Albatron KM266 Pro - Can't run Althon XP2400+ on it?

[NeilF]

So I upgraded the Duron 1000 to an Athlon XP2400+ on the motherboard. I've also flashed the BIOS to the latest version (which should support the XP2400+).

On the frequency screen in the bios:-
CPU Speed: This seems to reflect the current setting (15xCPU Clock)
Spread Spectrum: Enabled - What on earth is this?
CPU Clock: 100 (100 - 132 range) - I cannot set this anywhere near 132, and why isn't 133 there?
DDR:CPU Ratio: 2.00x (2.00x or 2.66x) - I've left this as 2.00x to try and help.

At the moment, I'm runing the CPU at 100 (15*100) = 1500mhz to ensure no problems. In Windows XP it reports the processor as an Athlon XP2400+, but the running spead as 1500mhz (XP1800+).

If I try upping the CPU clock, eg: to 130 or above, either the BIOS doesn't even boot up, or you get into the Windows loading screen where it then just sits forever....


So I'm a little confused. My gut feel is the motherboard is at fault somehow? I've even tried taking each of the two memory sticks out to ensure they're not at fault.

EDIT: I'm surprised there isn't just a 'Default' option to just the processor at the correct/appropriate settings rather than manually having to set them. I also cannot find a manual anywhere online

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hi Neil,

Most likely causes of problems

1. Memory not configured correctly or having problems running at DDR266
2. Motherboard having problems running 133MHz (266MHz-System Bus)
3. CPU not configured correctly or not recieving enough voltage

I had a quick check on the old Albatron KM266 Pro and that should run the XP2400+ just fine? I am wondering what memory sticks are you using? any chance of a screenshot from CPU-z (MEM/SPD Tabs) if your not sure.

I can confirm your processor runs fine at approx 2000MHz (15x133=1995MHz) using 1.65vCore.

P.S: Spread Spectrum is ok to disable but I doubt that's causing the issue.

 

[NeilF]

Hi Neil,

Most likely causes of problems

1. Memory not configured correctly or having problems running at DDR266
2. Motherboard having problems running 133MHz (266MHz-System Bus)
3. CPU not configured correctly or not recieving enough voltage

I had a quick check on the old Albatron KM266 Pro and that should run the XP2400+ just fine? I am wondering what memory sticks are you using? any chance of a screenshot from CPU-z (MEM/SPD Tabs) if your not sure.

I can confirm your processor runs fine at approx 2000MHz (15x133=1995MHz) using 1.65vCore.

P.S: Spread Spectrum is ok to disable but I doubt that's causing the issue.

The memory sticks are both CL2.5 DDR226 memory sticks. A 256mb one, and a 512mb one...

What I don't understand is why isn't there even a 133 option? Only goes upto 132?

The voltage is interesting!!! I hadn't thought of that... I wonder if that has to be manuanlly set in the BIOS!? (1.65v isn't it) The previous Duron would have need 1.75v... So if it isn't automatic it's being over volted! I don't recall seeing any voltage settings in the bios so I assume it would be automatic?


As I've said before, worse case it can just run at 15*100, but it's one of those things where I'd like to get it just working as you'd expect out of interest TBH!

 

[Big.Wayne]

VIA KM266 - VIA Technologies, Inc.

» Supports AMD Athlon™ XP and AMD Duron™ processors
» 200/266MHz FSB
» S3 Graphics ProSavage8™ Integrated Graphics core
» Supports DDR200/266 SDRAM as well as PC100/133 SDRAM
» Ultra fast 266MB per second V-Link between North and South Bridge
» Support for Advanced Communications Riser (ACR)
» AC'97 and MC'97 Audio/Modem
» Integrated 3Com 10/100Mb Ethernet Media Access Controller (VT8233C) or 10/100Mb Ethernet MAC
» Support for 2 ATA 33/66/100 interfaces
» 6 USB ports, UHCI compliant
» Integrated KBC, PS/2 Mouse Interface, RTC
» Advanced power management capabilities
» 552-pin BGA VT8375 North Bridge
» 376-pin BGA VT8233 family South Bridge

The chipset specs looks fine, I'm just wondering if the memory is running on some kind of upwards divider? i.e the old CPU used a 200MHz-System bus but your memory is rated to run at 266DDR so it may have been configured likewise (running on an upward divider so faster than system bus), the problem would come if you then tried to raise the system bus while still having the memory running faster, if this is the case it would mean you were attempting to run PC2100/DDR266 as PC2700/DDR333.

Have a butchers through the BIOS and look for any options relating to memory or memory/FSB ratio.

Albatron KM266 Pro Product Page

 

[NeilF]

Have a look at my OP, and there is a 'DDR:CPU Ratio'...

I wonder if there is a jumper to flick it between 100/133mhz? Have a look at this manual for a similar looking motherboard! http://www.machspeed.com/manuals/VENOM/V6FPR3A.pdf (page 6)


Infact, it's looking even MORE likely... Look at page 33 of that manual as well... Clock Speed can go from 100-132 (which is what I get) or 133-200 (which I do not get).


So surely it has to have a jumper for 100 or 133 behaviour... Question is, is there one, and where is it

 

[Big.Wayne]

Have a look at my OP, and there is a 'DDR:CPU Ratio'...

DDR:CPU Ratio: 2.00x (2.00x or 2.66x) - I've left this as 2.00x to try and help.

Yup sorry Neil I missed that at first, maybe that has something to do with it? have you tried changing that to 2.66x ?

