Mega 180 BIOS v.3.30 available

If you need the 3.30 bios for the Mega 180, PM or email me.
Like many here, Live Update reverted back to an older beta. But thanks to my retailer and their floor model, was able to backup the 3.30 and successfully revert to the stock config.
-lajaro

Quote
Originally posted by sav_
Last Q: has anyone succesfully succeeded in replacing the stock fans with something a bit quiter, like Zalmans?
You bet!
I got tired of the constant noise from the 60mm Delta and replaced it with a Papst (german fan) last weekend! The Papst is claiming around 18dB so it's a whisper compared to my stock fan
Couldn't get hold of a Zalman around here. Don't even know if they've got a 60x60x15mm, since that is the only size that will fit...
While I was diggin' around in there I also followed John's advice about optimizing the airflow by securing the cables out of the way, and all-in-all I lowered my idle CPU-temps by 2-3 degrees to 38-39C. Since that wasn't the primary objective it's an added bonus!
Negative's then:
Well, although the new fan is quiet and manages to move around enough air on idle, it doesn't cope as well with a stressed CPU. Temps are not alarmingly high - around 49-50C, but that's a 4-5 degrees increase under load.
The smaller CPU-fan is still as quiet as before, and still running at 3200rpm, so it's not a real problem (yet). (I know you would kill for these temps, sav_, but I just use the onboard graphics and shouldn't run any hotter...)
My problem's don't end there though, since replacing the fan actually didn't help that awfully much with the sound-issue! I still have this high-pitched, vibrating, most irritating sound in the Mega, and it is most likely the PSU's fault. Which is a bummer, since tampering with the PSU means I void my warranty... (Does anybody happen to know what kind of fan that sits in the PSU?)
Well, the bottom line of my experiences are that you probably need larger fans to successfully both cool the Mega and keep the noiselevel down. If your stock fans are quiet (which obviously some are) you don't gain much from replacing them. Silent 80mm fans elsewhere in the case could do the trick, but I leave that to someone else to try for now... (Actually think not_pleased put a 92mm fan inside the case, dunno if it helped though...?)
Cheers!

Similar Messages

MEGA 180 Users - new nForce drivers available!

version 5.10 of the nForce drivers are available from nvidia
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
the audio drivers have had a "fix" it would seem

nForce driver set v5.1 did not make any visible harm to my Mega180.
The strange thing though is that VGA driver version did not change after the installation, and I am now 3 levels behind from what MSI offers via Live Update...

Mega 180 - AIW & XP MCE

OK... so MSI doesn't support MCE.... the built in video card sucks (but I knew that buying it), it doesn't have a large PSU.... and I want to use this as a HTPC... so I came up with an idea, and before I plop down the $$$ I wanted to see what you guys think, and any experience.
I'm thinking about upgrading the video to a ATi All-In-Wonder 9600 (Or maybe 9700), ditching XP/MCIII and going with XP Media Center Edition 2005.
What benefits would I lose by losing the remote that came with the 180? (Besides the FM/CD PC off features)
Would I lose any thing else? Gain anything??

Big Cheese - I have no experience with that card. I am using MCE 2005 with nothing but the onboard graphics for the Mega 180. I have an external USB HDTV tuner and am attaching to a plasma display using full resolution 1080i. It works just fine using the onboard graphics. I believe that TV even HDTV is not nearly as demanding as current games like Far Cry on graphics engines.
I think the Mega 180 makes a reasonable HTPC running MCE 2005. It is much more compleat than the MCIII application. It is tied tightly to the Media Player V10 for indexing avi's, mp3's, etc. It is quite stable... Hasn't hung up or rebooted on me yet. It is tied to the internet everytime you turn around for things like movie information, cd covers, etc. In general it is ALOT better than MCIII.
There are problems however. I think the biggest one is the remote control. I have the Mega remote working to control MCE. You have to install a tool called girder and spend alot of time customizing it. But I can now control MOST of the interefaces with the Mega remote. I'm still having trouble with operating the controls on DVD title pages. The normal left right up down mappings from the rest of MCE do not work. Also you can't get the Mega to power up or come out of standby with the remote. A true MCE remote can do this if the Mobo supports the right options... I don't seem to see these options in the Mega 180 BIOS interface.
Another problem is how &^%%& secretive MS is. Since this is meant to be bought as a prebuilt system there is very little documentation or help on how to do anything. The MCE forums are quite snooty about general users building their own MCE's. However this is changing since MCE2005 is now available on ebay. Trying to figure out how to customize things is hard. For example adding an internet radio station to their radio station list is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. It would be cool for instance to add the MSI standalone radio application to the MCE other programs list.... GOOD LUCK!
If you're into HDTV another problem is the do not copy bit. US OTA transmissions will start using this next year. MS is extremely into digital rights managment. They will honor this bit. So things like copying HDTV material to disk will **PROBABLY** not work with MCE. Also even though I have no protected material on my machine I have seen numerous error messages that say something like "You must be trying to copy protected material. BLAH BLAH BLAH.... or maybe there is a hardware error." This constant threat about DRM is very annoying.

