A7V and WinXP SP1

[bIOforger]

Hi,

Any1 got any suggestions on a fix for this problem. I keep getting after
2-3 days of uptime IRQL bug/stop errors in XP Pro SP1, n a reboot.
Sometimes it would crash after a few hours as well. I've got all the
patches from MS update, VIA 4in1s installed, but not the IDE drivers,
and I'm using the MS ATA promise drivers atm as I thought the Promise
drivers I was using before were causing the problem, but its not that. I
keep hearing that a bios update might cure it, but I'm not going to run
the risk of a useless mobo after a bios upgrade failure, I'm running the
original 1004 bios.

Im also seeing this ACPI error;

AMLI: ACPI BIOS is attempting to read from an illegal IO port address
(0xcfc), which lies in the 0xcf8 - 0xcff protected address range. This
could lead to system instability.

Asus A7V
512mb PC133
120gb maxtor ATA133
Geforce2 GTS

Any ideas on a solution TIA?

 

[bIOforger]

Hi,

Any1 got any suggestions on a fix for this problem. I keep getting after
2-3 days of uptime IRQL bug/stop errors in XP Pro SP1, n a reboot.

Also, forgot to say Win2k pro is also dual booted with XP sp1 on this
box, and works flawlessly, 5week uptime or more is usual.

 

[Nikolaos Tampakis]

Also, forgot to say Win2k pro is also dual booted with XP sp1 on this
box, and works flawlessly, 5week uptime or more is usual.

I think you should update the BIOS. When the A7V was released Win2k was
already there, but WinXP was not. I had a CUV4X which basically uses the
very same ACPI controller as the A7V (VIA VT82C686A southbridge) and
Asus did release a beta BIOS to specifically accomodate proper ACPI
support for WinXP, so I wouldn't be surprised if the same holds true for
your A7V. Just get a copy of the latest beta and flash away.

If you're super paranoid about bad flashing...
a) format a guaranteed 100% error free DOS floppy disk as bootable (you
can normally non-quick format it, check for 0% used space which
indicates no errors, format it again the same way and check again for 0%
used space, then format it with the create MS-DOS bootable disk option).
b) make sure folder options is set to view all files (including system
and hidden files) and delete everything from the floppy disk except for
COMMAND.COM, IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, then copy the latest aflash version and
the latest beta BIOS for the A7V you downloaded and unzipped from
ftp.asuscom.de
c) download the BIOS file again somewhere to your hard disk, and do a
binary file compare between the newly downloaded file and the one in the
floppy disk. e.g. C:\> fc /b a:\a7vbios.bin c:\a7vbios.bin and make sure
you get a 'no differences encountered' result. Make sure the floppy disk
isn't dangerously exposed.
d) make sure your trusty UPS is up to the task by intentionally
unplugging utility power momentarily. If you don't have a UPS, get or
borrow (a good) one!
e) Check for any BIOS settings or jumper placement prerequisites to
allow BIOS flashing and adjust accordingly if necessary.
f) Take into account the flashing notes from Asus.
g) Flash, flash again if you don't have much faith in the process and/or
the EEPROM chips, clear the CMOS with the clrcmos utility, reboot and
reconfigure the BIOS settings to your desires. Have a copy of your
settings handy in case you don't remember how you had it configured last
time you bothered with it.

Stick to all the above and chances of a disaster should be less than
negligible. I've never had a bad flash in the 8 years I've been dealing
with PCs.

Regards
Nikos

 

[bIOforger]

I think you should update the BIOS. When the A7V was released Win2k was
already there, but WinXP was not.

Yeh I agree a bios update seems to be the only option. I do also get
ACPI errors in the events viewer as you say.