Which DFI nforce4 sli-dr bios version ?

[Alzir]

Hi, I’ve finally got round to upgrading my pc. Ripped out the old bits and did a bit of rewiring and got it up and running on air. The mach was recognised by windows and the software instaltion went without any problems.

When I connected the phase head and booted the pc the mach got down to temp and the pc started but after a few seconds it hangs. Ive got just enough time to get into the bios before it locks up. At first I thought it may be bad contact or condensation but when I took it to bits everything looked fine. I tried it back on air and its working again as if nothing happened.

Not really sure what the problem is here, it doesn’t seem to be anything to do with the pahse unit that’s working fine and it crashes before windows so im guessing its not a driver problem either. My best guess is the bios version but im not sure which one to try. I’ve run out of seal string so wont be able to try it tonight, so I thought it would be a good idea to ask what bios version use and if anyone has any idea what im doing wrong.

My system specs are : DFI nforce4 sli-dr (bios version 623-3), X2 4400, 1gb Gskill LE, X850XT

 

[Alzir]

My seal strings turned up, so I first tried making sure I hadn’t done anything wrong the last time by doing it all again, with the same bios version. The same thing happened, as I should have expected, computer starts to boot then hangs.

Next step was to try a different bios version. I’ve put a few posts in different forum about which bios version to use but so far haven’t had a single answer from any of them, so I tried nf4 704-2bta bios and the same thing happened again.

I’ve used about half my seal string doing this and am a bit stumped now. As soon as I take off all the phase bits and stick a heatsink on the pc boots first time. The evap head is getting down to the right temp and I have no sign of condensation or corrosion anywhere. The contact seems to be good and shouldn’t really be any different from when I last used it.

Does what’s happening sound like a cold boot problem or am I barking up the wrong tree here? Should I try some different bios versions and if so any idea which ones? I have enough seal string to change the head another 2 or 3 times and would really appreciate a few opinions before I go any further, thanks.

 

[maverik-sg1]

Easiest way to sort out if its a cold bug issue - is to ensure it works on air alone first.

Try using just one stick of ram (top orange or yellow slot) and check to see how many led's are lit up in the bottom left of the board - these are diagnostic devices and may help isolate the issue.

Mav

 

[Alzir]

Thanks for the quick reply, the first thing i did was get it running on air and it all works untill i connect the phase head.

 

[maverik-sg1]

I know u hav wasted a lot iof seal string thus far - check out the neoprene gasket section and perhpas make ur own re-usable seal.

If you fire it up and then it wont post properly - remove the head and check to make sure u have good contact with the cpu - there should be a clear square where the heads touches the cpu and like mounds of ASC TIM pushe to the rims of the square.

Also check the temp of the cpu. Bad contact can cause overheating problems which will shut ur pc down.

 

[Alzir]

Iv'e checked the contact and it looked ok but ill give it another go and let you know what happens. I cant check the cpu temp as it crashes before i get the chance.

Edit:

It’s definitely not a contact problem, I took the head off and had another look at it looks fine, I stuck another couple of washers on just to be sure and its got better contact now than the last cpu I had working under phase. Still the same problem tho, gets down to temp starts to boot then crashes after a few seconds.

 

[justin]

if you can get into bios quick enough, bump up the voltages and see what happens. Sounds like a cold bug issue...

 

[Alzir]

Unfortunately I’m going to have to remove the head and back plate and put a heatsink on to get into the bois and change anything. Is it just the cpu voltage or all of them that I should be raising? This is only the third cpu that I’ve put under phase, all the others worked first time so I don’t really know much about cold boot problems or how to fix them. Time to do some more research I think :?

 

[maverik-sg1]

Pump the volts up to 1.5 and see how u get on. Duallies are not known for suffering the cold as much as other Athlons.

Mav

 

[Alzir]

I stuck the volts up to 1.5 and overclocked the chip a little, runs a bit hot but is prime stable at 2.4. Didn’t prime for long mind you. Hooked up the phase head and still nothing. I checked the warning lights all 4 of them are on when it crashes. The manual said that’s the first stage before it’s detected the cpu.

I have another cpu I can try in there to make sure its not something I’m missing in the setup. I’ve had the other cpu under phase with a different motherboard. It’s a winchester 3000, would it mess up my windows install if I swapped the chips over? Wouldn’t be a disaster just pain in the ass if I have to reinstall too.

 

[maverik-sg1]

Your windows is safe if you just swap over the cpu - it's probs teh best thing to try now - I am convinced it's the cold bug, but I have been proven wromg before - hope I have now too.

Cheers

Mav

 

[Alzir]

I swapped the cpu’s over and it booted first time. Looks like its got to be the cold bug. Is there anything I can do about this or am I stuck with a chip that won’t work under phase? Would a different bios help maybe?

I’m still not sure what the cause of the cold bug is, I’ve not had much luck finding info on it. Google is not my friend :? I’ll keep looking but I’m running out of idea’s here as well as seal string.

Thanks for your help.

 

[maverik-sg1]

it's strange to have that with an X2 - yes if u stick with that CPU then u r stuck with the cold bug.

Sell it on the bay and buy another one - it's a gamble that you wont get another one with a cold bug, but at least when you find one dual 3ghz processing power is just around the corner

I have to say though this is the first dual-core I have seen with cold bug, all I can say is steer clear of that stepping on your next purchase.

Mav

 

[Alzir]

Just my luck. On the bright side at least I haven’t killed anything. Not sure what to do now, will let you know when I’ve decided.