How to configure AMD XP2200+ on the BIOS?

[WilliamK]

Guys, I was posting on another message about some problems with my new PC. Is all based on bad BIOS configuration by the guys that sold me the machine. Here are some details and what I need help on.

Processor AMD XP2200+ (I looked inside the machine, is writen on the processor this info) - 1.8Ghz

Motherboard ECS 741GX-M Info

Memory 256 Meg PC2100 (also looked on the chips for the correct info)

I used the LOAD-OPTIMAL-SAFE-VALUES on the BIOS, now the computer works, no hangs, I can do crazy things. I messes a bit with the BIOS and managed to get 1.68Ghz and still stable. But to be honest, I have no clue on what would be the correct settings on the BIOS. CPU Frequency and DRAM Ratio... any help is sure apreciated.

Best Regards, WilliamK

[VitaminD]

If I were you..

edit: err brain malfunction

I meant.. I'd set the bus speed to 133mhz
not

I'd set bus speed should at to 133 mhz

everything else set to default

[WilliamK]

Thanks, but how do I do that?

Wk

[Jeremy_NSL]

afaik your bios should autodetect the ratio, bus speed of your processor. if it is defaulting to 1.68ghz its possible you have been sold a 'repackaged' slower cpu at a higher price.

one way to find out - check this program wcpuid:
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002374 ... nload.html

it will tell you for certain what cpu you have.

If you do indeed have a xp2200+, then the bus speed should be 133 mhz. The memory ratio should be 2:1 (266mhz). And I don't think you can set the clock multiplier since AMD now locks them to prevent overclocking. Hope this helps

[WilliamK]

Thanks bud. Here is the info I got:



Best Regards, WilliamK

[rlabz]

What are the problems, exactly? The bus speed SHOULD be 133, at least that's what I use on my athlon XP 2100+. What bios type is it, though. There should be Auto settings for most stuff, and set the RAM to use SPD to configure itself properly. Turn off Spread Spectrum, as that can cause your frequencies to fluctuate and conrtibute to weirdness. I'll check back later to see if you've given more information.

[VitaminD]

afaik your bios should autodetect the ratio, bus speed of your processor.

nahh on many mobo's you have to set it manually to 133 as the default stock is 100 mhz..


I had that problem with my shuttle mobo and my xp 2000+ processor.. I hooked everything up, booted the system for the first time.. and at bios POST screen it showed my cpu as an athlon 1500+ after pokeing the bios, I realized the bus speed was set to 100mhz as the 'default' and had to manually bump it up to 133 to get the proper 2000+ at the bootup screen..

[WilliamK]

If I set to 133, and the other to AUTO, it goes both to 133, and Windows reboots the machine just after the initial-menu, even on safe-mode. I tested with 133 and 166 too. Right now only 120 is working, as the picture above, and very stable. No crashes or hangs so far. But I wonder, what happened? Did I burned the processor? Before it WAS working at 133, but not anymore, weird... I´m monitoring the temperature, and is ok, no problems there. I could replace the processor, but I will keep it like this for another week and see if it keeps stable. I don´t mind running at a lower speed, as long as it works.

Best Regards, WilliamK

[VitaminD]

looks like your mobo using the same type of bios (award) as mine, so this should be relatively easy...

okay on your motherboard, william, you need to press the Del (delete) key to get into the bios right after you see it give you a screen when you turn the computer on.

next, go to the Frequency/Voltage Control page and where it says CPU Frequency just pageup/pagedown until you see 133

set the CPU:DRAM Frequency Ratio to Auto

then Press F10 to save and then exit out of the bios..

now upon rebooting the system should know post that your cpu is an Athlon XP 2200+

[VitaminD]

doh.. looks like you already got it

uhmm.. you shouldnt try to run your computer at 166..

PC2100 wasnt designed to run so high.. nor was your processor..

[Jeremy_NSL]

If I set to 133, and the other to AUTO, it goes both to 133, and Windows reboots the machine just after the initial-menu, even on safe-mode. I tested with 133 and 166 too. Right now only 120 is working, as the picture above, and very stable. No crashes or hangs so far. But I wonder, what happened? Did I burned the processor? Before it WAS working at 133, but not anymore, weird... I´m monitoring the temperature, and is ok, no problems there. I could replace the processor, but I will keep it like this for another week and see if it keeps stable. I don´t mind running at a lower speed, as long as it works.

Best Regards, WilliamK

Very unlikely you burned out the processor. More likely you have a bad RAM module that can't handle 266mhz properly - or maybe RAM that just doesn't like your motherboard. You could try swapping for another stick if you have one around...

Other possibilities is that the cpu is overheating. Check to see what the cpu temp shows in the bios after you computer resets in 133mhz bus mode.

If you bought the system pre-built I would return it and get them to figure it out. if the cpu is rated at 2200+ you should be able to run it just fine at that speed.

[DevonB]

Remember, RAM has the SPD (least most should these days) and will tell the system what speed it is. I'm not all that versed with AMD's, but I'm wondering if it's the RAM that's kicking down the speed of the FSB. You can usually underclock RAM and it works fine. Buying crap, generic ram can also give you issues and run fine at a lower speed, but not higher. Good ram, sometimes you can overclock. If I'm talking out my ass on this one, someone slap me with a big trout, please.

Devon

[VitaminD]

Nope.. his mobo (I downloaded the PDF manual) appears to have a "CPU Frequency" option as well as a "CPU:DRAM Frequency Ratio" below the cpu freq...

---------------


William:

I'd still personally set the CPU freq to 133 and set the CPU:DRAM option to AUTO. If that doesnt work, try setting them both to 133 manually.

and if that doesnt work.. try (like already mentioned on floyd's post) a different memory stick..

I have a stick of Samsung 2700 that works at 166 but got another stick of ram (this time kingston 2700) and it made my computer very (yet randomly) unstable when set to 166.. I had to bump it down to 133 to get it smooth again..

but if you paid for a 2200+ XP system.. you deserve to get it working up to that speed.. I wouldnt settle for less.

[DevonB]

I'd still personally set the CPU freq to 133 and set the CPU:DRAM option to AUTO. If that doesnt work, try setting them both to 133 manually.

To me, setting it to auto and it picks the wrong speed sounds like somethings fuckered up with the hardware, or there is a BIOS issue that needs to be fixed. I'd write tech support to see what they had to say for the mobo.

Devon

[WilliamK]

Thanks guys for all the tips, I will try to contact tech-support and see what they could do for me.

One thing, that may be the problem, or not, is that here in my apartment there is no "ground", the 3rd conection on the wall. Could that be it? How should I do a "ground" conection? I´m on the 10th floor.

Anyway, more info: When I first got the PC, it was at 133 and running at 1.8Ghz. The first time I started Mediaplayer, it freezed the machine. Winamp the same thing. So I started messing with Audio card drivers. The strange thing is that compiling stuff and doing other crazy non-audio things, didn´t freeze the machine, only audio stuff. Now I can´t put 133 on the BIOS anymore, only 120, weird... I will contact tech-support... "TECH SUPPOOOOOORRRTTT!!! TECH SUPOOOOORTTT!"

Best Regards, WilliamK