Yet another Bios Question

[Bond_JamesBond]

Hi,
My system specs:
XFX NFORCE 680I LT SLI
Intel quad Q6600
XFX 8800GTX
4Gb muskin DDR2 XPS2-8500
Toughpower 850w
74Gb Raptors in Raid 0
Vista family premium 64bit

Bios:
Phoniex 6.00pg version XFX 68L 42302e31
Graphics Bios 60.80.0e.00.05

Ok, so the problem is Vista only detects 2Gb of Ram
The online Phoniex Bios update utility reports:
"Computer name: C
Your Ticket #: 36XLGHX
BIOS Type: Unknown
BIOS Date: March 2nd 2007
BIOS ID: 6.00 PG
Chipset: Unknown
SuperIO: Unknown
Manufacturer: XFX
Motherboard: XFX Nforce 680i LT
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista64 [64-bit AMD]
Maximum Memory: 2048MB
Installed Memory: 4096MB
Memory Config: Slot1:1024 Slot2:1024 Slot3:1024 Slot4:1024"

Now does that mean my bios only allows 2Gb or is it vista? (I have reset the maxium memory to 4Gb within vista)

I would like to update my bios anyway, the Xfx site suggests PO4, but that's all I can get out of the site! People on this forum make refernece to Xfx posting new bios on their site but I can't find anything but the usual support stuff.

So can anyone point me to the correct uptodate bios?
And a idiot proof guide to upadating,there's no utilies for it on the xfx mobo cd. I have a floppy drive so i'll go old school.
Thanks in advance.

[Scott]

32Bit Vista will only see between 2GB and maybe a little more depending on the BIOS. I have 4 GB in mine. I see 2.8GB with 1 GPU and 2.3GB with 2 GPU in SLI.

64Bit Vista will let you see all 4GB.

[slugbug]

However Mr Bond says he's using Vista 64bit, so that is not the problem.
If you're using 4 sticks I would try 2 at a time in each pair of slots to see if they post ok and to rule out any problems with the ram slots.
Here's the link to the P05 bios and winflash utility:

http://www.xfxsupportb.co.uk/680iLT__P05.zip
http://www.xfxsupportb.co.uk/winflash_1_9.zip

[Bond_JamesBond]

Thanks for the links!

Went thro winflash, backed up and then updated to O5.
Unfortunately it froze on the xfx logo. On rebooting the bios said there had been a Checksum error and reloaded the old bios.
After enabling my sata drives i could one again boot vista 64.
I tried again unticking the "clear cmos" and "Cmos default" boxes. But samething happened again.
What am I doing wrong?
I saved the back up into the Winflas file and updated from the .bin in the same file. Should I have saved it onto a floppy or usb key?

Scott if my Vista64 only sees 2 or 2.8Gb does it go into the virtual memory thereafter?

Slugbug My bios happily picks up 4Gb so I think my Dimms are ok.
In fact when I hit Ctrl+Alt+del then the "Performance" tab, In the "system box" bottom left I'm reading 1173/4313Mb but only 2047Mb under Ram on the left. But maybe the first includes teh virtual memory.

Thanks for your help guys and sorry for so many "Noobalicious" questions.

[timberwolf120]

Would have to go back to my apartment where my Vista machine is to check the task manager and the layout. But if that 2047MB shows up as the total amount of physical memory, then your problem still exists.

Oh, and these aren't noob questions.

Here is a noob question though. You built this PC yourself right? Did you buy a retail or OEM version of Vista Home Premium 64-bit? I ask this because I'm looking at Newegg (retail version of Vista) and it says this under the disclaimer:
"Includes 32 bit DVD and information on obtaining 32 bit CDs or a 64 bit DVD, additional fees may apply."

Sounds like you have to go through a few more steps to get 64-bit after purchasing the retail copy.

[Bond_JamesBond]

Would have to go back to my apartment where my Vista machine is to check the task manager and the layout. But if that 2047MB shows up as the total amount of physical memory, then your problem still exists.

Oh, and these aren't noob questions.

Here is a noob question though. You built this PC yourself right? Did you buy a retail or OEM version of Vista Home Premium 64-bit? I ask this because I'm looking at Newegg (retail version of Vista) and it says this under the disclaimer:
"Includes 32 bit DVD and information on obtaining 32 bit CDs or a 64 bit DVD, additional fees may apply."

Sounds like you have to go through a few more steps to get 64-bit after purchasing the retail copy.

Sorry about the vague discriptions. I live in France so my Os is French, which makes all this way more interesting.
I brought it from the french version of Newegg, its just in coverless Dvd box so no idea if it OEM or not. But it installed the 64 bit version no other options...
I've read that utlimate has both32 and 64, maybe your looking at the upgrade Xp option?
I'm looking at the older threads on this sub-forum and am embaresed to see I'm asking the same questions!

But I have one more question!
If bios 05 is the latest, then why does cpu z say I have 06 out of the box?
using previous posts to help me flash bios so wil let you know how it goes....

[Bond_JamesBond]

Ok It's all GOOD!

I bothered to read the rest of this section, I followed "namicus" 's example. (http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13742&page=3)<-click

The problems I had:

1-Could not transfer Dos files to usb with HP usb utility- until i realised I just couldn't see them.
Solution-Had to tick "show hidden files" in Control panel/folder+search options/view. Voila.

2-After typing "AWDFLASH.exe p04flash.bat" which worked for namicus. The utility said "file size error". p04flash.bat is only 1kb
Solution- I took the risk and typed "AWDFLASH.exe 721NP04.BIN" a file which ended up on the usb as part of the links I down loaded from this thread thank your slugbug.

To recap My usb had the following files:
721n9P04.bin
AWDFLASH.EXE
BOOTLOG.PRV
BOOTLOG.TXT
COMMAND.COM
IO.SYS
MSDOS.SYS
P04FLASH.BAT
I typed "AWDFLASH.exe p04flash.bat"
(and I saved my previous bios as OLD.BIN)
Flash. "F1".Auto Reboot.
Freeze on XFX logo. Panic.
Reboot. Entered Bios to change boot prority back to HDD. Vista boots.

Very happy to report that vista now reports 4Gb of RAM so Ididn't waste my money!YEAH!

Thanks to all concerned. Hope these solutions help others save time and stress.

Now to overclock the Q6600 and single 8800GTX so its as fast/faster than my mate's Q8600 extreme and 880GTX's in SLI
Mmmwwaaaahaaahhaaa!

[westy87]

i assume ur mates got a Q6800, not Q8600 lol, but glad to see you posted your successful steps in a fashion others can follow if they have the same problem :D