MA785GM-US2H problems

[absic]

Hi,

If you are asking for a recommendation then I would say go for Windows 7 as it is pretty impressive. I would actually go for the 64 bit version as it will allow you to access all of your memory and also allow for future memory expansion.

I am running the Ultimate version, because I need the Japanese Language interface but, to be honest, I don't believe it is actually worth the extra cost. I do not use Bit Locker and for general home use, I don't see why anybody would, it is more for business users really.

I too considered the Virtual XP side of things, before buying Windows 7 but again, I have not really found a need to use it, as all of my software and nearly all of my hardware runs in 7 without any problems.

If you can afford it, then I would say go for Windows 7.

[Dark Mantis]

I would also agree with absic and install Windows 7 64bit Home Premium Edition. It works as well as XP from the end user point of view and is very smooth. I haven't had any problems with it running any of my existing programs and to be honest it is a joy to use compared to Vista.

[dvs91856]

This is odd to me. Last night I backup all my info on my HDD and was getting ready to fully reinstall my OS (XP Pro) and I made sure the PC would be booting from my CD/DVD first and my settings were done and then the system rebooted to my desktop without needing me to put my Mobo disk in like it had before! I was very surprised that it did this. So I rebooted just to see how it would boot up and it went straight to my desktop once again without wanting me to put the Mobo CD in to boot? I think I am just going to leave my sys alone for now and see how it does for the next few days/weeks, since I have all my data backed up, I figure if something goes wrong, I will then reinstall my OS.

Does this make the PC unstable and should I really worry at this point about doing the OS right now? Thanks!

[Dark Mantis]

No I think a quick prayer of thanks would be appropriate right now. Whatever happened in the BIOS, it got things going again smoothly, so great. There is no reason that it should do any harm to your machine now. Although at some point in the future you will have to do a reinstall of Windows.

[absic]

Hey, you might be lucky.

If the PC is running OK now, then Windows might have sorted itself out and installed the drivers that you need for your new configuration. I'm a great believer in: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" so if you are happy and, the PC seems to be happy, then leave it alone.

You might find that you get odd glitches or even major problems in the future, which would indicate a need to do a clean install but I would cross that bridge if or when you come to it.


ATB

[dvs91856]

Thanks for your encouragement! I think the same way, if it isn't broke, leave well enough alone! I know I will have to do a reinstall eventually, but for now, my brain is so sick of thinking about this PC! If I was a novice I would hesitate, but I am not!

I still have a problem with trying to get the KB97906 update. I am worried this will keep other updates from getting in? Any thoughts as to getting this update in without to much problem? Or should I even worry at this point about that one update?

[absic]

Hi,

The windows update is, I think, a security update for net framework 1.1. As with all Micros**t stuff they are continually patching them. Again, in my opinion, it isn't worth worrying about. if you are worried about other updates, just remove this one from the download list and the others will come through OK.

[absic]

Hi, just an update on this.

After receiving a couple of PM's from dvs91856 we made contact via IM as the problems seemed, to my mind, relatively simple to resolve but things were being lost through the medium of text, wait for response, text etc.
This is not the way I would usually do things and I apologise for taking this step but, in an effort to get dvs91856's PC running (they had been struggling for over 2 weeks to get it working) I thought this was the best way.

The PC is now running properly and the problems mainly came down to some basic BIOS settings and configuration.
We re-set BIOS to Optimized Defaults and then re-set the SATA channel (dvs91856 switched components to a new SATA HDD and DVD drive) to Native IDE as with the set-up and proposed use of this PC AHCI was not required. There was also a mistake in adding a jumper to the SATA HDD which limited it to SATA 1.5Gbs which had to be resolved. (I think DM got a PM about this as well). The only problem with installing in AHCI mode was due to the necessary driver not being installed which, of course, led to the system not responding properly.
We disabled on-board Graphics as there is an ATI 5xxx Graphics card installed.
We changed the BOOT order so that DVD/CD drive was the 1st Device and HDD was 2nd device. This was changed back to make the HDD 1st BOOT Device after the OS was installed.
We also disabled the Floppy drive.
After making these changes and saving them to BIOS, dvs91856 loaded Windows XP, the motherboard and graphics drivers without an issue and the PC was booting to the windows desktop in around 30 seconds once we had done this.

Once again my apologies to other members of the forum for taking this on via IM but I hope you will understand and I also hope that this update helps with any other user facing similar problems.

[Dark Mantis]

Well sorted absic and like you I always try to resolve the issue on the forum but as you said, quite rightly sometimes it just doesn't seem to work out and I think you made the right call here as the results show.

[dvs91856]

I too apologize for privately asking for help outside the board, but please know, I was desperate to get help with my PC problem!

At this time, I want to commend and applaud absic115 for his due diligence, patience and superb excellent technical skills and knowledge in getting my desktop up and running smoothly! Without assistance, I would still be [after 2 wks] banging my head against the wall and losing sleep!  I am resting easy once again thanks to absic115.  I can't say enough how thankful I am and how impressed I am with absic115.

Absic115, superbly done!! 

Also, a thanks goes out to Dark Mantis for the jumper issue.