Help with motherboard and CPU compatibility

Computeruser25

Junior Member
Dec 30, 2010
7
0
0
Hey guys today I bought a AMD Phenom X4 9850 Quad Core Processor that a friend recommended for my computer. (link to details)http://www.compusa.com/applications/...82332&csid=_23

I proceeded to install it properly ( done correctly, by no means a computer dunce ^_^) and tried booting up my system but the computer turned on with fans running but no power light and just stays running with no boot up. I have an hooked up emachines T3642( I know its a crappy make and system but I replaced error prone PSU)
Current specs(Upgraded to 500w PSU as well)
OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name (anonymous)

System Manufacturer Gateway
System Model MCP61SM2MA
System Type X86-based PC
Processor AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 4000+, 2600 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 11/10/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6002.18005"
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.12 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.03 GB
Total Virtual Memory 6.48 GB
Available Virtual Memory 5.38 GB
Page File Space 3.42 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


Now I know that my motherboard is a AM2 and the new processor is AM2+ but I've read and heard that its backward compatible without the HT 3.0 and other features. But could this still be the problem?

Another problem I've heard about is that the BIOS can't handle it and I need to do an update on it? Would this be it?

Or could I have just bought a bad proccesor or wrong processor for my motherboard? Any help would be appreciated thank you ^_^
 

DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
8,386
32
91
BIOS from 2007? Yeah, I'd say you need an update.

Also, anyone who would suggest you buy a Phenom I is no friend of yours.
 

Computeruser25

Junior Member
Dec 30, 2010
7
0
0
Lol why is not good for anything or is there anything wrong with it?

And where would I get a BIOS update without f**kin with the computer and killing it?
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
need a bios update, its not optional you need to do it. And the phenom 1's are WEAK, it was a bad idea.
 

Computeruser25

Junior Member
Dec 30, 2010
7
0
0
Alright I will do a BIOS update but where can I get one that wont screw up the computer and kill it like its tested it and it wont?
 
Last edited:

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
i dont understand why it would kill your mobo. Go to the motherboard makers website, download there latest bios file and flash utility and flash the bios. Its not really a hard thing to do. I would not do it through windows though use a dos based flash program.
 

Computeruser25

Junior Member
Dec 30, 2010
7
0
0
The thing with my emachines is that they took the motherboard from winfast and modified so it has only two RAM slots. So technically its not the same so should I try any ways?
 

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2006
6,490
1,022
136
Ouch...I just did a quick lookup on your "system model" and I come up with an old foxconn board...that doesnt look like it supports anything newer than AMD 64 X2. The last BIOS update on their site looks like 2008. Even if it did support Phenom 1, it might not do over 95 watt CPUs. That 9850 is 125 watt.

This was the last "Athlon X2" made:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/...575&CatId=4348

It /might/ work...but Im thinking its probably not worth it even if it did.
 

Computeruser25

Junior Member
Dec 30, 2010
7
0
0
Any other opinions on this matter that maybe my motherboard is just too old? And I'm correct in saying it should work with backward compatibility corrrect? Any info is appreciated much thank you^_^