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Resolved Question

BIOS assistance required

by May 4, 2014 12:07PM PDT

I have a fairly old computer.
Acer Aspire M1610

I got it from my neighbor for free, so I'm not sure whether or not it has been upgraded at all, and if so, in what way.

I attempted to upgrade the processor, but with the new processor in it will not boot up correctly. From what my research would indicate, it is a BIOS issue.

I am hesitant to download the BIOS update from Acer's website because I don't know if the motherboard I have was in the original computer model.
Foxconn LGA775 672M01-8EKSH

And the problem lies here, I can't find this motherboard in Foxconn's list to download a BIOS update.

From my "System Summary" window, I know this about my BIOS:
Phoenix Technologies, LTD R01-A3 8/10/2007

If you can figure out where I can download my BIOS, or if you think it may be a different problem, I'll include more details about the problem (just in case you think it is not a BIOS problem. You can skip the next paragraph if you want to just assist me with BIOS).
Thanks so much for any help.

I had an Intel Pentium D 925 in the computer when I got it. I purchased an Intel Core 2 Q9550 to upgrade it. The seller had me purchase a copper-core cooler with the processor (they way they sold it it did not come with a cooler) because my old cooler "is probably trash." When the new processor was put in, the computer would "turn on" (lights came on, fans started) but no display showed. It would just sit there for a while.

Discussion is locked

eliasen_dawson has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Best Answer

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I see it
by May 4, 2014 12:36PM PDT
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didnt help
by eliasen_dawson May 4, 2014 2:18PM PDT

Maybe I was unclear?
I need a BIOS update for my motherboard; after clicking on that link, I did not see anything about BIOS.

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ACER EXTENZA E261
by James Denison May 4, 2014 10:06PM PDT

ACER EXTENZA E261 uses the same motherboard.

Acer seems to have pretty much mothballed and written off anything that old, won't even reference it at their various sites, I checked. There are places you can download a driver helper program but I don't personally endorse them as completely safe of malware or spyware and haven't linked to them. Here's one if you wish that claims to have the BIOS. Or this may be where you can find what you want.

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Thanks!
by eliasen_dawson May 4, 2014 10:10PM PDT

Thank you, that's very helpful.

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comparison of CPU's
by James Denison May 5, 2014 12:23AM PDT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_D
http://ark.intel.com/products/33924/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q9550-12M-Cache-2_83-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

The newer CPU might even be less demanding on the power than the older Pentium D which ranged from 95-130w used.

The newer tops at 95w power usage.

Both are 64 bit archictecture, and the motherboard you have was rated to run Vista 64 bit.

An updated BIOS very well may fix you up right. However, the Pentium D is still a good contender in comparison since it's speed rating = Max. CPU clock rate 2.66 GHz to 3.73 GHz

and the Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q9550 = 2.83 GHz

so I'm wondering a bit why you want to upgrade the processor for such small gain?
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because
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:01AM PDT

I am not very knowledgeable on computers - but I was told this would be an excellent upgrade.

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If it works in your system
by James Denison May 5, 2014 10:38AM PDT

But both are dual cores and both have about the same speed ranges for the processors, so seems less an upgrade than justifies the cost.

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Not right
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:44AM PDT

I know that the Q9550 is quad core.

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you are correct
by James Denison May 5, 2014 10:52AM PDT

I saw Duo 2 and didn't notice the Quad. That could be more problematic than the difference in FSB speed, because not every mother board that could run a dual core can run a quad. More and more it's looking like this may not work at all.

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Oh
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:56AM PDT

Well that is new information; I have never heard that before. I have heard that motherboards may need a BIOS update to support new technology (like more cores) however.

Sounds like I should just try and return the processor.

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In looking around
by James Denison May 5, 2014 12:02PM PDT

I did see the version 12 BIOS is rated to allow some Core Duo Quads, but didn't see that particular one, but if it will do any quads it should do that one. Give it a try.

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A little more
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 12:09PM PDT

Could you point out exactly what BIOS you are referring to?

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Here's your motherboard
by James Denison May 5, 2014 12:41PM PDT
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BIOS
by James Denison May 4, 2014 10:48PM PDT
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I am confused
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:02AM PDT

But I don't have 671, do I?

