Stupid CPU/Mobo question!

[pooper]

OK so my system got stupidly unstable awhile ago, totally random lock ups... even during POST.. so i reset the CMOS settings to default and have left them at that for the past few months.

Everything is now stable, but by using the CMOS default settings, my chip is underclocked to 1.35GHz (it's a 2200+ Thoroughbred which should be running at 1800GHz).

So i thought i'd tempt fate, and reset the settings back to what they 'should' be.. and according to every guide i've read, it should be 133x13.5.

But the stupid thing is, I don't get an option for 13.5 in my CMOS

The options i get are: from x6 up to x15 but also with one option being "12.5/13".

So hmm yeah does anyone know what settings i should be using?

Ohh and im probably missing something obvious, but how come i can only set the FSB to 133, when (according to the AMD specs) should run at 266? (I'm assuming its something to do with DDR settings?)

I dunno, i haven't upgraded my mobo/CPU in years, so i'm totally out of the loop, so excuse my ignorance!

Thanks for any help!

(Mobo is a MSI KT3 Ultra2)

the mobos fsb will double to 266 for ram

update the bios? are there any fsb jumpers on the board? I had one of those boards years ago looks to me like the fsb is locked to 100 there maybe a jumper or switch to change it to 133 so the only way to get it to run right is to overclock which will mess with a lot of other hardware

[pooper]

Hmmm i can't even remember what kinda RAM i've got installed! i think its PC166 urmmm

133 runs at ddr266 = pc2200 166 runs at ddr333 pc2700 200 runs at ddr 400 =pc3200 (first one might be wrong my mind boggles lol )

---------- Post added at 15:21 ---------- Previous post was at 15:19 ----------

the 13.5 equates to the multiplier so at 100 mhz fsb x 13.5 = the speed your getting it should be 133 = 13.5 but there should be a setting for this either jumper switch or bios without having to overclock

[pooper]

Hmmm PC3200 seems way to new for my system lol

So i'm guessing it's PC2200 maybe...

What should i set the multiplier to, seeing as i don't even have 13.5 as an option?

(God knows what I had it set to previously!)

EDIT: Just had another check, and there's definitely no option for 13.5... which is stupid! :'(

I'm assuming that my current setup (set to 'auto' in the BIOS) is 100x13.5 (therefore running at 1350MHz) But i can't manually select 13.5!

[The Jackal]

Multipliers are locked so why cant you get the CPU FSB to 133Mhz ?

Factory default is 100Mhz you want 133

[pooper]

Ahh i didn't realise the multiplier was locked >.<

Well i just set the FSB to 133 and it POSTs, but windows refuses to load.. system just locks up before it get to the loading screen.

Changed it back to 100 and it took about 3 more reboots before it would load (i'm starting to remember why i gave up on this previously). But i want to get it sorted now, it's pi**ing me off!

Any more ideas?

Oh and i noticed that it says that the RAM is running at 333MHz... if that's of any use! (should i try 166 for the fsb?!)

[The Jackal]

Reset the BIOS with a jump (BIOS CLEAR) dont touch any other settings.....

Disconnect all USB devices (this has caught me out be4)

Raise FSB to 133 and see how far you get.

---------- Post added at 16:03 ---------- Previous post was at 15:59 ----------

Originally Posted by pooper

Oh and i noticed that it says that the RAM is running at 333MHz... if that's of any use! (should i try 166 for the fsb?!)

Nope ! that would overclock your processor.

If RAM is autodetecting 333Mhz then thats good but you could try underclocking it to 266 so that the memory and CPU are both in sync.

Maybe your mobo is incorrectly determining that your RAM is 333 whereas it should be 266 and hence your problems

[pooper]

I don't have physical access to the components right now (it's not my PC, and it's locked lol).

But i had a look in the BIOS settings again, and my SDRAM frequency options are:

HCLK
HCLK+33
HCLK+66
SPD

So urrrrrrrrrrrm....... what now? lol

[The Jackal]

Might help if I got your mobo model number. PS Did you disconnect all USB devices when you tried booting up at 133 ?

---------- Post added at 16:18 ---------- Previous post was at 16:15 ----------

ps can you download Everest so that we and you know what your hardware is doing.

[pooper]

I did give that info earlier :P

But it's a MSI KT3 Ultra2 more info here

Don't currently have any USB stuff installed either (i remember trying this before, with virtually all my hardware stripped out).

Thanks

[The Jackal]

Arrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh onfg I HATE THAT BOARD I have one here somewhere I might still even be using it in a machine dunno.

I tried a mild overclock on that board and it corrupted my disk - it made a real fat mess of it too.... leme check the manual

EDIT : Phew not the same : manual on the shelf is for the KT4V another MSI cr*piola mobo

[pooper]

lol yay!

Ohhh... i just installed Everest, and it's saying that my mobo is actually the MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU (i think that one is worse than mine.. plus i think it only supports up to a 2100+ ?!?!?) lol wtf

Anyway, what info did you want from Everest?

[The Jackal]

Dont worry about that nothing a BIOS upgrade wont fix :

SO

Advanced Chipset Features > DRAM Timing > SDRAM Timing Set to auto

[pooper]

I think it's at auto at the moment :/