Asus Mobo & Probe II

[antioch]

Hello All
I had hoped I might find a post regarding any problems with Probe II.
I have:
WIN XP SP2 Home
Asus P5LD2 Mobo
P4 640 3.2Ghz 800FSB LGA 775 2MB Cache
Build date Dec 2005.
In the last month or more, everytime I switch on the system, I immediately
get the Probe warning that the CPU has passed the threshold set temp 60c -
sometimes it reaches 67c.
I know P4's can run hot(had 478 P4 Prescott on an Msi Mobo)but I was given
to understand that the mean operating temp for my current CPU is well below
the Prescott.
When the CPU is at its high idle, 98%-99%, if I open probe I again get an
immediate warning.
If the config. is opened whilst warning sounds, the readings of the fan
speed in relation to the temp, do not seem to add up.
The fan speed can read 2050 and temp 60+, then the fan speed will drop to
say 1930 and the temp show 48. It can show mid 50 with a fan speed of
anything between 1930 - 2200.
During the first couple of months, the temp was always bet 43-50c with a fan
speed of about 2000.
Asus says, set the high threshold to 5c above the highest temp it is showing
at warning - a rash and irresponsible reply.
On top of the CPU there is 120mm super cooler, super quiet fan,
which is noisy and may not be keeping things so cool after all.
I am beginning to wonder why this was fitted.
It was my understanding that this mobo has its own built-in cooling and that
the CPU, with proper chassis fan/s, should run at about 40-45c with a case
temp of 69c.
I have spent days trying to understand the tech details of the various bits
of hardware and have had constant contact with both Intel and Asus, but
getting nowhere.
Two weeks ago I sent an email to the system builder, but as yet no reply.
Another newsgroup suggested I came here.
If further system info etc required please ask
Thank you.
Rgds
Antioch
'You can't educate pork' - but this one is trying hard to learn.

 

[Jason Tsang]

Assuming the cooling system *is* working properly...
You might want to see if there is a bios update for your motherboard. Many
times, fixes to temperature measuring and such, as well as CPU microcode
updates, are pushed forward via updated bios revisions.

Now obviously if your cooling system isn't working properly, you better fix
that asap.

--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx

 

[antioch]

Hello Jason
Thank you for the reply
My notes are spliced below.
Many thanks for your input and advice.
If I get to the bottom of this, I will post a resolution if you think it of
importance.
Rgds
Antioch

Assuming the cooling system *is* working properly...

That is the question - I do not know - that is the worry.

You might want to see if there is a bios update for your motherboard.

I have to admit that I do find it difficult to id the update I need - for
current model there are 4/5 with the most obscure do's and dont's, so I ask
from tech help first.(still waiting). I made a terrible mistake with the
flashing process so never again.
If all seemed to work OK at the start and nothing on my system has been
updated re any drivers, I do not to see that an update of driver would help.
A previous update of a driver for GPU on my previous system caused all sorts
of mayhem - had to revert back to the previous, so I am not in the mood for
experimenting.

Many times, fixes to temperature measuring and such, as well as
CPU microcode updates, are pushed forward via updated bios revisions.

Yes, I do understand that there is a need for driver updates.

Now obviously if your cooling system isn't working properly, you
better fix that asap.

But how does overheating manifest itself?
Yes of course - this is the problem - is Probe II knackered or is the
Mobo/Cpu on melt-down? OR am I suffering from paranoia?
Probably the latter ;-) ;-)

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

Hello All
I had hoped I might find a post regarding any problems with Probe II.
I have:
WIN XP SP2 Home
Asus P5LD2 Mobo
P4 640 3.2Ghz 800FSB LGA 775 2MB Cache
Build date Dec 2005.
In the last month or more, everytime I switch on the system, I immediately
get the Probe warning that the CPU has passed the threshold set temp 60c -
sometimes it reaches 67c.

Have you checked to be sure that the heat sink is properly installed? I
had problems with socket 775 mounting getting all the push pins properly
installed. Maybe one of them has rotated loose and the heat sink is no
longer getting good contact with the CPU.