Mega 180 slow remote / bluebird Bios update

Hello,
I know this has been on the forums a number of times, but I could not really find a decisive answer...
I've read most of the people consider the Mega 180 remote control (like me) to be very slow.
but I've read some comments that flashing the LCD with the bios available for the trashed LCD's
seems to help with this. (making the remote work better / faster)
I this true ? I don't want to flash my perfectly good working LCD bios if it
doesn't help with the remote control.
any information would be appreciated
Thanks !

I have not flashed the bios so can't answer your question definitively... However here's some suggesitions..
To me the range and aiming of the remote was the biggest problem. Someone on the forums (don't remember who) found that the actual problem with the Mega 180 remote was that the sensor in the Mega was not mounted well. It was obstructed. FIxing that seemed to have quite an impact on the ability to receive the signal.
I have not done that either...
What I did was to use a Sony RM3100 learning remote. This remote has 4 transmitters. It sends a very powerful signal. Using this I can point the remote 180 degrees away from the Mega at a distance of 12 feet and it still works.
So once I had a solid signal I didn't seem to have any major problems with the remote. There were several of the functions (like navigation) that a single push of the right button caused the cursor to move twice. I guess that could be a speed problem... The Sony remote has the ability to control the period of transmission and the pause before retransmission. Using this I was able to remove the double skip to the right. Also Girder has a control ability to help tame this problem.
The ultimate work around is to not use the Mega receiver at all but add an MCE remote and receiver.
Bottom line is I and others have found work arounds with the crummy out of box remote situation without flashing...
Good luck

New MEGA 180 LCD firmware available (for trashed LCDs)

After a lot of hasteling of MSI they finally sent me some new firmware. I'm fairly sure it's not the BIOS, as the flashing procedure is very different. The LCD runs on firmware that is seperate from the BIOS, so this is probably it.
I can't try it till this evening, but would be interested if someone else can. I can email the firmware to anyone who needs to fix their thashed LCD. But I can't guarantee anything as I have not tried it myself.
I have the MEGA 180 boxed in the back of the car, ready to send off midday today, so would be very interested if anyone can test it before that.
If you want to try it, reply with your email address!

I don't know much about this procedure, only that MSI sent me the above instructions and file to fix my LCD vanishing problem. The problem was due to running a welcome.exe application from the TV tuner CD. If this was not the cause of your problem it is posible that there is another problem and it can't be fixed like this.
I would at least expect the bxa0cms0.bin file to be opened and the flasher to fall over either when it is flashing, or to have to no effect.
In this case it sounds like there is a problem opening the bxa0cms0.bin file. Are you sure it is in the same location that you are executing the i2cdown flasher from? Has the extract of the zipped file worked OK? Can't think of anything else right now.

