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I was just asking about the RAID BIOS version out of curiosity's sake.  You would need to enable RAID in the BIOS, then use the F10 key to enter the RAID utility.  Note the version, restart & disable RAID in the main BIOS.  The specific key might vary.

For a family member's nForce4 SLI (Ultra mod) mobo, i had to mod his bios to add utility v5.60 (???) in order for it to work properly.  Obviously this is beyond the scope of this forum... like i said, just asking for my own personal reference.

Remember, take great care IF you decide to update your BIOS, failed updates can 'brick' your hardware.  Over the last 10 years i have only had one bad flash that i could not immediately recover from & that was about 10 years ago, yet i am able to 'hotflash', or use the 'SPI' interface (PCI video for boot when video card(s) don't flash properly - damn windows flashers), you might not have such capabilities.  I tend to go by the theory, "leave yourself a way to undo changes made to a system, so that system changes are not necessarily PERMANENT".

A BIOS update will not likely solve the specific issue you have been facing, yet there may be bug/performance issues addressed, extended processor support (do AMD CPU's use microcode updates?), optional BIOS (RAID, network, video, etc.) updates, newer thermal-control algorithms, extended memory compatibility (sometimes downgrading throughput slightly), ACPI updates, etc, etc, etc.

  Consider this only if you are confident (& experienced) with BIOS flashing.  I usually look for a BIOS update ISO, or to use *safe-mode* DOS flashers from a small DOS HDD - avoid using floppy drives (unless you are able to double-check with CRC or MD5 values on BOTH flooppy-drives).  I tend to only use Windows flashers as a last resort.

Haste makes e-waste!

No response to my questions?

I stand by what i said earlier...

I have had great success with 'Fernando's' driver packs (i wouldn't dare ask them to be included in DP, unless 'Fernando' explicitly, undeniably, approved FIRST)
Thank you, Fernando, for making my life easier with nVidia's HW!
See his posts --> http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/off-nfo … 73054.html
         http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/xp-opti … 70968.html
If i'm wrong, it would be helpful to know.  As a matter of fact, it would likely be helpful to 'Fernando' to know too (it would benefit the greater 'community').
Thank you, DriverPacks, too.

I am not saying that you HAVE bad caps, I'm only suggesting that it makes sense to start investigating hardware first.  I have had several machines with bad caps load BIOS, install OS, pass memtest, etc. (i wouldn't recommend flashing a BIOS with bad caps - greater odds of 'bricking').

Relating to my earlier post, if you have a cap rated at 2000 hours at 85°C, in a thermal zone that averages 75°C, the average life expectancy of that part will only be 4000 hours.  That only adds up to about 167 days of continuous use (at 75°C)!

Read the full post first, especially the part about known symptoms (even add-in controllers can be affected).  I especially notices the guy with 60 GX's, that had 40 of them fail.

Failures generally start with (insufficient cooling) the power supply.  It is difficult to see inside them.  If you want to examine it, ensure that you PULL THE AC cord out, first!  Hold down the power button for at least 15 seconds , to ensure ALL power has been drained from the P/S.  Remove it, open the lid, blow it out with compressed air (clean the mobo while your at it - just don't make direct contact between the nozzle & parts) & then visually inspect.  Ensure that the p/s is fully re-assembled before trying it under AC (the innards can KILL - even if you don't directly touch)

  If you are not comfortable opening it up, perhaps try a known good p/s (even though it will likely not look nice).

IF you determine that this is a source of error in your machine, & your not comfortable working with a soldering iron (or safety with AC), i would humbly say that maybe it is time to investigate a replacement.  (& the cost-effectiveness)  Remember, caps can 'fail' (dry out), even without showing outward signs.  If you have had this problem for a while, at least one should be obvious.  Non-contact infrared thermometers are relatively inexpensive, & invaluable when identifying thermal-zones.

No, actually i don't know how xp is notorious at different hw, i always use the 'Standard PCI IDE Controller' driver when migrating to different hardware.  I suppose that doesn't apply if you are using a 'Restore' disc.  Isn't there a '32 bit Diagnostic' CD (or the like) available for your hardware?

