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General discussion

POST and CPU speed issues

Dec 30, 2003 3:57AM PST

Hi folks,

My first post here so I'll try to do it right ^_^

My girlfriend and I are upgrading our machines and purchased a bunch of stuff from Fry's (equipment list to follow).

My computer was a Dell, so we decided to buy a new case, mobo, processor, RAM, CD-ROM, 3.5" drive...basically a new machine except for my Asylum Ti 4200 128meg video card and HDD. I went from a Intel Pentium III 500Mhz to a new AMD Athlon 2500+ with the Abit mobo KV7 (KT600 chipset I believe).

We put all of this in the new case, everything seems to be going well. Then we do the Windows XP 'repair' function that was recommended to us since we are going from an Intel to a AMD processor. After we activate Windows XP and get network settings back to where they should be, drivers installed for the onboard sound and such, we notice that the bootup screen and the system performance screen both list the Athlon but at only 512Mhz!! I am baffled, so I asked a friend and he said to flash the BIOS with the latest update and that should fix it? I wanted to double check that with you folks to see what your suggestions would be before I do that.

<sorry this is long winded>

The other comp was already an AMD processor and we replaced the mobo, processor, RAM, some cables (IDE and floppy, she likes round cables) but kept the HDD, burner, CD-ROM, floppy and case.

First time we booted it up no problem except a Checksum error showed up and said defaults were loaded. She went into the BIOS and started configuring it and all of a sudden had a black screen wth lights on the front still on. We go through the reset procedure for the mobo (take CMOS batt out, move certain jumper from 1,2 to 2,3 and back again), got it to start up again. Great! Still have checksum error, but back into BIOS we go and she just updates the date and time and the same thing happens again!

We left it there this time, as it was approaching midnight and we had work this morning. She is running the same setup I am as far as processor, mobo and ram go (pc3200).

Help, please, lol.

Thanks much in advance for any help!

Discussion is locked

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What kind of 'checksum'?
Dec 30, 2003 4:33AM PST

1. A ROM BIOS Checksum is performed each time a computer is booted to compare what is found and what is actually stored in the CMOS ROM (Read-only Memory). If a mismatch is found, a notices will be displayed in the form of an error message and generally accompanied with nine beeps. This usually occurs because the ROM firmware or mother board is faulty which may require replacement or repair.

2. A ROM Checksum Error is performed each time a computer is booted to compare the information it currently contains against found resident devices and expansion cards. Some peripheral devices and expansion cards contain executable code stored in the ROM. The ROM has a checksum value which is used to double-check whether its code has been corrupted. An error message is generated when the BIOS detects a mismatch between the stored checksum value and the one it calculate during boot. A four-digit address may be included with an error message indicating the address of the failed peripheral:

a. "Expansion Card."

b. "Video Cards."

c. "Mother Board."

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Next type!
Dec 30, 2003 4:37AM PST

A CMOS Checksum Error is computed as an error-detecting code to protect the BIOS settings stored in the CMOS memory. Each time the system is booted this number is recomputed and checked against stored values. If a mismatch is encountered, an error message is generated to report that the CMOS memory content and that compared to what was actually found on the system differ. Generally, the most common cause is battery failure, but not always. Viruses, as well as certain mother board problems, can also affect stored CMOS values.

a. "The CMOS Battery is Dead or Dying."

b. "Troubleshooting the Mother Board."

c. "PC Power Supply."

d. "Scan For Viruses."

Note: There is no set scenario of reaction to this type problem since the software and firmware of each manufactured BIOS/CMOS are different and no set process will fit all.

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Re:Next type!
Dec 30, 2003 5:05AM PST

Yep, that's it. The 'CMOS checksum error, defaults loaded', was what we got.

One thing we wondered was if the 300W power supply would be ample for this new setup. KV7 mobo (Abit), AMD Athlon 2500+, floppy, HDD, two CD drives - one burner and one player and four fans.

If the power supply isn't keeping up with demand, could that be part of the problem?

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Way to small.
Dec 30, 2003 7:37AM PST
One thing we wondered was if the 300W power supply would be ample for this new setup.

1. 400-450.

2. Very well could be a factor but also use those four references provided.
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Re:Way to small.
Dec 30, 2003 1:29PM PST

Ok, power supply upgraded and still no luck. We went to bare bones components (processor, mobo, ram and video card and still had the error =/

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NT -- Consider MB bad, a configuration wrong or its installation is incorrect (Ref. b)
Dec 30, 2003 10:13PM PST

.