ASRock 775Dual-VSTA Motherboard

[Michael]

Hitting our labs today were two more ASRock motherboards to put under our Linux microscope. The first motherboard was the ASRock 775Dual-VSTA (http://www.asrock.com/product/775Dual-VSTA.htm). This motherboard is based on the VIA PT880 Pro/Ultra and VT8237A. It supports Intel LGA-775 processors up to and including the upcoming Conroe. Meanwhile, since it is part of the ASRock "Dual" series, it continues to boast support for both PCI Express and AGP graphics, as well as DDR1 and DDR2. For those that care about this feature, it is indeed Microsoft Windows Vista ready. Phoronix will have Linux compatibility notes and benchmarks in our usual motherboard review style in the upcoming weeks. Below are a few quick shots of this new ASRock 775Dual-VSTA motherboard.

http://www.phoronix.com/misc/DSCN3895.JPG

http://www.phoronix.com/misc/DSCN3904.JPG

http://www.phoronix.com/misc/DSCN3922.JPG

[jack]

Hi..&nbsp; Congratulations, great site.<br><br>&nbsp; IMHO These Asrock "dual" mainboards can be a very good&nbsp; bussines workstation upgrade, because we can re-use our DDR and or CPU.<br><br>In this sense, I think that it will be interesting if&nbsp; a DDR vs DDR2&nbsp; with a single core (Pentium and Athlon) and&nbsp; with a dual cpu&nbsp; (P d,&nbsp; X2 and Conroe) shootout can be made (I know 10 reviews are a lot..) <br><br>Personally, I am considering upgrading my sysytem with a "775twins-HDTV v2", pending only the results of my research on the XGL-ATI xpress200 compatibility and configuration.<br>So being selfish, I will ask you, if you have any spare time, if you can make a&nbsp; Conroe&nbsp; DDR vs DDR2 performance review.<br><br>Thanks<br>

[Michael]

Hi..&nbsp; Congratulations, great site.<br><br>&nbsp; IMHO These Asrock "dual" mainboards can be a very good&nbsp; bussines workstation upgrade, because we can re-use our DDR and or CPU.<br><br>In this sense, I think that it will be interesting if&nbsp; a DDR vs DDR2&nbsp; with a single core (Pentium and Athlon) and&nbsp; with a dual cpu&nbsp; (P d,&nbsp; X2 and Conroe) shootout can be made (I know 10 reviews are a lot..) <br><br>Personally, I am considering upgrading my sysytem with a "775twins-HDTV v2", pending only the results of my research on the XGL-ATI xpress200 compatibility and configuration.<br>So being selfish, I will ask you, if you have any spare time, if you can make a&nbsp; Conroe&nbsp; DDR vs DDR2 performance review.<br><br>Thanks<br>

Thanks for joining the forums.

I'll see what I can do about publishing some DDR and DDR2 performance numbers for Conroe. At the very least, I'll try to get some time to run those tests and at least pass them along on the forums if I am not able to get a full review done in time.

[jack]

Thanks for joining the forums.

I'll see what I can do about publishing some DDR and DDR2 performance numbers for Conroe. At the very least, I'll try to get some time to run those tests and at least pass them along on the forums if I am not able to get a full review done in time.

Thanks.. I will look forward to read your comments.

Aug-09. I just saw a DDR vs DDR2 performance review using the Dual-Vista and Wos.
The difference between good DDR-400 and DDR2-533 is minimal. I guess that Linux will achieve similar results.

Regarding the 775Twins, looks like the Radeon IGP is not supported at this time under XGL-Compiz.

[guotatofu]

I just bought the same board together with a Conroe E6400.

I have tried to install Fedora Core 4/5 on the second SATA hard drive, but haven't had any success. The installation could not find any hard drive, even after I selected the sata_via module when prompted to "add devices".

So I am very eager to know whether you or other members could have run into the same problem and how to solve it.

Thanks!

