Need suggestions on new Motherboards to run Windows 7

[Rompedor]

Hello everyone,

After a long and tedious journey of trying to figure out why Windows 7 kept giving me Blue screen error message 124, I concluded that the problem is my Motherboard.

I currently have an AsRock n61p-s, which, according to their website, does not support Windows 7.

ASRock > Products > N61P-S

I'm looking for a Motherboard to replace this one to run Windows 7 and would like some suggestions.

My current rig is a custom built machine with the aforementioned motherboard and these specs:

AMD Phenom 9600 Quadcore processor 2.31 Ghz
4 GB ddr2 RAM
I upgraded my video card to: PNY Geforce GTX 550 ti
I upgraded my Power supply to a 430w (up from 330w)

I used to run Windows XP, but wanted to upgrade so I purchased Windows 7 Home Premium from the Microsoft online store and am currently running that with constant fear of BsoDs.

I am looking at an AsRock n68c-s to replace it as it seems very similar to the one I currently have but it supports windows 7.

ASRock > Products > N68C-S

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I would find it hard to believe that your current board can't run Windows 7. Just because Asrock doesn't officially support it, doesn't mean you'll have issues. However, if I was going to buy a new board, I'd go with a more reputable brand, such as Asus, or my fav, Gigabyte.

 

[Rompedor]

Thanks for the quick reply Deacon.

I know, it strikes me as funny as well. However, It ran Windows XP and Windows Vista perfectly. No blue screens.

I looked for updated motherboard drivers, but there are none for Windows 7.
I updated the mother board Bios to the latest version and still got the Bluescreen. I tried everything I could think of but it still gives me BSoD only when running Windows 7.

Here is my original post with the Blue screen information if it helps.

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...124-after-playing-diablo-3-a.html#post1935358

I'm at a loss, I don't know what else it could be. Are there drivers for my motherboard that support Windows 7 that I am not aware of?

Thanks again.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I can't say much about other drivers, as I'm not familiar with the AMD side. I stick to Intel systems for one primary reason...far better support for Intel chipsets.

However, if the system ran Vista, it should run Windows 7 as well or better.

Have you tested the memory with Memtest? Does it only BSoD during a game?

 

[Rompedor]

AsRock just got back to me and suggested this Mobo:

ASRock > Products > A770DE+

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[Rompedor]

I haven't tested the memory, but seems like memory wouldn't be the issue if it ran Vista and XP fine. If that statement is untrue in any way, please correct me.

And It Bluescreens at random. Sometimes in game during Diablo 3, sometimes while I am surfing the web, sometimes when it sits idle for 20 or so minutes. There are times I can run it for hours with no problem and there are times it BsODs multiple times in a row.

 

[Rompedor]

Please don't laugh if I'm an idiot, but I looked at my mobo specs and it says the chipset is Nvidia 630a. Do I need this driver as well as my Graphics card driver updated? Because I updated my Graphics card driver but not this chipset one.

NVIDIA DRIVERS 15.58WHQL - chipset

 

[DeaconFrost]

To answer a few questions, it is possible that memory would appear to be fine under one OS and not another. That's the reason why a memory testing app is always suggested.

As for the chipset, Intel boards have drivers for that very thing...the chipset, that gets loaded before anything else, such as graphics, sound, etc. I would have to imagine Nvidia has the same thing, and those drivers should be available on Asrock's site. If not for Windows 7, then go to Nvidia's site.

I am not surprised their support's answer was to upgrade. Why fix a problem when they can convince you to spend more money?

 

[Rompedor]

Alright, so I will update the Nvidia Chipset Driver and run Memtest and report back in a few hours.

 

[Britton30]

The error code may mean some overclocking problem too. If you are overclocking the CPU and/or RAM may need some more volts, try a .1V increase.

 

[Rompedor]

Back with an update:

Britton, I didn't overclock anything, I have been using the Computer "as is" since i bought it in '09.

I ran memtest86+ and got all passes back on both sticks.

I ran device doctor and it said I had to update 7 drivers, but when I updated them and ran the scan again, it said I needed to update the exact same ones. They were (going off memeory here as I'm at work now.) 2 PCI Bus related ones, an nvidia one. my keyboard, my mouse, my generic PnP monitor and an audio one.

I'm still getting the same BS errors even after restoring the computer to a point where I had nothing installed on it except windows.

I noticed it Blue screen when trying to install League of Legends. However it also Blue screened overnight when I let it sit idle.

I even tried to tweak with the mother board bios, turning off Mobo HD audio, setting the primary video adapter to PCI-express and not PCI and disabling cool and quiet technology, which, according to the mobo bios set up screen, can cause stability issues when it is activated.

Unless I can tweak anything else I think i need a new Mobo.

 

[cyclic]

I can recommend the Asus M5A97 Pro, which is the one I have. It's very easy to understand and configure for fine tuning or overclocking. Certainly worth a look.

 

[Rompedor]

I can recommend the Asus M5A97 Pro, which is the one I have. It's very easy to understand and configure for fine tuning or overclocking. Certainly worth a look.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had a few questions on it.

I noted the Processor socket supports AMD 3+ I believe my processor is an AMD2 (AMD Phenom 9600 Quad core.)

Does this Mobo suppor DDr2 memory or just DDr3?

Does it have a PCI express Bus? looks like it but I didn't see it on the diagram.

Thanks!

