A7V8X-X BIOS and Memory Speed Question

[Ohaya]

Hey, glad to see your here, by whatever name !

By "set the fsb first", I assume that you mean the Frequency that shows
up as two numbers, e.g., "100/33"?

Yup 100 is fsb speed in Mhz - but it is DDR, or not cause its inside the
cpu so it could be anything, but it means 200 MegaMessages a second.
~Clock divisor shennanigans obfuscating the ratings.
I cant even remmember if the bios reports fsb as plain Mhz or DDR?
..looking at bios screen in acrobat.
yup its reported as Mhz so 100/33 means

100Mhz FSB (200ddr)
33Mhz - PCI/USB/SoundCard/IDE/ATA

When memory is run with in sync with fsb its 100Mhz too
but it's reported as 200*DDR*

The Boards chipset organises/'drives' the memory at its frequency
and feeds and serves the CPU through the FSB, which it can do
at a different frequency, since the chipset also has to simultaneously
schedule moments for AGP to access memory and the PCI.

For bursts or streaming tasks the CPU instructions could constantly be in
demand of memory access, the chipset has to juggle that demand with the
other systems which need access.

Perhaps Running memory faster than fsb could help this - the boost wouldnt
show in synthetic benchmarks but might well help PIC/APIC controlled access
during high CPU demand %}

I was fooling with that, since I'm waiting for Asus to get back to me,
but no matter what I did, I couldn't get the "Memory Speed" to be below
about 240, and even then, the Frequency was some weird combination, like
149/39 (I don't remember), and the machine completely froze when I tried
that, even when I lowered the Multiplier to make the Multiplier times
Frequency approx. 850.

The APIC [advanced programmable interupt control] is running everything
overclocked from 33 to 39 which is getting steep. Best not to overclock
that at all, keep it at 33 or less,unless you have low ambient temperature
inside the case and knock disk ata mode down.
and cross fingers.

Again, I was never able to get it to go even close to 200...

To get close to 200ddr (100Mhz) Memory speed, you need to get FSB down to
100 first. I cant imagine why the Bios wouldnt allow this setting to be
tested,

tho iirc the Duron 850 hasnt been officaly supported.

gl,

Hi,

The lowest Frequency it'll go down to is "100/33" in the BIOS. Every
other choice that the BIOS offers is above that, e.g., 100/34,...,
101/33, etc.

I kind of think that your last question may be the key. I've been doing
a LOT (believe me) of digging this weekend on this board, and on a
couple of tables, it looks like the board shows down to Duron 1000.

BUT, even if that (that Duron 850 wasn't supported) were the case,
weren't the Duron 850 and 1000 both 100 MHz FSB chips? So I'm still
puzzled why the BIOS doesn't offer me "200" as a choice.

Anyway (and sorry for jumping around), if I'm reading the beginning part
of your post above correctly, you're explaining that the chipset acts as
a kind of speed translator between the FSB and the memory bus.

In my case the FSB is 100 (x2 = 200 MHz), while the memory, which is
PC2700/DDR333, should be able to run at up to 333 MHz, and the chipset
will somehow get them to work together?

So, am I ok with this current situation (Memory Speed 266 with PC2700
RAM) (Again, my main concern is system stability)?

FYI, it appears that I was under the mistaken impression that by having
the BIOS Memory Speed setting at 266, I was trying to force the CPU FSB
to run at 133 (x2 = 266 MHz), i.e., that I was overclocking the CPU FSB.

Jim

Hi,

I should be a bit clearer...

The lowest Frequency the BIOS let's me set is 100/33, and with Frequency
is 100/33 and Multiplier at 8.5, the Memory Speed choices that I get are
266, 333, and Auto.

By altering the Frequency, I can get the lowest Memory Speed setting to
go lower than 266. As mentioned earlier, I think I was able to get it
to something like 240 once, but the system doesn't work at those
settings.

 

[Ohaya]

=|[ Ohaya's ]|= wrote:
Hey, glad to see your here, by whatever name !