I know P4's can run hot(had 478 P4 Prescott on an Msi Mobo)but I was given
to understand that the mean operating temp for my current CPU is well below
the Prescott.
When the CPU is at its high idle, 98%-99%, if I open probe I again get an
immediate warning.
If the config. is opened whilst warning sounds, the readings of the fan
speed in relation to the temp, do not seem to add up.
The fan speed can read 2050 and temp 60+, then the fan speed will drop to
say 1930 and the temp show 48. It can show mid 50 with a fan speed of
anything between 1930 - 2200.
During the first couple of months, the temp was always bet 43-50c with a fan
speed of about 2000.
Asus says, set the high threshold to 5c above the highest temp it is showing
at warning - a rash and irresponsible reply.
On top of the CPU there is 120mm super cooler, super quiet fan,
which is noisy and may not be keeping things so cool after all.
I am beginning to wonder why this was fitted.

It sounds like the cooler automatically adjusts the fan speed to the CPU
temperature which is why it is running fast, and loud. If you fix the
cooling problem the fan will probably slow down and become quiet.

 

[Al Brumski]

I'm running a P4 640 with the stock Intel cooler on an Asus P5P800 SE.

Probe reports `32C idle, ~50C full load.
CPU fan is always ~2350, target temp is set to 51C (minimum) in BIOS.
Case temp is 28C but I always leave one side panel off exposing the
mobo and blow a small room fan on the board.

You really want to stay below 60C for that chip!!!

Check your heat sink for dirt, make sure thermal paste was used
(sparingly), and make sure your fan is ok. Like I say, the stock Intel
fan (~$29.00) is working ok for me.

Al

 

[DL]

If you have a 120mm fan which is now noisy, when previously it had been
silent, then you have a fan or fan mounting problem.
The mobo has cool & quite which means its supposed to regulate the cpu fan
speed with the load on the cpu.
'how does overheat manifest' it burns the cpu out
There is a probe update on asus site, whether its later than your version?
only you will know
The latest bios update is v1103, with a rider about using the latest flash
utility, however the update only mentions new cpu support

 

[antioch]

Hello Michael
Thank you for your input.
You are right to mention if the placement is correct etc - but as yet I have
no idea if the readings I am getting are true or false.
The system is still under guarantee - but still waiting a reply from the
builders.
Your reply and others will give me the info and ammunition to argue my case.
I am grateful to you for this.
Rgds
Antioch

 

[antioch]

Hello Al
That is cracking info - just what I have been looking for.
And that is the Mobo I wanted when I could no get an Msi.
I will run my FSim at full and see what I get.
I still don't understand why they recommended this bloody great fan.
Supposed to be a 'super quiet' ' super cool' fan.
But is it not possible that my P4 was not boxed retail - I think it may be
OEM so may have come without its own fan. I had expected maybe a couple of
small quiet chassis, one in, one out would have done.
Having the side panel off is 'cheating' ;-) ;-) and a fan? bet you have to
wear a hairnet as well. But, do you have no chassis fans either?
Intel say case temp max 66.6c and inlet fan(whatever that is) max 38c.
Oh, I will get the hoover/vacuum cleaner out
Many thanks again
Will post back
Rgds
Antioch

 

[antioch]

Thank you DL
My replies are spliced
Rgds
Antioch

If you have a 120mm fan which is now noisy, when previously it had been
silent, then you have a fan or fan mounting problem.

No, it is not loose - it is a normal fan sound - no rattles or drumming -
have had that problem previously and know the sound well.

The mobo has cool & quite which means its supposed to regulate the cpu fan
speed with the load on the cpu.

Yes, so I understand it does - the fan speed does vary - according to the
Probe readings that is - but as I said, a higher reading does not always
equate to a lower fan temp.

'how does overheat manifest' it burns the cpu out

with a funny burning smell, no doubt?

There is a probe update on asus site, whether its later than your version?
only you will know.
The latest bios update is v1103, with a rider about using the latest flash
utility, however the update only mentions new cpu support.

Thanks for the tech update info - will look at that.

REPLY ENDS.

 

[DL]

Large fans, from reputable manu, are generally better than stock fans, or
small fans.
They rotate at slower speed to provide the same, or geater air flow.
As an aside, many people tend to overlook the case when building a sys. Not
all cases are equal, with regard air flow or noise

 

[antioch]

Hello DL
Thanks for the addit info.
But what is quiet - the fan I have is given as a 'super quiet 19.2dBA CPU
cooler'
The case is well vented on sides and front - don't think any problems there.
The outflow does not seem to be too warm at the back of the case.
With a digital food probe therm. it shows 35-37c temp for the air leaving
the case - not too high I would have thought
Rgds
Antioch

 

[DL]

Further, I'm in the same balmy climate as you so unless you have the heating
up, a case temp of 69c ?
I have a data rig running 24/7 case temp is 25c
Check temps reported in the bios, if there are bios temp warnings/shutdown
options set them

 

[Al Brumski]

You know you "comment" on me using a room fan to cool my box, and you
admit to using a food thermometer to measure your box temps???

