Incoming Maximus Formula! (Questions!)

Kazeko · Dec 25, 2007, 03:01 AM

So, the order was placed for my Maximus Formula today, along with a second HDD, a second set of clips for the 120 Extreme and a few other goodies.

So.... I'm doing a little homework on the Maximus Formula now, what I need to know, etc and so I'm trying to cut out a little guesswork and/or homework for myself, by asking a few questions, if someone could indulge me. (and pardon the few potential "Wow how do you NOT know that?" questions.)

Few questions I have...

1. After perusing a few other places, other forums and what have you, I'm discovering that a few folks are having difficulties setting up multiple HDD's in RAID-0 under the ICH9R. So, diving into the storm with ZERO experience with RAID's.... anything I need to be aware of outside the obvious bios settings, and driver install prior to windows? (Which will be pre-loaded onto a jumpdrive.)
Any specific Driver that would be better - Seems most of intel's supported software only extends it's self up to ICH8R. - Should I Just go with Asus' driver?

2. I see a load of bios revisions and a bundle of people reverting back to previous bios editions?

I.e. Chaos - You're on the 0802 revision, any reason? Should I avoid the 09xx series?

Also, any issues using the EZ Flash 2 utility in the bios, should I opt for the old-fashioned floppy method instead?

Edit: Removed a question, already found the answer to a few. Some i'm still trying to find, however.

ChaosMinionX · Dec 26, 2007, 02:19 PM

1. I dont run raid, so I cant help you there

2. 0903/0907 is the best BIOS to date, I use 0907 personally. (sig updated)

**temeteus82** · Dec 26, 2007, 03:07 PM

I have some experience from SCSI RAID. So I might be able to share some light.

When you are doing RAID-0 you need at least two identical drives to do it. as for drivers I think that you should use the drivers you get from intel. Since there aren't any 3rd party drivers. Note that you have Jmicorn PATA/SATA chip installed so some of the SATA ports might be connected to it. I don't recommender using it in RAID.

Necrosis · Dec 26, 2007, 03:46 PM

0907 thumbs up here too.

Kazeko · Dec 26, 2007, 09:43 PM

Thanks for the feedback on the bios.

Looks like I'll just have to play with the ICH9R raid controller to see what works what doesn't. I'll make sure I pick up a bundle of different raid drivers and play around with it.

Thanks again!

Kazeko · Jan 3, 2008, 05:25 AM

3:30am and it's in, and working. The RAID took me about an hour and a half to figure out. Turns out Vista wants the RAID listed as the primary boot device. Something about a Master Boot Record (I have no idea what that is, beyond the logical conclusions I can come to based on the definitions of each word. Mostly because it's 3:30 am, and I have to be up in 2 and a half hours to go to work.)

Pro's so far - Visible performance increase, between the RAID and the X38 chipset. I haven't over clocked it at all yet, prolly won't until tomorrow (today), but just going through some basic set up stuffs right now.

Con's so far - It's 3am, UPS shipping sucks, I stabbed myself on the Northbridge Heatsink, and the CPU temp is reporting stupidly low for some reason - Cores are all @ 30C, CPU's @ 18C? Not so much...

**temeteus82** · Jan 3, 2008, 05:36 AM

Yeah the Core temps is correct, I have too weird CPU temp but I just ignore it since the core temp is the correct one.

What RAID mode you are running and it sounds like your Vista install is in the RAID so that's why it needs the MBR to be installed on there. Master Boot Record is what it says it is. The record that tells where to boot the Vista.

Kazeko · Jan 3, 2008, 08:01 PM

It's just two little drives in RAID-0. And yeah I discovered the whole MBR thing after about four or five failed install attempts. Kinda figured it was what it said.

I'm up and running now, about to start toying and tweaking it.

Other fun things - Hooray Vista Activation. Swap a mainboard and all of a sudden you're on the phone with Microsoft for three hours trying to get it reactivated - Only to find out any time you make a mild hardware change, you'll have to call to activate it. Which leads me to question why I spent $300 USD on software that I can no longer activate without a long phone call.

**temeteus82** · Jan 4, 2008, 04:05 AM

For me the re-activation by phone took like 10 minutes. Vista had the correct number and stuff..
What hard drives you got there?

