Trying to flash my bios...

[AFurryReptile]

I have an MSI P6N SLI PLatinum. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Event viewer has been showing Event ID 6, this:

"Some processor performance power management features have been disabled due to a known firmware problem. Check with the computer manufacturer for updated firmware."

AND the computer sometimes crashes when the CPU is working hard.


That being said, I'm trying to flash the bios and having issues. I saved all of the new bios files to a TEST folder on a FAT partition that I created so that DOS could see them. Except, DOS still can't see it, and I don't know why.

I'm using this MS-DOS 6.22 boot disk
http://www.bootdisks.us/ms-dos...ootable-cd-images.html

and these bios files
http://www.msi.com/index.php?f...ncat_no=1&prod_no=1140


I've been able to access the drives and see the files using an XP Home recovery console, but I'm unable to run the utility from there.

I'm stuck, any help would be greatly appreciated!


UPDATE: The bios has been flashed, but I'm still getting the error, and still crashing when the CPU is under load. The computer I am using is in my sig, by the way.

 

[Blazer]

the msi site has a bios flashing utility that worked well for me, it also checks that the bios file is the correct one, i suggest you use it.

 

[AFurryReptile]

I've tried it, and it won't run under 64 bit or vista. Although I suppose I could install xp on another drive...

 

[Blazer]

the one found here http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=113295.0

makes no diff 32 or 64 bit.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Thanks blazer, that program worked perfectly under Windows 7!

Unfortunately, still crashing and getting that error in the event log...

 

[Blazer]

clear the event log and go into the bios and make sure the settings are correct [ esp the cpu ], disable ALL overclocking, restart and recheck the event log, same event error ? list your system specs, use cpuid to get the cpu spec, check that spec against your mobo cpu support list an the msi support site.

 

[AFurryReptile]

System specs are at the link in my sig. The CPU is a C2D E6600 Conroe, it is supported by MSI, and has been modestly overclocked for almost 2 years now (Although it's been disabled since I discovered this problem.) I should mention that I just reformatted several days ago to retail W7 Ultimate, from the release candidate, but I've had the same error in both installs.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Strangely enough, this error doesn't occur in safe mode... which makes me believe this may be OS-related.

Update: Tried a normal boot with all startup programs disabled, still showing errors.

Tried disabling various bios features involving the CPU, still no fix.

Tried a diagnostic windows startup, still no fix.

 

[Blazer]

1st uninstall the cpu through device manager and reboot and recheck.

2nd run ckddsk on the hard drive, also may want to run an extended hard drive test offline with the hd manufacture's test utility.

3rd run extended memtest86

run sfc /scannow

tru another cpu.

 

[AFurryReptile]

1) Reinstall did not change anything.
2) Ckddsk was clean. Hard drive is new, I don't expect any problems from this.
3) Memtest86 ran overnight with no issues.
4) System file check was fine.
5) I don't have another CPU to try...

I disabled Intel Speedstep, and while the error still appears, my computer hasn't crashed yet. Maybe Windows still detects that the processor is incompatible, but if Speedstep is the problem, hopefully we don't get any more crashing.

 

[Blazer]

see if you can report that error to MS, or search thier database for that error.

i could not get your system specs, i get a login page.

a fresh install may solve it, i have seen odd problems from installs with more than 1 stick of ram installed.

on oem type cpu heatsinks for the 775 chipset sometimes the pushpin expansion retainer will not be fully inserted into the mobo hole and cause crashes, the expansion retainer will also break off one side of the latch, this cannot be seen assembled.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Thanks blazer, you've been a big help. I've got a thread going on Microsoft's tech forums and I'm going to look into the things you suggested. I'm also going to leave Speedstep disabled for a while and see what that does. I'll post back if I get this fixed.

 

[Lemon law]

I have looked at the MSI bios flashing procedures, and they all recommend flushing the bios after a new flash. You can either do it with the shorting pins on the mobo, or simply by turning off all power to the computer, removing the bios battery for 30 minutes, and then reinserting the bios battery. And then all memory of the previous bios will be gone and hence not conflict with the new flash.

Not sure if you have tried this or not already, but it does spring to mind. And loading bios defaults and making sure settings for sound and video cards are not a problem is also advised.

 

[Ron Obvious]

Hi, I also have the same motherboard and CPU and I can confirm the occurence of that event in event viewer (event id 6). I have run windows 7 x64 for about 2 years I think, and I've had no crashes though.

I'd say just ignore the error, it doesn't seem to have any impact on stability. Maybe it's something related to speed step...

My specs (copied from signature):
MSI P6N Sli Platinum, bios 1.7
Intel E6600 Core Duo
Zalman CNPS9500 Cooler
Asus EN7300GT Silent GPU, 256MB DDR2 PCI-e
RAM: 2 x 1Gb Apacer DDR2-800 CL5
PSU: Corsair VX550W(EU): [+3,3V:30A, +5V:28A, +12V:41A/492W, –12V:0.8A,+5Vsb:3A]
Seagate ST3160023A (160Gb), Samsung HD401LJ (400Gb), Samsung HD753LJ (750Gb)
SyncMaster 913B
Windows XP x86 SP3
F-Secure FSAV 8.00 Client Security

 

[Ron Obvious]

...but if you find a solution please let me know as well.