Asus P5W DH Deluxe all ready for Conroe out of Box?

[NBAJ2K]

I just purchased an Asus P5W DH Deluxe from ATACOM.

Should I be all set in using it with an E6600 that I expect to buy in a few days? I hope it does not need a bios update in order to use the chip, I have no problem doing one after though. If it needs one before being able to accept the chip I might be out of luck.

On ATACOM's site, the description of the motherboard says Conroe already, should I be all set? I know a bios update just came out today that is supposed to help compatibility issues.

here is the link to what I bought from ATACOM.

http://www.atacom.com/program/print_htm..._75_2_208_17&Item_code=MB77_ASUS_75_04

On a side note, I also purchased this memory from NewEgg, since it looked like a really good deal. Should I be ok if I try to overclock with this? I still have to look into how to do it since I never have before, but was considering it.


CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590

Thanks!

~J

 

[GuitarDaddy]

XS guide

 

[NBAJ2K]

so I have to do that to make it work? how was it rated so high in the Anandtech review and it didn't say anything about that. It says Conroe in the description, might it be all set already?

 

[Skott]

I hear If they are the newer 304 bios you are good to go. 303 or less then a flash is required. Better check on that though before trying it. ASUS should be able to confirm it.

 

[NBAJ2K]

in the part number at ATACom's site it says ATACOM Part #: MB77_ASUS_75_04
It makes it seem like its 04, think it could be or is that something else?

 

[Wall7486]

I am in the same boat as you. From what I heard if you gotten at least BIOS 502 you would be able to flash it without "hotflashing" it. Try this link:
http://www.overclock3d.net/news.php?typ...sus_p5w_dh___retail_conroe_bios_issues

I am getting mixed answers from all over the forums. Some saying you can flash off of floppy/usb/CD and some say you would need a new BIOS chip or get another LGA 775 processor.

 

[Henny]

According to the chart at Asus you need 0701 or later for Conroe. However you cant flash the BIOS if it won't POST so you have 3 options:

1. Call ASUS and demand a new BIOS chip. However they'll charge you $5 freight which I think is totally unfair given that they advertised the bd. as Conroe compatable.
2. Use a Pentium or Celeron to flash to 0701
3. Use the hotflash method.

 

[jw0ollard]

This is why I'm waiting on Conroe. I was planning to get this board until I heard there's a 50/50 chance (or greater) you will get a BIOS that's too old to support Conroe. There's also no way I'm wasting my money on a Pentium D to flash the BIOS. A reviewer at Newegg said he was able to flash the BIOS with a USB flash drive containing 0701, however.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: NBAJ2K
so I have to do that to make it work? how was it rated so high in the Anandtech review and it didn't say anything about that. It says Conroe in the description, might it be all set already?

No, removing all the HSF's and reappling thermal paste isn;t necessary, but will surely give you lower temps and more overclocking headroom. The bios hotflash all depends on the board you get, I,m guessing your odds aren't good.

 

[secretanchitman]

my p5w dh deluxe bios was 05XX something...latest is 0801 or something which was released yesterday. your mobo should have support for conroe out of the box i would think.

 

[Skott]

These first early mobos got too many problems for my liking. I'm waiting for the next wave to see if they are improved. Which I would think they should be. Besides i want a SLI mobo so I gotta wait. The thing is though about the ASUS is that you dont know if its an early bios mobo or one that came out of the factory yesterday with the newer bios that doesnt require any changes. Its going to take a while for those first ones that require a hotflash to get bought up. Most vendors wont tell you neither because they wont open the boxes to find out. Its a crap shoot at best right now.

 

[Sentry2]

Mine came with 0502. Anything above that should be able to post with a Core 2.

 

[VivienM]

Is there a way to know what BIOS it came with (that doesn't involve booting it up)? I'm expecting my P5W DH at some point this week, but won't have a CPU until the subsequent week...

 

[Prong]

There should be a sticker on the bios chip. Mine says 0502, which I'm guessing is the BIOS version that's currently installed.