Things to Know Before Building Your Mega 180

Some people have asked me for a list of tips so here is my attempt---I'll ask Wonk to sticky it if it turns out OK....
Feel free to PM me with more tips---I'll add as necessary....
TIP SHEET FOR THE MEGA 180:
So you bought that new Mega 180 and the docs leave a lot to be desired......Don't panic!! Take a look at this tip sheet. Should save you a lot of hours!
RAM AND PROCESSOR:
Several things here.....If you are going to use onboard video----you should NOT use higher RAM than PC 2700----waste of money to buy higher as the Nforce2 18G "Crush" was only designed to run no higher than with DDR333 RAM (PC2700). Nvidia warns against it on their site. I have personally experienced a LOT of problems when you try to run the onboard at DDR 400 (PC3200)----trashed Bios in most cases. Also---the 18G and to some extent---"Dual Channel" is picky about memory----try to get a matched pair of DIMMS----and if you REALLY want to be on the safe side----go to Nvidias site and look up the page that lists known, compatable memory with the NForce2 chipsetNforce2 compatable memory. I use A-Data 512 sticks---but they are hard to find.
If you are going to use a Vidcard---then higher memory is just fine----but if you are NOT planning on overclocking-----there is really NO need for higher than PC2700 as the default bus for Barton 2800+ and below is FSB 166 (DDR333---PC 2700).
Alyways run your RAM (Synch) 100%---do not play with dividers if you are using the onboard video. If you have no clue what I just said----you are fine as the defaults will take care of this----this last was for overclockers.
Processor----I like the cost of the Barton 2800+ right now----fast, cheap and even using the onboard and no overclocking----you have a fast machine that can do anything. The 2800+ also leaves the door open for a slight overclock (I have not tried this yet) without too much stress on anything.
LCD PANEL:
Do Not----I say again----Do Not use the "welcome.exe" program----or ANY other program on ANY disk or the MSI website to do ANYTHING to your front panel. That program is for the Mega 651 model and WILL TRASH YOUR LCD. The LCD panel works just fine----it doesn't need any updating.
If this advice is to late, the firmware fix is in here:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threadid=46355&sid=
Do download and install the latest version of PC Alert MSI Mega 180 Downloads----works great with the front LCD panel and displays PC info nicely.
Use the EQ mode buttons while playing in the HiFi mode----changes the sound a lot and also the display changes------COOL!
OPTICAL DRIVE:
Use an MSI optical drive----basically anything from MSI will work fine---some other drives are reported to work fine like a NEC 2500A----but if you use an MSI drive----you can't go wrong. You might want to put the drive in another machine with a floppy first----and download and update that drive to the latest firmware (most will require a floppy to do that and the Mega 180 has none.)
CABLE MANAGEMENT:
Buy a dollar pack of cable ties and go to work-----make sure ALL cables are away from the front of the intake fan for the CPU----you want a very clear path to the cooler. Less clutter---better airflow. Better airflow----lower temps.
CPU INSTALL:
Get rid of the MSI thermal grease with some Goof Off or acetone-----and get some good Arctic Silver 3, AS5 or AS Ceramique. Clean both the chip top and the bottom of the HS with denatured alcohol before applying the thermal grease. You might also want to lapp the bottom of the HS which is not very well done----but I found it not necessary. The HS/Fan unit is very easy to install----just rotate your screw down points as perscribed by the sticker on the cooler----don't tighten one screw all the way down----then go to the next.
DRIVERS:
I found the drivers on the install disk to be non-functional---- get the latest drivers from the MSI website (you can use Live Update for this) or go to http://www.nforcershq.com and get the latest Nforce2 Driver Remix from Morpheus1 or Mwarhead.
DO NOT use the Nvidia SW IDE driver (say "No" when it asks you in the driver install) Only use the ITB (In The Box) IDE driver----it's the default driver. Your Optical device will probably not function correctly (eject, etc) with the Nvidia SW IDE driver.
Nforce2 SoundStorm Drivers are a tricky topic----there are TONS of versions out there.... I've had the best luck so far with Drivers 4.31 (Off Microsoft Windows Updates---it was a Driver Update) and Audio Control Panel 4.31. Nvidia has a driver update package now JUST for audio-----posted Here
If you are having problems with Media Center III crashing----it seems to be a conflict between the SoundStorm Drivers and Media Center III, Uninstall your Nvidia audio devices in the device manager (Three of them----there is one hidden---so go to view and "show hidden devices") then reboot and let Windows rerecognize your devices and reload drivers. This will solve most problems until Media Center II has another bad crash----in which case---you may have to do this procedure over again. You can tell if it's really hosed up because the radio sound will come on automatically at boot----or you will have lost the SoundStorm Control Panel Icon in the SysTray. I'm working on different versions of SoundStorm to see which works best---will update if I find anything new. (Update)----4.31 seems to be the best but I still can'ttotally eliminate the crashing in Media Center III.
Once you get your Lan device up and running (or your modem) Go to Windows Update and make sure you are completly updated with all latest window updates---If using WinXP-----you need to be at WinXP ServPack 1a when you are done.
Use Windows Cleanup and Defrag when you are done----ESPECIALLY cleanup---to get rid of any left over temp files in the Mega----To get the BEST and most optimised defrag----run windows defrag at least three times in a row----maybe more----it will REALLY optimise the drive.
TV CARD:
The main TV Card designed for the Mega 180 is the MSI 8606-40 Mega TV Card----be careful to get it vice the other version of the MSI 8606 which is the MSI 8606-10 TV@anywhere Master.
The Mega TV Card does not include a Radio while the 8606-10 DOES include a radio. Since your Mega 180 already has a radio----you absolutely don't need or want the 8606-10 TV@anywhere Master.
Do NOT use any drivers or software you receive with the Mega TV Card MSI 8606-40----just set the disks aside. You will ONLY uses the drivers off the Mega 180 Install Disk.
The Mega TV Card MUST be installed before the menu item for "Install TV Tuner Drivers" becomes visible on the Mega 180 install disk.
Make sure your TV Card is hooked into the line called "Remote Control" within the Mega 180 itself----there is a small 3 inch connecting wire in the TV card box.
The TV and Radio function well with the remote----but you must have MSI Media Center III installed. I could not get the TV or the Radio to work without Media Center III.
Upon initial setup of the TV within Media Center III---you may have to switch the source between cable and antenna to get the initial channels to auto scan. Once done auto scanning---switch back to cable as source (assuming you have cable).
Using the remote to force the TV screen to full screen: When you use the up/down arrows on the remote----watch the menu items on the screen----the various menu item buttons will highlight as you hit the arrows.
Once you have highlighted the little arrow button on the lower right of the screen----just below the TV display (it will turn green)----hit the ENTER key
It goes to widescreen----hit the ENTER key again------it goes to fullscreen
BTW, the remote works fine-----the trick is you HAVE to have Media Center III installed and available to be called for it to control the TV Card----Radio Etc. It will start up normally when you push the TV button on the remote.
BIOS SETTINGS:
The defaults will mostly work. One thing----to get BEST performance out of the NForce 2 Onboard video----set AGP to 128 and Set Frame Buffer to 128----I had crashes with almost any other video setting. I'm still playing with PCI clock, voltages, and some other settings to get better stability-----will let you know.....
6 CHANNEL SOUND
Use all three ports in the back of the Mega 180 and then configure it using the SoundStorm Control Panel----Use the "Speaker Setup Wizard". Check and adjust using the "Test Tone" button. I'm using an inexpensive set of Analog Altec Lansing 5.1s----the sound is excellent.
That's all for now----tell me what else you've found and I'll post.
John

