I'm confuzed w/DDR setup in BIOS

[Ishtim]

Just built a new machine for gaming and after successfully figuring out the CPU frequency and Multiplier settings in the BIOS. I am ready to move on. Since the machine initially booted up as a 1GHz now says 2500+ I just figured there were similar settings to optimize DDR settings. I am really not ready for OC'ing yet, but I would like to get the most performance (and stability) out of my machine. There are too many variables to just start changing them and the ASUS mobo book is very brief in this area. I have noticed that the forum hits on this type of topic frequently and was wondering if anyone can lend a hand?
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AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Asus A7N8X Deluxe 1.4 (1002.a)
2x 512-PC3200 Mushkin Black
ATI 9800Pro
Klipsch Pro Media
19" CRT

[Google]

[[TN] Nathan]

Read here:

It will help you optimize your bios.

http://www.rojakpot.com/bog.aspx

Great guide!
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Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

[Ishtim]

Thanks Nathan I'll get on this right away, and let you know what I find out.
_________________
AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Asus A7N8X Deluxe 1.4 (1002.a)
2x 512-PC3200 Mushkin Black
ATI 9800Pro
Klipsch Pro Media
19" CRT

[Ishtim]

In case any of you haven't read my recent thread entitled "A7N8X dosen't recognize Floppy, HDD, ... " I just wanted to give thanks again to the fellow (not-so-noob) tweakers for bailing me out in less than 24 hours. To make a long story short I tried to crank up DDR speed for the first time by using the RAM multiplier in my 1002.a Award BIOS. Needless to say at 150% I lost all drive recognition and FREAKED ! After yanking the battery and resetting the BIOS with the jumper (and a 1/2 hour wait) I plugged her back in and VIOLA!
Boots like a champ! Now with everything stable I can start tweaking again with some assurance that recovery is quite simple and there are people around that are unselfish enough to help us noobs. I just really wanted to say THANKS again for the help... Tweaknews ROCKS!
_________________
AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Asus A7N8X Deluxe 1.4 (1002.a)
2x 512-PC3200 Mushkin Black
ATI 9800Pro
Klipsch Pro Media
19" CRT

[DMW]

once you are feeling up to it....do not forget that there are some bios updates to be done.

I am guessing that you you have a MOBO version below 2.0?
Possibly 1.3 /1.4 / 1.6??? (this will be printed usually next to the ASUS name on the board)

well if you have below the 2.0. then there is only one update...to an8d1003.
these are the fixes:
"enhance system compatibility with Transcend DDR333(MOSEL chips) memory modules.
Fix the error that, under device manager, a yellow mark appears when installing WinXP with a USB keyboard and mouse."

if you have the version 2.0 then there are two updates:
c18d1003 which addresses-
"Enhance system compatibility with Transcend DDR333 memory modules(With Mosel chips)."

and c18d1004 which addresses-
"Fix A7N8X system fails to resume from S3 when using ATI RADEON 8500DV AGP VGA card
Added "Dual Channel mode" or "Single Channel mode" string on POST screen
Update CPU frequency table up to 300MHz in BIOS setting"


generally, unless one of these issues is affecting you....you might just keep things the way they are. Even though they have the process very well defined, and it can also been done from within windows (I have done this several times), when updating the bios, there is always a "potential" for problems.


ya just gotta love this board! support for 400MHz FSB!!! (only ver 2.0 and later)

[Ishtim]

I have the rev 1.4, so I think I'll stick to the 1002.a BIOS until there is a change that affects my system or I use USB mouse...
_________________
AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Asus A7N8X Deluxe 1.4 (1002.a)
2x 512-PC3200 Mushkin Black
ATI 9800Pro
Klipsch Pro Media
19" CRT