Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA

Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.

Many thanks!

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

Hi,

Is this a rev 1 board?
If so, then try adding ram - a matched pair (IE same make model) same as or
better than you have already - LEAVE your current ram in the slots it is in!

F6 was the bios that sorted a few ram issues, these issues were history
around version F10 or so.

So, I would have bios F5 backed up to the backup bios, install new ram, load
setup defaults, up ram voltage 0.1v, and test with memtest86.
Consider upgrading the bios to F10 or so, but dont' jump into F12 if you are
installing RAID as there is apparently an issue with it on F12(?).

Do one thing at a time, so that you know what breaks.

BTW: i have 2gb on my rev 1: 1gb (2x512) corsair and 1gb of fast cheap
stuff.

Regards,
-Tim



"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>
> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>
> Many thanks!

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

I assume this is a rev 1 board since I got it 1 1/2 years ago.

Thanks for the info.

Don

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:09:09 +1300, "Mercury" <me@spam.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Is this a rev 1 board?
>If so, then try adding ram - a matched pair (IE same make model) same as or
>better than you have already - LEAVE your current ram in the slots it is in!
>
>F6 was the bios that sorted a few ram issues, these issues were history
>around version F10 or so.
>
>So, I would have bios F5 backed up to the backup bios, install new ram, load
>setup defaults, up ram voltage 0.1v, and test with memtest86.
>Consider upgrading the bios to F10 or so, but dont' jump into F12 if you are
>installing RAID as there is apparently an issue with it on F12(?).
>
>Do one thing at a time, so that you know what breaks.
>
>BTW: i have 2gb on my rev 1: 1gb (2x512) corsair and 1gb of fast cheap
>stuff.
>
>Regards,
>-Tim
>
>
>
>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>
>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>
>> Many thanks!
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

Wow! I'm glad you caught that. Thanks! I ordered the "most popular"
selection from that web site.

The types of memory available today are mind boggling. Much more
complicated than when I built my first IBM XT clone ;-) That Crucial
system for selecting memory is just the ticket. I'll use that from now
on.

Many many thanks for the help!

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:47:03 -0500, Gibbs <okgibbs@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Your system uses 184 pin DIMM memore modules. The web page your have
>listed in a 240 pin DIMM. Check to make sure of the memory modueles that
>are compatible with your actual board.
>
>Crucial.com has these moudles of the GA-8KNXP motherboard.
>http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Giga-Byte%2B+Motherboards&mfr=Giga-Byte&cat=RAM&model=GA-8KNXP&submit=Go
>
>
>KatManDEW wrote:
>> I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>
>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>
>> Many thanks!

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

I have dual, mirrored, SATA drives. Doesn this create a problem for
BIOS upgrading?

Thanks.


On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:09:09 +1300, "Mercury" <me@spam.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Is this a rev 1 board?
>If so, then try adding ram - a matched pair (IE same make model) same as or
>better than you have already - LEAVE your current ram in the slots it is in!
>
>F6 was the bios that sorted a few ram issues, these issues were history
>around version F10 or so.
>
>So, I would have bios F5 backed up to the backup bios, install new ram, load
>setup defaults, up ram voltage 0.1v, and test with memtest86.
>Consider upgrading the bios to F10 or so, but dont' jump into F12 if you are
>installing RAID as there is apparently an issue with it on F12(?).
>
>Do one thing at a time, so that you know what breaks.
>
>BTW: i have 2gb on my rev 1: 1gb (2x512) corsair and 1gb of fast cheap
>stuff.
>
>Regards,
>-Tim
>
>
>
>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>
>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>
>> Many thanks!
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

read the notes for every intervening bios updae between what you have now
and what you are going to. Check the read me's for the raid drivers, check
the Intel and Silicon Image web sites...

One of the early bios updates stated soemthing along the lines of Upgrade
the Windows drivers First. IE install the more recent Windows XP RAID
drivers (this applied to Intel ICH5R) then upgrade the BIOS. That was a long
time ago, so proceed with caution and I recommend an image of the drives are
taken first.

