A7A266 rev 03, what cpu ?, bios version unknown just got the board

[Dominick LoGiudice]

Hi,
I just got 2 ATA266 boards rev 1.03 for my kids machine.
Could someone help me with the following since I do not know the actual
bios version

What is the best cpu I can get it to run? I would like to get it to
run a athlon xp if possible.

What ram should I use? I know the board takes some of the older sdram
133 which I have should I use it or
avoid it

If I had to update the bios to get the board to run an athlon xp how can
I do this.

Thanks

 

[Dominick LoGiudice]

Hi,
I just got 2 ATA266 boards rev 1.03 for my kids machine.
Could someone help me with the following since I do not know the
actual bios version

What is the best cpu I can get it to run? I would like to get it to
run a athlon xp if possible.

What ram should I use? I know the board takes some of the older sdram
133 which I have should I use it or
avoid it

If I had to update the bios to get the board to run an athlon xp how
can I do this.

Thanks

 

[JK]

Hi,
I just got 2 ATA266 boards rev 1.03 for my kids machine.
Could someone help me with the following since I do not know the actual
bios version

That is fairly simple to answer by this site

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx

it shows that you are limited to a fsb266 cpu (so no barton and no
fsb333 or fsb400 cpu).

What is the best cpu I can get it to run? I would like to get it to
run a athlon xp if possible.

I would go fot the thorougbred 2400+. It is 2.0 GHz.

What ram should I use? I know the board takes some of the older sdram
133 which I have should I use it or
avoid it

Yes, avoid it, memory benchmarks are half numbers with sdram, but this
might lead to just some 10-20 % performance loss totally for the PC

I would go for some second hand pc2100 ddr ram. People sell them
because they need more speed for an fsb333 or fsb400 cpu.

If I had to update the bios to get the board to run an athlon xp how can
I do this.

How to do it ?

Well, I will definitely recommend that you call a nerd friend to help
you.

Bios flash program:
ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/BIOS_FLASH_UTILS/

the aflash221

biosfile:
ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIOS/Socket_A/ALI_Chipset/ALI_Magik_1/

beware if you have a7a266 or a7a266-e

best regards

John

 

[Kevin]

I have that exact motherboard and am running a Athlon XP 2400 but the board
does not recognize the chip properly. Even with the newest bios. You need a
rev 1.10 to be able to take full advantge of the XP cpu. Some people do
manage to get them working normally but mine wont post at 133 fsb due to
multiplier woes.
Tried unlocking multipliers on chip and still no go. Also tried running it
in manual with the dip switches but still the same. Chip is running at
100mhz fsb with 20x multiplier which is still better than my old Athlon
1200. Other than that it has been a rock stable board.
best of luck.
Kevin