PCI-PCI Bridge re-install on every cold boot - Page 9

andy2510 · #81 (**permalink**) 01-08-07, 06:02 PM

So far so good - been rebooting (from cold) last night and today and no further re-installs!

1 day isn't a fair test though, I'll carry on and let you know after a week, and longer if needs be!

Pitr52 · #82 (**permalink**) 01-08-07, 08:56 PM

Andy, thats great, good luck with it! ASUS just need to get off their arses and solve the problem for my motherboard now!

Peter

andy2510 · #83 (**permalink**) 01-08-07, 09:11 PM

Just a bit of persuasion would do it!!!!

MSI incidentally have raised the 'Vista Ready' rating from just Basic to all versions (it doesn't state 'Basic' anymore).

If MSI think their motherboard with this chipset is Vista ready, then so should other main board manufactuers.

boyblue · #84 (**permalink**) 01-08-07, 09:32 PM

That is great news Andy as there is nothing worse than a computer not working probably. Lets hope you have the same joy Peter.

Mr. Chris · #85 (**permalink**) 02-08-07, 07:43 AM

Andy and Pitr, you guys are sure chasing this thing! We really appreciate your posting what's going on in your quest's and keeping folks informed.

I don't post much in the Vista Arena because I don't have that much experience with Vista. I only used the RC1 and was not happy at all with it. But, I have been thinking to get one of the versions of Vista soon. I need to get up to speed! Which version do you recommend ( or do you recommend one ) ?

Part of me feels it will still take 6 months to get a reliable OS with better driver support, as well as compatability with games and programs. But with people like you kicking tail and taking companies to task, it may come a lot sooner! Ah, well.

BTW, there is a Survey going on about Vista, likes and dis-likes, over in the Chat Arena. SEE HERE! Feel free to add your 2 cents! Please! Thanks again, Chris.

Pitr52 · #86 (**permalink**) 02-08-07, 11:41 AM

Chris, thanks for your feedback, it's good to be recognised! I suppose my motivation for going after this ''quest'' is because I don't see why I should have to replace a motherboard which is barely 2 years old, because of a small BIOS error (which really shouldn't have been there in the first place) which can easily be fixed by my manufacturer. Hopefully our work here will set a precedent for manufacturers to deliver their own updates more often to make their hardware Vista compatible.

As for recommended versions, it's really down to what you want to use Vista for. In all cases I'd steer clear of Vista Home Basic, as it doesn't include the main new features of Vista, such as AERO and Media Center. I personally am upgrading from Windows XP MCE 2005, so I went for Vista Home Professional because it includes many of the new Vista features and the very slick Media Center interface. But there's also Vista Ultimate which includes EVERYTHING, basically - AERO, Media Center, Bitlocker for drive encryption, and so forth, but this is the most expensive of the Vista 'flavours'. Aside from those three editions, there's Vista Business Edition which is only really available to businesses and is more like an edition somewhere between Vista Home Premium and Ultimate, without Media Center.

Personally, I recommend Home Premium - it's got the right balance of improvements, and if you're used to XP Pro SP2 it won't disappoint you in terms of lacking features for example. It certainly seems the most suitable option for many, but again, it depends what you want out of Vista! Whilst it does require some top-line specifications, looking at your signature I see no reason why any of your machines couldn't run Vista, but obviously check for hardware incompatibilities first.

One thing I would suggest is buying your version of Vista as an OEM license. You don't get the fancy box, but what you do get is a full version of Vista, with a 1-CPU license, for significantly less than the retail version or even an upgrade version costs. This isn't illegal, but you might have to buy it with a piece of hardware to qualify for the OEM license - for example, I bought my OEM version of Vista with a new hard drive.
EDIT :I've had a response from ASUSTek. Basically, the designer still refuses to release a new BIOS, citing vaguely "Vista problems". The tech support agent I am in contact with has taken "my side" so to speak and believes that the problem CAN be fixed via a BIOS update (only took me a week to get them to realise that...). I'll just keep at them and see what comes of it, but considering MSI can release a BIOS so quickly then ASUSTek surely can do the same!

andy2510 · #87 (**permalink**) 02-08-07, 06:19 PM

I agree with Pitr52 and get Vista Home Premium. I got the OEM version of the 64-bit edition from Amazon (without the need of getting hardware) for about £80 - which is less than the full version of Home Basic! The BIOS problem aside, Vista in my opinion is a lot more robust and in some cases quicker (probably due to the tighter control of compatible drivers).

Support for Vista is now starting to grow more so the early compatibility problems will soon go. The only other problem I have is that it won't recognize my USB scanner (which is only a few years old). XP-64bit didn't recognize it either though.

Pitr52: MSI have now closed the matter - because I've rebooted my machine more than 5 times with no further problem they are taking it as fixed! Of course I've let them know how much quicker they are in producing a BIOS update with the information given than ASUS!

Thank you very much for your assistance and in arranging sending files and finding and speaking to someone at Microsoft who could identify and report on this error. If it wasn't for your input I would still be having this problem. You deserve a whole barrel of beer!!! I want to go round to the other forums where this problem has been posted and point them here, but part of me doesn't think it's worth registering for so many forums to make just one post!

steean · #88 (**permalink**) 02-08-07, 07:21 PM

hi!
i stumbled over this thread looking for the solution to the exact same problem. i'm kind of a newbie, so i thought the problem was with my pci-card drivers. i get the same phenomenons you're mentioning here, though. drivers for my wlan pci-card and onboard soundcard keeps reinstalling at boot. also, the drivers for pci-to-pci bridge is reinstalling - thus resetting my settings and severly increasing boot-time...

i see you've located the problem, but i was wondering if a BIOS-update is the only possible solution for this problem...

thanks for being a resource for us newer to the game:]

stian

Mr. Chris · #89 (**permalink**) 02-08-07, 11:49 PM

There's your answer to all that Posting at other Forums, guess what page Google shows up with if you search for this Topic? All those Googlebots, they go everywhere!

So Home Premium it will be and you say get the 64 bit version. My DFI rig should be good to go. Is this version best for games? Guess I'll find out! Thanks. Chris.

andy2510 · #90 (**permalink**) 03-08-07, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: steean
hi!
i stumbled over this thread looking for the solution to the exact same problem. i'm kind of a newbie, so i thought the problem was with my pci-card drivers. i get the same phenomenons you're mentioning here, though. drivers for my wlan pci-card and onboard soundcard keeps reinstalling at boot. also, the drivers for pci-to-pci bridge is reinstalling - thus resetting my settings and severly increasing boot-time...

i see you've located the problem, but i was wondering if a BIOS-update is the only possible solution for this problem...

thanks for being a resource for us newer to the game:]

stian

What is the make and model of your motherboard?

You will need a BIOS update as it is a motherboard hardware fault. As you have said you are a newbie I advise you search the internet to see other peoples posts on BIOS updates (there may be tales on the forum for your motherboard makers on their website) to read their experiences and what you should do before you go ahead and flash. Different motherboards have different flashing procedures so research is the key.