New Epox owner needs Advice

[Phluxed]

Hey there,

I just, and I mean JUST got my Epox 8KDA3J board and my AMD 3200+. I am using Zalman ALCU 7000A cooling. I'm looking for some overall advice. Should I flash the bios (that is, when I get windows installed, damn VIA drivers dont want to let it boot it would seem - see below)? Any software I should look at? What should my CPU temperature be around? Stuff like that, anything would be great really. And Hello to you all! As I am a newbie here .

OH, as well, i just put the new mobo and everything in, and when it begins to boot windows, the machine just reboots, could that be because my old VIA drivers are installed and it is trying to load those? Would I be better off doing a windows repair or a flat out format? (id like to keep all my data, so if at all possible, no format.)

Thanks in advance

[sniiki]

Yes, heard that people with via systems earlier have had to reinstall windows before nf3 board works. Don't know if repair does it.

[Phluxed]

Originally Posted by sniiki

Yes, heard that people with via systems earlier have had to reinstall windows before nf3 board works. Don't know if repair does it.

Ah, alright, so its not just me. Damn those via jerks! my old machine was ridiculously unstable and now I have to reinstall windows! Blah! Oh well

[jnansley]

To avoid this in the future, there are some specific steps you can take to *try* to save your Windows install...

Usually repairing Windows will not work, because Windows tries to reinstall your old chipset drivers. Thus, you should uninstall them. You should also use Driver Cleaner. Depending on your version of Windows (AFAIK this will not work with XP Home), use SYSPREP.

[Phluxed]

Originally Posted by jnansley

To avoid this in the future, there are some specific steps you can take to *try* to save your Windows install...

Usually repairing Windows will not work, because Windows tries to reinstall your old chipset drivers. Thus, you should uninstall them. You should also use Driver Cleaner. Depending on your version of Windows (AFAIK this will not work with XP Home), use SYSPREP.

Well Crud. Alright, I'll know for next time. Now, question. Should I go ahead and install the 64bit beta version of XP? or should I just stick with XP Pro? Im going to install another version of windows onto the hard drive now and maybe just delete the old one after. Its not good practice I know, but there are a lot of files on there I need.

[EPoX Tech]

In order to get best syetm performance and stability it is really necesary to make a clean installation of Windows to ensure :-

1. Registry isn't oversized (causing slowdown)
2. Drivers from previous installation do not load (causing slowdown and instability)

[Phluxed]

Originally Posted by EPoX Tech

In order to get best syetm performance and stability it is really necesary to make a clean installation of Windows to ensure :-

1. Registry isn't oversized (causing slowdown)
2. Drivers from previous installation do not load (causing slowdown and instability)

Indeed, that makes sense. Ill backup and whatnot and get a format going too. Any suggestions on BIOS updates? Driver Updates? System Monitor Utilities? Tweak Utilities?

[EPoX Tech]

If you re-install Windows, then install the drivers from the CD to get everything working, then install Magicflash and update the BIOS that way you will be fine.

You may want to update to the latest Unified NForce drivers directly from NVidia's website (version 4.27 at present).

For system monitor our USDM that is included in the bundle CD should suffice and as for tweaking - you should need for no more really than what is in the BIOS. You can of course tweak Windows itself a great deal to increase performance, but I'd generally say to steer clear if you're unsure.

[Phluxed]

Originally Posted by EPoX Tech

If you re-install Windows, then install the drivers from the CD to get everything working, then install Magicflash and update the BIOS that way you will be fine.

You may want to update to the latest Unified NForce drivers directly from NVidia's website (version 4.27 at present).

For system monitor our USDM that is included in the bundle CD should suffice and as for tweaking - you should need for no more really than what is in the BIOS. You can of course tweak Windows itself a great deal to increase performance, but I'd generally say to steer clear if you're unsure.

I've tweaked windows in the past (which is what I was referring to), Im just not sure what will work with the chipset. Does MagicFlash obtain driver updates from the net, or do I have to download them from somewhere else? If so, where should I get them?

BTW, thanks for your prompt and informative replies.

[EPoX Tech]

Magic Flash only updates the BIOS of the mainboard - good thing here is that besides the audio (which the CD driver is fine for), the rest is all in one driver from NV themselves.

[Phluxed]

Originally Posted by EPoX Tech

Magic Flash only updates the BIOS of the mainboard - good thing here is that besides the audio (which the CD driver is fine for), the rest is all in one driver from NV themselves.

Well, to update the BIOS, do you not need a file to update it with? I think they are .bin files or something if I remember correctly. Does it retrieve this from the net or do I have to download it.

[EPoX Tech]

Magic flash will take care of all of that for you in a few easy steps to make the process easier - the small booklet for Magic flash will explain better than I can the process with images.