P4 2.8E BIOS Frequency Settings??

[masonc]

I have:

MSI PT880 motherboard
P4 2.8E GHz 800MHz FSB
1 512 DDR400 stick

What are the right setting in the BIOS for frequency/voltagte? an't seem to get the right combination.

Thanks, Mason

 

[fredtam]

1.385V at 200Mhz FSB. It should go there by default but you have an MSI board which most likely doesn't work.

 

[fredtam]

Looks like you need a BIOS update-

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=527&kind=1">
BIOS Type AMI® BIOS File Sizes 334KB
Version 1.2 Update date 2004-1-6
Update Description - Update SATA BOOTROM to Ver.231.
- Fixes CPUID/0F25 can not disable "HT Function" issue.
- Correct the message for Prescott during POST.
- Update CPUID/MicroCode.
- Fixes Prescott(0F33h) unstable issue.</a>

 

[fredtam]

Also what is that stick of DDR400 your board may not be supplying the proper voltage at default settings-


Due to the High Performance Memory design, motherboards or system configurations may or may not operate smoothly at the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standard settings (BIOS Default on the motherboard) such as DDR voltage, memory speeds and memory timing. Please confirm and adjust your memory setting in the BIOS accordingly for better system stability.

 

[masonc]

Geil Value Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
-OEM
Specification
Manufacturer: Geil
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5 6-3-3
Support Voltage: 2.55V-2.85V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: With Extreme Performance Heat Spreader
Warranty: Lifetime

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: masonc
Geil Value Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
-OEM
Specification
Manufacturer: Geil
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5 6-3-3
Support Voltage: 2.55V-2.85V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: With Extreme Performance Heat Spreader
Warranty: Lifetime

What is your current mem voltage setting in the bios (can you even get to the bios)? I would try increasing memory voltage and update the BIOS since there was a Prescott stability fix in the last version. What exactly are the symptoms?

 

[masonc]

I tried increasing to max voltage...still nothing. I can get to bios, but thats all. Is there a way to update bios if you cant even boot to a floppy? i have a p4 2.6 northwood in another computer, shoud i try that> Also, do i need 2 sticks of the same ram or is the one fine?

 

[Acanthus]

It looks like your motherboard doesnt properly support prescott without a bios update. I would plug in the 2.6 northy you have, and flash the bios, and plug in the 2.8E.

It should fix your issue.

 

[masonc]

Will try and let you know if it works

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: masonc
I tried increasing to max voltage...still nothing. I can get to bios, but thats all. Is there a way to update bios if you cant even boot to a floppy? i have a p4 2.6 northwood in another computer, shoud i try that> Also, do i need 2 sticks of the same ram or is the one fine?

Yeah if you use the Northy and it boots up I think MSI has a live update feature.

 

[masonc]

hey thanks guys, that worked. Put in a northwood processor and booted fine...ran live update and switched processorers again!! Works great, now just gotta figure how to install WinXP PRO on a SATA HD...the setup wont recognize the HD.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: masonc
hey thanks guys, that worked. Put in a northwood processor and booted fine...ran live update and switched processorers again!! Works great, now just gotta figure how to install WinXP PRO on a SATA HD...the setup wont recognize the HD.

Don't know a lot about the via chipsets but you probably have to hit F6 during setup and load the sata drivers from a disk (its not needed on the Intel ICH5R).