New owners of MSI Pro2-A

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

rancidcrabtree

Senior member
Sep 25, 2000
261
0
71
RB,
Check to make sure you are using the twisted end of the flooppy cable. I used the middle untwisted connector and got the same results you did.

Hope that helps,
Kevin
 
J

JimmyZ

Member
Nov 16, 2000
125
0
0
See, that was very important info....your floopy cable is upside down or backwards. Try switching it around....with floppies, it's is very easy to get the cable upside down becuase there is no groove or missing pin.

Heng, I was just going for compatability with cable select. If you put the switch at slave and use the black end of the cable, if will halt. With cable select, the mobo just figures it out no matter ehat you have plugged. It just makes it easier. If you have a master/slave set up properly, there would be no difference.

J

 
O

OD3

Member
Nov 17, 2000
101
0
0
Couple of quick replies->

1) Bupkus: a 'pretested CPU is one that has already been verified as overclockable. The dealer sets it up, and finds out just how high it can be stably and safely O/Ced. They then guarantee that you will hit those specs, provided you run under similar condistions as they did. These processors also sell at a premium as they are verified as overclockable.
As for Polarmo (think you meant Palomino) CPUs I do not know the specs, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are compatible. Even if the die is smaller, the actual CPU could still be made to match current socket-a specs (I think).

2) RB: As for yoru initial setup troubles. First off, do as others have suggested. Make your initial boot using all defualt settings and just the basics, i.e. CPU, RAM, Video, HD. Make sure that all cables are seated correctly and that all jumpers are set properly. I do recommned setting Master and Slave vs. using cable select for it makes sure you have everything set right. Make sure all cards are seated properly in their sockets too. Once the system boots stable in the minimal configuration, add devices (ONE AT A TIME) and make sure you still get a stable boot, then add another until you have the whole system built and purring like a kitten.

3) JimmyZ: I just checked that link and it tok me to a directory of images, no text review. Anyway, that pic is hard is to tell if it is just paste or epoxy, though I could see how it could be either. Nonetheless, thanks bro for the pic!

 
A

Arch

Member
Jul 4, 2000
26
0
0


<< excuse me for sounding like an idiot, but how do you flash the overclockers BIOS. I have it D/L, when i click on the program file it reads 'FILE NAME TO PROGRAM' and 'FILE NAME TO SAVE'. What do i type in those fields? Gotta learn sooner or later, preferably sooner. Anyways, i got my unlocked duron650 very stable at 880 (110X8) at 1.7v. Its sitting under a Hedgehog and a Delta 38, so heats not a problem. I know this thing can go higher, just need the voltage. Thanks everyone. >>



Can no one help me with this? Oh well guess i have to find out the hard way.
 
J

JimmyZ

Member
Nov 16, 2000
125
0
0
Ok, here is your flash answer.

ON the MSI website there is a FAQ on how to flash your bios...I am pasting it from there.

J

1)Look for the desired motherboard BIOS in MSI web page, read the modification notes and download the BIOS file from MSI web page.

2)Make a bootable system floppy disk by typing [FORMAT A:/S] from the DOS prompt.
Extract the BIOS file into the bootable floppy disk.

3) Boot up system with the bootable floppy disk

3a)Run Award (Ex. Awdfl770) or AMI (Ex. amifl822.exe) Flash utility &amp; follow the on-screen instructions. NOTE: Jimmy Says, &quot;Don't worry about this step, the thing competly run automaticlly just put the disk in and re-boot.

Note: during BIOS flash process, DO NOT press keyboard, reset button or power button which will cause BIOS flash process to fail and system unable to boot up.

4) After flashing the BIOS, reboot system, press [DEL] to go into BIOS setup. Select [Load Setup Default] for or [Load Optimized Defaults] and press Key [Enter] and press Key [Y].

Press Key [F10] then answer [Y] to reboot system again and finish upgrade procedure.

More of Jimmy's notes...step 4 is not usually necessary unless you have problems.

Here is the link to the MSI Site

If you want to do it manually, the 'FILE NAME TO PROGRAM' is the new bios name &quot;W6330vtt.101&quot; and the 'FILE NAME TO SAVE' is the name of the file that will be created for you current bios as a back up.
So a hint is to write on a piece of paper the exact name of the new OC bios. Cause there ain't no copy and paste in DOS.


Good luck (it's a piece of cake)

J
 
P

Penchie

Member
Oct 24, 2000
51
0
0
Ordered the Pro2a right before TGiving from Openlinx (who show them back in stock)

It is the Pro 2a with ATA100!!!!!

They're price was so so but they shipped for 6 bucks

All I can say is: Man these caps are HUGE!