By "set the fsb first", I assume that you mean the Frequency that shows
up as two numbers, e.g., "100/33"?

Yup 100 is fsb speed in Mhz - but it is DDR, or not cause its inside the
cpu so it could be anything, but it means 200 MegaMessages a second.
~Clock divisor shennanigans obfuscating the ratings.
I cant even remmember if the bios reports fsb as plain Mhz or DDR?
..looking at bios screen in acrobat.
yup its reported as Mhz so 100/33 means

100Mhz FSB (200ddr)
33Mhz - PCI/USB/SoundCard/IDE/ATA

When memory is run with in sync with fsb its 100Mhz too
but it's reported as 200*DDR*

The Boards chipset organises/'drives' the memory at its frequency
and feeds and serves the CPU through the FSB, which it can do
at a different frequency, since the chipset also has to simultaneously
schedule moments for AGP to access memory and the PCI.

For bursts or streaming tasks the CPU instructions could constantly be in
demand of memory access, the chipset has to juggle that demand with the
other systems which need access.

Perhaps Running memory faster than fsb could help this - the boost wouldnt
show in synthetic benchmarks but might well help PIC/APIC controlled access
during high CPU demand %}

I was fooling with that, since I'm waiting for Asus to get back to me,
but no matter what I did, I couldn't get the "Memory Speed" to be below
about 240, and even then, the Frequency was some weird combination, like
149/39 (I don't remember), and the machine completely froze when I tried
that, even when I lowered the Multiplier to make the Multiplier times
Frequency approx. 850.
The APIC [advanced programmable interupt control] is running everything
overclocked from 33 to 39 which is getting steep. Best not to overclock
that at all, keep it at 33 or less,unless you have low ambient temperature
inside the case and knock disk ata mode down.
and cross fingers.


Again, I was never able to get it to go even close to 200...

To get close to 200ddr (100Mhz) Memory speed, you need to get FSB down to
100 first. I cant imagine why the Bios wouldnt allow this setting to be
tested,

tho iirc the Duron 850 hasnt been officaly supported.

gl,

Hi,

The lowest Frequency it'll go down to is "100/33" in the BIOS. Every
other choice that the BIOS offers is above that, e.g., 100/34,...,
101/33, etc.

I kind of think that your last question may be the key. I've been doing
a LOT (believe me) of digging this weekend on this board, and on a
couple of tables, it looks like the board shows down to Duron 1000.

BUT, even if that (that Duron 850 wasn't supported) were the case,
weren't the Duron 850 and 1000 both 100 MHz FSB chips? So I'm still
puzzled why the BIOS doesn't offer me "200" as a choice.

Anyway (and sorry for jumping around), if I'm reading the beginning part
of your post above correctly, you're explaining that the chipset acts as
a kind of speed translator between the FSB and the memory bus.

In my case the FSB is 100 (x2 = 200 MHz), while the memory, which is
PC2700/DDR333, should be able to run at up to 333 MHz, and the chipset
will somehow get them to work together?

So, am I ok with this current situation (Memory Speed 266 with PC2700
RAM) (Again, my main concern is system stability)?

FYI, it appears that I was under the mistaken impression that by having
the BIOS Memory Speed setting at 266, I was trying to force the CPU FSB
to run at 133 (x2 = 266 MHz), i.e., that I was overclocking the CPU FSB.

Jim

Hi,

I should be a bit clearer...

The lowest Frequency the BIOS let's me set is 100/33, and with Frequency
is 100/33 and Multiplier at 8.5, the Memory Speed choices that I get are
266, 333, and Auto.

By altering the Frequency, I can get the lowest Memory Speed setting to
go lower than 266. As mentioned earlier, I think I was able to get it
to something like 240 once, but the system doesn't work at those
settings.

Mary, Pief, et al,

Here's the response that I finally got from Asus:

"Customer calling back and says that he cannot set the speed of his memory
to 200. The memory that he's using is pc2700 which is ddr 333. The
motherboard will only allow you to set speeds that it detects the memory
capable of handling. Basically, your stability problem is because you're
using memory that is too fast to run with your duron processor. You need to
either use pc1600 or pc2100 memory with a duron 200fsb processor, or you
need to get a faster processor that will run at 266fsb or 333fsb. Please
call us back here if you continue to have problems. Thank you!"

I'm still not sure if this makes any sense, so I'm trying to snag a cheap
128 MB stick of PC1600 or PC2100 just to experiment.

FYI, I did find some info that may help the above make some sense. The
"SPD" in the memory stick apparently includes some information on the
minimum speed (cycle time) for each stick.

I'm wondering if the Asus BIOS is deciding what the lowest Memory Speed is
based on the information that it's getting from the memory stick SPD. If
this was true, then what the Asus tech said above would make some sense. In
other words, something like the following might be happening:

- Power system on
- BIOS reads SPD, including info saying that min speed is 266.
- So, BIOS only displays 266 (and 333, and Auto).

So if I'm able to get a PC1600 or PC2100, maybe it'll go like:

- Power system on
- BIOS reads SPD, including info saying min speed is 200.
- So, BIOS display 200, 266, 333, and Auto.

Will post back if/when I can find that memory...

Jim

 

[Creeping Stone]

=|[ Ohaya's ]|= wrote:
...........
et al,

Here's the response that I finally got from Asus:

"Customer calling back and says that he cannot set the speed of his memory
to 200. The memory that he's using is pc2700 which is ddr 333. The
motherboard will only allow you to set speeds that it detects the memory
capable of handling. Basically, your stability problem is because you're
using memory that is too fast to run with your duron processor. You need to
either use pc1600 or pc2100 memory with a duron 200fsb processor, or you
need to get a faster processor that will run at 266fsb or 333fsb. Please
call us back here if you continue to have problems. Thank you!"

I'm still not sure if this makes any sense, so I'm trying to snag a cheap
128 MB stick of PC1600 or PC2100 just to experiment. .......
Will post back if/when I can find that memory...
Jim

Hi Jim,

I dont believe that reply from asus is on the ball, but your query to them
may not have been either.

I cant follow your account entirely, as I barely know what *Im* talking
about sometime - but, Ive a hunch your just not manipulating the Bios
Effectively.

A standard response to the unwary -'the bits and pieces dont strictly match
up, buy another bit and fiddle with that for a while -all the best, send me
a postcard if theres anything I can do from my holiday laboratory in Costa
Rica.'

If fiddling is the intent, then fiddle away

You said you have achived 100fsb/33pci, well there should be no question of
the bios setup not allowing 200DDR memory speed to be tested when fsb is
100 -whatever the type of memory, if you take memory off auto you should be
able to try - it mightnt then boot, but that might be fixed by changing the
more intricate memory timings.

Its a sub optimal setting anyway.
You neednt aim to run memory in sync with this chipset, 100fsb to: 266 or
333 drr should be most stable and efficient.

At 100fsb I can set memory to run at 200, 266, 333 and 400ddr! and it even
overclocks then, up to ~450ddr! - Theres no way my dimms could be stable at
that speed so it wont boot, but bios will set it.

Perhaps bios 1007 has been restricted ~less likely than not
- or your attempts to configure it have been flaky :/

Another dim will cost as much as a ~2000XP to replace the old duron with

 

[Ohaya]

=|[ Ohaya's ]|= wrote:
.........
et al,

Here's the response that I finally got from Asus:

"Customer calling back and says that he cannot set the speed of his memory
to 200. The memory that he's using is pc2700 which is ddr 333. The
motherboard will only allow you to set speeds that it detects the memory
capable of handling. Basically, your stability problem is because you're
using memory that is too fast to run with your duron processor. You need to
either use pc1600 or pc2100 memory with a duron 200fsb processor, or you
need to get a faster processor that will run at 266fsb or 333fsb. Please
call us back here if you continue to have problems. Thank you!"

