Help! CPU Speed BIOS Setting Problem

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hi. I'm running Cubase SX 2 on an AMD PC (512mb ram, 2.4ghz) with Windows XP Professional. I have an Asus A7V8X-X motherboard. The last couple of times I booted-up, the BIOS setup screen opened up right away prompting me to select a CPU speed from the menu (options are: Manual, 1100mhz, 1467mhz, 1833mhz, 2200mhz) and the help text said that the CPU must be set higher than 333mhz. So, the first time this happened, I think I chose 1467, logged-in, worked in Cubase, shutdown when finished. Tonight when I booted-up the BIOS setup screen opened again. Figuring that 1467 didn't solve it, this time I chose 2200 and I started having all kinds of problems -- Windows wouldn't open -- in Safe Mode or otherwise. After many hard boots, the BIOS setup screen finally opened on it's own again, and when I selected 1100, the help text box tells me that I have to choose the setting appropriate for my CPU. According to my Asus motherboard user manual, my CPU specs state: Socket A for AMD Barton/Thoroughbred/Athlon/Duron 2.25+ GHz CPU.

I'm not very good at troubleshooting this kind of problem. Can someone please advise which CPU setting I should choose? If my specs say 2.25 GHz, it seems to me that the 2200MHz option should be the closest, though it's way less. But like I said, when I tried that selection, I had real problems. I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

p.s. When I tried to access the BIOS setup on my own at boot-up by pressing F2, I can't seem to access it. Any suggestions as to why not?

 

[ds21]

The 2400+ does not really run at 2.4 ghz, it actually runs at 2.0 ghz, you can overclock them which is what your doing by chooseing the higher clock speed, but if your memory or other various cards can't handle it then you'll have problems, or if your cooling isn't up to it.

Oh and most of the time it's f8 to enter the bois system.
I've got mine set at 2.17 which is equal to a 2700+ runs fine.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

The 2400+ does not really run at 2.4 ghz, it actually runs at 2.0 ghz, you can overclock them which is what your doing by chooseing the higher clock speed, but if your memory or other various cards can't handle it then you'll have problems, or if your cooling isn't up to it.

Oh and most of the time it's f8 to enter the bois system.
I've got mine set at 2.17 which is equal to a 2700+ runs fine.

Thanks, but I'm not sure I quite understand. If I choose "Manual" from the options, will I be able to specify the number as opposed to the other choices in the list I mentioned which are fixed? Besides that, the choices are in MHz and the CPU speed of my Asus is in GHz. Sorry, I'm still confused.

 

[Bulls Hit]

You only use Manual when you want to clock the cpu. Just pick one of the other values. have you tried 1833Mhz. That's the same as 1.8Ghz

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

You only use Manual when you want to clock the cpu. Just pick one of the other values. have you tried 1833Mhz. That's the same as 1.8Ghz

I don't think I've tried 1833. I'll try that setting when I get home tonight. Thanks. I only hope this isn't a serious motherboard problem.

By the way, another BIOS help text syas:
Caution: According to CPU external frequency setting (which I notice is at 166/33), system memory can only operate at frequency higher than 333MHz, please make sure DRAM maximum frequency is not less than 333MHz.

As mentioned, none of the options are that low, so it seems that any should work. However, like i said, will try the 1833 setting and see what happens.

 

[altiris]

i think the 333 mgz is talking about the memory speed and not the cpu. Also 1000 Mhz is 1 gig hz. just move the decimal 3 places to the left. ex. 1800Mhz is the same as 1.8 gig Hz. just FYI.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Also 1000 Mhz is 1 gig hz. just move the decimal 3 places to the left. ex. 1800Mhz is the same as 1.8 gig Hz. just FYI.

Ya know, I know that but it didn't click. Boy, do I feel like an idiot! Thanks.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

You only use Manual when you want to clock the cpu. Just pick one of the other values. have you tried 1833Mhz. That's the same as 1.8Ghz

Well, I tried the 1833MHz setting and it seems to have worked. I just hope it continues. Thanks again for the advice -- to all who responded.

 

[Bob's Mods]

You might have a funky early version of the BIOS. You may wish to check the ASUS web site for a flash update.

Could also be your power supply or one of its connector pins is getting funky too. Maybe even a memory device thats going bad.

Bob

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

You might have a funky early version of the BIOS. You may wish to check the ASUS web site for a flash update.

Bob

Good point! And actually, I downloaded the latest at work today and burned to CD (my music PC doesn't touch the internet). I haven't installed it yet. I'll wait and see what happens using the 1833MHz setting. Thanks.

 

[ds21]

Glad to see you've got it working. If you want to see what your CPU speed is showing up as, go into Windows Control Panel -> System -> under the General Tab, it will show the speed and ram, You'll be right around 2.2ghz, if there's another step up, around the 2.0ghz mark you could try that, as I said that's what the AMD 2400+ acually should run at, but sometimes it's good to leave well enough alone...