PC Upgrading Questions

[Sava]

An AMD Athlonâ„¢ XP processor that is being recognized as a lower model by the system's BIOS is likely running at a slower frequency than it should be running at, due to the front side bus (FSB) setting of the motherboard. The FSB of an AMD Athlon XP processor typically runs at an effective frequency of 266, 333, or 400MHz (depending on model). The corresponding motherboard FSB physical frequency should be set to 133, 166, or 200MHz, respectively.

Motherboards that support multiple FSB frequencies will typically have the FSB set at the lowest frequency by default (typically 100MHz) to protect lower FSB processors from accidentally being overclocked. Consequently, if a processor that requires a higher FSB frequency is installed on a motherboard that is set to a lower FSB frequency, the processor will be operating at a lower frequency than it is capable of, causing it to be recognized as a lower model processor. This is a result of the processor's multiplier. The function of the multiplier is to multiply the bus frequency to derive the processor’s operating frequency.

from AMD's forums on FSB settings... okay... I should be set at 133... wtfz 110 seems low, I'm going to adjust again. BRB

[Mercator]

I recently upgraded my computer from a PII 350MHz to an Athlon XP 1800+... Windows can handle a new processor and motherboard just fine.

Oh, your FSB should definitely be at 133. But, changing the BIOS setting may not be enough. At least in my case, I also had to change a jumper on my motherboard. If the jumper and BIOS don't match it probably won't like it, or you won't see any change.

I'm not too good on gaming system requirements, but from what I can see, your system looks quite capable. Especially when you do the free "upgrade" by fixing the underclocking.

[Mercator]

By the way, the FSB settings in your BIOS may actually be overclocking multipliers rather than actual FSB settings. So you should first try the motherboard jumpers and see what the speed does...

[MrBaggins]

And that ram might not be able to handle 133 (i.e. it really isn't 2100)

[Mercator]

I don't think the FSB value matters for the RAM speed.

[MrBaggins]

what are you talking about?

yes it does.

[alva]

Slightly OT. (still usefull for Sava if he's going to O'clock )

Anyone know a good program to keep an eye on CPU temperature and adjust fan speeds etc.?

I used Hardware monitor for awhile but would like to try something else.

Thanks.

[Sava]

now my ****ing computer is ****ED UP!!

okay, I changed the BIOS settings to "High Performance Defaults" because the AMD website that was the safest thing to do. Next thing I know, Windows doesn't want to load. It lets me select the OS (because I have a previous Win98 still installed on another drive... and after that, the PC FREEZES! I reset and change back the FSB settings... only, after I select WinXP from the OS selector, it says a file is corrupted in WINDOWS/SYSTEM and that I need to put the CD in to repair it. I reset again, but nothing happens still. I select "CHOOSE last settings that worked" and now my computer is all messed up.

My color depth is 4bit... I can't change it
My resolution is 800x600... I can't change it.
internet obviously works but everythign else is ****ED... anyone know how to restore my previous settings? I'm going to investigate the jumper settings on the board if I ever get this straigtened out.

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by alva
Slightly OT. (still usefull for Sava if he's going to O'clock )

Anyone know a good program to keep an eye on CPU temperature and adjust fan speeds etc.?

I used Hardware monitor for awhile but would like to try something else.

Thanks.

Don't believe that thats possible, unless the mobo (or other device, with some kind of comm link) supports it and even then I don't know of any utility that can control that.

My mobo will throttle the CPU fan automatically... and its a recent innovation, but thats about it.

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by Sava
now my ****ing computer is ****ED UP!!

okay, I changed the BIOS settings to "High Performance Defaults" because the AMD website that was the safest thing to do. Next thing I know, Windows doesn't want to load. It lets me select the OS (because I have a previous Win98 still installed on another drive... and after that, the PC FREEZES! I reset and change back the FSB settings... only, after I select WinXP from the OS selector, it says a file is corrupted in WINDOWS/SYSTEM and that I need to put the CD in to repair it. I reset again, but nothing happens still. I select "CHOOSE last settings that worked" and now my computer is all messed up.

My color depth is 4bit... I can't change it
My resolution is 800x600... I can't change it.
internet obviously works but everythign else is ****ED... anyone know how to restore my previous settings? I'm going to investigate the jumper settings on the board if I ever get this straigtened out.

I'd try fixing the settings.

"High performance" settings will change (mainly) the RAM settings to ones that only the fastest and highest quality RAM can handle.

This is a bad idea, when it comes to RAM that can't handle it... as you've found out.

I'd be willing to bet that your ram is essentially what the issue was here. I bet that the mobo has identified it at 100FSB speed, and thats all its capable of running at, with default slow latency.

[alva]

No, iwas able to adjust fan speeds with hardmonitor.

[MrBaggins]

hmmm... what mobo do you have?

[alva]

now my ****ing computer is ****ED UP!!

Aaahhh, the joy that is 1337 Style overclocking RoXXor, Dudd3!!&.

[Sava]

how can I restore my windows settings to what they were before this crash?

[MrBaggins]

If you can get your BIOS settings back, its entirely possible that things will be fine again.

The file didn't insta-corrupt... it was just read from memory incorrectly, because the memory can't handle the settings you've given it.

Do nothing else, except fix the BIOS settings back to standard default settings. Try the manual if you don't know what these are.