[Sierra_Papa]

Same problem here. I was unable to run livecd's like PCLinuxOS MiniMe 0.92 and 0.93. All ends with "no ide channel" error.
I have installed Vector 5.1 standard edition (kernel 2.6.12) but there were no DMA support I was unable to make it work with hdparm and reconfigured kernel.
i found this (http://www.uwsg.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0608.1/0771.html) I think it's a right diagnosis of a problem, but I wasn't able to patch any kernel including the latest 2.6.18. rc4 (mismatch in line 4).


Btw updating BIOS to 1.70 does not help.

[Michael]

I just bought the same board together with a Conroe E6400.

I have tried to install Fedora Core 4/5 on the second SATA hard drive, but haven't had any success. The installation could not find any hard drive, even after I selected the sata_via module when prompted to "add devices".

So I am very eager to know whether you or other members could have run into the same problem and how to solve it.

Thanks!

Same problem here which is why you haven't seen the reviews yet. It should run with the Fedora Core 6 test releases. No work-around found yet for FC5.

[CapnCaffeine]

Same problem here which is why you haven't seen the reviews yet. It should run with the Fedora Core 6 test releases. No work-around found yet for FC5.

Just an FYI on running Ubuntu on this motherboard and enabling DMA ont he IDE channels and 3d acceleration by hacking the AGPGART

http://home.rochester.rr.com/msarnov/AsrockUbuntuHowTo.html

The files that replace the ones in the stock Ubuntu file are linked there as well and will probably work on other distros as well.

Have Fun!

CapnCaffeine

[guotatofu]

Just an FYI on running Ubuntu on this motherboard and enabling DMA ont he IDE channels and 3d acceleration by hacking the AGPGART

http://home.rochester.rr.com/msarnov/AsrockUbuntuHowTo.html

The files that replace the ones in the stock Ubuntu file are linked there as well and will probably work on other distros as well.

Have Fun!

CapnCaffeine

Thanks for the tips. I finally managed to intall FC5 during the weekends. Here is what I did:

1. Plug an old IDE hard drive to the primary IDE port, which becomes hda.

2. Install FC5 on hda. Since DMA is not available during the installation, you really need some patience.

3. Boot FC5 from Windows XP using VMWare server which is free. I could have booted it directly, but the speed would be unbearable.

4. Download the kernel source RPM, modify the header file and the two driver files for DMA and SATA support. Compile the source and make install. The head file "pci_ids.h" is modified following the Ubuntu post, and the two driver files "via82cxxx.c" and "sata_via.c " are modified according to
http://forums.viaarena.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=73646&enterthread=y"

5. Now FC5 can be booted with DMA and SATA support. :-)

[linportal]

Here is yet another review of Linux on 775Dual-VSTA (http://www.linuxinsight.com/running_linux_on_the_asrock_775dual_vsta_motherboa rd.html). The upcoming 2.6.18 kernel will have proper support for at least ATA drives, probably SATA too.

[ADRA]

Just to save people the hassle of using old IDE drives, here's the way I got SATA to work unmodified:

Enter BIOS: Set the SATA controller to NON-RAID

When the install CD is booting, specify:
linux install all-generic-ide
The 'all-generic-ide' portion is the winner. Basically the kernel sees the PATA device controller, but it doesn't recognize it. By adding the extra kernel option, the kernel forcefully makes the SATA controller a generic PATA device. It should properly find any SATA hard-drives you may have plugged in.

PS: Having no end of troubles with FC6T3-x86_64. I'm reverting to 32bit in the hope that it'll fix my woes...

[jazza711]

can someone PLEASE help!!

Whenever my pc feels like it, it will start running unbelievably slow like all system resources are used up, and framerate in games like fear will drop from 130 to 30. it's driving me crazy. at first i thought it was faulty ram but i tested different ram and it still happens. Has anyone had this problem before? i really need help on this 1.

My specs are: this mobo, conroe e6400, 6800 gs agp 512, and 2xddr266 512mb

[Michael]

can someone PLEASE help!!

Whenever my pc feels like it, it will start running unbelievably slow like all system resources are used up, and framerate in games like fear will drop from 130 to 30. it's driving me crazy. at first i thought it was faulty ram but i tested different ram and it still happens. Has anyone had this problem before? i really need help on this 1.

My specs are: this mobo, conroe e6400, 6800 gs agp 512, and 2xddr266 512mb

What Linux distribution and kernel are you using?

Do you have Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology enabled in the BIOS? (perhaps a problem with your software configuration where it's having problems changing frequencies)

This probably isn't causing your issues directly, but DDR-266 with a Conroe isn't a good match. The Conroe Core 2 Duos fair well with DDR2-667/800, and this is the first time ever I have heard someone using DDR-266 with a Conroe.

[jazza711]

umm... i use windows xp sp2. speedstep is set to 'auto' and i don't think it's software because it's happened right after os install. i'm planning on upgrading my ram to ddr2/667 next week but i don't want to upgrade it if there's a problem with other hardware.

[Michael]

Had you tried updating the BIOS? Or changing any other BIOS options?

Unless it's the software you're running (since it is Windows) or BIOS, it may be the memory then. This is the first time hearing anyone use DDR-266 memory with a Core 2 Duo.

You may want to run memtest86+ for kicks and see what happens.

[jsimmons]

Here you guys are again, fighting with another ASRock product. My own experience with this manufacturer's products has not really been what I would call pleasant. I tried on and off for almost three months to get Linux installed on not one, but TWO ASRock 939 Dual SATA2 boards (See the thread "Linux is a no-go on my system").

I know, this isn't helping the OP, but I think having to connect/disconnect COMMON hardware or mess around in the BIOS just to install an OS is ludicrous, especially with a modern distro. I understand the phoronix guys want to test as many motherboards as possible with Linux, but at some point you just have to draw a line in the sand and label crap for what it really is. Here - I'll help you - just copy/paste the following text to the front page, and I hereby publish this statement in the public domain so you guys can use it whenever you want to:

"Avoid ASRock motherboards when installing Linux - they're crap."

I finally dumped my Dual SATA2 with an EPoX (nForce4 Ultra chipset since I'm using an AMD CPU) and haven't looked back - no special BIOS settings, no disconnecting SATA drives, no turning off USB 2.0 support - none of that crap. I recommend that you guys do the same. Find a compatible motherboard.

[ivanovic]

Here you guys are again, fighting with another ASRock product. My own experience with this manufacturer's products has not really been what I would call pleasant. I tried on and off for almost three months to get Linux installed on not one, but TWO ASRock 939 Dual SATA2 boards (See the thread "Linux is a no-go on my system").

I know, this isn't helping the OP, but I think having to connect/disconnect COMMON hardware or mess around in the BIOS just to install an OS is ludicrous, especially with a modern distro. I understand the phoronix guys want to test as many motherboards as possible with Linux, but at some point you just have to draw a line in the sand and label crap for what it really is. Here - I'll help you - just copy/paste the following text to the front page, and I hereby publish this statement in the public domain so you guys can use it whenever you want to:

"Avoid ASRock motherboards when installing Linux - they're crap."

I finally dumped my Dual SATA2 with an EPoX (nForce4 Ultra chipset since I'm using an AMD CPU) and haven't looked back - no special BIOS settings, no disconnecting SATA drives, no turning off USB 2.0 support - none of that crap. I recommend that you guys do the same. Find a compatible motherboard.