If you have dual RAID 1 then you must be using both SATA raid's(IE SIL and
Intel), so check for SIL details tooo.

GB has been slow updating the ICH5R firmware, possibly the SIL firmware too.
There are much more recent Intel drivers out - includes functionality for
ICH6R (915 and 925 mobos) - these work fine in 8KNXP rev 1 - I use bios F10.

BOL




"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
news:gu901110r40ksku41f8447o8nejqka59m2@4ax.com...
>I have dual, mirrored, SATA drives. Doesn this create a problem for
> BIOS upgrading?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:09:09 +1300, "Mercury" <me@spam.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>Is this a rev 1 board?
>>If so, then try adding ram - a matched pair (IE same make model) same as
>>or
>>better than you have already - LEAVE your current ram in the slots it is
>>in!
>>
>>F6 was the bios that sorted a few ram issues, these issues were history
>>around version F10 or so.
>>
>>So, I would have bios F5 backed up to the backup bios, install new ram,
>>load
>>setup defaults, up ram voltage 0.1v, and test with memtest86.
>>Consider upgrading the bios to F10 or so, but dont' jump into F12 if you
>>are
>>installing RAID as there is apparently an issue with it on F12(?).
>>
>>Do one thing at a time, so that you know what breaks.
>>
>>BTW: i have 2gb on my rev 1: 1gb (2x512) corsair and 1gb of fast cheap
>>stuff.
>>
>>Regards,
>>-Tim
>>
>>
>>
>>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>>
>>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>>
>>> Many thanks!
>>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>
> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.

I have the same board (8KNXP rev. 1) running RAID0 on ICH5R, with bios 13a
and the latest RAID drivers. You are getting good advice so far, but I
would consider the 13a bios because of an apparent problem with installing
WinXP and RAID with earlier versions. I don't know the details of this
issue, but I upgraded a month or so ago and it is stable.

When I moved from PATA (single) to SATA (single), I updated my RAID drivers
to the most current, then when I moved again to SATA RAID I was ready. I've
had no issues with any bios I've tried so far, but if you upgrade be sure to
save your old F5 as the backup first.

As for adding more RAM, find the same brand and type, and buy a matched
pair. That is your best bet for stable operation. When installed, run
Memtest86 (latest version) for at least a few hours to test the RAM. Older
versions may give false negatives, as I ran into when I upgraded to 2gb
about one year ago.

Before doing anything it'd also be good to make a total system backup.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:51:18 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
wrote:

>
>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>
>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>
>I have the same board (8KNXP rev. 1) running RAID0 on ICH5R, with bios 13a
>and the latest RAID drivers. You are getting good advice so far, but I
>would consider the 13a bios because of an apparent problem with installing
>WinXP and RAID with earlier versions. I don't know the details of this
>issue, but I upgraded a month or so ago and it is stable.
>
>When I moved from PATA (single) to SATA (single), I updated my RAID drivers
>to the most current, then when I moved again to SATA RAID I was ready. I've
>had no issues with any bios I've tried so far, but if you upgrade be sure to
>save your old F5 as the backup first.
>
>As for adding more RAM, find the same brand and type, and buy a matched
>pair. That is your best bet for stable operation. When installed, run
>Memtest86 (latest version) for at least a few hours to test the RAM. Older
>versions may give false negatives, as I ran into when I upgraded to 2gb
>about one year ago.
>
>Before doing anything it'd also be good to make a total system backup.
Many thanks for all the info! I got the recommended memory from
Crucial. I was worried because it does not have the same chip count as
my original memory, but I installed it and it works! I ran through one
complete set of testing with Memtest86 with no errors.

