Bad Sensor?

[TopChip7]

Hi Guys.

It just aint my week.

Saturday - Hard Drive Failure

Today - System sounded some noise a few times like crackling speakers and switched itself off.

Turned it back on and was presented with choice of safe mode/last good config etc etc.

Checked bios. All seemed OK. Booted XP and checked PC ProbeII (Hardware monitoring software) which displayed the following:


CPU-NB HT 4.08v,
NB Core 4.08v,
NB 2.5v 4.08v
DDR2 Term 4.08v
SB Core 4.08v
DDR2 4.08v
OPT1 255c
OPT2 255c
OPT3 255c


Now I am fairly sure it must be a sensor as the Expert Ram Modules clearly display 2.1v and 2.14v on the LED.

Can this be fixed cheaply - I mean this mobo cost me £165 GBP about 13 months ago and is literally just a few weeks out of warranty and I'm skint at the mo.

Secondly, is this PC still relatively safe to use or can I no-longer trust the voltages supplied by 'AUTO'?

Its an Asus Crosshair Republic Of Gamers 590SLI AM2

Thanks

[mjc]

I'd try resetting the BIOS to its defaults, and changing the battery first...

Generally, no the sensors cannot be repaired/replaced...not cheaply or at all. Multilayer construction of modern boards is one reason...a second is the lack of spare parts. The manufacturers just don't sell the parts to the general public or in quantities that most individuals can afford (they sell them in lots...usually numbering in the thousands per lot). Very little on a motherboard is actually repairable.

[TopChip7]

Since posting I have found a few sites with people having the same problem - None actually found a solution but all figured it was problems with drivers rather than a sensor.

So far:

I have uninstalled nvidia display driver and all associated software
Re-installed all original drivers and software
Upgraded bios to latest version 0802 from 0702

Unfortunately, in doing so I have over-written the floppy with original flashed bios image..... doh!

Will attempt to find original bios on ASUS site tomorrow and post back.

[TopChip7]

OK.

Uninstalled all nvidia drivers and reflashed original bios. Reloaded all original drivers from manufacturers discs. Re-installed ProbeII.

Same. Considering complete system re-install.... perhaps it was a windows update???

Then again - maybe I was right the first time and a sensor HAS gone :(

[TopChip7]

and changing the battery first

And Bob's your uncle!!!!

Nice one MJC.

Thanx

[mjc]

What does the BIOS say?

[TopChip7]

All of the voltages have re-appeared in the bios. Is was only when I actually got a proper reboot that I realised they had gone in the first place.

Something is definitely wrong with my system though. I have built this PC and upgraded it many many many times so I know this PC and how it should perform/operate like the back of my hand.

Here's my problem:

My 3dmark06 scores were at best when overclocked 8400.
I am now struggling to hit 4400. I am sure I used to score 4700 with just 1 x 7900GT with NO overclock.
My Xpert 800mhz RAM has always been recognised by the system at 1.87v.
It is now recognised at 2.3v.
If I changed the voltage manually to 1.9v the RAM displays start to blink extremely bright then very dull.

I have re-installed the system with the original bios v.0121 and the original driver disc and I have also re-installed the system with the latest bios v.0802 and the latest nV drivers. I have booted without any windows auto-updates, with all w.a.u., with sound card, without sound card, one 7900gt vid card, both 7900gt vid card. I have tried to swap around the video cards, used both psu adapters... All eventually produce same 3dmark06 scores.

I GIVE UP !!!!! I honestly believed that if a PC went wrong I would eventually find the cause of the problem and fix it - now I aint so sure at all.

Please please please someone help - I have re-installed this PC about 15 times already in the past 7 days and sat aimlessly awaiting download after download of drivers and updates etc.

Someone please say they know what's wrong!

Thankyou

[TopChip7]

Sorry for double post but thought anyone who could help would like to see the specs.

MOBO: Asus Crosshair Republic Of Gamers NF590SLI Socket AM2
CPU: AMD X2 4600+ 2.4Ghz (200 x 12) OEM
RAM: 2Gb Dual Channel - Corsair Expert CM2XP1024-6400C4
VIDEO: 2 x 7900GT in SLI - Both LeadteK Winfast PX7900GT TDH (450/1320)
SOUND: X-Fi Xtreme Music OEM
PSU: Thermaltake 700w Toughpower Modular


Also, Memtest86 will not work with the Expert Modules so cannot test the ram that way - however, the system will pass Prime95 test indefinitely.

CPU score during 3dmark06 test is on par with previous test configuration at around 1850pts so definitely a VGA/DX9/nV problem I think rather than CPU/RAM.

[TopChip7]

YES!!!! - FIXED IT!!!!!

Used bios v.0702 and voila, it works!!!! Also, changed nVidia drivers back to 93.71 - Didn't like latest version anyway!

Don't know why it didnt work with original bios v0121 though?

However, v.0802 adds support for AM2+ CPU's and Multiple 386 technology????? What-ever that's for.

Anyway, will leave thread and result here incase someone else finds themselves with the same problem and finds this site with an internet search.