Kazeko · Jan 4, 2008, 09:01 AM

Kind of ashamed to say

Two 320gb Seagate 7200.10 drives - They were cheap, and I wasn't wholly aware of drive technology or speed options when I ordered the original drive - Plus, 1TB in a raid array from two 500gb 7200.11 drives would have been too much for what I do.

**temeteus82** · Jan 4, 2008, 09:11 AM

heh, there is not shame to say that ... I got one of those as primary store drive. I don't need so much hdd space. Anyway those drives in RAID-0 are really nice. They performance is in normal use good and in RAID it is better

Kazeko · Jan 4, 2008, 10:24 PM

I figured I should hold true to the Redundand Array of INEXPENSIVE Drives, just for grins. Plus, I will have a very hard time using 600gb worth of storage space.

I haven't done a whole lot of read/write testing just yet - Seems as though most HDD test programs come with a disclaimer about nuking what's currently installed on the drive, and I really don't want to re-activate windows for a fourth time this week.

Upside is - Currently testing @ 450x8 with some solid settings thanks to Chaos - Really excited to see how it benches at these figures and looking to spend some time trying to do 533x7, though that may need a cold week-end night with the computer parked on my patio in negative temperatures.

Edit: Only goofy thing I see - For some reason, I end up with REALLY Long load times with some programs. 3dmark 06 takes hours for it's little scan, Vista doesn't always load as quickly as I'd anticipate, other things don't as well. I'm wondering if it's the "hang" issue that I came across, with the ICH9R southbridge and drivers?

**temeteus82** · Jan 5, 2008, 04:27 AM

well make sure that you have the newest drivers in use.

Kazeko · Jan 5, 2008, 05:12 PM

Ayups, they're current, from IMSM 7.8.

I figured out what the problem was - USB Storage Drives cause serious hangs on POST and in Vista.

I can't even use my 2gb jump drive for readyboost, nor access any of my other jump drives. It just hangs in Vista for hours. Can't soft reboot the system either - needs a hard reset.

So far, haven't been able to turn up any cause or reason, but the raid drivers are current. The Hanging issue was apparently corrected with the Raid drivers beyond 7.1+.

Also - It has no issue with USB Devices, like Keyboards, mice, etc, only USB Mass Storage Devices, including my Digital Camera. : /

**temeteus82** · Jan 5, 2008, 05:19 PM

you got RAID and 4 Gb ram

you don't need readyboost since the performance gains for it are low.

**Mousey** · Jan 5, 2008, 07:09 PM

Good to see you've gone with an Asus board for the next gen chipsets. I'm no expert on this but i reckon Asus will be second only to Intel when it comes to pumping out x38/x48 chipset boards because they're already experienced with moving between chipsets having not only done it since the dark ages with intel, but with AMD as well. (i think? ;p)

All i'm waiting for now is the money to get myself a new board

Kazeko · Jan 6, 2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temeteus82

you got RAID and 4 Gb ram

you don't need readyboost since the performance gains for it are low.

Well right, but I keep a lot of drivers and back up files on Jump Drives that I can't even get access to.

Any USB Mass storage device, I can't even access.

And Mousey - Truth be told, I was concerned when I bought it. Was hoping I wouldn't end up with a bad mainboard, as I've had problems with DOA Asus boards, terrible support, and little hardware issues that's caused a load of headache (Like my USB issue.)

However, I am impressed with the Maximus Formula, and It'll warrant me using a couple Asus mainboards in the future, to see if I get the same quality - provided I can resolve this USB problem. - Very impressed, however, with how well it performs.

**temeteus82** · Jan 6, 2008, 10:12 AM

are they all plugged in all the time?
I had some similar issues with USB thumb drive, I was using it to store Folding at Home and some other stuff. I just unplug it after shutdown and when Vista is booted I plug it again. How many USB storage devices you got there?

Kazeko · Jan 6, 2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temeteus82

are they all plugged in all the time?
I had some similar issues with USB thumb drive, I was using it to store Folding at Home and some other stuff. I just unplug it after shutdown and when Vista is booted I plug it again. How many USB storage devices you got there?

I figured it out - I played around with my Digital Camera today, and a USB universal card reader I have, neither of which had any problems, also broke out my spare 1GB Sandisk Thumb, and it had zero problems.

The issue - A crappy PNY 2gb thumb drive that was worth exactly what I paid for it - 20 bucks. - It was just this one that I was leaving connected all the time.

Gonna go get a better Thumb drive.

