With previous BIOS versions ABIT set a bit in the BIOS CMOS (offset 52
bit 7) to "1" to enable the ACPI "HALT" function and cool down the CPU
temp in idle mode. This, whilst allowing cooler CPU operation, is against
the advice of AMD and VIA. Under earlier AMD processors, however, this
modification allowed the system to idle cooler and had no ill effects.
However, it was been found with newer 133MHz FSB processors running at
1333MHz and higher, that this software cooling can cause severe stability
problems - especially under Windows 2000. As a consequence, in all ABIT
BIOS releases after version 3R, ABIT have set this bit to "0" - the value
recommended by AMD and VIA. This allows the motherboard to be stable
with all AMD processors at the expense of an increase of 5-10 degrees
Centigrade during idle (from approximately 35 degs C to 45 degs C). This
will not harm your motherboard or processor.
Note that this CMOS setting is widely used by other KT133/KT133A based
motherboards. Note that if your processor is slower than 1333MHz then
you can revert to the previous setting of the BIOS by using H-Oda's
WCPREDIT and WCPRSET programs to modify this register value. If you are
using Hex mode in these programs then change register 52 from 6B to EB to
re-enable the software cooling.
bit 7) to "1" to enable the ACPI "HALT" function and cool down the CPU
temp in idle mode. This, whilst allowing cooler CPU operation, is against
the advice of AMD and VIA. Under earlier AMD processors, however, this
modification allowed the system to idle cooler and had no ill effects.
However, it was been found with newer 133MHz FSB processors running at
1333MHz and higher, that this software cooling can cause severe stability
problems - especially under Windows 2000. As a consequence, in all ABIT
BIOS releases after version 3R, ABIT have set this bit to "0" - the value
recommended by AMD and VIA. This allows the motherboard to be stable
with all AMD processors at the expense of an increase of 5-10 degrees
Centigrade during idle (from approximately 35 degs C to 45 degs C). This
will not harm your motherboard or processor.
Note that this CMOS setting is widely used by other KT133/KT133A based
motherboards. Note that if your processor is slower than 1333MHz then
you can revert to the previous setting of the BIOS by using H-Oda's
WCPREDIT and WCPRSET programs to modify this register value. If you are
using Hex mode in these programs then change register 52 from 6B to EB to
re-enable the software cooling.
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