Interesting BIOS & Multiplier problem - A7N8X Deluxe v.2

[Stan_D]

Hi all,

I was experimenting a lot tonight... and after many many tries 1 result struck me:

WITH ANY BIOS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL FACTORY 1003 BIOS, I HAVE CPU MULTIPLIER PROBLEMS. I tried 1004, 1005, 1006, Uber.... with ALL of them I had 9x, 9.5x, 10x, and 10.5x multiplier problems - system just didnt boot. When I change multiplier to Auto or 8x for example, it boots OK.

I dont know why is that. I flashed thoroughly - bootblock too, clear CMOS, clear DMI, I tried different ways of flashing, but result was the same - MULTIPLIER PROBLEMS WITH ALL BIOSES EXCEPT FACTORY BIOS. When I flash-back to original 1003, all works fine - system is rock stable at 215x10. This 215x10 was not possible with ANY NEWER BIOS, only due to the multiplier fault. For example, 215x11 booted with all BIOSes, but CPU was unstable at 2365 MHz. So I am back to 1003 now.

I know it sounds very very weird, but I assure everyone that I tested everything carefully. Have no idea whats happening with those multipliers, Ive read many complaints about that...

The system is:
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe 2.0
Antec True Power 430W
Athlon TbredB JIUHB 1700+@2150MHz (215x10)
Alpha 8045 + Papst 80mm
TwinMos 2x256MB DDR3200 (Winbond BH-5) - 11-3-2-2 at 215MHz, 2.7V
Seagate 7200.7 SATA 80GB
CDRW LiteOn

[sanford1]

Hi all,

I was experimenting a lot tonight... and after many many tries 1 result struck me:

WITH ANY BIOS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL FACTORY 1003 BIOS, I HAVE CPU MULTIPLIER PROBLEMS. I tried 1004, 1005, 1006, Uber.... with ALL of them I had 9x, 9.5x, 10x, and 10.5x multiplier problems - system just didnt boot. When I change multiplier to Auto or 8x for example, it boots OK.

I dont know why is that. I flashed thoroughly - bootblock too, clear CMOS, clear DMI, I tried different ways of flashing, but result was the same - MULTIPLIER PROBLEMS WITH ALL BIOSES EXCEPT FACTORY BIOS. When I flash-back to original 1003, all works fine - system is rock stable at 215x10. This 215x10 was not possible with ANY NEWER BIOS, only due to the multiplier fault. For example, 215x11 booted with all BIOSes, but CPU was unstable at 2365 MHz. So I am back to 1003 now.

I know it sounds very very weird, but I assure everyone that I tested everything carefully. Have no idea whats happening with those multipliers, Ive read many complaints about that...

The system is:
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe 2.0
Antec True Power 430W
Athlon TbredB JIUHB 1700+@2150MHz (215x10)
Alpha 8045 + Papst 80mm
TwinMos 2x256MB DDR3200 (Winbond BH-5) - 11-3-2-2 at 215MHz, 2.7V
Seagate 7200.7 SATA 80GB
CDRW LiteOn

I think it's the cpu. An L12 mod might fix it, but I haven't tried it yet. The L3 setting on your cpu may have a bearing on it ,too. Mine reads as a 2100 and I can get 9x but not the others.

[rsauron]

Stan I love you man.....
I have never been able to use my 10x multi, till I read what you said about the 1003 bios. I had tried everyone execpt the 1003.
Well I I am now rock soild at 215x10. I could never get past 200x11 stable before. You are my Hero of the Day..
30mhz faster FSB... All in a days reading..
Time to change the sig...

[Stan_D]

I am very glad to help and thanks for the good words And Im not sure if its the CPU or not, but the fact is fact - strange multiplier problems with some BIOSes. Soon Im trying new Barton and I will make the same "procedure"

By the way, the best way to fully reflash and renew BIOS, entirely removing the remains of the previous one, is to manually flash it with latest AWDFLASH.EXE under clean DOS, using these strings:

"A:\Awdflash blabla.bin /cc /cp /cd /wb"

All commands are explained when you type: awdflash /?

[Stan_D]

Just checked with another TBred - its NOT the CPU. Its something in BIOS maybe. The new TBred CPU has the same multiplier problems with all BIOSes except the original 1003. Soon I will test with Barton and will comment here.