I'm still not sure if this makes any sense, so I'm trying to snag a cheap
128 MB stick of PC1600 or PC2100 just to experiment. ......
Will post back if/when I can find that memory...
Jim

Hi Jim,

I dont believe that reply from asus is on the ball, but your query to them
may not have been either.

I cant follow your account entirely, as I barely know what *Im* talking
about sometime - but, Ive a hunch your just not manipulating the Bios
Effectively.

A standard response to the unwary -'the bits and pieces dont strictly match
up, buy another bit and fiddle with that for a while -all the best, send me
a postcard if theres anything I can do from my holiday laboratory in Costa
Rica.'

If fiddling is the intent, then fiddle away

You said you have achived 100fsb/33pci, well there should be no question of
the bios setup not allowing 200DDR memory speed to be tested when fsb is
100 -whatever the type of memory, if you take memory off auto you should be
able to try - it mightnt then boot, but that might be fixed by changing the
more intricate memory timings.

Its a sub optimal setting anyway.
You neednt aim to run memory in sync with this chipset, 100fsb to: 266 or
333 drr should be most stable and efficient.

At 100fsb I can set memory to run at 200, 266, 333 and 400ddr! and it even
overclocks then, up to ~450ddr! - Theres no way my dimms could be stable at
that speed so it wont boot, but bios will set it.

Perhaps bios 1007 has been restricted ~less likely than not
- or your attempts to configure it have been flaky :/

Another dim will cost as much as a ~2000XP to replace the old duron with

Hi,

Well, I concluded another test today, replacing the PC2700 stick with a
different PC2100 stick that I borrowed from work. I was theorizing that the
BIOS *might* realize that the memory was PC2100, and offer me the 200 for
Memory Speed. But, I was disappointed. It still showed only 200, 333, and
Auto.

The only difference between having the PC2100 vs. PC2700 stick in was that
with the PC2100 stick installed, and if I left the Memory Speed as Auto, the
machine would boot and run fine. I kind of suspected this part, i.e., that
the BIOS would figure that it couldn't run Memory Speed 333.

So my earlier theory that the BIOS might read info from the SPD and decide
what Memory Speed settings to offer appears to be wrong. Still no 200...

Ok, Andy, let me go back to basics, based on your last post:

- You have an Asus A7V8X-X motherboard
- In BIOS, for the Memory Speed setting, you see selections for 200, 266,
333, 400, and Auto.

Is the above correct?

Can you tell me what BIOS version are you running on that motherboard? I'm
hoping that you're going to say 1007, or 1006, or something less.

I have 1008 on mine.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Creeping Stone]

...I concluded another test today, replacing the PC2700 stick with a
different PC2100 stick that I borrowed from work. I was theorizing that the
BIOS *might* realize that the memory was PC2100, and offer me the 200 for
Memory Speed. But, I was disappointed. ......
It still showed only 200, 333, and Auto.

......
you did mean 266,333...?}
This isnt very clear
!...

The only difference between having the PC2100 vs. PC2700 stick in was that
with the PC2100 stick installed, and if I left the Memory Speed as Auto, the
machine would boot and run fine.

.....urg what was the difference again %?

I kind of suspected this part, i.e., that
the BIOS would figure that it couldn't run Memory Speed 333.
It did that?

So my earlier theory that the BIOS might read info from the SPD and decide
what Memory Speed settings to offer appears to be wrong. Still no 200...

Ok, Andy, let me go back to basics, based on your last post:
Phew :]
- You have an Asus A7V8X-X motherboard
- In BIOS, for the Memory Speed setting, you see selections for 200, 266,
333, 400, and Auto.

Is the above correct?

Yup - I can increment fsb speed by 1Mhz and a time, and memory speed
adjusts automaticaly according to its ratio to fsb.

The lowest FrontSideBus mode is at 100Mhz running 1:1 with memory

100/200fsb@100/200mem.33pci //mailto:

Thats the lowest it goes for the duron
- 100Mhz/200ddr FSB (with PC1600 speed 200ddr memory)

Raise to 104 fsb > memory adjusts to 208, etc..
until it canges mode,
so run cpu:mem or 4:5
instead of 1:1

At 100 Mhz Fsb , the board has a few modes to choose from,
At 133 its got just 2
Over 150 it can only do 1:1 mode

~cant figure out what the modes actualy are just now ,\/
4:5, 5:6, or sumthin..
pci mode changes too, sometimes overclocking - sometimes counting down as
fsb is increased, it counts down from 333 to 300, at 299 its overclocked
until reaches sync at 266, then its underclocking to 230 and.. phew

I run two dimms of different brands and default frequencies; 400 and 333
DDR , theyre running together at 3100DDR at the moment
But I ran them recently at 380ddr with the latency timings turned down
and they tested fine! (a beep hid elsewhere)

Can you tell me what BIOS version are you running on that motherboard? I'm
hoping that you're going to say 1007, or 1006, or something less.

Im on 1006, i think my bios may have been corrupt before,
but Im sticking with 1006 cause is not crashing...

until someone makes an Uber for a7v8x range

 

[Ohaya]

...I concluded another test today, replacing the PC2700 stick with a
different PC2100 stick that I borrowed from work. I was theorizing that the
BIOS *might* realize that the memory was PC2100, and offer me the 200 for
Memory Speed. But, I was disappointed. .....
It still showed only 200, 333, and Auto.

.....
you did mean 266,333...?}
This isnt very clear

Yes, you're right. I should have typed:

"It still showed only 266, 333, and Auto."

Sorry... I got "200" on my brain ....

....urg what was the difference again %?

Sorry again. Let me try again...

With the PC2700 stick installed, I *have to* set Memory Speed in the BIOS to
"266" in order for the system to work and run WinXP. If I set Memory Speed
to "333" or to "Auto" when the PC2700 memory is installed, system won't boot
to WinXP.

Summary with PC2700 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP won't boot

With the PC2100 stick installed, the machine will boot to WinXP if I set
Memory Speed to "266" and will also boot to WinXP if I set Memory Speed to
"Auto".

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

..
..
snip
..
..

Im on 1006, i think my bios may have been corrupt before,
but Im sticking with 1006 cause is not crashing...

Hmmm. Could that (the difference between our BIOS versions) be the reason I
don't get the "200" Memory Speed selection???

Can I flash version 1008 back to version 1006 safely????

If you don't know, Andy, can anyone else tell me (if I can flash it back to
1006) for sure?

Jim

 

[Creeping Stone]

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D
try stepping down from 266, what speed do you get to?

.
snip

Hmmm. Could that (the difference between our BIOS versions) be the reason I
don't get the "200" Memory Speed selection???

I didnt believe you couldnt

Can I flash version 1008 back to version 1006 safely????

My flasing back to 1006 was a catastrophic OS-Quake.

If you don't know, Andy, can anyone else tell me (if I can flash it back to
1006) for sure?

No need - you got every speed

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
checkit'}

 

[Ohaya]

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D

I don't agree. Like I said, the Memory Speed setting is showing 266, 333,
and Auto.

I think that with the PC2100 memory installed, and Memory Speed is set to
"Auto", the BIOS is setting the actual memory speed to 266 (the lower of 266
vs. 333).

Of course, there's no way to tell ...

try stepping down from 266, what speed do you get to?

I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping down from 266".

Do you changing the Memory Speed setting to something lower than 266?

If that's what you mean, then I can't. The only selections in Memory Speed
are 266, 300, and Auto.

Jim

 

[Ohaya]

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D

I don't agree. Like I said, the Memory Speed setting is showing 266, 333,
and Auto.

I think that with the PC2100 memory installed, and Memory Speed is set to
"Auto", the BIOS is setting the actual memory speed to 266 (the lower of 266
vs. 333).