Kazeko · Jan 8, 2008, 12:42 AM

Alright, next item on the list....

Supreme FX II - Drivers install, then say the audio device can't be found - MS built in driver works, but only for play-back, and the quality isn't necessarily there. I have no mic option with the built-in MS driver.

Updated the drivers to the proper drivers, no dice. If I uninstall the previous drivers first, it tells me the drivers don't support my hardware. - I get no audio at this point.

I've reinstalled these drivers about six times, swapped to PnP/no PnP OS in the bios, checked Asus' website (only to find numerous other people with a similar issue.)

It's in the top slot, where it's intended and required on the board, I unseated and re-seated the card about four times now, it's receiving power (lights are on).

I'd assume it to be dead, except that it works with the built-in windows driver, and there's an abundance of people (so I discovered on the asus website) who have the same issue and the same "Your hardware configuration has changed. Please Reinstall SoundMAX" message. Reinstalling equates to the same message, or some fun version of "You don't have the proper hardware."

Drivers are correct, tried the ones included on the Asus DVD, and two different driver revisions from Asus' website.

Oh, and for grins - Occasionally, the Control Panel will not open in Vista.

It opens, then closes immediately. - (Note after re-reading this post, I realize there was some confusing statements - The problem wasn't solved, just that i can reboot a few times and get the Vista Control Panel to open again.)

Reinstall Vista maybe?

Dec 25, 2007, 03:01 AM	#1
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	Incoming Maximus Formula! (Questions!) So, the order was placed for my Maximus Formula today, along with a second HDD, a second set of clips for the 120 Extreme and a few other goodies. So.... I'm doing a little homework on the Maximus Formula now, what I need to know, etc and so I'm trying to cut out a little guesswork and/or homework for myself, by asking a few questions, if someone could indulge me. (and pardon the few potential "Wow how do you NOT know that?" questions.) Few questions I have... 1. After perusing a few other places, other forums and what have you, I'm discovering that a few folks are having difficulties setting up multiple HDD's in RAID-0 under the ICH9R. So, diving into the storm with ZERO experience with RAID's.... anything I need to be aware of outside the obvious bios settings, and driver install prior to windows? (Which will be pre-loaded onto a jumpdrive.) Any specific Driver that would be better - Seems most of intel's supported software only extends it's self up to ICH8R. - Should I Just go with Asus' driver? 2. I see a load of bios revisions and a bundle of people reverting back to previous bios editions? I.e. Chaos - You're on the 0802 revision, any reason? Should I avoid the 09xx series? Also, any issues using the EZ Flash 2 utility in the bios, should I opt for the old-fashioned floppy method instead? Edit: Removed a question, already found the answer to a few. Some i'm still trying to find, however. Last edited by Kazeko; Dec 25, 2007 at 03:33 AM.

Dec 26, 2007, 02:19 PM	#2
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York Posts: 2,182 Rep Power: 31 System Specs	1. I dont run raid, so I cant help you there 2. 0903/0907 is the best BIOS to date, I use 0907 personally. (sig updated) __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Jan 3, 2008, 08:01 PM	#8
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	It's just two little drives in RAID-0. And yeah I discovered the whole MBR thing after about four or five failed install attempts. Kinda figured it was what it said. I'm up and running now, about to start toying and tweaking it. Other fun things - Hooray Vista Activation. Swap a mainboard and all of a sudden you're on the phone with Microsoft for three hours trying to get it reactivated - Only to find out any time you make a mild hardware change, you'll have to call to activate it. Which leads me to question why I spent $300 USD on software that I can no longer activate without a long phone call. Last edited by Kazeko; Jan 3, 2008 at 10:30 PM.

Jan 4, 2008, 10:24 PM	#12
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	I figured I should hold true to the Redundand Array of INEXPENSIVE Drives, just for grins. Plus, I will have a very hard time using 600gb worth of storage space. I haven't done a whole lot of read/write testing just yet - Seems as though most HDD test programs come with a disclaimer about nuking what's currently installed on the drive, and I really don't want to re-activate windows for a fourth time this week. Upside is - Currently testing @ 450x8 with some solid settings thanks to Chaos - Really excited to see how it benches at these figures and looking to spend some time trying to do 533x7, though that may need a cold week-end night with the computer parked on my patio in negative temperatures. Edit: Only goofy thing I see - For some reason, I end up with REALLY Long load times with some programs. 3dmark 06 takes hours for it's little scan, Vista doesn't always load as quickly as I'd anticipate, other things don't as well. I'm wondering if it's the "hang" issue that I came across, with the ICH9R southbridge and drivers? Last edited by Kazeko; Jan 4, 2008 at 11:44 PM.