Sorry, but seeing that you have extrem problems with this one kind of board does not prove that *all* AsRock boards are problematic. I am now running my Gentoo System on an AsRock ConRoe865PE for a month and I had no problems at all. All components on the board were directly included in the kernel, I only had to recompile it once. I could go on using my old System without *any* problem. The only thing not working yet is the thermal sensor inside the core2duo I am using. But this is not AsRocks fault, it is simply not yet included in the Vanilla kernel.
In short: No special BIOS settings needed, nothing to worry about. Everything did run fine starting with an 2.6.18 kernel. SATA Drive works, USB2.0 works, monitoring works, lan works, ... In short: This motherboard is fully compatible with Linux and I can only recommend it.

The only bad things about the board are the BIOS itself and the placement of the floppy connector:
1) The BIOS has almost no options. This board is not to be recommended if you want to tweak settings and overclock. Since I don't overclock, no problem for me.
2) The floppy position at the buttom of the board is really bad. You do need very long cables to attach a floppy since you normally have to cross the whole board.
3) Okay, there is another problem: There are only two headers for fans. But this is not really a big problem, compared to the really low price of about 50€.

Positive about this board:
1) It's cheap price.
2) Supports AGP graphics cards. The good old r300 cards are mainly agp cards. A good way to have open drivers for graphics together with a DVI display.
3) Supports DDR1 ram. This ram still is about as fast as DDR2 ram and you can take it over from your old system.
4) No active cooling devices onboard. This results in a rather silent system, no 40mm fans that start to get really loud after 1 year.
5) The board is rock solid and works nicely for 24/7 usage.
6) All onboard devices (sound not tested) work nicely with linux, no problems so far.

[jsimmons]

I recognize that some folks have success with these boards, but I tried TWO (thinking the first one may be a bit flaky somehow), and could not get any distro installed and/or bootable. I went through the same song and dance as is being suggested here - try disconnecting this, try disabling that, try flashing your bios to something older/newer... Hogwash. I want to install Linux and get some freakin work done, not fiddle around with hardware incompatibilities.

Sure, ASRock boards may be fine in Windows, but with Linux, they are (in my oh-so-humble opinion) crap. I have 3 months of experience trying to install Linux on them on which to base my claim. I'll never buy another one, and frankly, this has turned me off to ASUS as well since they're the ones inflicting these boards on us.

Given the spotty success people have with ASRock boards, I would not recommend them for use with Linux (and really, it's okay to say that - better to be truthful than to say "Hmmm, we didn't have any problems."). At the same time, it's important to invite ASROCK to keep trying, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't tell them they've screwed the pooch when we're ankle-deep in new puppies.

To summarize - current ASRock compatibility status - CRAP.

[Licaon]

i own a ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 and it works fine in Linux ( Zenwalk 4.0/2.6.18.1 )

[Michael]

...The Linux 2.6.18 kernel does address several of the problems with this motherboard, but we still had experienced oddities during our testing with Fedora Core 6. This Intel LGA-775 motherboard is targeted towards compatibility with Microsoft Vista, so Windows users should be in the clear of any compatibility problems. Upon Linux better supporting this Chipset and motherboard we will pass along word in this article as well as on the Phoronix Forums. While this motherboard may be a Linux lemon, all hope is not lost for this budget manufacturer based upon our experiences with their motherboards in the past...


http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=8243

[ironstorm]

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=8243

Hmmm... Sounds like you guys went through a lot of pain with this mobo.

I've not had nearly the same level of difficulty with it, and I've been running Ubuntu/Edgy/64Bit as a MythTV box since you guys previewed back in summertime.

My set-up is probably fairly simple comparitively; just an AGP card (I have used a PCI-Express card in it too a couple times), IDE HDD drive, IDE CD rom, and a ATSC tuner card.

Had a couple of problems with the mobo:
1) had to enable memory "compatibility" mode option - else the board crashes with my RAM
2) DMA didn't work until a 2 line IDE-ATA driver patch was applied (Edgy got this patch in the dev cycle pretty soon after I emailed them about it)

This one I still have:
3) wish my HDD would recognize a bit faster on boot-up... seems to take a good 30 - 40 seconds to detect.