the problem is though, gg, if his mobo is defective then that could cause issues installing things.

Silly question, keygrip. BIOS settings? (I clutching at straws at the moment since I can't see the machine, but it best to exhaust all possibilities before you dismantle everything and return the mobo)

I appreciate that hellsbrink I was really suggesting that he tried XP as a way of checking it wasn't just vista causing the current probs. But it sounds to me as though he has a problem with the on board video hardware, ie the north bridge.

I think it might be a good idea to fire off an E-mail to Asus support telling them what problems he's had and asking their opinion.

Two different problems now:

The SLi is suggested as the faulty motherboard slot - but I've hunted out the telephone numbers for both the card manufacturer and the motherboard manufacturer. I'll check with both of them before making any wild decisions.

The new problem is a known conflict between Vista and (apparently) all nVidia cards. The *supplied* drivers don't immediately drive. I've discovered hundreds of messages online from people going back over two years, all complaining that when loading Vista they were immediately met by a BSOD (Black!! screen of death). Their *fix* was to restore to earlier, download new drivers (not all of which worked) and re-load Vista.

My problem here is that as the machine is a "new build", it doesn't have any access to the net, nor do I have a system restore point - so how can I possibly get the new drivers onto the clean hard drive?

Keygrip, does the machine boot up in "safe mode"? If so, you could download the drivers on the machine you are using now, copy to cd/memory stick and then get them onto the vista machine that way.

But there has to be another issue, my vista box is running an 8600GT and I have had no issues with the drivers from the minute I set the system running. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Try going into the Bios and changing the RAM voltage from "Auto" to 2.1V (but no higher). Another possibility is that the PSU is faulty that could account for not working with dual video cards.

Spoke with tech support at the mobo manufacturer - they agree with the firedog muppets....there should be some life from the black socket.

Diagnosis, faulty board. RMA.

Black Screen of Death prevents doing *anything* on new machine.

Spoke to video card manufacturer, they say "Vista cannot *install* with over 3gb RAM, reduce to 2gig, re-install from zero (reformat drive), switch off an put all memory back in".

"Known issue", he says. Let's try that then, eh?

The more I hear about Vista the worse it gets :ugh::ugh: ( I installed XP Pro with 4 gigs on board with no problems.)

I think that you may still need to download and apply a MS hotfix before you re-install the other 2GB - otherwise the PC may not boot after you re-insert the 2GB.

Link here

Good luck!

SD

Good job this Vista box was only 3Gb, I would have had to remove bits then....

But hey, they said the 8600GT had problems with Vista drivers and mine hasn't so what do I know

PS. Just remembered something from earlier regarding the gfx card, keygrip. As you were installing Vista and it dumped itself, then you wouldn't have gotten as far as getting the new drivers so that would never have been the issue. And, as a side note to EVERYONE using Winders of any kind, DO NOT install any driver updates from Windows Update! THAT is a very well known issue, always get drivers from the manufacturers site only.

Yeah, I called the card manufacturer to ask about the nVidia/Vista conflict and how to solve the driver problem with a new build that would not allow access to any video.

They were instantly adamant that there is no conflict with the cards, but that Vista will not install with over 3gb, so I have to reduce from 4 x 2gb sticks to 1 x 2gb stick, install Vista then refit the extra ram again.

They swear it will solve the problem. Possibly aggravated that it's 64 bit, so not quite so common on the forums when researching faults.

I sat and watched Vista load, all the opening screens are there (with digital video) as it asks the setup questions and "gathers information", then it unpacked 100% of files, and set itself nicely, tick/check marks at each of last three "stages" then black. I did see occassional blue screens/white text warning of "critical windows error" and "windows terminated" messages - so it seeems even Windows doesn't like Windows (though it never suggested buying a Mac or loading Linux).

I'll try the ram reduction wednesday evening, new board may go in at same time. Watch this space though, tbh, I'm not confident in it all, lol.

Thanks for your time and concerns folks. Appreciate it.

A little off topic, but I was wondering with all this talk of 1000w PSU's. If you want a machine to collect a small amount of data for long lengths of time, eg, tracking stock market, would you be better off with a laptop that would not suck much electricity. Does a 1000m PSU constantly suck 1000w for the power bill. If so, would I be better with a second machine with a small PSU seeing it may be on for 24/7 collecting a smal amount of data, and not ware out the main powerfull machine?

Kind of thinking out loud here. :ok:

That's dangerous. People like me will come along and mock you.

No.







Mock mock mock mockity mock mock.

Ejector, a 1kw PSU will run happily with loads of UP TO 1000w. It'll only draw as much power as the system requires so if your PC needs 300w to run then that is all that will be used.

My motto is simple, always get the biggest PSU you can afford as, since you ain't going to run it at it's maximum load, there is less "stress" on the PSU and that means it should last a heck of a lot longer.

Being in a pedantic mood this morning, PSU's are only about 80% efficient. the odd 75W or so are converted into heat, if they were 100% efficient they wouldn't need fan cooling.

:ok:

Sorry. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...herald/run.gif

GG, one has to keep things simple for some who don't grasp the whole power supply thing.

PS.... Wot fans? http://www.legitreviews.com/article/125/1/ :p

:D:D.......................................................

"IT...is ALIVE!!
 

Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice!

Took the RAM down to 2Gb, Vista fell into the machine within 15 minutes and runs like a dream - though any attempt to reload the extra 6Gb of RAM is being met with a blue screen (white writing) of impending death - with a statement that windows is being shut down to prevent a critical error from damaging the computer.

The video however, remains the same. Video card in blue slot, full video, no problem. Vista really zings along.

Any attempt to plug anything into the black slot - instant shut down of all video outputs - exactly as it was with the previous (faulty?) motherboard. Exactly same symptoms.

A 1hr+ telephone call to ASUS tech support went through three levels of increasingly intelligent bunnies. Each level was convinced that video should fall out of the back of the card plugged into the black socket instantly.

End result was the decision that the second motherboard also has a defective black video slot. Returns have been set up - but will likely take some time (sigh).

Tried a programme or two - SecondLife gives me 38 frames per second, my old machine gave me 1.8 fps at best. Office 2007 Ultimate is loading as I type.

I'll let you know what happens when mobo3 arrives.

See the dates? 18th March I got Vista to run sweetly - but was told by "ASUS" (the motherboard manufacturer) that the SECOND motherboard was also faulty and required replacement in order to make the dual graphics cards work. They would rush one to me.

It arrived this morning - plugged it into the machine. Poof. The whole @#$%ing thing failed.

Another lengthy call to ASUS technical support and the best the guru can come up with is, "If you send that board back to me, I will send you a new one from our factory when I receive it"

This was NOT met by a pleasant response from me - HOWEVER, one thing he did mention was the KB929777 patch - which would allow Vista to recognise the extra RAM.

I swapped the edition 3 motherboard out, and the edition 2 back in, booted up just fine - downloaded the KB patch.

I now have 8GB RAM running perfectly well. Just have to figure this dual video card now.