Go Back   PCMech Forums > Help & Discussion > Computer Hardware

Need Some Help? Type Your Keywords Here:

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 08-14-2008, 10:02 PM   #1
Member (4 bit)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Unhappy CPU and RAM - MB upgrade issues

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
flip20xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2008, 05:28 AM   #2
Ride 'em Cowboy
 
EzyStvy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 9,018
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.
__________________
Stand Up 2 Cancer - SU2C
EzyStvy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2008, 07:23 AM   #3
Member (10 bit)
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 729
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download...I_AK74-EC.html

: )
Chris Linder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2008, 10:28 AM   #4
glc
Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
 
glc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 36,460
The manual is here:

http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/Downloa...YPE=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/Downloa...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.

Last edited by glc; 08-18-2008 at 10:37 AM.
glc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2008, 11:09 PM   #5
Member (4 bit)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Question

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.
flip20xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2008, 05:58 AM   #6
Member (9 bit)
 
THIERRY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: England Coventry
Posts: 337
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
__________________
GIGABYTE X48-DQ6/E8400 @ 4.50GHz STABLE/OCZ REAPER HPC 4GB PC2-8500 DUAL KIT(5-5-5-15) /SAPPHIRE RADEON TOXIC 1GB HD4870 OVERCLOCKED(835MHZ/1020MHZ)/SAMSUNG T260 TFT/COOLERMASTER REAL POWER 850 WATTS/ARTIC FREEZER 7 PRO/12CM THERMALTAKE FRONT-INTAKE & REAR-EXHAUST FANS/SEAGATE BARRACUDA 500GB SATAII/DUAL BOOT VISTA ULTIMATE SP1& XP SP3.
THIERRY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2008, 10:37 PM   #7
Member (4 bit)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
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?
flip20xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2008, 01:33 PM   #8
glc
Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
 
glc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 36,460
Are you positive it's an AK74-EC?
glc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 04:27 PM   #9
Member (4 bit)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
yes.

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

Last edited by flip20xx; 08-26-2008 at 04:29 PM.
flip20xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2008, 06:49 PM   #10
glc
Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
 
glc's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 36,460
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.
glc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2008, 01:58 PM   #11
Member (4 bit)
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
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
flip20xx is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here:


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:49 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0