Can't enter bios with Albatron PX875P pro & Mach II

[ZaX]

Help!

I cant enter the bios of my new rig, here's the main specs;

Albatron PX875P Pro

P4 3Ghz 800 fsb

1 Gb Corsair Twin XMS PC3200

ATI 9800 Pro

2 WD Raptors in Raid 0

Mach II

When I press delete it says entering setup and then a large white rectangle appears on the right of the screen and thats it. The system runs fine otherwise boots up into windows, no probs.

I've tried 3 different graphics cards, 2 PSUs, 2 cases and left out all the non essential things but the same problem occurs. I even tried flashing the bios with the latest version but nothing.

I think its something to do with the subzero temps because I can enter the bios fine when I don't phase change cool the CPU.

Can anyone please help with this problem, its doing my head in !!!!

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

That is bizarre! Have you tried clearing the cmos and trying? I had a problems myself last night where my system got stuck in a loop when I tried to get into the bios - this was with my Asus P4C800-Deluxe. I shut it down and cleared the cmos - all was fine afterwards.

 

[ZaX]

Yep, tried that Phil, didn't work. All the settings are at default anyway as I haven't been able to get into the bios to tamper with it.

 

[walnuts]

This months custompc mag used the same Albatron board plus a mach 2 to take a 2.8GHZ Prescott to 4GHZ they never mentioned any problems with the mobo.

If you can get into the bios air cooled are you able to disable temp monitoring or is this not available in the bios

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Welcome to the forums walnuts! It must be temp monitoring - it cant handle negative temps??

 

[walnuts]

Thanks mate. Wonder how the people at custompc got a P4 to 4GHZ with the same motherboard?

This is the setup they used, same mobo and cooling

•nVentiv Mach II cooling system•Intel Pentium 4e (Prescott) 2.8GHz processor @ 4GHz•Connect3D Radeon 9800XT graphics card •Albatron PX875P Pro motherboard •1GB Corsair XMS 4400 TwinX memory•2 x Seagate X15.3 SCSI hard disks (RAID 0)•550W Turbo Cool 510 PSU

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

yes, just thought that myself when I re-read it. It's very strange problem I must admit. I've seen problems with temps not being read correctly but never not being able to boot at all.

 

[Brwmogazos]

could be a bad installation of your mach2 causing condensation?

is there any way you could try another board?

 

[ZaX]

The installation of the Mach II is good, no condensation, it works with my GA-8KNXP. It's got to be something to do with the monitoring of minus temps, the PX875P Pro can't handle it on default settings. I've got to see if I can disable this temperature monitor. Good idea about raising the boot temp on the Mach II.

 

[ZaX]

The Solution !!!

This is the response I got from Custom PC magazine about this problem;

"Hi,

We have EXACTLY the same problem, and i can tell you now that 1) it's a

pain in the ****, 2) there is no clean and easy way that i know to fix it.

But..... Here's how I do it. I suspect you wont like it.

We agree that it is the subzero temps that cause the problem, I think it

might be some winbond sensor chip that is crashing due to an unexpected

input, but thats by the by.

Unplug the mach2. Switch PC on, enter BIOS and fiddle. Plug it back in

when you see the temperature rising.

Worst that should happen is the CPU will thermal and pc will

crash/shutdown without saving.

Dont check hardware health status, it will lockup the bios.

Apply with f10 reboot, plug Mach2 back in. You have to disconnect the

power switch connection to do all this or the Mach2 will failsafe and

switch off the box. You can also force the MAch2 to failsafe turn on by

powering up the motherboard, mach2 senses power and activates.

It's messy but it does actually work.

I'm sorry I cant be of anymore help, but as i say that method works for

me. It is damn irritating though."

I need an easier fix but thats how they did it, I'll stay with my Asus P4C800-E Deluxe for now!

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Right, Zax, I really appreciate your time and effort with this one. I am going to report it to technical @ nVENTIV direct and see what they have to say - it's the first "incompatibility" I am aware of with the Mach II.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Zax, have you reported this at all to Albatron? nVENTIV are now aware of the problem - it's a motherboard sensor problem probably, and a new bios would fix it in all honesty.

 

[ZaX]

Here's what Inventive had to say'

"Hi Zax

We would like to help you. But we are quite sure that it is a board related

problem. Try to contact Albatron regarding the issue !

Best Regards

nVENTIV Support Department"

...and here's what Albatron had to say;

"Thank you very much for contacting Albatron technical support and sorry for the late reply.

Please reflash BIOS to R1.05 with the attachment then retry. If the problem still persits, plesae kindly provide us more information of your system by completing the attached form with details. We will help you as soon as we can.

Best Regards,

Dr.Pro"

I haven't followed it up though, like you said Phil maybe a new bios revision would fix it but I can't wait until then.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Yep, a bios revision on Albatron's part is what's needed. If you want me to help in any shape or form just let me know, perhaps I can be the middle man here.

 

[ZaX]

Cheers Phil, maybe if Albatron get enough complaints from big people they might make the necessary amendments to any future bios releases.

ZaX.