athlon 2600 and motherboard

Hi
I have a gigabyte kt400 series motherboard (GA-7VA). It was running with an athlon 2000, and after checking the gigabyte website for compatibility, I bought a 2600 upgrade. I am going to use the 2000 in another computer. At first I had problems with the computer switching off after about 5 seconds so I put the old processor back on, but the same thing happened. I found out from the FAQ on the amd website that it may have been a problem with contact with the heatsink, and sure enough some new themal paste got the computer going no probs.
However, although the computer will now work again with the 2000, it still wont work with the 2600. It switches on but wont fire up the monitor. Looking in the manual my motherboard is shown as having two dip switches for the CPU, whereas mine only has one. I dont think this has anything to do with the problem as the setting for the missing switch is 'off' for 100 and 133Mhz. Any ideas please?
Steve

 

Pretty straight forward stuff - I think.

Thunderbirds ran at 100mhz and 133mhz or in "AMD Double Talk" 200mhz & 266mhz. Palamino's ran at 133 or in "Double Talk ", 266mhz - Ditto for the Thoroughbreds.

Now you take a Barton core 2600+ (which is what I think you bought) and the cpu bus speed has been bumped to 333mhz. Oh, oh .... how are you going to jumper your motherboard for 166mhz - (333mhz in Double Talk)?

It gets to be even more fun when you start refining this to specific cores, model #'s within each manufacturing category and specific manufacturing dates. So, just how does an AGOGA core compare with an AGOIA? Interested in a week #38 Palamino?

I'm just giving you the tip of the iceberg - It gets really interesting because not all Athlons are created equal. Ditto with Motherboards - thats where revision numbers become important. None of this matters much until one starts pushing things to capacity (or beyond) and then they become critical.

Edit:
Just looked your board up and it will take a Barton 2600 like you said. Now I'd turn my focus to what BIOS revision is going to be necessary. Will leave my other ramblings (above) intact as a reminder to engage brain before mouth (self note).

 

Rockster is 100% correct there, you need the F9 revision BIOS to get that baby pumping in the GA-7VA. Most likely you have the F6 mass production release BIOS in that board and it won't run anything higher than about a 2100 without problems. I know this from experience, once working its a good board.

 

thanks both,
I already have the f9 bios. I tried it again but still wont work. I could try the 2600 in my sons asus a7v333, but I'll check the asus website first and see if its compatible.
Steve

 

Tried it on my sons aus A7v333 and got a message 'system fail computer' and it wont go no further. Mind you I didnt swop the fans over. My processor is 266 not 333 so it should work on both computers.
Steve

 

Just looked at Asus site and your son's machine needs BIOS #1012 or later to run that CPU. Original Asus A7V333 MB V.101 will not run the 266 XP2600+ with any earlier BIOS.

 

ive got bios 1017 on his machine. I wonder if Ive blown the CPU when i initially installed it in the gigabyte motherboard?

 

At first blush, I'd say no. I don't think that alone would do it. Despite what some like to think about CPU's, they are a pretty tough breed. At the same time, the chip could have been DOA or **** close to it.

 

Yeah, sounds like the CPU is damaged. Better call the RA department wherever you bought that thing.

 

FYI I never had any luck running anything faster than a 2100 on the A7V333 even with all the bios revisions.
If you want to rule out the chip choke back the clock speed in the bios. I bet it will run.
My A7V333 is sitting of in the corner. I moved on to the A7N8X.

 

I'm totally unfamiliar with that board (GA7VA) or the other one you reference, but your comments sure ring true. Then again, if I interpret that Calculus is running a 2100 at 2700 on the same MB, there goes that theory. When in doubt - time to bump the core voltage up and see what happens - hehehe! Do you prefer em' fried or scrambled?

 

Hello spankydata,

I would get myself a magnafying glass and inspect the die on the center of the chip very carefully. If this is a used chip you purchased it could have a chip in the die. Also from swapping your chip between multiple system boards, you can also inadvertently have chipped the die. On all of my PC expiriance I have seen where the slightest chip will make any AMD athlon or duron chips be shot. I have even done it myself to a chip.

Look very closely and see if its happened. If so.... you need a new chip.

 

I tried lowering the speed as suggested but I still got the message 'System failure, computer'. I think taking it back to the shop is my only answer. In the meantime Im ready to post my latest problem!

 

OK, you got my interest .... was picking up a bunch of stuff today from one of my wholesalers and he mentioned a new board they had and asked the big question - wanna' try one? Made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a GA 7VA-C. Won't be doing anything with it for at least a week, but must admit, its a good looking MB. Will even handle PC3200, but I noticed the warning - Samsung, Apacer and one or two others are the only guaranted and approved memory mfg's for 333mhz bus - perhaps there's a clue there that warrants your investigation even if you have a 266mhz CPU.

Regardless, I'll let you know what I think when I get around to throwing this puppy in a case. First impression - I'm impressed!

 

Grrrrr

Some months later Ive now purchased a GA-7VA rev2001 to build second son a computer also, and downloaded the latest bios FB. Ive replaced the dud AMD 2600 with another. Interestingly it was sold to me as a 266 FSB (thats what the sticker says) but the numbers imprinted on the CPU of AXDA2600DKV3D point to it being 333 FSB ?? Anyway I cant get the system to fire up, but it works with my old AMD 2000+.
In the bios I have the option to set the FSB to 166 to take the but I dont want to do that just in case I then cant get the 2000+ to work so Ive left it at auto. I bought a fan with Tt on the casing (forget the brand) which should handle a 2600, but I wonder if it could be the fan is not up to the job. Is this another dud CPU?
thanks
steve
PS
When a power supply goes bang is there any part of it worth replacing, or does it mean a new power supply?
Ta

 

It sure as heck sounds to me that you have the heatsink/fan on upside down.

YES, it can, and is commonly done!

Check this link for proper installation.

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/e_ser...did=1131&sid=6b6c79e9eddec6327236746a65225969

Look closely at the pictures of the mountings.
I think your BIOS is hitting the thermal limit thereby shutting the machine down trying to save the processor.

The "STEP" side of the heatsink generally goes up!!

Dale

 

Still doubtful to me that you have or had a dud (or two). Re setting your bus speed to 166 or doubled 333, you really don't need to worry about this because you can always go back and clear the CMOS which will put you back to "from the factory" settings and then put your 2000+ back in. Some of those Gigabyte boards are a little strange in that they don't have CMOS jumpers - if this is your situation, then you have to disconnect the ATX power from the MB and pull the CMOS battery - instructions will be in your manual.

If I get a chance, I'll look up your CPU within the next few hours. As to the TT - Thermal Take - if its V6 or below, its marginal for a 2600+. I think V5 is rated up to about 2000+ but would have to check that too. Used to be top of the line but there are others out there that are now far superior re: CPU cooling.

Will try to get back to you but quite busy right now.