Intel D975XBX2 problems

[DaddyRabbit]

but the HDD light stays on

this thing will be fixed with the next bios-update! just got a test-version and can confirm that they have fixed it finally!

Dandruff, Thanks for that info!

Buffycor,

I am not personally concerned about the drive LED but that's a subjective thing, some need it some don't (and I mean that non-sarcastically, if you spend $200.00 USD on a mobo you should expect the HDD led to work and certainly the basic advertised functions of the board). I have some other small issues that probably are due more to me than Intel.

I don't think Intel should've let it out the door that way but compared to this thread (started 01/13/07), and several others of the same ilk, I'm pretty darned happy.

http://www.evga.com/community/messagebo ... hichpage=1

I think that, in the overall scheme of things, this at the heart is a good solid mobo and has been one of my best system build experiences (over the years I've used DFI, Soyo, MSI, Abit, Asus, but this is my 1st Intel board). There are bound to be some bad parts that leak through as MikenJ, Dandruff, Sporg, and jtm55 (sorry if I left anyone out ) can attest to and those issues, regardless of the statistics, ARE major issues to the person that spent their hard earned money and are struggling just to get the crappin' thing to work like it should.

That said I, personally in my "I'm building a new system this Xmas" research have found MANY fewer problem reports with the BX2 than with most other "overclockable" mobos (including other 975/965 boards).

Have some hope and be glad you didn't rush to buy a 680i (I was one day away from pushing the button on one).

Disclaimer - I did not and never will hope to offend anyone who happily owns a 680i chipset mobo

[seanriddle]

BIOS 2507 is up: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts ... uctID=2578

New Fixes/Features:
ï‚· Fixed issue where ECC Mode was not properly displayed when
Performance Memory Profiles set to Manual in BIOS Setup.
ï‚· Added workaround for HDD LED always being lit when Secondary SATA
Controller is disabled in BIOS Setup.
ï‚· Fixed boot order for add-in SCSI controller.
ï‚· Added support for certain SAS controller.
ï‚· IRQ Fix for USB Interrupts.
ï‚· Fixed failures seen with Vista* DTM BitLocker Drive Encryption
BIOS Interface Logo Test.
ï‚· Fixed issue where Microsoft* Vista BitLocker System Check would
not pass.
ï‚· Fixed issue where system would not recognize CTRL+ALT+DEL key
sequence from boot cycling machine.
ï‚· Fixed failures with the TCG ACPI Event Log when running the Vista
DTM TCG TPM BIOS Interface Test.
ï‚· Fixed issue where system hangs when trying to load FreeDOS*
bootable CD from a USB CD drive.
ï‚· Fixed ACPI failures when running the Vista DTM TCG TPM Integration
Test.

[buffycor]

Just a quick comment in response to a letter from Intel about their XBX2 board in which they say they tried a large number of configurations etc etc in order to emulate our troubles. "Those guys worked their butts off". Very nice, but shouldn't they have done all that BEFORE they released this expensive rubbish on an unsuspecting public..

Not impressed so I have voted with my feet. My board has been sent back and I have a different one on the way.

Footnote: Don't know how PCF got 80% in their review for this board. Strange.

[LeMakisar]

another poll should be made about PS/2 kb problems, or am i the only one ?

[Dandruff]

my ps/2 keyboard works fine so far. but i have the problems with my ps/2 mouse.

i think your problem also come from certain bios-settings. maybe use my "template" http://forums.legitreviews.com/post-53845.html#53845 to post your settings ...

[Dionysus007281]

I just flashed the bios on my xbx2 to 2507, but now I can't boot my Vista 64b Ultimate anymore, so I'd like to flash it back to 2333. Does anyone know where I can download this bios? Intel site only displays the latest version.

[LeMakisar]

here is my bios settings :

Main
- Core Multiplexing Technology Enabled

Advanced / Boot Configuration
- Numlock On
- CPU Fan Control Disabled
- System Fan Control Disabled
- Lowest Fan Speed Off
- Max CPUID Value Limit Disabled
- Display Setup Prompt ON

Advanced / Peripheral Configuration
- Parallel Port Disabled
- Mode ECP
- Audio disabled
- On-board LAN Enabled
- Secondary SATA Controller Disabled
- Onboard 1394 Disabled

Advanced / Drive Configuration
- Use Automatic Mode Disabled
- Use Serial ATA Enabled
- ATA/IDE Mode Native
- Configure SATA as RAID
- S.M.A.R.T. Enabled
- Primary Channel Disabled
- Hard Disk Pre-Delay 0

Advanced / Floppy Configuration
- Diskette Controller Enabled

Advanced / Event Log Configuration
- Clear Event Log Disabled
- Event Logging Enabled
- Mark Events as Read Disabled

Advanced / Video Configuration
- Primary Video Adapter Ext PCIE Graphics (PEG)
- Compliance Test Pattern Disabled

Advanced / Management Configuration
- ASF Support Enabled

Advanced / USB Configuration
- USB Ports Enabled

Performance / Memory Configuration
- Memory Correction ECC
- Performance Memory Profiles Automatic

Performance / Bus Overrides
- PCI Express Burn-in Mode Percentage Default
- PCI Latency Timer 32
- HPET Enabled

Security
- Expansion Card Text Disabled
- Chassis Intrusion Disabled
- XD Technology Enabled
- VT Technology Enabled

Power
- After Power Failure Stay Off
- Wake on LAN from S5 Stay Off
- ACPI Suspend State S3 State
- EIST Enabled
- Intel Quick Resume Technology Disabled

Boot
- Boot Menu Type Normal
- Hard Drive Order RAID
- Boot to Optical Devices Enabled
- Boot to Removal Devices Disabled
- Boot to Network Disabled
- ZIP Emulation Type Floppy


There are 2-3 settings i am not sure of, but basically it looks like this
My raid is RAID5 only, with 2*400Go Seagate 7200.9 and 2*400Go Seagate 7200.10

[Dandruff]

Advanced / Drive Configuration
- Use Automatic Mode Disabled
- Primary Channel Disabled

yeah i bet you're using exactly those two disabled

i have the feeling that my problems come from these settings. you're using the same. i'm just too tired to try it with them enabled. maybe you have time? if so, then try it with those both settings enabled.


btw: are you using a ps/2- or usb-mouse?

[seanriddle]

I just flashed the bios on my xbx2 to 2507, but now I can't boot my Vista 64b Ultimate anymore, so I'd like to flash it back to 2333. Does anyone know where I can download this bios? Intel site only displays the latest version.

Depending on how you search for the BIOS, you sometimes get a link to previously released versions. Here's a link:
old Bad Axe 2 BIOSes

The Express Update doesn't work for me in Vista 64-bit, so I use the ISO or floppy versions. The ISO versions load quicker.

Sean

[[email protected]]

The bad axe bios after 2333 will not work properly with a QX6700 quad core cpu. I have tried 2431 and 2507 to no avail. Under those revisions I had to disable secondary cores in the bios to run Win Vista x64 Ultimate with a QX6700 and OCZ plat edition 800 Mhz 2 GB.

-Mike, MXOtech, Inc.

[[email protected]]

I recommend dl'ing archived Bios 2333 from Intel. The iso seems to work best for me. I had no problem flashing 2333 over 2507.

[LeMakisar]

Advanced / Drive Configuration
- Use Automatic Mode Disabled
- Primary Channel Disabled

yeah i bet you're using exactly those two disabled

i have the feeling that my problems come from these settings. you're using the same. i'm just too tired to try it with them enabled. maybe you have time? if so, then try it with those both settings enabled.


btw: are you using a ps/2- or usb-mouse?

my mouse is USB (it's a microsoft wireless desktop elite et)

i'll try to modify these settings, and i'll keep you informed when i boot my computer tomorrow

[LeMakisar]

oops, i misread my settings, automatic mode was enabled, it's not these settings then ...

[Dandruff]

ok, thanks! today my ps/2 mouse also was working after a shutdown of my system overnight. maybe 2507 did solve this for me. will see what the next shutdowns/restarts will bring here ...

[utw]

The bad axe bios after 2333 will not work properly with a QX6700 quad core cpu. I have tried 2431 and 2507 to no avail. Under those revisions I had to disable secondary cores in the bios to run Win Vista x64 Ultimate with a QX6700 and OCZ plat edition 800 Mhz 2 GB.

-Mike, MXOtech, Inc.

Hi Mike !

I have the same problem with XP 64 on my D975XBX2, I am using bios 2507.

XP 32 works great, but XP 64 had to the Multiplexing disabled to be installed.

[Dandruff]

today my ps/2 mouse also was working after a shutdown of my system overnight. maybe 2507 did solve this for me. will see what the next shutdowns/restarts will bring here ...

2nd shutdown overnight -> just booted => ps/2 mouse recognized/working! looks good so far!

[Geodesic]

Hi all,

I too am struggling with a Vista x64 + XBX2 @2507 + Q6600 + RAID setup. I apologize in advance for the length and excruiciating detail of this post.

System: D975XBX2 (-505) mobo, Q6600 quad-core, 2x Patriot PSD21G8002 1GB PC2-6400 running default timings, Gigabyte GV-RX195P256D-RH PCIe video card, 2x WD5000KS SATA drives on the Intel (black) SATA ports, configured as RAID1(mirror).

I actually got Vista x64 to install using BIOS 2333, but had a problem where video goes away after a while and won't come back. In the process of trying to solve that problem, I "upgraded" to BIOS 2507, and now I can't boot. My current status is that whether or not Core Multiplexing is enabled, I always get:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Boot Manager
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000e
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If I follow those steps, what happens depends on whether or not Core Multiplexing is enabled.

If I have Core Multiplexing <Enabled> and boot from my Vista x64 DVD, I see "Windows is loading files..." and when the progress bar is completely filled, I blue screen:
-------------------------------------------------------------
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
...
*** STOP: 0x0000000A (0xFFFFFD800123E818, 0x0000000000000002, 0x0000000000000000, 0xfffff8000988f6a4)
-------------------------------------------------------------

If I have Core Multiplexing <Disabled> and boot from my Vista x64 DVD, I get past where I blue screened in the example above, choose a language, and choose "Repair Your Computer" as recommended. The "System Recovery Options" dialog shows up. and it goes out looking for Vista installations. Then an alert pops up on top of that:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Windows found problems with your computer's startup options.
Do you want to apply repairs and restart your computer?
View details
[Repair and restart] [No]
-------------------------------------------------------------

The View details link provides the following repair details:
-------------------------------------------------------------
The following startup options will be added:
Name: Windows Vista (TM) Ultimate (recovered)
Path: Windows
Windows Device: Partition=C: (100000 MB)
A copy of the current boot configuration data will be saved as:
C:\Boot\BCD.Backup.0001
-------------------------------------------------------------

When I click the "Repair and restart" button, an alert pops up that says "Failed to save startup options."

The System Recovery Options dialog also has a "Load Drivers" button which I used to load the Windows XP x64 Intel Matrix SATA RAID drivers from a floppy (the same drivers I used to originally install Vista on this RAID array). When I try to load those drivers an alert pops up that says "The installation has failed."

This all smells like two problems to me: a SATA RAID driver problem, plus a BIOS problem that is forcing me to run with Core Multiplexing turned off in BIOS 2507.

I hope I can figure out a way to NOT have to level that Vista install. I am probably going to try downversioning my BIOS to 2395 (the first that supposedly handles the Q6600). If I can't get that to work, I may switch the two HDs to the Marvell RAID controller and try installing there with the 2507 BIOS.

I've already benefitted so much from all of your contributions on this board. Any suggestsions are welcome.

Thanks,
Bryan

[utw]

Hi all,

I too am struggling with a Vista x64 + XBX2 @2507 + Q6600 + RAID setup. I apologize in advance for the length and excruiciating detail of this post.

Sometimes length is a good thing ;)

I tried so many different combinations with my motherboard. I really wanted to take advantage of my 4 GB RAM so I had to have a 64 bit OS running.

I have this in my computer :

QX6700 - standard cooler and voltage, but now running at 3.24
one 74 GB 10 K SATA harddisk - attached as a single RAID drive to the Intel controller
one Plextor SATA DVD burner (712) - attached to the Marvell controller
4 * 1 GB LowLatency Kinston RAM
Club3d 7900 GTX graphic

I am using XP 64 bit with SP2 and the latest drivers for the Intel controller that I downloaded from the Intel Matrix Storage Manager link and not from the XBX2 motherboard link, which are much older.

I tried many different things, settings, and 2 different BIOS's, but the only thing that I needed was to change this multiplexing setting. And XP 64 has been running nicely since, and despite the overclocking it is very quiet. I tried to set my mem to 4-4-4-15, but then I get all sorts of weird booting problems, so I left the mem at 5-5-5-16.

[Geodesic]

I tried many different things, settings, and 2 different BIOS's, but the only thing that I needed was to change this multiplexing setting.

Thanks utw...I am wondering...what BIOS version are you running?

Thanks,
Bryan

[utw]

I tried many different things, settings, and 2 different BIOS's, but the only thing that I needed was to change this multiplexing setting.

Thanks utw...I am wondering...what BIOS version are you running?

Thanks,
Bryan

2507