My MSI MEGA 180 has a strange display on the monitor.
I opened the boxed removed all items.
Installed the CPU (supported on the CPU compatability list for the MSI MEGA 180), installed the heatsink & fan.
Installed the HD drive.
Installed the MSI DVD+/-RW
Installed 1 DIMM module of DDR RAM PC2700 333MHZ 1GB
Pushed the Power button for the PC and the desplay is corrupted.
I tried the 4 possible configurations for Jumpers 7 and 8 to alter the FSB speed with no luck.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations without having the HDD and DVD-RW drives connected - same result.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations with the Secondary VGA output connected to my monitor.
I also tried the 4 different J7 and J8 configurations with the S-Video output connected to my TV and no signal at all.
Both my monitor and HDD work fine with my other PC.
I noticed the jumper pins are not numbered - made the configuration job a bit more tedious.
Please note the LCD screen works correctly, however the redio tuner in HiFi mode doesn't pick up any local stations.
As I am a Software Test Engineer, I am 100% confident I have checked all possible configurations including clearing the CMOS, but the system simply will not display to the VDU. The POST should at least be visible when Power is turned on for the PC mode.
NOTE: I will update the RAM Brand as soon as I find out the title from the supplier, but I believe it is OEM.
NOTE II: this is the URL to the CPU used: http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=1798
PLeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssss ssssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eee help ease my pain!!

