I'm totally stumped and picking your brains on this issue people! :D
I'm setting up an Intel Atom D525 / 525DW cube machine with Windows 7 x64 and whenever I switch the integrated graphics in the bios to the PCI graphics Windows takes between 30+ minutes (even a couple hours), cursor visible, to finish booting to display the log on prompt; however, when I switch to the integrated graphics the system boots as it should, but I need the PCI graphics card to operate on dual monitors.
Process from restart to windows fully booted on PCI:
When Windows XP was installed there were no issues, also no issues (slowness / latency) reinstalling or repairing from CD, but decided to upgrade since XP EOL is near. The first thing I noticed was that the installation process was also very slow, from the start even booting from the CD,... took roughly 12 hours to complete with having used the PCI graphics card. I'm sure if I had done the installation using the Internal Graphics card there wouldn't have been any issues with system latency.
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but it seems it's a hardware issue with the motherboard, bios or driver compatibility with Windows 7..... [???]
Edit:
Hadn't mentioned that I also installed Windows 8 prior to installing XP and 7. Windows 8 ran without issues using the PCI slot, the same with XP. Though, I have no desire to upgrade the Atom machine to Windows 8 at this time. It's obviously something with Windows 7 that's preventing the system/hardware from operating correctly, but unsure what I can be.
Additional Info:
1. NO operating system is being dual booted.
2. Every OS install included a drive format, so no fragmentation.
3. There is no hardware changing; PCI card is in the system during each installation along with the IGP.
4. Windows XP and Windows 8 , both install without a hitch , even if I restore an image of XP. No issues with the PCI card enabled and connected to display. Both IGP & PCI work , even if I disable one or the other , system runs fine with either graphics port.
5. Upgrading XP to Windows 8 , no issues with the PCI card enabled and connected to display. Both IGP & PCI work , even if I disable one or the other , system runs fine with either graphics port.
6. Windows 7 , IGP active and connected to display. Works Flawlessly.
7. Windows 7 , PCI active and connected to display. ISSUES! BUT... work fine under Windows XP , Windows 8 , Linux. ALL FRESH Installs! What the deal?!
This is clearly something to do specifically with Windows 7 boot instructions. There were no hardware changes before , during , or after each OS installation or formatting.
I'm setting up an Intel Atom D525 / 525DW cube machine with Windows 7 x64 and whenever I switch the integrated graphics in the bios to the PCI graphics Windows takes between 30+ minutes (even a couple hours), cursor visible, to finish booting to display the log on prompt; however, when I switch to the integrated graphics the system boots as it should, but I need the PCI graphics card to operate on dual monitors.
Process from restart to windows fully booted on PCI:
- *Posts fine
- *Text "Starting Windows & Flag" ... roughly 10-15 minutes
- *Black screen , system activity light flashing (not in sequential order as ie: ". .. . .. ." implying a system failure) / busy *working* for about 5 minutes.
- *Black screen with cursor ... at this point it will take about 30+ minutes to finish booting.
When Windows XP was installed there were no issues, also no issues (slowness / latency) reinstalling or repairing from CD, but decided to upgrade since XP EOL is near. The first thing I noticed was that the installation process was also very slow, from the start even booting from the CD,... took roughly 12 hours to complete with having used the PCI graphics card. I'm sure if I had done the installation using the Internal Graphics card there wouldn't have been any issues with system latency.
- *I've installed the nvidia graphics drivers for the external card.
- *Intel chipset drivers from Intel's support page (but ONLY available for XP, does not list system drivers for Windows 7).
- *Changed PCI Latency from 32 to 192
- *All Windows updates done
- *Flashed bios
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but it seems it's a hardware issue with the motherboard, bios or driver compatibility with Windows 7..... [???]
Edit:
Hadn't mentioned that I also installed Windows 8 prior to installing XP and 7. Windows 8 ran without issues using the PCI slot, the same with XP. Though, I have no desire to upgrade the Atom machine to Windows 8 at this time. It's obviously something with Windows 7 that's preventing the system/hardware from operating correctly, but unsure what I can be.
Quote:
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System Specs: Intel Atom D525 Intel D525MW - mainboard 4GB ram 150GB Hitachi Disk Drive |
Additional Info:
1. NO operating system is being dual booted.
2. Every OS install included a drive format, so no fragmentation.
3. There is no hardware changing; PCI card is in the system during each installation along with the IGP.
- a. Windows XP has no issues with both devices (IGP & PCI) installed , boots and loads flawlessly with PCI &/or IGP enabled in bios.
- b. Windows 8 has no issues with both devices (IGP & PCI) installed , boots and loads flawlessly with PCI &/or IGP enabled in bios.
- c. Windows 7 issues , boots and loads flawlessly with IGP , but not PCI. PCI works, but have to wait out the latency issues.
4. Windows XP and Windows 8 , both install without a hitch , even if I restore an image of XP. No issues with the PCI card enabled and connected to display. Both IGP & PCI work , even if I disable one or the other , system runs fine with either graphics port.
5. Upgrading XP to Windows 8 , no issues with the PCI card enabled and connected to display. Both IGP & PCI work , even if I disable one or the other , system runs fine with either graphics port.
6. Windows 7 , IGP active and connected to display. Works Flawlessly.
7. Windows 7 , PCI active and connected to display. ISSUES! BUT... work fine under Windows XP , Windows 8 , Linux. ALL FRESH Installs! What the deal?!
- a. Installed 3 or 4 times because I believed the installation was corrupt.
- b. Installation Complete (Install took over 12hrs to complete): boots very slowly once boot loader is going , even in safe mode.
- c. System HANGS ... Latency ... using PCI. Once the boot loader completes and the login screen displays, which could take HOURS, everything is normal.
- d. Safe Mode , hangs using PCI.
This is clearly something to do specifically with Windows 7 boot instructions. There were no hardware changes before , during , or after each OS installation or formatting.