  Maybe i'm wrong, i still have much to learn, even after 30 years working around 'puters!  I have learned new ideas from even the youngest & oldest of 'nubes'.

Forgive me if i have been short of patience, or rude, my Canucks are playing now.

When software solutions fail, start re-assessing the hardware.  http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6055

Electrolytic Capacitors can 'fail' (increase in ESR, beyond spec) without showing any outward sign.  The most likely 'failures' will be in the hottest thermal zones.
  They are usually rated to last a set number of hours at either 85°C or 105°C.  The hourly lifetime doubles for every 10°C less than the max. spec.  If the cap was rated to last 2000 hours at 105°C, yet is operated at 55°C, it should last a minimum of 64000 hours (unless it was mfg. in china, in which case who knows?)
  Another factor effecting lifetime is called 'ripple-current'.  A well-designed P/S should output voltages that, on an oscilloscope, should look 'flat'.  Wild fluctuations & spikes are not what you want.
I've found that 'dell' power supplies have been about as prone to failure as their mobo's.  These components are tightly engineered to last at most 1.5 times the warranty length.

Why do most people insist on spending dozens of hours on OS/software issues, & minutes (or less) on the underlying hardware?

are you using the latest bios updates for this mobo?  (*CAUTION* - improperly installed BIOS updates can 'brick' your motherboard!)  What version of RAID utility is included with your mobo? (sorry, i see you are using non-RAID implementation)
Hmm.. non-AHCI HW...  i see that you haven't noted the version (& folder) of driver used in 11.01 & 11.04.
SATA drivers greater than v9.9x most likely will not work (without bluescreening) with anything less than MCP65 chipsets.
Changelog shows only changes to 'N2' & 'N7r' folders.  Ah, the changelog indicates that the MassStorage.ini is different.

from v11.01

& from v11.04

Perhaps the HWID's need to be more sadistic, er i mean specific.  I'm having a Fermi WoodScrew moment.
Am i onto something guys, or do you just think that i'm ON something? (Maybe i shouldn't have dismissed that spammer's drug testing services after all, perhaps - still don't know how they could tell i'm 'high on life')

On a different note, I always wanted to improve cooling by using thermal pads between the bottom of the mobo & the case (preferably aluminum) underneath.  It's not as nice as a MegaFlat, though likely more effective than adding heatsinks above board.

WoooHooo!   Um, i'd need a credit card, wouldn't i.  DOOHHH!
Are the licences time-limited, or transferable?  Is there any major relationship between TechNet & MSDN?
Is this one reason why i see so many old 'puters on craigslist with 7 for dirt cheap?

Try that link again, Mr. Smartepants.  NEC-Renesas USB3 drivers updated to v2.1.16 WHQL!  http://downloadmirror.intel.com/19880/e … NEC_PV.exe

Newer drivers (for vista-7) are available for the RT7x series from Windows Update Catalog.  http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/ … spx?q=rt73
I've uncorked 'em 'ere & included the utility --> http://www.mediafire.com/file/v57ek2jxm … .0.10.0.7z    Edit: updated March 9, 2012

Newer drivers available (v3.2.1.0) for:
RT2860 here --> Edit:link broken
   uncorked here - utility included:  Edit:*** updated below ***
RT2870 here --> Edit:link broken 
   uncorked here - utility included:  Edit:*** updated below *** 

updated Broadcom WLAN driver for XP (WHQL v5.100.235.19 including utility) available here --> http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles … mp;SC=PA_7 

Note:  In order to install the utility, the setup.exe included must be extracted, & the extracted setup.ini must be modified to show "CmdLine=".  Use the extracted Setup.exe to install. (Make note of wireless password/setting, or use the 'export' function in the old utility)

Note2:  The old VWL folder from driver "broadcom-wlan-xp-5604835" may be needed for 'Virtual Wireless LAN' support.

Seems to be more responsive upon startup & SB/Hibernate, no major delay for sys access anymore.

Volume Checker from Alcor allows one to detect fake Flash drive capacities.  http://www.alcormicro.com/content/c_pro … hecker.rar