Need help with msi mega 180 + athlon xp-m combo

Dear forummembers
I had a question regarding the athlon xp-m. I installed the cpu in my mobo and it works at a slow speed. 600mhz (multiplier @ 6, fsb 100) So I used a pinmod. Now it runs at 1400mhz (multiplier @ 7x systembus and x14), but I have 2500+ m @ 45 watt or something so it should run at 1862. The problem is my fsb. It runs only at 100. How can I change the FSB? I selected in the bios fsb 133 but it jumps back to 100 all the time. I have the newest bios available, downloaded and installed with liveupdate. is it possible to set the fsb in the bios, or do I have to change the pinmod again? I know the site for that: pinmod map viewer
I selected socketview, barton and 7x systembuss + 133mhz and I checked and checked again. I did inserted the pinmodwires like it's shown. I used 5 cutted speaker fiber wires (copper)
My current speed is: 14x 100 mhz, but I want 14*133. The multiplier is correct, but the fsb isn't. What is the problem? Does anyone know?
Here is an example picture, for people, who don't know what a pinmod is:

AFAIK, you shouldn't need a pinmod for a Mobile Athlon XP CPU to work in a nforce2 mobo
did you have any other CPU installed prior to this one? if so, refer here to clear the CMOS: Clear CMOS Guide
next, refer to your manual, or download from MSI, for location of the FSB jumpers; ensure J8 is shorted across pins 1-2, and J7 is shorted
finally, enter your BIOS setup menu, and under Advanced Chipset Features, set CPU FSB to 133mhz (or even 166mhz if you have DDR333 memory). the only thing i can't see in the Mega 180 manual is where you set the multiplier...
which is where the BIOS has limited overclocking features, and you might have a problem here
i think i'll pass this over to the Overclockers forum, where someone may be able to give a better answer....

MEGA 180 and Radeon 9800 Pro/XT

Haven't posted in a while, just wanted to spread a little good. Having a MEGA 180 is a little limiting with power supply and space issues etc but i've got a cracking setup working here :-)
I bought the MSI RX9800PRO TD128, despite a 300watt power supply warning for the card it works perfectly in the MEGA, but the good news doesn't stop there, the graphics chip is not a standard 9800PRO R350 core, for some reason it has the R360 core from the 9800XT, overclocking is a breeze with the ATI Tool. It comes default with a 378 core - 338 mem setting, I have saved a profile in ATI Tool with the XT settings of 412 core - 365 mem and they work a treat in UT, Q3, Tomb AOD and i've even stressed the card in 3DMark05 for quite some time and it just works, I dare say I could push it even higher but I'm happy getting XT performance for PRO money :-)
Overclocker New Zealand have even managed to get it up to an insane 479 core - 391.5 mem see http://www.overclockers.co.nz/ocnz/review.php?id=04vga00r9800promsi00000r9800pro0105
There is also another great thread all about this card at http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showindex.php?t=118366&highlight=rx9800
The ATI Tool is quite good, i've even created a profile for 2D that is underclocked for when I'm in windows so it keeps my system a little cooler with the XT settings set to kick in when I start up 3D, coupled with a Barton 2800+, 1Gb of PC2700 and the 120Gb Maxtor with 8Mb of cache and it is all just working well together, Win XP Pro with SP2 is rock solid, well it is for me anyway, :-)
Couple of things to know.
Win XP finds the RX as an XT, so no need to try and flash the bios, it isn't an XT PCB anyway, just an XT core.
As there is no heat sensor for the core ATIs Overdrive isn't available but you can get the ATI Tool from loads of places on the net, here is a link anyway http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
happy at last :-)
J.

