4PCA3+ rev 1.1 problems

[eva2000]

Just installed my 4PCA3+ rev 1.1 and updated to latest bios and i get negative voltage bonuses as reported by other users. Problem is in memtest86, i'm running into errors straight away first pass test 1 - 3 errors at all below voltage settings!

bios -> real

default vcore 1.525v -> 1.45-1.47v

1.6000v -> 1.53-1.55v
1.5875v -> 1.50-1.53v
1.5750v -> 1.48-1.52v
1.5625v -> 1.48-1.50v
1.5500v -> 1.47-1.48v
1.5375v -> 1.47-1.48v
1.5250v -> 1.45-1.47v
1.5125v -> 1.37-1.40v
1.5000v -> no Boot
1.4875v -> no Boot
1.4750v -> 1.56-1.60v
1.4625v -> 1.37-1.39v
1.4500v -> 1.69-1.71v

while memtest86 is running, the post code on the LED is FF

anyone know what's up..

FF code in manual says

1. Bios chip inserted incorrectly
2. Incorrect bios update
3. Mainboard problem
4. Add on card inserted incorrectly

:(

[eva2000]

i'll update my progress in this post

Okay it seems it could be a memory problem, the above memtest86 errors at test #1 -3 were with 2x 256MB ADATA PC4000 @ 200mhz 3-4-4-8 and SPD at 2.7-2.8v vdimm

But now i switched the memory to my 2x 256MB OCZ PC3500 Premier @ 200mhz 2.5-4-4-7 at 2.7v vdimm and no errors in test #1 - 3 at first pass BUT still post code while memtest86 is running = FF :confused:

all my ADATA PC4000 are error free on IC7, PX865PE PRO2 and the boards chainy tested hmmm

more investigation soon..

update1:
okay FF code seems to mean bad board, bios etc only at startup.. if it's after startup in memtest or windows it means Fully Functional = Okay

does anyone know if 4PCA3+ rev 1.1 has problems with memory with cas 3 timings like my 256MB ADATA PC4000 which are rated and SPD = 3-4-4-8

[eva2000]

Some mentioned at Epox forums mentioned maybe ADATA/ Cas3 issues with this board but then again it doesn't explain why Liquid3D managed to do 3-4-4-8 timings on 4PCA3+ @ 275mhz with same bios http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17158

Epox springdale board issues with ADATA and Corsiar at cas 3 http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19452&highlight=cas3

well it's definitely strange

right now i'm running memtest86 error free with 2x 256MB OCZ PC3500 Premier unmatched sticks (to see how far i go with timings unchanged)

@217mhz 2.5-4-4-7 at 2.7v (rated specs)
@225mhz 2.5-4-4-7 at 2.9v
@233mhz 2.5-4-4-7 at 3.1v
@233mhz 2.5-3-3-7 at 3.1v errored after 41 passes needs 3.2 and Intel Fast and CPC disabled for 7+ hr error free
@233mhz 2.5-3-3-6 at 3.1v errored after 16 passes
@245mhz 2.5-4-4-8 at 3.3v 4 errors at 21st pass
@245mhz 3-4-4-8 at 3.3v testing

this is all while vAGP is at 1.5v bios or 1.46v real

this memory previously max at 220-225mhz 2.5-4-4-8 at 2.8-2.85v

[eva2000]

Found my problem.. i think

I retested the pair of 2x 256MB ADATA PC4000 individually, and found 1 of the sticks errored out in test #1-3 on first pass @ 200mhz 3-4-4-8 but the 2nd stick didn't! So I guess 4PCA3+ didn't like one of the sticks for some reason. It could be bios related too.

I tested all my ADATA sticks and they worked fine on 865PE PRO2 and IC7, so have to check the s/n on the back of the sticks and recheck that particular stick on 865PE PRO2

Guess I have to also retest each ADATA stick individually for use on 4PCA3+ heh

[eva2000]

any 4PCA3+ users find it weird they have hpt374 controller, but the bios doesn't have any setting for changing PCI latency values ?

also is the 4pca3+'s HPT374 controller exactly the same as rocketraid404 ? as the 4pca3+ latest driver for onboard HPT374 is v3.01 while for rocketraid404 there's a v3.0.3 out http://www.highpoint-tech.com/rr404_down.htm with better raid 5 write speeds

[pointreyes]

Originally posted by eva2000
also is the 4pca3+'s HPT374 controller exactly the same as rocketraid404 ? as the 4pca3+ latest driver for onboard HPT374 is v3.01 while for rocketraid404 there's a v3.0.3 out http://www.highpoint-tech.com/rr404_down.htm with better raid 5 write speeds

I have always liked the HPT372/4 controllers but when it comes to RAID 5, I will not use a software RAID solution. I don't know but it seems to me that if a person is serious about RAID 5 that they should be serious about the quality of the components. Sort of like a person saying they are protecting their family just as well in a Pinto as in an Audi.

Back in the Via chipset days on an old Abit KR7A-RAID which had the HPT372, I was very shocked with the speed of that controller. I was recovering images at an average rate of 1400 Meg/sec! However the latency (thanks Via :mad: :rolleyes: ) made the speed rather useless for using my ATi 8500DV-recording TV shows was at a 50% framerate lost. A co-worker is now using that board-it sure is one tough board.

Not sure why the latency cannot be changed on the Epox P4 board. :confused:

[LastRide]

FF is normal for Epox boards.My 8RDA+ did the same thing.

[eva2000]

Thanks, actually highpoint have a different set of hpt374 for IC products http://www.highpoint-tech.com/374drivers_down.htm just wondering if they'd work with 4PCA3+