BIOS version for ASUS A7M266-D and Barton Model 10

[forcemaker]

Hello!

I successfully modd'ed two Athlon XP 3000+ (Barton Model 10) to run on my ASUS A7M266-D main board (Yes, it is SMP). I updated my BIOS towards the newest available version, this is 1011 BETA 3. There ARE indeed slight problems I link to this BETA BIOS.

My question to You guys'n'girls: Which is or are the oldest ASUS BIOS versions capable to run Athlon XP 3000+ which are also known as Model 10. (All AFAIK ;-) ???


I did not test the two CPUs with older versions and I cannot do this because of this:
In case the Bartons wouldn't run, I had to remove those and reuse the former CPUs (Athlon MP 1600+) to re-flash the BIOS with the Beta version. You understand the trouble? ;-)

I would appreciate advices in this question about BIOS versions. Hints towards finding hints are also welcome

CU, forcemaker

 

[aka1nas]

From my experience with 760MPX boards, you prob will need to run more or less the last BIOS revision for any of those boards to have a chance to get Bartons to run on them. My K7d can't handle mobile Bartons at all from what I have read on forums.

BTW, aren't those Barton's on a 200Mhz FSB and super-locked? What problems are you having exactly.

 

[forcemaker]

Thanks for answer! I read about "super locked" thingies... but I didn't understand it. All Hermes and I did was to follow lecture and advices from http://fab51.com

Those Barton Athlon XP 3000+@333 run on this board as FSB266... and variable CPU clock from 1700MHz up to 2100MHz (this is the upper limit - else the system gets unstable.)

The problems which I experience are ... there is a lack of word in my head ... it is ...

A) Knoppix Linux Kernel 2.4 giving errors on booting ("Kernel oops" in 76xrom somewhat module)

B) Knoopix Linux Kernel 2.6 giving errors in same module at least WITHOUT "Oops"

C) Two GeForce 6600GT (AGP) creating graphical errors even in installation if Windows.

A) and B) are BIOS errors for sure, since the module is called similar to the boards BIOS name and chipset.

C) is just a guess ... I could proof that both GeForce Cards function well in other systems. I just cannot imagine what the cause of these graphical distorsions is.

That's all ... I am trying to figure out if I could use an older BIOS to get away these errors.

CU all!

 

[aka1nas]

The kernel issue in Linux may be related to not having the right SMP kernel, you might want to check out a linux specific forum for that.

The 6600Gts may be an issue. I recall there being some issues with getting the MPX boards to work with newer cards. What Power Supply are you using? MPX boards are very finicky with the +12v rail. I needed a 480Watt Antec Truepower to power my dual 2400+ rig.

Also, what RAM are you using and in what configuration? The MPX platform officially requires registered RAM, but will work with unbuffered RAM if it is only used in the first two slots.

 

[forcemaker]

Thanks for answering, here my replies:

The kernel issue might be solvable, but I don't have ressources and time to install a "proper" Linux with manually adapted Kernel.

The 6600GT is called a trouble maker in combination with the MPX chipset. If I didn't misread, there is virtually nobody got this running.

I got an Enermax 430W power supply. With some Watt meter plugged in between socket and PC power supply I get a "drain" of ~200W to 250W (IIRC!). I do not know if this is worth the statement. I could get a new PSU but I can't take the financial risk in case this won't help. Sad, but that's sort of faith. (Maybe I can find someone "lending" me such a thing.)

The RAM subject.... I had some trouble with this in the beginning using No-name modules. (IIRC 2* 1024MB, 16 chips?, 266MHz(pseudo)) They just didn't work. Not even when using ONE of them. So I bought Infineon/Infineon modules (333MHz) and they do the job perfect! I do use the first two banks. If I tried to use more than 2GB and/or more than 2 slots, I had - as You wrote - to use registered modules. But that's not the case, ATM.

CU, forcemaker

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: forcemaker
Thanks for answering, here my replies:

The kernel issue might be solvable, but I don't have ressources and time to install a "proper" Linux with manually adapted Kernel.

The 6600GT is called a trouble maker in combination with the MPX chipset. If I didn't misread, there is virtually nobody got this running.

I got an Enermax 430W power supply. With some Watt meter plugged in between socket and PC power supply I get a "drain" of ~200W to 250W (IIRC!). I do not know if this is worth the statement. I could get a new PSU but I can't take the financial risk in case this won't help. Sad, but that's sort of faith. (Maybe I can find someone "lending" me such a thing.)

The RAM subject.... I had some trouble with this in the beginning using No-name modules. (IIRC 2* 1024MB, 16 chips?, 266MHz(pseudo)) They just didn't work. Not even when using ONE of them. So I bought Infineon/Infineon modules (333MHz) and they do the job perfect! I do use the first two banks. If I tried to use more than 2GB and/or more than 2 slots, I had - as You wrote - to use registered modules. But that's not the case, ATM.

CU, forcemaker

You will most likely not be able to get the system working using an enermax PSU. If you take a look at the 2cpu.com forums you will find that most people weren't able to get their MPX systems stable on one. Try a somewhat high end Antec or a PC power and Cooling model. I believe the issue is that the +12v rail on the Enermax models are a tad overrated, and unfortuneately everything on that board runs off the +12v rail.