I have dual "mirrored" SATA drives. I don't know which RAID mode that
is. The vendor helped me set it up. When I check the Gigabyte BIOS
download page, for the F6 BIOS it says;
--------------
"Add ICH5R SATA RAID 1 mode support
Note! If your OS (like WinXP) is already installed on SATA HDDs under
ICH5R controller, please make sure to update ICH5R SATA RAID driver
from our IUCD 2.4 or Gigabyte website first, then update bios F6."
---------------

I already have XP installed on SATA drives, but I don't know anything
about the ICH5R controller?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
news:q6qa115gj8dojseh29eurip0b08lu4tim2@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:51:18 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>>
>>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>
>>I have the same board (8KNXP rev. 1) running RAID0 on ICH5R, with bios 13a
>>and the latest RAID drivers. You are getting good advice so far, but I
>>would consider the 13a bios because of an apparent problem with installing
>>WinXP and RAID with earlier versions. I don't know the details of this
>>issue, but I upgraded a month or so ago and it is stable.
>>
>>When I moved from PATA (single) to SATA (single), I updated my RAID
>>drivers
>>to the most current, then when I moved again to SATA RAID I was ready.
>>I've
>>had no issues with any bios I've tried so far, but if you upgrade be sure
>>to
>>save your old F5 as the backup first.
>>
>>As for adding more RAM, find the same brand and type, and buy a matched
>>pair. That is your best bet for stable operation. When installed, run
>>Memtest86 (latest version) for at least a few hours to test the RAM.
>>Older
>>versions may give false negatives, as I ran into when I upgraded to 2gb
>>about one year ago.
>>
>>Before doing anything it'd also be good to make a total system backup.

> Many thanks for all the info! I got the recommended memory from
> Crucial. I was worried because it does not have the same chip count as
> my original memory, but I installed it and it works! I ran through one
> complete set of testing with Memtest86 with no errors.

Let it run repeatedly overnight just to be sure. If you must mix RAM with
another brand, I would put Crucial at the top of the list.

> I have dual "mirrored" SATA drives. I don't know which RAID mode that
> is. The vendor helped me set it up. When I check the Gigabyte BIOS
> download page, for the F6 BIOS it says;
> --------------
> "Add ICH5R SATA RAID 1 mode support
> Note! If your OS (like WinXP) is already installed on SATA HDDs under
> ICH5R controller, please make sure to update ICH5R SATA RAID driver
> from our IUCD 2.4 or Gigabyte website first, then update bios F6."
> ---------------
>
> I already have XP installed on SATA drives, but I don't know anything
> about the ICH5R controller?

You have two options for RAID, ICH5R (on-chip) and SIL-3112 (on-board), and
I know the former will run RAID1 but not sure of the latter. You should be
able to tell by watching the boot process when the RAID controller bios
screen pops up. Regardless, you have four SATA connectors on the board, all
clumped together, and ICH5R pair are those closest to the front of the case.

If you are connected to the ICH5R controller, update those drivers and go to
the F13a bios. I've been using f13a for a month now with no issues, running
ICH5R RAID0, so I feel safe recommending it. It has a fix for RAID systems
installing WinXP, which is why I upgraded. Before updating your bios, save
your old F5 to backup. For the RAID drivers, copy them to a floppy disk and
when you update the 82801-ER driver point to that disk. For safety, create
a system restore point beforehand.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 15:55:54 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
wrote:

>
>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>news:q6qa115gj8dojseh29eurip0b08lu4tim2@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:51:18 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>>>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>>>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>>>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>>>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>>>
>>>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>>>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>>
>>>I have the same board (8KNXP rev. 1) running RAID0 on ICH5R, with bios 13a
>>>and the latest RAID drivers. You are getting good advice so far, but I
>>>would consider the 13a bios because of an apparent problem with installing
>>>WinXP and RAID with earlier versions. I don't know the details of this
>>>issue, but I upgraded a month or so ago and it is stable.
>>>
>>>When I moved from PATA (single) to SATA (single), I updated my RAID
>>>drivers
>>>to the most current, then when I moved again to SATA RAID I was ready.
>>>I've
>>>had no issues with any bios I've tried so far, but if you upgrade be sure
>>>to
>>>save your old F5 as the backup first.
>>>
>>>As for adding more RAM, find the same brand and type, and buy a matched
>>>pair. That is your best bet for stable operation. When installed, run
>>>Memtest86 (latest version) for at least a few hours to test the RAM.
>>>Older
>>>versions may give false negatives, as I ran into when I upgraded to 2gb
>>>about one year ago.
>>>
>>>Before doing anything it'd also be good to make a total system backup.
>
>> Many thanks for all the info! I got the recommended memory from
>> Crucial. I was worried because it does not have the same chip count as
>> my original memory, but I installed it and it works! I ran through one
>> complete set of testing with Memtest86 with no errors.
>
>Let it run repeatedly overnight just to be sure. If you must mix RAM with
>another brand, I would put Crucial at the top of the list.
>
>> I have dual "mirrored" SATA drives. I don't know which RAID mode that
>> is. The vendor helped me set it up. When I check the Gigabyte BIOS
>> download page, for the F6 BIOS it says;
>> --------------
>> "Add ICH5R SATA RAID 1 mode support
>> Note! If your OS (like WinXP) is already installed on SATA HDDs under
>> ICH5R controller, please make sure to update ICH5R SATA RAID driver
>> from our IUCD 2.4 or Gigabyte website first, then update bios F6."
>> ---------------
>>
>> I already have XP installed on SATA drives, but I don't know anything
>> about the ICH5R controller?
>
>You have two options for RAID, ICH5R (on-chip) and SIL-3112 (on-board), and
>I know the former will run RAID1 but not sure of the latter. You should be
>able to tell by watching the boot process when the RAID controller bios
>screen pops up. Regardless, you have four SATA connectors on the board, all
>clumped together, and ICH5R pair are those closest to the front of the case.
>
>If you are connected to the ICH5R controller, update those drivers and go to
>the F13a bios. I've been using f13a for a month now with no issues, running
>ICH5R RAID0, so I feel safe recommending it. It has a fix for RAID systems
>installing WinXP, which is why I upgraded. Before updating your bios, save
>your old F5 to backup. For the RAID drivers, copy them to a floppy disk and
>when you update the 82801-ER driver point to that disk. For safety, create
>a system restore point beforehand.
>
It seems I'm not running ICH5R. I'm connected to the two SATA ports
towards the back of the board/case, and I get a SIL-3112 meggase at
boot up. The two front ports are connected to two unused external
connectors on the back of the case. That being the case, I shouldn't
need to update the CH5R SATA RAID driver before upgrading the BIOS,
right?

Can I connect another pair of SATA drives to the unused SATA ports.
and if so do they need to be "mirrored", and can I mirror them if
needed?

I'll run the mem test all night tonight.

Thanks again!

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 15:55:54 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
wrote:

>
>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>news:q6qa115gj8dojseh29eurip0b08lu4tim2@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 15:51:18 -0600, "Bob Davis" <iclicknix@cox.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
>>>news:053r01d8s2thfjc1arhlpl1tmk5m2mn650@4ax.com...
>>>>I have two 512MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200 memory modules in my 8KNXP and I
>>>> want to add two more. Is this the right stuff, and a good price?
>>>> http://www.buyaib.com/index.asp?Pa [...] rodID=2349
>>>> The part number on my current memory is D512M400SA
>>>>
>>>> Another thing - I have BIOS version F5. What do I have to gain by
>>>> upgrading the BIOS? Everthing seems to work fine now.
>>>
>>>I have the same board (8KNXP rev. 1) running RAID0 on ICH5R, with bios 13a
>>>and the latest RAID drivers. You are getting good advice so far, but I
>>>would consider the 13a bios because of an apparent problem with installing
>>>WinXP and RAID with earlier versions. I don't know the details of this
>>>issue, but I upgraded a month or so ago and it is stable.
>>>
>>>When I moved from PATA (single) to SATA (single), I updated my RAID
>>>drivers
>>>to the most current, then when I moved again to SATA RAID I was ready.
>>>I've
>>>had no issues with any bios I've tried so far, but if you upgrade be sure
>>>to
>>>save your old F5 as the backup first.
>>>
>>>As for adding more RAM, find the same brand and type, and buy a matched
>>>pair. That is your best bet for stable operation. When installed, run
>>>Memtest86 (latest version) for at least a few hours to test the RAM.
>>>Older
>>>versions may give false negatives, as I ran into when I upgraded to 2gb
>>>about one year ago.
>>>
>>>Before doing anything it'd also be good to make a total system backup.
>
>> Many thanks for all the info! I got the recommended memory from
>> Crucial. I was worried because it does not have the same chip count as
>> my original memory, but I installed it and it works! I ran through one
>> complete set of testing with Memtest86 with no errors.
>
>Let it run repeatedly overnight just to be sure. If you must mix RAM with
>another brand, I would put Crucial at the top of the list.
>
>> I have dual "mirrored" SATA drives. I don't know which RAID mode that
>> is. The vendor helped me set it up. When I check the Gigabyte BIOS
>> download page, for the F6 BIOS it says;
>> --------------
>> "Add ICH5R SATA RAID 1 mode support
>> Note! If your OS (like WinXP) is already installed on SATA HDDs under
>> ICH5R controller, please make sure to update ICH5R SATA RAID driver
>> from our IUCD 2.4 or Gigabyte website first, then update bios F6."
>> ---------------
>>
>> I already have XP installed on SATA drives, but I don't know anything
>> about the ICH5R controller?
>
>You have two options for RAID, ICH5R (on-chip) and SIL-3112 (on-board), and
>I know the former will run RAID1 but not sure of the latter. You should be
>able to tell by watching the boot process when the RAID controller bios
>screen pops up. Regardless, you have four SATA connectors on the board, all
>clumped together, and ICH5R pair are those closest to the front of the case.
>
>If you are connected to the ICH5R controller, update those drivers and go to
>the F13a bios. I've been using f13a for a month now with no issues, running
>ICH5R RAID0, so I feel safe recommending it. It has a fix for RAID systems
>installing WinXP, which is why I upgraded. Before updating your bios, save
>your old F5 to backup. For the RAID drivers, copy them to a floppy disk and
>when you update the 82801-ER driver point to that disk. For safety, create
>a system restore point beforehand.
>
>
I tried to update my BIOS from the Qflash utilitty, and it looked like
it worked, but it still says F5 when I boot.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.gigabyte (More info?)

"KatManDEW" <donwise@clover.net> wrote in message
news:v4me1157nqjukn5irj9iviklthmfghq0hh@4ax.com...

>>
>>You have two options for RAID, ICH5R (on-chip) and SIL-3112 (on-board),
>>and
>>I know the former will run RAID1 but not sure of the latter. You should
>>be
>>able to tell by watching the boot process when the RAID controller bios
>>screen pops up. Regardless, you have four SATA connectors on the board,
>>all
>>clumped together, and ICH5R pair are those closest to the front of the
>>case.
>>
>>If you are connected to the ICH5R controller, update those drivers and go
>>to
>>the F13a bios. I've been using f13a for a month now with no issues,
>>running
>>ICH5R RAID0, so I feel safe recommending it. It has a fix for RAID
>>systems
>>installing WinXP, which is why I upgraded. Before updating your bios,
>>save
>>your old F5 to backup. For the RAID drivers, copy them to a floppy disk
>>and
>>when you update the 82801-ER driver point to that disk. For safety,
>>create
>>a system restore point beforehand.

> I tried to update my BIOS from the Qflash utilitty, and it looked like
> it worked, but it still says F5 when I boot.

You should see the bios version of the new bios, not the old. Keep in mind
that this board has a quirk, that if you abort the boot process immediately
after POST (i.e., reset), it may revert to the backup bios indefinitely
until you change it. I haven't tried this with 13a, but some earlier bios
versions did this.

Go back into Qflash and specify "Main" as your boot bios, then see what
shows at POST. If it is still F5 you should try the upgrade process again.
I can't imagine why it wouldn't show correctly if the flash process reported
success.