Welcome to my world!!

Go water chilled man. I love all the articles in the OC forums where
these "high tech" experts cry about leaks in their systems.

Air may be a little less efficient, but it doesn'r corrode electronic
conatcts.

I use my food therm for turkeys.

Al

 

[antioch]

Hello Al
My response is spliced with your comments below
Rgds
Antioch

You know you "comment" on me using a room fan to cool my box, and you
admit to using a food thermometer to measure your box temps???

Alright, alright - but my use of the therm is only temporary - it was the
visual concept I had of you sitting there with the fan blowing away and you
in a hairnet . So when it comes to hair-wash day, you can sit at the
comp and...............

Welcome to my world!!

Go water chilled man. I love all the articles in the OC forums where
these "high tech" experts cry about leaks in their systems.

I know - they can be a good laugh can they not - I joined two such forums
just to get a flavour of how different CPU's/Mobo's and GPU's worked
together ready for a build to spec.
In one, a poster had a leak and I suggested a couple of 1Kil heater fans
would be useful to keep the 'rig' dry or some plumber's tape on the
connections. He and a couple of others thought I was serious. I gave up
asking Q's in that forum - just got blanked or told to Foxtrot Oscar.

Air may be a little less efficient, but it doesn'r corrode electronic
conatcts.

Nor short-circuits as well

I use my food therm for turkeys.

Yes, so do I and other foods - but the only other choices was one for jam
making, but that starts at 100c and a surgical one(this one only brings back
painful memories when I see it)

 

[DL]

19.2db should, I believe, be near silent

Hello DL
Thanks for the addit info.
But what is quiet - the fan I have is given as a 'super quiet 19.2dBA CPU
cooler'
The case is well vented on sides and front - don't think any problems there.
The outflow does not seem to be too warm at the back of the case.
With a digital food probe therm. it shows 35-37c temp for the air leaving
the case - not too high I would have thought
Rgds
Antioch

 

[antioch]

Hi DL
Yes - same area - I said 66.6 not 69(which of course means something
completely different) which is the Max case temp as given for P4 thermal
specs. Mine at the moment is showing 33c as an outflow reading(with my
turkey therm). The room temp is 18c.
There are two things I do not fiddle with on a computer ever since I
........... - the Bios and Registry.
Anything else I ask first(like here)then if I feel I am happy to try then I
go ahead.
The builder can sort that out once I have got the ammo/information I need.
Personally I think it is the Probe monitor that's not reading properly and
which is no doubt connected with bios settings, if I understand correctly.
Thanks again for your help
Rgds
Antioch

 

[antioch]

That's what I thought - a friend when he heard it said a good fart is
quieter than this fan!

 

[Al Brumski]

I'm only mess'n with you man,

all the best....

Al

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

Hello DL
Thanks for the addit info.
But what is quiet - the fan I have is given as a 'super quiet 19.2dBA CPU
cooler'
The case is well vented on sides and front - don't think any problems there.
The outflow does not seem to be too warm at the back of the case.
With a digital food probe therm. it shows 35-37c temp for the air leaving
the case - not too high I would have thought

The fan is quiet if it is running at its minimum speed, i.e. if the
processor temperature is around 40 C or less. If the processor
temperature is showing over 60 C it is going to be running at full speed
and make a lot more noise. A lot of the "quiet" coolers normally run at
1900 RPM or less idling, but can go over 3000 RPM at full speed. It
sounds as if the fan is running at full speed trying to cool your
processor down and that is why it is making so much noise.

 

[antioch]

I'm only mess'n with you man,

all the best....

Al

Severly chopped/hacked for easy reading!

Hardly messing - friendly banter I call it.
All the best to you, too.
I will certainly post a result as it seemed to generate some interest.
Keep watch - oh, and keep your wet hair away from that open case.
All that electricity - shocking.
Antioch