Jan 5, 2008, 07:09 PM	#16
Mousey Bang. Bang. Bang. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 5,421 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Good to see you've gone with an Asus board for the next gen chipsets. I'm no expert on this but i reckon Asus will be second only to Intel when it comes to pumping out x38/x48 chipset boards because they're already experienced with moving between chipsets having not only done it since the dark ages with intel, but with AMD as well. (i think? ;p) All i'm waiting for now is the money to get myself a new board __________________ Visit hardWIRED - Back up and running, The Wiki is back Who we are, is but a stepping stone to what we can become.

Dec 26, 2007, 09:43 PM	#5
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	Thanks for the feedback on the bios. Looks like I'll just have to play with the ICH9R raid controller to see what works what doesn't. I'll make sure I pick up a bundle of different raid drivers and play around with it. Thanks again!

Jan 3, 2008, 05:25 AM	#6
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	3:30am and it's in, and working. The RAID took me about an hour and a half to figure out. Turns out Vista wants the RAID listed as the primary boot device. Something about a Master Boot Record (I have no idea what that is, beyond the logical conclusions I can come to based on the definitions of each word. Mostly because it's 3:30 am, and I have to be up in 2 and a half hours to go to work.) Pro's so far - Visible performance increase, between the RAID and the X38 chipset. I haven't over clocked it at all yet, prolly won't until tomorrow (today), but just going through some basic set up stuffs right now. Con's so far - It's 3am, UPS shipping sucks, I stabbed myself on the Northbridge Heatsink, and the CPU temp is reporting stupidly low for some reason - Cores are all @ 30C, CPU's @ 18C? Not so much...

Jan 4, 2008, 09:01 AM	#10
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	Kind of ashamed to say Two 320gb Seagate 7200.10 drives - They were cheap, and I wasn't wholly aware of drive technology or speed options when I ordered the original drive - Plus, 1TB in a raid array from two 500gb 7200.11 drives would have been too much for what I do.

Jan 5, 2008, 05:12 PM	#14
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	Ayups, they're current, from IMSM 7.8. I figured out what the problem was - USB Storage Drives cause serious hangs on POST and in Vista. I can't even use my 2gb jump drive for readyboost, nor access any of my other jump drives. It just hangs in Vista for hours. Can't soft reboot the system either - needs a hard reset. So far, haven't been able to turn up any cause or reason, but the raid drivers are current. The Hanging issue was apparently corrected with the Raid drivers beyond 7.1+. Also - It has no issue with USB Devices, like Keyboards, mice, etc, only USB Mass Storage Devices, including my Digital Camera. : /

Jan 8, 2008, 12:42 AM	#20
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 15 System Specs	Alright, next item on the list.... Supreme FX II - Drivers install, then say the audio device can't be found - MS built in driver works, but only for play-back, and the quality isn't necessarily there. I have no mic option with the built-in MS driver. Updated the drivers to the proper drivers, no dice. If I uninstall the previous drivers first, it tells me the drivers don't support my hardware. - I get no audio at this point. I've reinstalled these drivers about six times, swapped to PnP/no PnP OS in the bios, checked Asus' website (only to find numerous other people with a similar issue.) It's in the top slot, where it's intended and required on the board, I unseated and re-seated the card about four times now, it's receiving power (lights are on). I'd assume it to be dead, except that it works with the built-in windows driver, and there's an abundance of people (so I discovered on the asus website) who have the same issue and the same "Your hardware configuration has changed. Please Reinstall SoundMAX" message. Reinstalling equates to the same message, or some fun version of "You don't have the proper hardware." Drivers are correct, tried the ones included on the Asus DVD, and two different driver revisions from Asus' website. Oh, and for grins - Occasionally, the Control Panel will not open in Vista. It opens, then closes immediately. - (Note after re-reading this post, I realize there was some confusing statements - The problem wasn't solved, just that i can reboot a few times and get the Vista Control Panel to open again.) Reinstall Vista maybe? Last edited by Kazeko; Jan 8, 2008 at 09:05 PM.