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General discussion

OEMs and EM64T

May 28, 2005 8:09AM PDT

Many people have been buying computers with motherboards that should support em64t. But will the oems give you a bios update to enable it so you can upgrade your processor to a Pentium 4 6xx series. All the consumer is asking for is a bios update, we'll buy our own processors... WHy won't they offer us the bios update? This thread is created to hear consumers opinions on this issue, as i was just dissed by a stupid analyst called ADDY at compaq instant support when he took forever to come up with a reply, tried to tell me that my system won't support 4GB of Ram because it's 32-bit when i was asking him about a bios update so i can upgrade to 64-bit, etc.
Roger

Discussion is locked

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Re: 64-bit
May 28, 2005 10:29AM PDT

But does your processor support EM64T? If so you should be able get the BIOS download from Intel.

You indicate, that you desire a ''...bios update to enable it so you can upgrade your processor to a Pentium 4 6xx series.''

From what I understand, if it was that simple, ie..download a BIOS update to current 5xx processors enabling to become a 6xx, then Intel would not have taken so long to come out with the 64-bit (EM64T) support available with the 6xx processors. Many 5xx series processors apparently just do not have the capability for the 64-bit support feature.

What Intel states:

''An Intel

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RE:
May 28, 2005 11:23AM PDT

No, my processor doesn't support em64t, but i was hoping for a bios update so my motherboard would support it (i didn't mean to upgrade the processor to em64t technically)so i can buy a processor and then upgrade to 6xx series with em64t. My computer has the 915P chipset so it's supposed to be able to support it, but it comes with it's own bios from compaq. As for operating system, i have windows xp pro w/sp2. So theoretically, can't compaq just like the amds which would support dual-core on their current socket 939s, offer an update in the bios so my mobo can support em64t. I'll buy the processor myself... As for the 5xx series with em64t support, can i buy the Pentium 4 3.60F, and install it without a bios update and have em64t support, i don't think it's possible without a bios update. SO whatever i do, i can't get em64t without a bios update.
Roger

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Re: EM64T
May 28, 2005 3:20PM PDT

I don't know of any place you could buy a P4 560 3.6GHz processor with EM64T. Believe the ones that Intel is referring to are for special builds for OEM. The retail P4 660 3.6GHz with EM64T support is about the same price as a 560 without EM64T, $414. You might check with Intel through email to see how feasible it is to get the BIOS update in advance and to convert your computer to EM64T.

I didn't know Compaq would offer a BIOS update for the forthcoming Dual Core processors to those that already have a Athlon mobo that qualifies unless they bought a Dual Core processor..also who would give the BIOS update... AMD or Compaq.

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RE:
May 28, 2005 4:07PM PDT

Whoa, i think i've confused you john. The motherboard is not made by intel in my computer. I bought the computer from compaq and the bios is under american megatrends, and you can only get a bios update from compaq. There's no way i can download a bios update from intel or asus (the mobo's manufacturer), american megatrends (the bios manufacturerer). That's why i would like compaq to release one. Ya,i was wondering whether they sold the 560 with em64t... And as for the bios update for people with oem amd socket 939s, ie, bios update would also have to come from compaq/hp if ppl have bought the SA4000Y or HP D1000Y/D4000Y. Not sure if those were the exact model numbers, but they come with mobos that can theoretically support the amd dual-cores.

My main statement in all of the posts so far was "if a person buys their own processor, should'nt the oem release a bios that would enable the customer's current hardware to support it?"

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bios update
May 29, 2005 8:11AM PDT

I just purchased an Abit AS8 board (865pe) from NCIX that was supposed to support the 6xx cpu but the bios was early 2004 and wouldnt work with the newer cpu. I returned the board and had the bios flashed all at their expence and it is working fine now.

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Same situation with OEMs with AMD Dual Core
May 28, 2005 11:26AM PDT

If you have a socket 939 cpu in an oem, i doubt they'll give you an update for your motherboard so you can BUY your own dual-core processor and install it.