Dont know if this will help but I had the same problem awhile back with an Asus A7N8X deluxe that I built for a friend. Sometimes it would initiate the monitor and others it would not. This drove me nuts for about a week, I tried everything that I could think of. This is what I did to remedy the situation somewhat.
Go to the ATI website and download the catalyst removal software and also download the Catalyst 3.7 driver from there "older" drivers page.
Now boot into windows and remove the ATI drivers and control panel from add remove programs, DO NOT REBOOT!
Run the ATI driver removal tool.
Shut down the machine, REMOVE THE POWER CORD,clear cmos, set the jumper for CPU fsb to 100mhz (safemode) and REMOVE your ram. Boot the machine, you will get a series of beeps indicating that the memory is not installed. Shut the machine down, REMOVE THE POWER CORD, Put the memory back in, reset the CPU fsb jumper to its normal position, and clear Cmos again. (this series of actions also solved my no display issue on my Mega 180 using the onboard graphics).
Now boot into bios and set it up the way you want then boot into windows and when windows tells you that it has found new hardware do not let it automatically install anything (cancel it). Now run the 3.7 catalyst setup and follow the instructions.
I am not sure why this worked to solve the issue but it did for me on both my Mega and the above mentioned system. I think there may be some odd conflict with the Nforce chipset and the ATI drivers and or Card bios.
Why it worked on my Mega is a mystery, I am using the onboard graphics and would have the system turn on with fans working and all but would have no display out.

Cd rom boot problems with MEGA 180

I recently recieved my MEGA 180 and have been unable to successfully install an OS because when I boot from CD, the computer freezes at various stages of installation. The point at which it freezes varies between the point at which the CD is initialized to anywhere in the windows xp setup process up untill the drive format. Occassionally the lockup coincides with an error copying a file, but this is not consistent. I have tried two different cd-rom drives as well as three different xp installation cds. Further I have run with 5 different sticks of ram (kingston and corsair). None of these changes have had any obvious effect.
Having read the warning labes regarding non MSI optical devices, I am tempted to think that may be the problem as I am not running on an MSI drive. However, the warning souned like it was about mechanical parts and thus I assume the ability of a drive to fit in the MEGA 180 case while opening and closing correctly.
I would appreciate any input you might have on this matter as I am finding this experience rather frustrating.

I had the exact same problem when upgrading from a 2100+ Palamino processor to a 2800+ Thoroghbred one. The screen had already dissappeared due to powering up with no monitor plugged in, so I tried a reinstall of Windows XP. It kept falling over randomly during the install process. I then swapper the CPU back and had no problems at all. I have since lapped the heatsink and reduced the FSB to 157MHz in the BIOS, and have not had a problem with the 2800+ CPU. I have not tried installing windows again, but feel this will be OK too.
My test is to run FujiFilm Snapshot Slideshow, which sends the CPU temp rocketting. I have found that when it goes above 70 C it starts getting unstable. I throttled the FSB back to 157MHz and it does not get to 70 C any more. In normal operation it never gets above 60 C, so I don't know why the slideshow takes so much CPU power

Mega 180 and Media Center III----looks perfect----is it??

I DON'T want to shell out $1000 for cheap HP/Compaq or whatever which includes Media Center Edition
But I DO like the look and features of Microsoft's Media Center Edition.
In the Manual for the MEGA 180-----Media Center III looks perfect for what I want.
Am thinking of a Mega 180 using onboard video, the MSI TV/Tuner Card, onboard SoundStorm---and a cheap Barton. I already have 2 x 512 of NVidia recommended PC2700 RAM for use with the onboard and almost all other parts----but by the time I'm done----I'd be shelling out around $400
The manual makes everything look good "on paper"----but I see from this forum their are "issues".
Did/does MSI support the 651 model well?? Bios updates----utility and driver updates??
This thing looks like a tremendous alternative to a Microsoft Media Center Edition overpriced machine. And I'm willing to do driver updates and Bios updates----heck, I love a challenge----I just don't like a product that lies about what it can really do.
Worth it----or should I pass.....
Thanks-----John

Quote
Originally posted by johnrr6
Did you try the settings button in MC III that says "Enable Fullscreen"
That may not be it----it may just be a TV setting----but it's the only thing I can think if.
Good Luck,
John
I believe that function is only for viewing the videos from the preview window to fullscreen. I don't think it enables/disables "stretch mode" but i'll try that tonight.
if it works i'll post it here. if not ... well .... same thing i guess

MEGA 180 as Media Center (experiences)

