Screen res. too large on startup

[christaltips]

hello friends,

I need to upgrade my BIOS as I'm buying a new processor which requires a more up-to-date version than I currently have installed.

The problem is whenever I turn on my PC, my monitor displays the message: "Out of range: Screen resolution > 1024 * 768". It isn't great and the maximum resolution for it is 1024*768. It does always show me the second screen which appears on startup, the one showing a table with the number of HDs, DVD drives etc I have connected to the my computer.

From then on, the message re-appears until Windows is loaded and the desktop is displayed perfectly.

Why is this happening? I won't be able to upgrade my BIOS unless I can sort this problem out.

Another thing: i need a new fan as well as my current one only accomodates processors of 2700+ or below. I was just looking around for them and they're pretty cheap, but will i need a new heatsink as well or will my current one be suitable? What even are heatsinks?

Thanks guys

[redwudz]

I'm not sure about the screen resolution display. Is that coming from the monitor and not the OS?

Anyway, try this:
Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced>Adapter>List All Modes. This will give your present setting and other available settings. If you have a 17" monitor, your 1024x768 setting is standard. (May be different in PAL land, but similar.)

Smaller monitors, lower settings. But it depends on the monitor. LCD monitors have a default resolution. 15" is 1024x768, same a 17" CRT. If you have an old or small monitor, try 800x600. But you should not have any problems with 1024x768 with about any monitor built in the last 10 years or so.

You can also set your refresh rate there. Probably 50Hz line frequency there. It's better to set it higher than that, 75Hz if it will run there. If you post your monitor brand and model, that would help.

All this should have no effect on updating the BIOS. That's done in DOS, just follow the instructions from the BIOS website.

As far as CPU coolers, the fan is part of the cooler. You really need to replace it all. With AMD, you might want to purchase a CPU with an included CPU cooler. This extends the CPU warranty and the price is not that much more than the CPU itself. Otherwise you can choose from hundreds of coolers on the market. It can get confusing.

[christaltips]

thanks that was really helpful.

My monitor is a Sony LCD 15", the resolution is 1024*768 at 60Hz, which should be ok, shouldn't it?

As for the procedure to update the BIOS, in my mobo's manual it says I've got to press Alt and F2 during the Power-On Self tests. Will I just be able to keep pressing these two keys frantically just after I turn on my computer in the hope that the correct screen will appear and be displayed on my monitor?

thanks guys

[redwudz]

Assuming 50Hz AC, you might set it to 50Hz if that's available, but it may not make any difference. My LCD doesn't care what it's set at, it still runs at the default. But if you're PAL maybe different. Mine doesn't show 50Hz as an option.

As for the BIOS. Try this. Hold down the ALT key when you boot. Tap the F2 key about once a second until the BIOS screen shows. That usually lets the system know you are there without locking up the boot.

[christaltips]

I've been looking into updating my BIOS.

I went to http://support.asus.com/download/download....SLanguage=en-us and downloaded the most recent stable BIOS update (1014).

I followed the instructions in my manual and got to the update screen just as the computer was starting up. I entered the correct name "BIOS", as the file was saved, when the utility asked me to do so.

It managed to find this file, but told me the BIOS I currently have installed differs to that of the model intended for the BIOS I was about to update to.

My manual clearly says "A7V8X"! Those BIOS updates are also clearly for the A7V8X. What's going wrong? Please help!

thanks guys

[redwudz]

Just looking, there are at least four models of the A7V8X motherboard and they use different BIOS. The manuals are often generic. If you have the box the MB came in, it would tell you.

It is also printed on the MB. You would be looking for either the A7V8X or the same with MX, MX-SE or X on the end of the name. I looked on one of my Asus MB's and it's printed right below the video card slot.

There may also be series numbers and revision numbers. Copy all of them down. Then check back to the Asus website and see if you can find what you need.

[christaltips]

thanks redwudz, I'll have to take my case off after work tonight .

I'll report back with what I find... :P

thanks

[christaltips]

ok I found my the CD my motherboard came with and it included an update facility, which allowed me to update to the latest BIOS versions.

After installing it, it had to download the latest version of the program so I let it do that.

I then connected to the site to download the latest BIOS and sure enough I was given the option of 1014 or the beta version 1015.003.

I chose 1014 and it downloaded fine. However, when it asked me if I would like to update the BIOS with the version I had just downloaded I encountered errors

The program showed me three progress indicator boxes. The first, entitled "Erase ROM" completed successfully. The second, "Flash ROM", also completed successfully. However, the third box, "Verify ROM", did not finish and gave me the following error:

Failed to verify EEPROM with new BIOS image.

Anyone know what this means or how I could get past this error?

thanks for the help guys

[christaltips]

w00t! Don't worry guys for someone reason it updated after several re-tries.

Thanks for all your help!

One last thing, what's the difference between 'OEM' products and normal products. Do you think I should pay the little bit extra and get a processor which isn't OEM?

unsure if i've asked this question earlier in the thread but:

once i've put the CPU into the mobo and fixed the heatsink and fan, will i have to alter any BIOS settings. I heard some motherboards are plug 'n' play, how can I find out if my ASUS A7V8X is?

thanks

[christaltips]

Another problem!

I've just been checking the ASUS website and my motherboard's specs.

In the CPU info it reads: "Socket A for AMD®: Athlon XP/ Athlon/ Duron up to 2.4GHz+ Thoroughbred core CPU ready".

The CPU I was going to buy is a AMD Barton, isn't this different to a thoroughbred core or am I just talking rubbish?

Would a Barton chip work in my motherboard or are they incompatible?

thanks guys

[redwudz]

Both the Barton core and the Thoroughbred run with a 333Mhz Front Side Bus speed. The main difference between the Barton and the Thoroughbred is the Barton has twice the size of L2 cache, generally resulting in better performance. They also have a larger CPU plate, which aids in cooling.

The regular A7V8X seems to be a 266 FSB. You need the A7V8X-X for 333 FSB, AFAIK.

But all of them will run at a 266 FSB, so the Barton will work fine, but you won't be able to use all the potential without the proper MB. But check with Asus, some MB's can run 333 FSBs when the BIOS is upgraded.

The Sempron processors have pretty much replaced the Thoroughbred cores. The earlier models could be easily overclocked to 400Mhz FSB. But many of the newer versions of AMD processors, Semprons at least, are now completely FSB and multiplier locked.

OEM means different things. Generally with processors it means the package comes with just the CPU. Retail means it comes with a certified CPU cooler. This extends the CPU warranty.

If the MB supports 333Mhz FSB, the Barton may be a better deal. The extended cache does help, but if your MB is running at 266 FSB, not that much gain. A faster processor generally makes up for a fair bit of lack in FSB speed or cache. At least with a 266 FSB. Go for CPU speed with the 266 FSB for best performance.

Bottom line; economy and performance and a 266 FSB, go with a Sempron.


I know that's a lot to digest, but CPUs change quickly. Socket A (462) like you have is getting close to it's product lifespan. Sempron is getting to be pretty much the main choice in that format. But it's a good processor. I've put together about 5 of them so far, and use one for my media computer. I ran a 2500+ Barton a couple of years ago and the Sempron is very close in performance VS price.

[christaltips]

My current FSB speed is 266MHz.

In my motherboard's user manual it states that when using a 333MHz FSB, it only supports DDR333 or DDR400 RAM, whereas I currently have DDR266.

Does this mean the CPU will not operate with my current RAM, if it has a FSB of 333MHz? Or does it simply mean it will not perform to its optimum capacity?

thanks