MSI K8T Neo2 with an X2 4200+

[Crusty]

So I just bought a S939 X2 4200+ Toledo core and my motherboard will NOT see the chip as a dual-core.

I'm 99% sure it's not an OS issue since I have this issue in both Linux and Windows. Yes, I changed my windows HAL from Uniprocessor to Multiprocessor, and my Linux kernel is SMP.

Before I dropped in my new chip, I had a 3200+. Before taking it out, I ran the MSI Live Update tool and updated my BIOS to the latest and greatest, v3.3a.

I reset the BIOS to defaults and still no go.

I don't recall the steppings from the chip, but CPU-Z recognizes it as a 4200+ X2 in Windows, so that should rule out having a wrong chip.


Any ideas?

 

[tcsenter]

Which K8T Neo2?

K8T Neo2-F/FIR
K8T Neo2-F V2.0

Either way, you don't have the latest BIOS.

 

[Crusty]

I've got the MS-6702E. I believe it's the FIR board. It's possible I don't have the right bios, but why wouldn't the MSI Live Update program give me the correct bios?

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Crusty
I've got the MS-6702E. I believe it's the FIR board. It's possible I don't have the right bios, but why wouldn't the MSI Live Update program give me the correct bios?

Because MSI LiveUpdate can't discern the difference between certain models.

Its probably the FIR board because BIOS v3.3 is the 'latest' version for single core processors. You have to update to BIOS v9.x for dual core support - manually.

 

[Crusty]

I don't have a floppy drive so I tried to flash with a bootable cd-rom with my flash exe and flash file, except everytime I ran the flash exe it just exited quickly.

Do you have any links to guides for flashing from a USB flash key?

 

[tcsenter]

http://forum.msi.com.tw/index.php?topic=108079.0

You have to register. In addition, when downloading the BIOS, use the www.msi.com.tw website rather than USA. For some reason, the USA site is infrequently updated and lacks the latest BIOS for numerous models.

 

[Crusty]

Yeah, I noticed there was a huge difference between the two sites.

Thanks for all your help, i'll give this a shot .

 

[Crusty]

Okay, when I try to boot off of the USB Flash key made from the MSI forums it just boots into a blank screen with a cursor blinking in the top left. I've already checked to make sure USB Legacy Support is enabled and that my boot options are correct.

Starting to get really frustrated here!

I'll search around in the forums to see if there any fixes to this problem.

Thanks again.

 

[tcsenter]

Try this:

How to Create a bootable USB Memory Key

using this:

HP Format Utility for USB Key 2.1.8 REV.A

If you're still having problems, let me know and I'll upload an ISO that you can burn to CD.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Crusty
So I just bought a S939 X2 4200+ Toledo core and my motherboard will NOT see the chip as a dual-core.

I'm 99% sure it's not an OS issue since I have this issue in both Linux and Windows. Yes, I changed my windows HAL from Uniprocessor to Multiprocessor, and my Linux kernel is SMP.

Before I dropped in my new chip, I had a 3200+. Before taking it out, I ran the MSI Live Update tool and updated my BIOS to the latest and greatest, v3.3a.

I reset the BIOS to defaults and still no go.

I don't recall the steppings from the chip, but CPU-Z recognizes it as a 4200+ X2 in Windows, so that should rule out having a wrong chip.


Any ideas?

I have the same MB, same problem: single core to X2 and Live Update puts me a BIOS v3.3, not the X2 v9.4. See this Link.

My X2 hasn't arrived yet but it appears you were able to boot into Windows with the X2, is that so?

I have a theory that Live Update will only give you v9.4 if you have a X2 installed. That trying to install v9.4 will not work with your old 3200+.

What do you think?

Thanks
Hermit