I am trying to use my MEGA 180 as a Media Center, i.e. to listen to radio and CD's, to watch TV and DVD's, and to use the HDD to record programs on temporarily to watch later. Plus the TV pause facility. I am using Windows XP home on it, and have all the latest Windows patches. I don't want to have a PC screen atached to it, so the listening needs to be done without turnig the TV on, and the rest without any tiny writing on the screen etc.
HiFi mode works fine for the listening to radio and CD's.
Once I start PC mode, windows boots to the login screen. I would like to boot straight into a Media Center application, missing out this login screen. Any ideas?
I have tried Media Centre Deluxe III, and ShowShifter. Although I much prefer ShowShifter, it has to be ruled out as it does not use the LCD display at all (as far as I know!). Media Center Deluxe III has a lot of functionality missing, and is a little unstable, but it generally does the job. Has anyone had experiences with other packages?
I have found how to give the radio channels proper names (editing a text file with the details called .freq). I can't do the same with the TV channels. Also I haven't found how to remove all the junk TV channels found during the auto-scan. Anyone with any ideas here.
What about a list of remote key functions. I have found quite a few, but I think we could all gain from a documented list of them. They certainly aren't in the manual that I downloaded.
I have noticed that the whole unit powers on sometines when I use the remote for my old video recorder. I have not yet identified the exact cause of this. I also have an infra-red wireless keyboard that may giving it the wakeup indication, but I'm not sure if it was in sleep or power down. The standby mode seems to lock up the box, i.e. it does not power up again properly.
What about getting EPGs and setting the unit up to record TV programs. Can it be set to a no-noise state whilst waiting for the show to start, and then power to that state again when the recording has finished. I have toyed with the boot-up clock in the BIOS, but have not had it working yet.
This could be such a great box given the right software.

Autologon with windows XP
I Use TweakUI to autologin windows xp
you can download it here
Set native resolution to 768x576
I also use TVtool to set the resolution to 768x576 which is the native PAL resolution. This prevents that stuff gets scaled
However, note that MediaCenter III Deluxe doesnt work nicely with it
Many stuff will b offscreen
Remote control
I use Girder for my remote control. It allows me to control all programs using a remote control (unfortunaly not msi's remote control).
TV Guide
Try to see if there's XMLTV support for your country. Many HTPC support XMLTV to show a TVguide

Mega 180 TV Card---the straight scoop...

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what TV card and what TV card drivers work well in the Mega 180.
After a whole bunch of trial and error----here's what seems to be the scoop. the dope, the real deal----to the best of my knowledge.....
---there is a mixup with TV Tuner Cards----two versions of the 8606 card
8606-10---Regular card----with an FM tuner---not really made for the MEGA----and....
8606-40 MEGA TV card----without the tuner (cuz your Mega already has one) and made especially for the MEGA
Further confusion:
If you have a Mega 180------ONLY use the TV Tuner drivers on the Mega 180 Install disk----NOT the regular drivers that are included with the MEGA TV card as this card will also work on the older Mega 651's and those drivers are basically for it.
In other words---DON'T use the Win Cinema Install disk that comes with the Mega TV Card if you have the Mega 180...
AND---guess what----those TV card drivers on the Mega 180 install disk only become visible in the main install menu when you have the card installed----they don't automatically appear so you know you need to use THOSE drivers vice the ones included with the card.
AND---the drivers only seem to work in conjunction with Media Center III!
It would be nice if MSI put out a little help sheet with some of this info....
Help----and a good manual-----what a concept......
John

Quote
Originally posted by Blmcg
Make sure nothing else is running in the background while you do this, and ensure you have ALL the updates for your mega machine eg: Chipset etc. and try again.
I terminated everything I could via task manager and Media Center III still crashed. I'm pretty sure I have all available updates.
Quote
Originally posted by Stu Online
what drive is your system installed to?
if windows has been installed to the F: drive (with card readers taking C: and D:) then intervideo software will not work correctly
It's installed to C: with the card readers on E: and F: Also, not only is the intervideo software not working but also Media Center III. If I can get Media Center III stable I'd be satisfied.
I've also tried removing the Radeon 9200SE but that didn't resolve the problem. Next I suppose I'll try some other capture/viewing software to see if it runs stable. Thanks for the help so far.