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as best as I can figure
by James Denison May 5, 2014 10:41AM PDT
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vista/xp
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:50AM PDT

That has only vista and XP drivers. I have Windows 7.

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Answer
cpu
by May 4, 2014 10:57PM PDT
"I had an Intel Pentium D 925 in the computer when I got it. I purchased an Intel Core 2 Q9550 to upgrade it. The seller had me purchase a copper-core cooler with the processor (they way they sold it it did not come with a cooler) because my old cooler "is probably trash." When the new processor was put in, the computer would "turn on" (lights came on, fans started) but no display showed. It would just sit there for a while."

Your current BIOS is from 2007, that newer CPU is from early 2008, possible the older BIOS program doesn't recognize it properly.

http://ark.intel.com/products/33924/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q9550-12M-Cache-2_83-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9550+%40+2.83GHz

Both the 671M and 671MX BIOS in previous post are dated September 2008, so installation of new BIOS should allow the newer CPU to be recognized.
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Answer
I am going to say
by May 4, 2014 11:20PM PDT

I am going to say that no BIOS update is going to solve your problem. OEM computers, like Acer, are very limited in your upgrade potential. Even if two CPUs use the same socket, you can't necessarily just plunk any random CPU in you want, the BIOS developer has to add the specific microcode needed to bootstrap the CPU into the BIOS. Usually, you have to stay within the same family of CPUs.

Acer in particular is a brand where you shouldn't expect this sort of thing to work. For many many years Acer has been using a limited release production method. They buy enough raw materials to keep their production lines running for ~6 months after which they move on to a new model. Every unit is then dumped into the retail channel, nothing is held back for warranty claims unless it failed initial burn-in testing.

I know you said you got this as a free cast off from a neighbor, so at least your expenses are limited to the CPU which you can probably resell at only a marginal loss. Your only real hope here would be to get a new motherboard and that would in turn require a new copy of Windows or to run something like Linux instead.

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Answer
The Q9550 is not that bad.
by Forum moderator May 5, 2014 12:29AM PDT
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What?
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:06AM PDT

I don't know what you are trying to say here....
I don't have any speed issues.

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Then it's time for you to reveal why do this?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 5, 2014 10:25AM PDT

I see Bob B below nailed why your CPU choice is a dead end. Since it's a dead end, explaining why will not make it work. Why lose time there? Why not ask others what else we can kick it up a notch?
Bob

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Answer
Just a guess
by May 5, 2014 2:35AM PDT

No bios update will allow you to fit a cpu with a 1333 fsb into a mobo with a max fsb of 800.

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Could you please elaborate?
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:07AM PDT

Could you please elaborate? Could you explain fsb?

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FSB = front side bus
by James Denison May 5, 2014 10:48AM PDT

basically it means the speed at which the data can flow to the processor, but then it's "multiplied" by a factor of 2 or 3 to give the CPU it's full processing speed. So if the multiplier factor is 2 times the FSB, then the processor will run at 2.7 GHz when the FSB is 1333 Mhz. If instead the FSB is 800 Mhz like on older motherboard, then to achieve the same speed from the processor you would need to set the CPU multiplier to 3.5 times the FSB.

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Thanks
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 10:53AM PDT

Okay, if I'm interpreting it correctly you just said:
I could make this processor work with my motherboard, but only by limiting the capabilities of the processor.

Is that accurate?

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No. It's part of why it won't work.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 5, 2014 10:57AM PDT

There's also some MicroCode updates that are often in these BIOS updates to add CPU support. Since there's no reason to add this CPU since the FSB alone relegated it to the sideline, the microcode support may be missing.

I'm unsure why we need to go over every reason why this is a bad idea but once in a while you find folk that won't accept this is incompatible. On many fronts.
Bob

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.....
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 11:01AM PDT

What's wrong with trying to learn as much as I can in the process?

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Nothing.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 5, 2014 11:04AM PDT

Could be hard on your wallet!

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no
by eliasen_dawson May 5, 2014 11:06AM PDT

I don't see how asking questions costs me anything.

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