 

[dasmokedog]

Needs the 0701 bios

 

[NBAJ2K]

so basically i open up the box, if there is a sticker saying 0701 i should be all set.

If it does not say that then the easiest way would be to call Asus and buy a bios chip from them for $5 and pop it on the motherboard then I'd be set? I should be receiving the motherboard from ATACOM Tuesday or Wednesday.

~J

 

[Sc4freak]

You can't switch BIOS chips like that - unless you manage to rip out the old BIOS chip without damaging the motherboard and soldering the new one into place.

To update the BIOS, download the BIOS from Asus, then you need to create a boot disk, and use it to flash the chip.

 

[NBAJ2K]

lol ok so I guess that won't work. I can definitely do the boot disk thing as that's what I was planning on.

The thing is, will I be able to just open the box and pop the Conroe chip on to do it?
Or will it not recognize the Conroe until I do the bios update, because that's what I'm afraid of and would be stuck. Its not like I have a spare CPU sitting around I can pop on there just to do the bios update.

Is there a certain bios that it already has to have so that it will support putting a Conroe on the board and loading Windows and everything up so I can flash it? Or do I download it onto a floppy from another computer and pop it into this one before Windows is installed to update the bios?

Sorry, just a little confused, Thanks,

~J

 

[Jeffrey903]

NBAJ2K - I'm in the same situation. I'm probably going to end up just buying the board off of eBay, after confirming with the seller that it does have the Conroe BIOS installed. The prices on eBay actually aren't bad.

 

[NBAJ2K]

but does anyone know if my last post is correct in the actions to take? I need to find out since my Asus board as already shipped Should have researched this beforehand.

Can I just flash it like I wrote 2 posts above?

 

[Jeffrey903]

I'm not sure - we'll have to wait for people more knowledgeable to confirm it (and I would prefer it if multiple people did, just to make sure)

 

[Henny]

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
You can't switch BIOS chips like that - unless you manage to rip out the old BIOS chip without damaging the motherboard and soldering the new one into place.

To update the BIOS, download the BIOS from Asus, then you need to create a boot disk, and use it to flash the chip.

It takes 60 seconds to physically replace the BIOS chip. It's socketed.

There are multiple ways to flash the BIOS if it POSTs.
1. EZ Flash utility in the BIOS and use a USB Drive
2. Boot floppy or CD containing AFUDOS
3. Update from within Windows
4. Emergency recovery method (F3 I think)

If it doesn't POST which it won't with revs below 0701 and Conroe, then you only have three options.
1. Flash it using a CPU that does POST (borrow someones Celeron, etc)
2. Call ASUS and have them send you one ($5)
3. Hotflash using another MB with the same type of BIOS chip

 

[NBAJ2K]

if its that easy to replace the chip maybe that might be the best way to go. it seemed a lot harder according to the other poster. i get it this week so im looking for the sticker on the motherboard to say 0701? i just hope replacing the chip is that easy with no soldering or anything involved just a 1 minute jobÀ?

 

[Henny]

Originally posted by: NBAJ2K
if its that easy to replace the chip maybe that might be the best way to go. it seemed a lot harder according to the other poster. i get it this week so im looking for the sticker on the motherboard to say 0701? i just hope replacing the chip is that easy with no soldering or anything involved just a 1 minute jobÀ?

Yes, it is that easy. The other poster is confused. I have the bd. and replaced the BIOS.

Just lift it from it's socket using a small screwdriver or paper clip. Gently pry up on each corner (plastic package area only - don't touch the pins). Also make sure the power is totally off. (no green light).

The second line in the sticker is the rev number. Mine was 0401.

 

[NBAJ2K]

ok, and again I only have to do this if its older than 0701? if not I can just load up windows on it and flash to the latest by downloading online? Ill check it and order the chip right away then if its less than 0701, when I finally do get my E6600 whenever that may be I want to pop it in and go.

Thanks,

~J