Mega 180/Media Player/Graphic Card/TV-Out

Hi,
after very long research I decided to use Mega 180 as a dedicated PC for media center purpose and to connect it directly to my TV (Siemens 100 Hz real flat 16:9) and to upgrade my second PC and to connect the two PCs wirelesly and to use Media Portal software.
And then I have started to read related posts and forums. But this time I learned that there are new issues I have to deal with.
1. TV-out: The TV-Out of Mega 180 is not good enough on a TV. My question is do I have to buy another powerful graphic card? I need recommendation. My TV has composite and scart inputs.
2. Media Portal: This software has lack of some features. If I use MCE 2005, will it be better?
3. If I use a video converter, will it help me to find better picture on my TV?
Yes bodies, unfortunately there is no way to find the best solution. And I am at the final stage. If this solution does not run, I will give up. I need your recommendations.

This is copied from another reply I made today. The Mega 180 can drive a TV just fine. But you need to spend alot of time making it work.
How you hook up to your TV depends on your available TV connections and your quality standard. The Mega 180 does have an SVideo output. I don't use this however. I have a VGA input port on my 42 inch plasma monitor. It accepts VGA 640 X 480, 800 x 600, or 1024 X 768 standard computer resolutions. It also accepts 480P or 1080i TV inputs using the VGA port. Many quality TV monitors have a DVI port or component video. These would require some sort of physical adapter to attach to a Mega PC.
So I actually run in 1080i mode most of the time. This makes DVD's and HDTV look really nice. When using the XP computer screen I keep it in 1080i mode but map this to 960 X 540 resolution using PowerStrip. This way I can read the text on the display without it being distorted. However this is pretty low resolution for most web browsers and email programs. So it is kind of cramped... When playing computer games I switch to 1024 X 768 computer mode. The good thing is the on board Nvidia MX440 graphics work just fine to generate all these modes. So I do not have a card in the AGP slot.

Tv-out stoped working (mega 180)

I have searched the forum for tv-out problem but did not find the same problem I have.
9600 pro fb
Mega 180
2600 barton
winxp xp2
The tv-out was working fine, but sudenly it was dead.
This happend at the same time the msi radio started after I turned on my pc, I managed to make it stop, but then the radio came on when I turned the tv mode on. But i fixed that problem to.
But the tv out wont work. But the tv does flimmer a bit when i try to connect, so there is contact. Acording to windows, a cable is not conected, but I have tried with to different cables and it worked before.
Also, the startup screen wont work on tv, not even with the monitor cable unpluged.
I use composite, no s-video on my tv.
I tried to change the gfx card in bios from agp to pci, as it was original.
This happend after I tried to make my other computer work, so I have changed the cpu and memory a bit, to see what is wrong.
But I gues there is no cable needed for tv-out that I could have taken out?
When I get home I wil try new drivers.
I gues I also could try to "turn back time" Dont know the english word for it.
In norwegian, "systemgjennomretting"
Does anyone have other sugestions?

The TV out has to be connected on startup. What to do in case you have disconnected is explained in the MEGA pdf manual you have on your CD-ROM. It comes down to setting NVidia Dualview settings again for your TV out, because it is set back to single monitor again after disconnecting it.

Mega 180 Eject Button

Hi,
Just recently I am experiencing problems with the eject button on the Mega 180, when it is pressed sound (and when running live tv) pauses for 2secs and then continues-not a major issue but something which really is annoying! Any ideas on how to fix it? It may have happened when I updated to the new bios through live monitor but I don't see how that could affect it!
Thanks
J_Jordan4302

I've had my Mega 180 since Sept. I have the same problem with the eject button causing audio to pause. I don't think it is a bios issue. I do not use automatic update and have not updated the bios that came with the Mega in Sept. ..being a firm believer of if it is not broke don't fix it.
I have just learned to live with it. There are other annoyances that are far more bothersome... for instance the biggest annoyance to me is about twice a week either I lose the audio or the system hangs at restart. The only fix is to unplug from the wall. However if people have suggestions I'd be happy to remove even minor annoyances...

Mega 180 BIOS v.3.30 available

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