Intel D975XBX (Bad Axe)

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by stmckin

new version of Intel Desktop Control Center 2.1.0003 available for download here:
http://support.intel.com/design/moth...c/download.htm

THX, stmckin. I've been checking everyday for this to come out.

[stmckin]

yeah.... I was thinking smbus at one time long ago and forgot.... but I'm not running active monitor (I tried running it after your post and get a "not supported on this system" message).... I've previously did fresh install of XPSP2... frustrating

I am however setting OC in bios THEN loading IDCC.... that being said... it's hard to imagine that IDCC cannot handle the FSB being already clocked on initialization

[Supa-Fly]

Originally Posted by stmckin

yeah.... I was thinking smbus at one time long ago and forgot.... but I'm not running active monitor (I tried running it after your post and get a "not supported on this system" message).... I've previously did fresh install of XPSP2... frustrating

I am however setting OC in bios THEN loading IDCC.... that being said... it's hard to imagine that IDCC cannot handle the FSB being already clocked on initialization

I must confess that I too suspect the same thing, but im not willing to undo all
my hard work get my overclocking to where it is, just so that I can install
IDCC, would be nice though If it would work so that we could see in windows
more about what things are running at. But like you said it is probably that it cant
support high bus speeds.

[Supa-Fly]

Anyone know what the change log for IDCC 2.1 is???

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by Supa-Fly

Anyone know what the change log for IDCC 2.1 is???

Intel Software: Intel® SMBus Driver 2.0

v6.1.0.1001
Release Notes


December 17, 2004

Microsoft* Windows* XP (Service Pack 2)
Microsoft* Windows* XP 64bit-Edition
Microsoft* Windows* 2003 Server (Service Pack 1)
Microsoft* Windows* 2000 (Service Pack 4)

DISCLAIMER: Information in this document is provided in connection with Intel products. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document. Except as provided in Intel’s Terms and Conditions of Sale for such products, Intel assumes no liability whatsoever, and Intel disclaims any express or implied warranty relating to sale and/or use of Intel products, including liability or warranties relating to fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability or infringement of any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right. Intel products are not intended for use in medical, lifesaving, or life-sustaining applications.
Intel may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice.
Contact your local Intel sales office or your distributor to obtain the latest specifications and before placing your product order.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Copyright © Intel Corporation 2000-2004

Revision History

Date

Driver Revision
Build Number
Draft/Changes
December 17, 2004
6.1.0
1001
Beta Release

New Features
Features Added in Beta - V6.1.0.1001

Reference No:
Description
Release Name

Added ICH7 support
Beta (V6.1.0.1001)

Known Issues
Known Issues in Beta - V6.1.0.1001

Reference No:
Description
Affected OSs

The driver signing warning is displayed when installing this driver.
Windows* 2000
Windows* XP
Windows* Server 2003
Issues Resolved
Issues Resolved in Beta - V6.1.0.1001

Reference No:
Description
Affected OSs

None


Components Contained in this Release
Components Contained in Beta - V6.1.0.1001

Component
Filename
Version
Windows* 2000/XP/Server 2003 Server Driver
INTELSMB.SYS
6.1.0.1001
Windows* XP 64bit-Edition
INTELSMB.SYS
6.1.0.1001
Windows* 2000/XP/Server 2003 INF
INTELSMB.INF
6.1.0.1001


************************************************************
** ENU ***************************************************
************************************************************
*
* Intel (R) SMBus Driver
* Version: 6.1.0.1001
* Installation Readme
*
* This document makes references to unannounced products
* being developed by Intel. There are some restrictions
* on how these products may be used and what information
* may be disclosed to others. Please read the Disclaimer
* section at the bottom of this document, and contact your
* Intel field representative if you would like additional
* information.
*
************************************************************
************************************************************
************************************************************
* CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT
************************************************************
This document contains the following sections:
1. System Requirements
2. Localized Language Abbreviations
3. Installing and Executing the Software
4. Verifying Installation of the Software
5. Identifying the Software Version Number
6. Installation Switches Available
************************************************************
* 1. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
************************************************************
1. The system must contain an Intel Chipset with an
integrated SMBus Controller.
2. One of the following operating systems must be installed
on the system:

Windows* 2000
Windows* XP
Windows* Server 2003
To verify which operating system has been installed onto the
target system, follow the steps below:
a. Click on Start.
b. Select Settings.
c. Select Control Panel.
d. Double-click on the System icon.
e. Click on the General tab in the System Properties window.
f. Verify which OS has been installed by reading the System information.
3. It is recommended that the kit software be installed on systems
with at least 32 MB of system memory.
4. It is recommended that there be sufficient hard disk
space in the <TEMP> directory (typically C:\WINDOWS\TEMP)
on the system, in order to install this software.
Please check with your system provider to determine the
operating system and Intel chipset used in your system.
This driver will not be supported with any other hardware or
software that is not listed above.

************************************************************
* 2. LOCALIZED LANGUAGE ABBREVIATIONS
************************************************************
Not available.

************************************************************
* 3. INSTALLING AND EXECUTING THE SOFTWARE
************************************************************
"Have Disk" Install (Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and
Windows XP):
1. Locate the device in the device manager. The device will usually
be listed as an Other PCI Device, or under the System Devices. If the
device does not exist, this may be due to the controller being disabled
in the BIOS. In this case an installer will be needed to start the
driver as a service or through registry modifications. Support for
these modes of installation are currently not supported.
2. Enter the device properties and select update or reinstall driver.
3. Specify the path to the SMBus driver and INF file. Care must be taken to
ensure that the new driver is actually installed. Since the SMBus 2.0
driver is not signed, the OS will usually attempt to install the
chipset INF driver. On Win2000 there is a check box indicating install
another driver. This should be set and the proper driver selected.
4. If the driver installed properly the device manager should indicate
an SMBus2.0 driver.
Automated Install:
1. Check the System Requirements. A supported operating
system must be fully installed and running on the system before
running this software.
2. Close any running applications. Otherwise, you may
experience difficulties.
3. Run the installation program:
Setup.EXE
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Select OK to restart if required.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions and use the default
settings to complete the setup, once the operating
system has rebooted.
Note: It is recommended that any earlier versions of the installer
be uninstalled prior to installing the new driver package.

************************************************************
* 4. VERIFYING INSTALLATION OF THE SOFTWARE
************************************************************
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP:
To determine if the driver is loaded and working properly,
enter the device manager and locate the SMBus Controller under
the System Devices. If "Intel(R) SMBus 2.0 Driver" is specified
at the end of the line and there are no yellow bangs, then
the driver is loaded.
Silent Mode Install:
To determine whether the install was successful, verify the
'install' value in the registry key HKLM\Software\Intel\SMBus
The following table describes the various parameter values:
Value Type Data Description
-------- ------ ------ ---------------
"install" String "success" Successful installation
"failure" Unsuccessful installation
"reboot" String "Yes" A reboot is required to
complete installation.
"No" No reboot is required to
complete installation.
"version" String <varies> Current version number of
the Intel(R) SMBus
Installer Software.

************************************************************
* 5. IDENTIFYING THE SOFTWARE VERSION NUMBER
************************************************************
The software version of each application file can be
obtained by querying the corresponding file's properties
under Explorer
1. Run the Windows Explorer application.
2. Open the application directory (i.e., the directory
selected during the installation). The default
installation directory for the driver is C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
3. Click on "intelsmb.sys"
4. Select the Properties item.
5. Select the Version tab.
6. The software version should be listed in the Product Version
area of the dialog and/or the top of the dialog.

************************************************************
* 6. INSTALLATION SWITCHES AVAILABLE
************************************************************
The switches in the .EXE file have the following syntax.
Switches are not case sensitive and may be specified
in any order (except for the -s switch). Switches must
be separated by spaces.
setup.exe -silent -b -overwrite -nolog -nolic
-b - When a reboot is necessary, this switch forces a system
reboot after the installation completes. In verbose
mode, the absence of this switch will prompt the user
to reboot. In silent mode, the absence of this switch
forces the Setup.exe installer to complete without rebooting
(the user must manually reboot to conclude the
installation process).
-nolic - In verbose mode, suppresses the display of the license
agreement screen.
-nolog - Suppresses the creation of the install log file (SMBusIns.log).
-overwrite - Installs the SMBus driver regardless of the version of
the currently installed driver. In verbose mode, the absence
of this switch will prompt the user to confirm overwrite of
a newer driver. In silent mode, the absence of this switch
means that the installation will abort any attempts to
regress the revision of the SMBus driver.
-silent - Run in silent mode. The absence of this switch causes the
install to be performed in verbose mode.
EXAMPLES:
SETUP EXECUTABLE
setup.exe -silent - Silent Mode Install
setup.exe -overwrite - Verbose Mode Install. Overwrites current driver version

************************************************************
* DISCLAIMER
************************************************************
Intel is making no claims of usability, efficacy or
warranty.
The INTEL SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
(OEM / IHV / ISV Distribution & Single User)
completely defines the licensed use of this software.
************************************************************
Information in this document is provided in connection with
Intel products. No license, express or implied, by estoppel
or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted
by this document. Intel assumes no liability whatsoever,
and Intel disclaims any express or implied warranty
relating to sale and/or use of Intel products, including
liability or warranties relating to fitness for a particular
purpose, merchantability or infringement of any patent,
copyright or other intellectual property right. Intel
products are not intended for use in medical, life saving,
or life-sustaining applications.
************************************************************
Intel Corporation disclaims all warranties and liabilities
for the use of this document and the information contained
herein, and assumes no responsibility for any errors which
may appear in this document, nor does Intel make a
commitment to update the information contained herein. Intel
reserves the right to make changes to this document at any
time, without notice.
************************************************************
************************************************************
* Third-party brands and names are the property of their
respective owners.
Copyright (c) Intel Corporation, 1997-2004

[Supa-Fly]

I did see this that you posted but thats only the change log to the
SMBus driver, which by the way is the same SMBus driver included
in Intel Desktop Control Center 2.0.0020 (Previous Version) so no
change there.