Am using the stock amd fan/sink right now.

Am not gonna overclock my 900 TBird hard at all

What sink do u guys recommend that can be had quick

If this thing impresses like I think it will, who
wants a used two weeks Epox 8kta2??

thanks






 
D

Davegod75

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2000
5,320
0
0
let me know if you like it better than the epox board. I'm getting ready to install my epox right now.
 
W

w9design

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2000
1,083
0
0
Oh. My. God. This board is awesome!!! Buy it now if you haven't already.
It's more stable than my old Intel system. The DLEDs are great. I'm running a Duron 600 @ 1000. Voltage seems to run about .1V higher than it's set.
No biggie.

All I can say is wow. Just for kicks I didn't reinstall Windows.
When I replaced the board I used the Repair function, installed the VIA drivers, and I'm back up and running with all my programs. (I'm using Windows Whistler Beta 1).Rock stable.
None of that BS with IRQs and ACPI like with the KT7.


I am more than impressed with this board.
 
W

WindBoy2000

Member
Nov 14, 2000
122
0
0
I Get mine on this thursday. WOO HOO! cant wait.
sounds like a winner.
Now If only my friend comes home from vacation this thursday.
he has the silver thermal paste.
twiddle.
 
J

JimmyZ

Member
Nov 16, 2000
125
0
0
WindB,

What does your friend do, carry Artic Silver around just in case there is an overclockers emergency? That's what I call dedication.

J
 
G

gmccall

Member
May 11, 2000
138
0
0
Ordered mine today from Outside Loop. $136 shipped. A little high, but it is a great board from a reputable vendor. Hope it pays off.
 
Z

ZoSo

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
538
3
81
w9design, how's whistler so far? Have you tried any games on it yet? And who do I contact to become a beta tester for MS?

Thanks,
 
F

filmore crashcart

Senior member
Dec 18, 1999
684
0
0
gmccall-
Outside Loop shipped mine out today... your right, they are straight people. For the few dollars more paid ( I didn't pay that much more for the board, TB 900, and Globalwin fob32-1 and shipping than these other sites) you get very good customer support. Check out the discussion board on their site.
 
W

w9design

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2000
1,083
0
0
ZoSo:
Send a blank e-mail to betareq@microsoft.com
You'll get an autoreply as to how to proceed.

Whistler is not much more than Win2000 with a facelift at this point.
So expect Whistler performance to be about equal to Win2000 SP1 w/ DX8.
At least at this point.


Anyone:
I'd stay away from the 1.8 BIOS. Can't boot from floppy any more and it pseudo-hangs on the Verifying DMI Pool Data screen before continuing with boot. Anyone care to e-mail me the 1.7 BIOS? ;) nate@laferle.com
 
J

JimmyZ

Member
Nov 16, 2000
125
0
0
w9...

I'm using 1.8 without a hitch...and no slowdown at all.

Sounds like a coincidence to me.. Check to make sure your floppy is working properly. That would cuase a slow boot and not being able to boot from floppy.m

Who know anymore....there are just too many variables.

J
 
R

rb56

Senior member
Oct 27, 2000
873
0
0
Hi eveyone, My systems up and running. Thanks for the help.:D
Couple of things that I'm running into.

1. System has locked up a few times, different programs (Outlook, Desktop Themes, etc. dosen't seem to be any one thing.
2. System won't come out of suspend mode.

I'm still currently running @700mhz (no overclocking) although I did install the Fuzzy Logic (yeah I played with it). I'd like to work out all the problems first as this is my primary work system.

When starting I reformatted HD and installed 98SE.

This is the first system I've built from scratch so any help is always welcome

PS: I almost forgot, this is one nice board!
 
F

flyfish

Senior member
Oct 23, 2000
856
0
0
I am an old owner of the Pro2. I would just like to say that you can't go wrong with this board! I have built many systems and this is by far that most stable, AMD based, one yet. MSI has found the &quot;sweet spot&quot; between stabiliy and overclockability. I think I will skip the ATA100 stuff and hold out for and MSI DDR board. I hope MSI stays on this roll!


Also, as much as I hate do do it, I give some credit to W2k in helping with stability.

 
F

flyfish

Senior member
Oct 23, 2000
856
0
0
rb56
Check and re-check!
Might I suggest you disable all power saving features in Win98SE, except monitor sleep. Win98SE APM causes more problems that its worth. Also goto VIA's website and get the latest 4in1 drivers and install them. Also, Win98SE has problems with shuting down. I did not bother with any of this I just went back to 98Standard. Just a few suggestions to add to the pot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom