

1= How do you reload bios (or is that called flash) from windows?

2= All the chipset and processor updates I've done, will they be lost and I have to do them again? Are they even working right with this bios in there right now?

3= Could this be the whole problem with the slowness of the system since I got it back from that shop? The other HD was probably bad and all but could this bios be the reason it was so slow and still is so slow?

4= Could this bios (power management or something) be causing this "chirp" sound that is coming from the HD? I mean it reads fine (did the test) but it still chirps.

If you can, please give me the exact step by step process (in common terms lol) on how to correct the problem please. Should I switch the HD back to the cable default jumper position or leave it in master mode? Could this bios be the reason that it went to F instead of C?

Thanks for answering all the above questions and thanks for giving me step by step bios redo procedures (thanks in advance). If my assumptions about the bios are correct, this could be the whole problem, man I hope so! Thanks again

In Device Manager, under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers, look at the properties of both IDE Channels. On the Advanced Settings tab check that Transfer Mode is set to "DMA if available".

DMA if available is set up on both the ide drives. Thanks

sbjlsmtj: Your last post above is very good one. I don't sense the frustration and your going about this in a postive manner.

>>Ok, checked the ide cables, there are 2 of them. Both have double ends (or 2 connectors or whatever you call, looped whatever), one is looped from the dvd to the cdr, the other is only one the HD.<<

Good, this tells me alot. Your HDD is on a IDE channel all by itself.

>>I don't know what I'm supposed to look for about the power cable going to the HD, but there is only a single plug to it (not the double wired plug that loops to something else)<<

Unless you have a poor/bad quality Power supply that is not up to the task,
this part really doesn't matter


>>I switched the HD to Master instead of cable default.<<

Good, now your not dependent on IDE cable plug position

>>The most interesting thing I found is that under bios (the way you told me to look it up) it says "american megatrends Inc Version 07.00T, 4/2/2001". So unless the link to the pick the board that you have listed here is really american megatrends, I'd say it's the wrong bios in there, not to mention it says 2001. So looks like I need to redo the bios on it. That brings a lot of questions<<

American Megatrends Inc = AMI makes Bios chips. The chip is a Read only memory [ROM] this case a Flash ROM chip which can be "FLASHED" [Re-programened] with a new set of code. When a Mother Board maker such as Asus or MSi make a Mother Board, they make that said Mother Board [MB] out of various componets from various companies/mfg's. Just like a Boeing 747 is made up of a number of parts from various vendors, so is your/my MB. Most BIOS chips can be run on a generic BIOS program code from the mfg. This will be kind of like when Windows loads a generic driver. It works but may not be the best for your hardware. When a BIOS mfg writes a BIOS routine/code, they can't figure for every possiable configuration of hardware/software out there. Hence, they have a generic BIOS, if you will, that will make most boards booot/work to a point. Windows does the same thing when you boot into safe mode. Generic drivers with no more than needed to get you up and running. The best BIOS routines/programs for you to aquire is from your MB mfg and for your specific board. They/someone write the BIOS routine/code for that specific MB. That is the one you want for best performance. If your having problems, you want to downlaod and update to the latest version as it has all the latest fixes/bugs worked out.

1= Read your specific Manual on your MB for instructions on how to or go check the MFG website. Even thought your machine is running really slow, if you can get on line, you should be able to do a re flash if your board supports fashing from within windows. You may have to download a utility program from your MB mfg for a program to help with this. I've never worked with MSI boards so I'm not going to give you specific advice on this one.

2= For the most part, you shouldn't have a problem. Most of your driver updates are inside your OS or are on a seperate BIOS chip on that specific hardware. Yes, some hardware has its own seperate bios. All your going to be doing is re programing the MB BIOS routine. Is this all 100% certain to work with no other problems-NO!-Welcome to do it yourself computing

3=From my point of view, I would say yes! Since you posted on here what they did for you, I have felt is was not the way to go. If a HDD is bad or you feel its bad, you don't re-format it and try re loading your OS into it.
For the price of a new HDD, not to mention ones time and data security, why would one even consider this option! Next, I feel you got into your BIOS and made a few changes there were not in the machines best interest. That could have been easily fixed. Once they donwloaded and installed a new BIOS routine, Different story! Wrong BIOS can kill your MB so it wont even start or work at all, ever again! A generic one may or may not work, depends. You need the specific BIOS for your specific MB!

4= Could be, but I doubt it.

>>If you can, please give me the exact step by step process (in common terms lol) on how to correct the problem please. Should I switch the HD back to the cable default jumper position or leave it in master mode? Could this bios be the reason that it went to F instead of C?<<

The issue of Cable select versus setting it to master via the Jumper on the HDD is slim to none of being the cause of your current adventure in computing. With you only having one HDD in your machine which was hooked to the same IDE port/slot/connector as before. I see no reason why it should be listed as F when the default is allways C drive with a new HDD and a clean/fresh install of the OS. Unless they or you choose another drive letter than the default setting.

I'm more than willing to help you out, along with others here at Legit Reviews. I can't give you specifics on flashing your MB as I haven't worked with/on a MSI board. Hence, the info I given you is generic.

Try posting under the "AMD Motherboard" thread for help in flashing a BIOS on your specific MB. Someone whom has this MFG MB will more than likely pick it up in that part of the forums as opposed to here. Lots of folks don't like dealing with Software issues as its a pain, but are willing to jump into hardware specific.

Hold true on your course, your getting there!

I downloaded a program from msi called live update 3. It walked me thru downloading the bios, making a recovery disk then flashing bios. I did all that, but when I look at the system info, it still says the same driver and date of bios. Why?

sbjlsmtj wrote:I downloaded a program from msi called live update 3. It walked me thru downloading the bios, making a recovery disk then flashing bios. I did all that, but when I look at the system info, it still says the same driver and date of bios. Why?

maybe you already had the latest BIOS version?

maybe they have a lock on your BIOS that you have to remove before you can change it?

Mike

I think you need to do a bit more reading of your manual before you render your mobo completely unusable. It's funny how much performance damage you can do by not fully understanding your hardware.
Check this guide too. It may help you understand a lil bit more of some of the settings you have been messing with.
Try disconnecting your cd drive. And use the new cables that came with your HD.
GL

sbjlsmtj: If you have an old MB, the Bios you downloaded may be the most recent. Mfg of MB will only support a product for so long. In the computer hardware end of things, up grade cycles happen on a regular basics. Hence, after a year, year and a half, they more than likely wont do any more bios updates as they have moved on to another product. As an example: I have a old P 4 Intel board that supports Ramubs memory modules. Wana take a guess how much support one can expect from Intel on this one. For information concering your MSI MB, your going to have to talk to the people here whom have an MSI MB and know them. I don't

Trouble shooting is time consuming and frustrating. Your problem could be one thing or a combination of things. Your geting hands on experience and learing as you go. Most everyone has gone down the path your on. I'm a full time trouble shooter in High voltage/low voltage work. I have to go into work early today and will more than likely be working 16 hour days for at least the next three days. Hence, I won't be on here much to help out


Hang in there- I'll check back when I can.

sbjlsmtj: I'm off of 16 hour days, for now.
I went back and read through all of your posts
in this area of the forums looking for something
overlooked.

Whats your status on your FUBAR computer?