1250 Compaq Presario Laptop will not power up.

[gbcfla]

I tried uprgrading my AMD k6-2 333 to a AMD K6 3+ 450 ACZ. When installing I had the settings reversed. I thought that (l) was off, and (0) was one. So, when I powered up the unit nothing happened no monitor, no beeps, no sound, not floppy or hard drive sound. The only power indication was the power light/cord light on the front of the computer was on. When I insert the battery the fan starts running. After about 1 min. I unplugged the unit and checked the cpu. It was cold (not even warm). Nothing felt or smelled hot. Corrected the settings and powered up. The same thing happened (nothing). So, I pulled the cpu and reinstalled the k6-2 and set the settings to where they were previously. Powered up the unit and the same thing (nothing). Before trying to install the new k6 3+ I was told to install a program called Central Tweak Unit, which I did. This program is suppose to recognize the new cpu in the bios. Everything was working perfect. I thought it would be a simple install. I guess NOT!!!

Details on cpu. 2.0v/3.3 I/O (same as the k6-2, that worked)
These are the settings that I have tried:
s1-1 off, s1-2 on, s1-3 off, s1-4 off, s1-5 on, s1-6 off, s1-7 on, s1-8 off, s1-9 off, s1-10 off, s2-1 on s2-2 off

Note: 2x mutilier is actually 6x for the k6 3+
I'm using the original 66.6 mhz motherboard.
Also, running windows 98se

Thanks for your help

[GaryRouth]

Hello and Welcome to the PC Mechanic Forums

(Noticed it was your 1st post)

. . . Seems like you must have a manual handy with the jumper settings you need. Sure sounds like a jumper isn't right. I tried to find a copy on the Compaq site, but what a mess their search engine makes of things. I might try again in the morning, since I'm tired at the moment. . . You might check just to make sure the CMOS battery didn't come loose in all this.

I looked in on a link for Central Tweak Unit, which I hadn't heard of previously. Don't see how it can change anything in your bios, though. A bios is read-only (unless being flashed). Did you move any Clear CMOS jumpers while installing?

Did you find any info over at Compaq that your motherboard supports the K6-III+? Seems like if it does, it would at the least require a bios update to accomodate it. . . since that K6-III+ has quite a different cache setup than the K6-2 or K6. Does your Compaq allow you to select the 2.0 core voltage that the K6-III+ runs at? That surprises me, too. And the K6-III+ would normally run at a 100mhz FSB. . .

Like I mentioned at first, I'll check back in the morning, after some shut eye.
. . . Gary

[gbcfla]

Gary,

I just successfully my new AMD K-6 lll+ 450 ACZ on my Compaq.

I found out that on my previous attempt I didn't push the cpu far enough over to snap it into the socket. I used a screwdriver and snapped it right over. Powered it up and is running 394mhz on my 66mhz mobo. I ran a full system test at PCPITSTOP.COM and tested out with Checker FLAGS, it increased my memory speed from 420mb/s to 630+mb/s.
Previously with my K-6 2 333mhz processor, my total score was 57.
With the lll+ installed my total score went up to 155+

Thanks again.

[GaryRouth]

gbcfla

Glad you got it: sounds like it's running well (just think how nicely it runs with a 100mhz bus)... Those were nice chips, I have a K6-III desktop chip in an older system at home (built it in '98, I think). Has a bunch of cache on-chip - it's been running great now for 4 years, no problems. I think those chips were expensive for Amd to manufacture, which is why you don't see many of them. Their production was delayed a little, and by then the Durons (faster and cheaper for Amd to make, though needing the newer motherboards) were ready. With your K6-III+ you're probably getting the top performance possible on a 1250 Presario. . . breathed a new life into your notebook.

Nice work
. . . Gary

[gbcfla]

Thanks Gary,

You bet I'm completely satified with the uprgrade. Previously with the K-6 2 333 I couldn't watch any divx & .avi movies on it. Today I copied one from my desktop and opened it on windows media player 7 and it worked great. ( As long as you keep the screen size minimal). This will be great for my kids when we travel. I might decide not to bring the TV/VCR on the next trip ( saving much needed space).

I just bought another k-6 3+ 450ACZ for $50 and it should arrive this week. I'm going to install it on a computer at my business. It's a super socket 7 with a 333mhz processor. I read the manual and it can recognize the K-3 processors. So, I won't have to install that program Central Tweak Unit, as I did on the Compaq.
This upgrade should increase it from 333mhz to 600mhz. The 3+ processor has a multiplier of 6 @100 bus.

It should make a big difference.

Thanks again!!!

[GaryRouth]

Make sure the machine at work can do the 2.0 core voltage - not all the desktop's motherboards go down that low (but I'm guessing you probably checked that already. . . sometimes a motherboard bios update will do the trick)

and congratulations again
. . . Gary