CPU and RAM - MB upgrade issues

[flip20xx]

I'm trying to max out an older system:

Issue 1:
Motherboard is a DFI AK74-EC (EC i think). I did have an AMD Athlon 900 MHz and got a 1.2 GHz Athlon. I've got the new (old, but new to me) Athlon in, however my system is still seeing it as a 900 MHz.

Issue 2:
I read my MB would support 1.5 GB of RAM. I did have 512 MB in there of PC133 (1x 256MB, 2x 128MB) in the 3 DIMM slots. I ordered 3 sticks of 512MB but it will only work with 2 of them in there (1 GB). I tried putting in one of the old DIMMs in the 3rd slot but it MB beeped at me.

I'm thinking I may need a BIOS update but not for sure, and if so, do not know where to get it.

it says "Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG" at the top.
on the bottom it says "03/22/2001-8363-686B-6A6LMD4EC-00"

Any thoughts? Thanks a lot.

-flip

[EzyStvy]

1. You need to find a manual for the mobo...Odds are, there are jumper pins that need to be changed for the new cpu.

[1life2live4]

http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/20435/DFI_AK74-EC.html

: )

[glc]

The manual is here:

http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/manual_download_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=1273&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&SITE=US

1. The 900 MHz Athlon is 100 FSB, and the 1.2 GHz is probably a 133 FSB. You need to remove JP10 for 133 FSB operation. That's the jumper between the floppy connector and the ram slots.

2. You do need a bios update, download the OFFICIAL bios update here:

http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/bios_download_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=1273&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&INDEX_TYPE=null&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US

Get 2001/11/05.

EDIT: Hmm - you have 2001/03/22 already - that was SUPPOSED to fix the ram issue. I'd update anyway and go from there. You may have ram with the wrong component density.

[flip20xx]

I'm having issues now with the BIOS update. I run the AWDFLASH.exe and put in the .bin file however it seems to lock up and do nothing after I hit Enter. Does it really just take a long, long time to update?


I have all 3 of my 512 MB DIMMS in the slots, and it's not beeping at me, but it still only registers 1 GB total (on boot up and in Windows XP)

I'm not seeing JP10 between the DIMM slots and floppy cable. My mobo is REV.B2, does that make a difference? (I guess it does)

Thanks a lot for the responses guys.

[THIERRY]

flip20xx Bios update is a bit tricky and I do not know if you have done it before. The panel has gave you all the tool neccesary for the task, please do read the manual or better still the website manufacturer for BIOS update. You must match the bin.file with your motherboard name,version and REV. Prior to upgrade, please do it with only one stick of RAM in the slot for the time being. As Glc mention, do locate the J10 and remove it. Its location may changed due to mobo version or REV(consult your manual).Frankly we do not know if you have done it in the past ?? The forum gave you credit for it. I have done one similar upgrade last month. It easy if you know your way around. If you have question to raise please be more specific as the hard-working forum colleague can pinpoint or anticipate the issue and come with the workaround. All the best for the challenge ahead.

Thierry

[flip20xx]

I've done a bios update before, just been a while. Unfortunately I can't find a manual for the REV.B2 board on DFI's site or anywhere else. I can't locate JP10 on my board (found a bunch of others though!) I guess REV.B2 is different but I can't find anything on this one.

I guess I'm just SOL with this board.

Looking at the AMD Phenom... and comments on that CPU?

[glc]

Are you positive it's an AK74-EC?

[flip20xx]

yes.

I can find info on the REV.A+, but nothing on REV.B2, which is what I have.

[glc]

Is that a generic DFI board you have, or is it part of a name brand system? Quite often, major OEM's will use a proprietary version of branded boards built specifically for them. That may explain the lack of a FSB jumper and the incompatible bios update.

[flip20xx]

I may just have that random board that me and 3 other people in the world have... It's not a huge deal. I was just wanting to upgrade what I had for the next little while. I'm looking to get a new system in the near future, but wanting to have this one as a 'basic email, word, etc' system.

Thanks for your input and help. I appreciate all of you who took the time to reply.

-flip