[edit] Any chance of some CPU-z screenshots from the Memory and SPD tabs please? (you can email them to me direct if needed.)

 

[NeilF]

Yup sorry Neil I missed that at first, maybe that has something to do with it? have you tried changing that to 2.66x ?

[edit] Any chance of some CPU-z screenshots from the Memory and SPD tabs please? (you can email them to me direct if needed.)

Will do, but I'll look for that jumper first (as per my last message) to flick between 100/133, which surely could be part of the issue?

 

[NeilF]

Oh for goddness sake.... I ******** hate computers

So took the jumper off, and up the machine booted perfectly at 133mhz as a proper 2400+.... Lovely...

Closed it down, and on the next boot up, half way thru boot up in windows it rebooted.

Now, it's completely dorked.

The moment you turn the power onto the case, the lights come on, fans and harddrives startup (no need to press the on button) and absolutely no sign of life from the BIOS. No beep, no video output nothing...

FFS! I put some more memory in, and new processor in, and now the MB(?) dies

So my mother will now have to buy an entire new machine, and muggins here will have to set it all up... Grrrrrr....

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hey Neil, sounds like time for a kitkat and a cup of tea, computer troubles can be a pain sometimes but if you get cool calm and collect about trouble-shooting a solution is never far away!

So let me see if I understand whats happened, you managed to find a CPU select jumper and changed that from 100 to 133 and everything worked ok for one boot, you switched the PC off again and now it doesn't boot?

Hmmm, had you tried to return the jumper to its previous position? also have you tried a CMOS reset via jumper?

Hopefully the board isn't dead but just a bit phased by the upgrade, I'm wondering still whats going on with the memory and if its running at its rated speed?. In the worst case scenario and the board has decided to give up the ghost then I'm sure you will have no problem sourcing a replacement socket a mobo, not ideal of course and hopefully it wont come to that!

Have a break and return to the battle when u feel a bit more refreshed!

 

[NeilF]

Hey Neil, sounds like time for a kitkat and a cup of tea, computer troubles can be a pain sometimes but if you get cool calm and collect about trouble-shooting a solution is never far away!

So let me see if I understand whats happened, you managed to find a CPU select jumper and changed that from 100 to 133 and everything worked ok for one boot, you switched the PC off again and now it doesn't boot?

Hmmm, had you tried to return the jumper to its previous position? also have you tried a CMOS reset via jumper?

Hopefully the board isn't dead but just a bit phased by the upgrade, I'm wondering still whats going on with the memory and if its running at its rated speed?. In the worst case scenario and the board has decided to give up the ghost then I'm sure you will have no problem sourcing a replacement socket a mobo, not ideal of course and hopefully it wont come to that!

Have a break and return to the battle when u feel a bit more refreshed!

It bootup up perfectly at least once, probably twice before giving up mid-boot. I've tried:-
- putting the jumber back
- swapping memory round
- taking the battery out
- disconnecting hard drives etc etc

And cannot get any sign of life from the BIOS. Not even a beep...

The memory only gave an option of 2x (2x133=DDR266) so that's all fine.

Also, when turning the PSU switch on, the PC turns immediately on (all power/fans/lights etc). ie: No need to turn press the on switch on the front of the PC. Basically the lights are always on, but there's no one at home...


I can't even boot to a floppy as there's no BIOS

How on earth do I do a CMOS jumper reset? How is that different to taking the battery out?

Next thing to do is to put the hold Duron back in, just to make sure the Athlon hasn't blown. But the fact the power button isn't even doing anything, ie: the machine turns on straight away makes me think the MB is borked...


My mums fine for buying a new machine, but it's the fact I've wasted time/effort on this machine, and know when the new one arrives I've got to set up that one ....

 

[Cob]

Removing the battery will have reset the CMOS.

Did the machine start automatically before you changed the jumper?

 

[NeilF]

Removing the battery will have reset the CMOS.

Did the machine start automatically before you changed the jumper?

I've removed the battery at least twice...

Can't recall if the machine started automatically when flicking the PSU power switch at the rear... It may have... Can't recall.

But the power button (& reset) on the front now do nothing. The machine is just on, and although everything is coming up/on (lights, fans, keyboard), not even a beep from the bios...



Oh well, £200 overclockers starter machine it is + OS install, + machine setup etc

 

[Indy500]

Sure the PSU isn't blown?

 

[NeilF]

Sure the PSU isn't blown?

That rings a bell actually... I have a spare so I'll try it...

But would a faulty PSU still provide power to everything (even the LED is on the MB) but not to the BIOS/CPU?

 

[NeilF]

Changed PSU, no change.
Changed processor, no change.
Swapped memory in/out, no change.

So after getting extra memory, and a new processor for this machine, the motherboard has now died. FFS!

Back to square one - Get a whole new machine, install it, and then set up everything my mother had! Grrrrrr!

Anyone want some memory and a processor?

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hey Neil, don't get yourself in a lather, I know trouble-shooting can make the blood boil at times!

Not sure what to suggest but it deffo sounds like you should have a break!

Seems strange that the mobo decided to up and die at the same time as your were tinkering with it, could be co-incidence but maybe not?

Can you give the board a quick visual inspection please and look closely at the capacitors, are any of them bulging or leaking? The top of the caps should be perfectly flat and not domed. I just ask because it is quite an old motherboard and that's what happens sometimes. If there are no bulding caps then the board may still be ok?

I'm not sure how the board could die by changing it's FSB from 100 to 133?

Is this the board btw?

Albatron KM266 Pro