So I have been afflicted with incurable HPA problems. I have done everything imaginable to fix the HPA problem on my GA-MA74GM-S2 (rev 1.0), but it just won't go away and there are no BIOS options for disabling it. I've contacted Gigabyte about the problem, but I expect they will tell me "tough luck". So I need a new board for:

 

• AMD AM2 5200+
  
• 2x2GB DDR2 800
  
• SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCIe4x
  

 

In addition I need at least:

 

• 6 SATAII ports (more couldn't hurt)
  
• integrated graphics
  
• Gigabit Ethernet
  
• 2xPCIe 4x or greater (I'd like to be able to add another SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCIe4x)
  

 

Finally, I'd prefer it to be uATX (for maneuvering room in the case), but my case can probably fit anything that is thrown at it (NZXT Whisper). I really don't want to have to do this again, so I want a tried and tested board that is known to be unraid friendly, which is why I'm asking the community. Thanks for your help!

 

I will post the boards I'm considering so far below:

 

ASRock A770DE+ - $59.99 CAD - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157226 (No onboard video)

MSI 790XT-G45 - $94.99 CAD - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130265 (No onboard video)

Asrock A785GM-LE/128M - $49.88 CAD - http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_339&item_id=028333 (Only 1x PCIx16)

Asus M4A78L-M - $59.88 CAD - http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_339&item_id=028206 (Only 1x PCIx16)

Asus M4A785-M - $72.88 CAD - http://canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_339&item_id=027171 (Only 1x PCIx16)

 

So far none satisfy all of my criteria, but for the boards without onboard video I can always slap a PCI video card (+$50).

I have come to the realization that my best move is to switch my HTPC mobo with my Unraid server mobo:

 

ASUS P5Q-E Wireless AP (won't be using the wireless part though)

E2200 (2.2 GHz C2D)

2x2GB DDR2 800 RAM

 

This board actually has 3 PCIe 16x slots (which run at 8x, 8x, 4x). I can grab an Asus EN8400GS SILENT/P/512M PCI-e video card for ~$25 and that still leaves me with 2 PCI-e 4x capable slots for expansion. The ASUS P5Q-E has 8x SATAII ports, which is also a bonus for me (giving me a maximum of 24 drives - crazy dangerous plus I'd never fit them all in that case).

 

Doing a quick search I do not think this board has been validated. What is the process of validation? Would anyone expect any difficulties with this board?

 

Intel P45/ICH10R

Silicon Image Sil5723

Marvell 88E8056/88E8001 LAN

 

Thanks

The only downside I see to that motherboard is that it has no onboard video, but it sounds like you already have that covered.  You can even check in the BIOS to see if it has any kind of headless mode.  Technically you only need the video card for the initial setup.  After that, you can do everything through telnet.  Some motherboards allow you to boot without a video card installed.  This is more typical of server motherboards, but it still might be worth a shot.  Other than that I don't see any obvious red flags with the board.

 

Here's the validation process.  If you could get the board to Level 1 or higher that would be great.  If you do, either rename this thread to included the board's name and the level to which you have tested it (and get rid of the Gigabyte name) or just start a new thread (which might be better considering all the extra information in your first post that isn't really pertinent to this board in particular).  You'll also need to attach a syslog to the post to prove that the board is at Level 1, 2, etc.

I recall reading something about a BIOS update that allowed the HPA creation to be disable. Are you running the latest BIOS?

 

Peter

 

Just disabling it is not enough.  What happens when your CMOS battery dies?  It has to be disabled by default in the updated BIOS.

I had the S2H version of that board and they released a BIOS where HPA was disabled by default.  Think mine was rev 1.3 however.