"CPU is Unworkable or Has Been Changed"

[Lonyo]

Just changed my HEC 300w for a 420W Enermax Noisetaker, and once I got it to boot, I started getting this message

My RAM is fine and so are all the other BIOS settings, but it doesn't like the CPU.

Whenever I change BIOS setting and press "Save and exit", the BIOS seems to be saved, but when it shuts down (to restart again), the computer turns off, and I have to unplug it from the mains before I can restart again, and the dreaded message comes up

I have a Barton-M 2500+
Enermax Noisetaker 420w
ABit NF7 v2
9800/768MB RAM/SB Audigy/Modem (Audigy and modem not in use) 2x80G BHDD, CD-RW & DVD-RW.

The whol epoewring off instead of restarting leads me to believe there is some issue, but I have no idea what.
With my old PSU, saving settings then restarting worked absolutely fine

I am currently trying for 166x13
The CPU did work fine at 133x17 and 145x15
The RAM works fine at 166MHz now (it didn't before, for some reason, hence 145x15. 133x17 was when I had PC2100 in the machine that would not overclock at all).

 

[imported_copycat]

Well I have the same problem, but the source is different:

I tryed to upgrade my BIOS with the latest one. I downloaded the latest from Abit site, started the flash utility and eveything was o.k. The BIOS updated himself, I reset it and reboot the machine. And the first I saw after reboot was: "BIOS cheksum bad".... F1 to continue. After the second reboot new message appears: "CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU SOFT MENU". But, in spite of this, machine is working. When I get into BOIS and do make any changes, I cannot record any - BIOS stop working and I have to reset it again. So BIOS always works with default settings, which are loaded after reseting. Please can anyone help me. I cannot use my PC well and also cannot change my proccessor with the new one I already took.

I'm on a Abit KT7A v.1.3 mobo and still with AMD Athlon@950Mhz.

 

[imported_RobJ]

I say just go back to your old BIOS if you have access to it. Did you try resetting your mobo using the jumper?

 

[imported_copycat]

Of course, I reset BIOS with jumper after every one flash. Because I observe the instructions from BIOS help very earnest. The stupidest thing is that I didn't backup my previous well working BOIS because I'm an idiot. I even took the battery off together with reseting - always the same result.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

copycat,

It's possible your battery is dying so changing it would be advisable.

Lonyo,

Clearing the CMOS if you haven't is good advice. After the CMOS reset change a minor setting or two, but don't tweak anything for overclocking at all, then save&exit to see if the symptoms persist. If the issue does continue under those conditions then I'd start by using your old PSU if you still have it to eliminate the new PSU being responsible.

 

[Geomagick]

Lonyo, the very fact that you have gained this problem after changing the PSU would indicate to me that something is loose somewhere or incorrectly fitted.

I suspect the former, as this is a problem I have encountered a couple of times in the past, always after seriously invasive upgrading like what you have just done.

At the moment I would advise remaking all the power supply connections - especially the one to the mobo and also perhaps remount the CPU and heatsink as a tiny joggle might have affected its mounting.

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As for copycat I suggest you download a previous bios from abit, they always keep all previous bios revisions available and always only use a proper bios and not a tweaked one unless you know just what you could be getting yourself into.

 

[imported_copycat]

10X DAPUNISHER,

but there is nothing wrong with my battery, I'm sure with that. I never had problem like this untill I
started deal with thing I don't understand.

------------------------------------------------
George,

I use bios updates from Abit site ONLY. I tryed with 3 different versions - from my first (and original), which was 5S, through 8T to B4, which is the latest one. Always was the same. I had downloaded all versions of this BIOS from Abit site. Should I maybe start with the first one?

I suspect the reason is not BIOS versions, may be something else is wrong. Right now I'm downloading UniFlash an I intend to try it. Perhaps it will works who knows ((

If it don't works you will not see me soon

I'm a little desperate you know.....

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: copycat
Well I have the same problem, but the source is different:

I tryed to upgrade my BIOS with the latest one. I downloaded the latest from Abit site, started the flash utility and eveything was o.k. The BIOS updated himself, I reset it and reboot the machine. And the first I saw after reboot was: "BIOS cheksum bad".... F1 to continue. After the second reboot new message appears: "CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU SOFT MENU". But, in spite of this, machine is working.

It sounds like you got a bad flash. Check to make sure the BIOS version you used applies to your exact board rev and any other hardware and software you are using. Sometimes, newer BIOS versions, even for the correct board, cause problems with older combinations, and companies have occasionally released BIOS versions that simply do not work correctly.

I hope you made a backup of your previous BIOS. If not, download it, and flash it back. If that works, you've found the problem.

 

[o1die]

The new ps is the difference. I thought only asus had your symptoms, but I guess some abit boards are the same. I had the same senerio with an old asus p4s533 until I changed the ps. That voice reporter on asus boards sucks. It's just too sensitive to changes. Doesn't mean your new ps is bad. My recommendation is go back to your old ps if it worked well with your abit board. I use a 300w sparkle because I know it works well. I didn't need more juice, so I saved some money and got only what I needed.