 

[Rompedor]

Hey Everyone just wanted to give you an update. I actually gutted my machine and even reapplied thermal compound to the CPU and CPU heat sink. I reinserted everything n and started getting a Kernel Processing Power Event 6. Take a look at this...

Event ID 6 Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Processor-Power (en-US) - TechNet Articles - United States (English) - TechNet Wiki

I tried messing around with the power options but to no avail. I ordered a new Mobo it should be here soon. I will post an update when I install it. I also got the same blue screen 124 error as before.

Right now my high suspicions are towards this AsRock n61p-s motherboard. If you have this Motherboard, be careful installing Windows 7.

P.S. I'm going for the A770de+ as it's very similar to the n61p-s but it's Windows 7 approved.

 

[Rompedor]

I ran Diablo 3, League of Legends, Skype, and Avast and had no blue screens. I left my computer idle all night and when I woke it up, there were no bluescreens. I am confident that this problem is now solved.

Lessons learned: Not all hardwared is compatible with windows 7. I have been told, "Any old Motherboard will do," but that is simply false. My asRock n61p-s did not work with windows 7. As soon as i switched my motherboard, the bluescreens stopped. So if anyone out there is having Blue screen errors with a Bccode of 124, hardware error, and you just can't figure out why, do all the recommended tests first, but check you motherboard manufacturers website to see if your motherboard supports windows 7. Thanks again everyone. Post solved.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Lessons learned: Not all hardwared is compatible with windows 7. I have been told, "Any old Motherboard will do," but that is simply false.

I wouldn't call that a lesson learned, because it's a far too broad of a statement to be true. Your previous motherboard could have had an issue that was exposed in Windows 7, or a certain driver for it was causing the issue (as others have suggested, based on error code). I will admit that not every motherbord is 100% compatible, but the likelihood that you found one is very small. You can't simply by into the drivel that your mobo maker told you. Of course they want you to think you need to buy a new board.

In addition to that, as I said in previous posts, just because a motherboard isn't supported by the motherboard maker, doesn't mean it won't run Windows 7. It means exactly what it says...they won't support it. When your car runs out of warranty, the dealership won't support it...but it hardly means your car won't work anymore. The company's lack of support means they won't be polling around online to find drivers and put them on their site...nor will they help you get it running, because they need to focus their employees on more recent products. That hardly means Windows 7 won't run on it. It just means you will have to find the drivers yourself.

 

[Rompedor]

If I am hearing you right, my motherboard would support windows 7 if asrock actually found or made drivers for it. But if none exist, then the motherboard won't support it.

After doing much searching I couldn't find a driver that supported windows 7 for my motherboard. I don't know if a driver will be found or if, asrock will make one but as of right now I believe the n61p-s is one of those boards that does not support it. I didn't just accept what my manufacturer told me either, I searched and searched for drivers and poured through forum after forum trying to find a solution and replacing my board as a last result.

I also found someone who had a very similar problem as me and his solution was to replace the motherboard. Note he had the exact same board as me. And i believe replaced it with the exact same board as I did. (a770de)

Solved - Windows 7 Ultimate , Random BSOD | PC Help Forum

Also, because this is such an old board and asrock isn't the best mobo manufacturer, I don't believe they will ever come out with an appropriate windows 7 driver. So I believe this is and will be one of those boards that cannot run windows 7.

P.S. - I appreciate all the support and advice from everyone on these forums!

 

[DeaconFrost]

If I am hearing you right, my motherboard would support windows 7 if asrock actually found or made drivers for it. But if none exist, then the motherboard won't support it.

Close. If Asrock AND the individual hardware manufacturer's don't make drivers for it, then it isn't supported. For example, many boards use a Realtek NIC. If Asrock doesn't provide one for Windows 7, you can go to Realtek's website and download it for the specific model NIC. Asrock may list the board as unssupported, but it would work just fine. As another example, I recently built a test server using an old Dell GX520. Windows 7, and there by Server 2008 R2 aren't supported. However, I went to Intel's website, got the video drivers, and I'm running just fine.

You have to always remember that when a product is unsupported...it means just that. It isn't supported anymore. That doesn't tell you anything about compatibility. It just means the company isn't devoting any resources to it anymore. Asrock never created drivers for the board...they always get them from each component manufacturer and test them...then offer them on the Asrock website. Just because they don't devote employees to testing drivers for old boards, doesn't mean the drivers don't exist. Asrock moves on, hoping you'll just keep buying new boards.

 

[Rompedor]

I think this was the case for my board, I couldn't find drivers anywhere! Apparently, neither could the guy in the thread I linked. Unless someone goes and tests the drivers like you said, the only other option at this point seems to be replacing the n61p-s with a board that is actually supported

 

[DeaconFrost]

You should stop using the term "supported" because it has absolutely nothing to do with compatibility. You'll just confuse yourself and others. If you had drivers to try, than someone tested them. For example, you mentioned going and getting the Nvidia chipset drivers. Those would have been tested by Nvidia, and if they weren't loaded first, it could cause issues with the rest of the system.

There are too many other likely causes for your issue than simply saying the board isn't compatible. There was most likely an issue between some driver and some piece of hardware. That's one thing we system builders do encounter that you might not with an OEM system. Swapping hardware is sometimes the solution, but like I said before...you would be very hard-pressed to find a motherboard that is absolutely incompatible with Windows 7. People have been loading Windows 7 on systems far older than what you were running. Did you ever check your old board for blown or leaking caps? There are dozens of things that could be the issue that have nothing to do with OS incompatibility.