Originally Posted by Roadrocket

Hi Jephree

You requested information on the acquired machine's motherboard
Please find CPZ results

XP2600+ Mainboard
Model NVidia-nForce
Chipset NVidia nForce2 - 400
Southbridge NVidia nForce2 MCP
Sensor Winbond W83627HF

This machine was built for gaming only

Is this a superior board to the original m/c board?
System Model: Asus A7N8X2.0
BIOS version: Phoenix Tech. Ltd A7N8X2.0 Deluxe ACPI BIOS rev. 1005

Kind Regards

Roadrocket

...
Hard to say. CPU_Z is not ID'ing the motherboard but only the chipset which is quite old:

NVidia nForce2 - 400

NVIDIA nForce2


You might open the computer and look for an ID.

Most manufacturers print the ID between the PCI slots or perhaps next to the RAM slots.

Originally Posted by Roadrocket

Hi Jephree

The number printed on the motherboard is

M7NCD 02
version 3.0

The 02 is a faint print on the board

The back of the computer has a wide vertical slot with the metal plate missing
There are two other slots metal work missing and I could replace them off mine, but not the vertical metalwork

I am concerned about dust ingress

My original computer motherboard,

System Model: Asus A7N8X2.0
BIOS version: Phoenix Tech. Ltd A7N8X2.0 Deluxe ACPI BIOS rev. 1005

Is it possible to define which is the superior board?

Kind Regards

Very similar boards.

The Asus allows more RAM and more advanced (barely) processors.

Same chipset on both boards.

The Asus also has SATA whereas the BioStar does not.

BioStar has a page for this board:

Biostar USA

Asus no longer carries a page for their board but there is a manual:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

Again Asus does not have direct linkage so you need to insert your model etc.


Also please reply to this thread and not in Private Messages. Thanks.

Hi Jephree

Thank you for your kind assistance

Three questions,
1. If you had these machine, knowing what you do now
a. One with seven years of programs and updates, Windows updates on manufacturer assembled m/c
b. One hand built with metal work missing and requiring sound card transfer, program loading, updates etc.
c. Both with simular Motherboards etc.

What would you do?
(i) Transfer faster CPU processor and RAM memory to current machine
(ii) Or load all programmes, Windows updates, ad program updates for each program on acquired m/c

2. If I did decide to transfer the processor,
a. Do I need to do any BIOS alteration or anything before transfer of CPU & Memory?
b. After transfer, do I just need to reset the Memory speed to 166Hz, and the multiplier to achieve 2088MHz in the BIOS?

3. If the BIOS sequence does not scroll up – what do I do then?

Kind Regards

A7N8X2.0 Deluxe

Your current board is the better.

Move the CPU.

I'd suggest getting the 1007 BIOS first.

Dual Channel is an aspect of the motherboard. There is nothing to set.

Your scans never posted any memory details so I do not know the RAM speeds.

CPU_Z will show this under Memory as well as SPD.

You can add a third 1GB stick to the existing 2GB.

In general you want matching brands and speeds.

If you add the third stick and you have issues just remove it.

On a computer like yours 3GB of RAM will be no different than 2GB.

If anything it might be detrimental.

Hi Jephree

RAM info as requested,

XP 2600+
SPD XP1800+ XP2600+
Module Size 256 512 Mbytes
Maximum Bandwidth PC2100 (133 MHz) PC2700 (166 MHz)

XP1800+ XP2600+
Mbytes Mbytes
Memory 1024 1024 DDR
Frequency 133.1 167.1
FSB: Dram 1:1 1:1
CAS# Latency 2.5 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 3 clocks
Cycle time (Tras) 6 7 clocks

Cache
L1 Data cache 64 Kbytes 2 way Set associative 64 bytes line size
L1 Instruction cache 64 Mbytes 2 way Set associative 64 bytes line size
L2 256 KBytes 16 way set associative 64 bytes line size

PC Speeds

Rated FSB MHz Bus Speed MHz Multiplier Core speed MHz
XP 2600+ processor 334.1 167.1 12.5 2088.8
XP 1800+ processor 266.3 133.2 11.5 1531.8

Kindest Regards

Roadrocket

Use the fastest two sticks of RAM plus the faster CPU in your current board after updating the BIOS.

XP 2600+

PC2700 (166 MHz)

Hi Jephree

This is in my A7N8X deluxe book

“Please note, BIOS update is only recommended when experiencing technical difficulties with your system, And is not recommended to be performed regularly.

Moreover, due to the nature of BIOS update, there is certain level of dangers involved. BIOS update must be performed with extreme caution . During BIOS update process, your system must be maintained without interference or power loss to prevent unexpected damage.”

Since I am not experiencing problems, do I need to do this?

Also, do I understand, I need do nothing to the BIOS or system before I change the processor

Kind Regards

That is a standard BIOS statement.

A flash is basically simple and takes less than a minute.

The risk is in a power failure. Should you lose power during a flash the BIOS will be lost and you cannot recover it short of returning the board to the manufacturer.

You can go ahead and change the hardware and see what happens.

If it does not work than updating the BIOS might help.

Many BIOS updates concern adapting new hardware.

The BIOS download should state what it is that is being updated.

There is nothing else to do to the BIOS. It should be set at Default already if you have not overclocked it.

If you have overclocked it then set it back to Default.

Hi Jephree

Processor & Memory transferred and working

And thank you for all your much appreciated help & assistance

Two final questions:
1. In the BIOS “Hardware Monitor”, the Q Fan is set to (disabled) – default setting
Fan Speed Ratio {10/ 15)
Speed Up/ Down Response Time (4sec/ 8Sec)

Would you recommend enabling this as it is a faster processor and probably generating more heat?

2. To check the Processor temperature working under load conditions I
installed ASUS Probe, however, on running the software it states ACPI missing
How do I find the correct ACPI file for my model
I have been on the ASUS site but cannot trace it

1)

Not sure what the "Q" fan is but might as well enable it.

If there is no hardware associated with it you might get a BIOS error on boot.

If so turn it off or just do F1 to bypass.

2)

Try SpeedFan:

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer