BIOSTAR P4M900-M4 - no post

[VirtualLarry]

Just bench-testing a new BIOSTAR P4M900-M4, socket 478 mobo, purchased from newegg.
I put in a P4 mobile 2.0Ghz CPU. It doesn't POST. The fans spin briefly (the PSU and CPU fans), and then stop.

Hmm, put in a non-mobile P4 2.8Ghz CPU and it POSTed fine. That's strange, the reviews on this board on newegg mentioned that it worked with mobile CPUs. Guess not.

 

[daveybrat]

Either it just doesn't know what a mobile processor is, or that 2ghz cpu is an older willamette cpu. That biostar only recognizes Northwoods and Prescott cpu's.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The mobile CPU is a northwood. I was just surprised, because some of the reviews mentioned working with a mobile CPU.

 

[daveybrat]

Yeah, it's really hit and miss. I've had some boards recognize them just fine and others with no post.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ok, more problems. After installing the new mobo, the existing Windows XP installation failed to start. BSOD, both in regular and Safe Mode. So I did a Repair Install, and that worked.

But then I went to install the chipset drivers. DO NOT INSTALL THE VIA INF DRIVERS OFF OF THE CD! It causes Windows' startup to reboot to the BIOS POST screen almost instantly, in both regular and Safe Mode. The only thing that worked was Last Known Good Configuration. I then decided wisely to install the VGA and network drivers, but not the INF/SATA drivers. Something is very wrong with them.

 

[robisbell]

well, without the SATA drivers, you're under performing, I hope you got a regular P4, mobiles are good for laptops, not desktops.