There is however no change log that I can find about IDCC 2.1
itself. And thats what Id like to know.

Isnt it funny how the SMBus driver supports x64 perfectly but
IDCC doesnt, got this reply back from Intel...

>_______________________________________________________________
>Thank you for contacting Intel(R) Technical Support.
>
>Intel(R) Active Monitor is not supported on the Intel(R) Desktop Board D975XBX. Unfortunately,
>Intel(R) Desktop Utilities is not available for Windows* XP 64-bit Edition.
>
>http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/idu/
>
>Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you need further assistance.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Jens Mc. S.
>Intel(R) Technical Support
>_______________________________________________________________

Regadring Intel(R) Active Monitor not suppoting D975XBX, it sure does install and
opperate very nicely on the D975XBX but only in 32bit Windows. I also see that
Intel(R) Active Monitor installs SMBus Driver V6.1.0.1002 whlie IDCC 2.1 installs
SMBus Driver V6.1.0.1001. Strange how an older sofware installs a newer driver
that what the newer sofware does. This brings about conflict of mental state
within my brain.

Anyway thank for that change log but Im lookin for something more.

[Supa-Fly]

New Bad Axe Bios 1334 download link

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scri...ition&lang=eng

______________________________________
Change Log

About This BIOS:
 July 14, 2006
 BX97510J.86A.1334.2006.0714.1343
 SATA RAID info:
 Intel(R) RAID for SATA - v5.6.2.1002
 Silicon Image RAID for SATA - v5.2.11
 Initializing Intel(R) Boot Agent GE v1.2.28
New Fixes/Features:
 Added support for Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor and Intel® Core™2 Duo
Processors.
 Fixed a problem where Intel brand badge wasn't displayed with certain processor.
 Fixed issue where USB mouse only would not work with certain HDD protection card.
 Fixed issue where operating system recovery hangs at certain steps when using only a
USB mouse.
 Fixed Device Manager reporting of incorrect slot information.

[Sandog]

Thx Supa-Fly,

From this page it looks like the board does not officially support Conroe.

http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bx/bx_proc.htm

New drivers also:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Filter_Results.aspx?strOSs=All&strTypes=All&ProductID=2205&OSFullName=All%20Operating%20Systems&lang =eng

[Supa-Fly]

Originally Posted by Sandog

Thx Supa-Fly,

From this page it looks like the board does not officially support Conroe.

http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bx/bx_proc.htm

New drivers also:

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Filter_Results.aspx?strOSs=All&strTypes=All&ProductID=2205&OSFullName=All%20Operating%20Systems&lang =eng

It seems that way, I just think that Intel still needs to update their website,
I mean if you look at all their boards Supported Processors Page, none of them
mention Conroe or Core 2 Duo, however this latest bios update does.

Regards to the driver updates, anybody downloading them should keep in mind
that they are for Windows MCE only, they will install on Windows XP 32bit but
will not give you any functionality.

[Sandog]

I am waiting for the 'Bad Axe 2' to come out before I buy my next mobo. Whether it will 'officially support Conroe' or not is not known but I am getting it anyway.

[Supa-Fly]

Where can I et some Info on Bad Axe II, i asked Google and Yahoo but
they didnt seem to know much about it.

[Sandog]

I will try to dig some info on the new board later from Intel. A reviewer at AnandTech told me about it originally (said it was coming.)

[stmckin]

there's a new subnote at the XBX "available configurations" page that says re: Core 2 Duo:

†† Only versions of the Intel desktop board D975XBX with AA# D27094-304 or AA# D29532-303 or higher support these processors.

interesting that 303 is on there eh? It must refer to the stripped down version on the right.

http://support.intel.com/design/moth..._available.htm

[Supa-Fly]

Hey Sandog check this out

http://www.intel.com/products/mother...5xbx/index.htm

[Sunfox]

I am totally STOKED about the new Core 2 Duo chips.

Last August/September I built a D955XBK system back when it was the latest and greatest, with a P4-EE 3.73 (single-core, I didn't like the then-available duals). The system has been extremely solid and productive for me (it has NEVER ONCE crashed, even when my CPU heatsink worked itself slightly loose and the CPU was throttling heavily for several days until I noticed), but it does put out loads of heat and, well, I'd really like to upgrade to dual core (my Core Duo 1.83ghz laptop is great for multitasking). Plus, since I'm a "silent computer" freak, I figure the cooling solution I'm using for my current CPU will *loaf* on an EE Conroe, and I'll only really have to deal with one really hot device (a new ATI X1900 I've got waiting to pop in to replace an X850).

So... is the D955XBK officially out of the running for Conroe support? I don't particularly want to upgrade to the D975XBK unless I absolutely have to (not a cost issue, just that it's no longer "brand new" and there may be a newer version on the way). And the new 965 chipset boards just won't cut it.

Is there no new performance chipset for Conroe?