Of course, there's no way to tell ...

try stepping down from 266, what speed do you get to?

I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping down from 266".

Do you changing the Memory Speed setting to something lower than 266?

If that's what you mean, then I can't. The only selections in Memory Speed
are 266, 300, and Auto.

Jim

Andy,

FYI, I spoke with Asus tech support, and they say flashing down to 1006
*should not* be a problem, so I'm going to give it a try. Just to be safe,
I'm imaging my C: drive so I don't run into problems like you did with XP.

I'll then flash it down to 1006, and see if the "200" shows up.

I'll post back in a few hours ....

 

[Ohaya]

=|[ Ohaya's ]|= wrote:

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D

I don't agree. Like I said, the Memory Speed setting is showing 266, 333,
and Auto.

I think that with the PC2100 memory installed, and Memory Speed is set to
"Auto", the BIOS is setting the actual memory speed to 266 (the lower of 266
vs. 333).

Of course, there's no way to tell ...

try stepping down from 266, what speed do you get to?

I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping down from 266".

Do you changing the Memory Speed setting to something lower than 266?

If that's what you mean, then I can't. The only selections in Memory Speed
are 266, 300, and Auto.

Jim

Andy,

FYI, I spoke with Asus tech support, and they say flashing down to 1006
*should not* be a problem, so I'm going to give it a try. Just to be safe,
I'm imaging my C: drive so I don't run into problems like you did with XP.

I'll then flash it down to 1006, and see if the "200" shows up.

I'll post back in a few hours ....

Hi,

Ok, I'm back after my little experiment, and I am more puzzled than ever.
Here's a synopsis:

1) Flashed BIOS to 1006
2) Booted system
3) Verified 1006 BIOS in POST display
4) Still no "200" under Memory Speed in BIOS
5) Flashed BIOS back to 1008
6) Verified 1008 BIOS in POST display
7) Still no "200" under Memory Speed in BIOS

Well, I thought that was about it, but then I started fooling with the
External Frequency setting. I found that I was able to get the system to
boot into Windows XP with Frequency of 110/37, Multiplier 8.5, Memory Speed
292. Temperature from Asus Probe was good.

WCPUID shows something like 934 (vs. 850). Cool!

Now, I just happen to go to BIOS setup again, and changed the Frequency back
to the original 100/33 (remember, this is a Duron 850), and lo and behold,
when I went to Memory Speed setting, it showed 200!!!!

Ok, here's where I really start getting puzzled.

I set the Memory Speed to 200, Frequency 100/33, Multiplier 8.5, and save
changes, and reboot, and the machine won't boot. Freezes on a completely
blank display, not even the BIOS display.

I power down, and power back up. BIOS screen comes up (thank goodness for
the Asus Crash-proof BIOS!), and set things back to Default. System boots
successfully into XP (again, thank goodness).

I went through the above cycle (setting 110/37, booting, verify BIOS Memory
Speed shows 200, etc.), and this sequence is repeatable.

At one point, the BIOS setting were completely locked out, in the sense that
the speed was set to 900, not changeable at all. Powered down the system
completely, let it sit for a few minutes, booted back up. BIOS went back to
normal (850, Frequency 100/33, Multiplier 8.5).

I've left it at the default (plus Memory Speed at 266) for the night.

Can ANYONE explain what's going on?

Why does the BIOS Memory Speed only show the 200 selection in the list of
possible speeds only after I boot with Frequency at 110/37?

Why, when I get it to the point that 200 is displayed as Memory Speed, and
select Multiplier 8.5, Frequency 100/33, Memory Speed 200, isn't the system
able to boot at all?

Again, board is Asus A7V8X-X, CPU is Duron 850, memory is PC2700...

Jim

 

[Ohaya]

=|[ Ohaya's ]|= wrote:

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D

I don't agree. Like I said, the Memory Speed setting is showing 266, 333,
and Auto.

I think that with the PC2100 memory installed, and Memory Speed is set to
"Auto", the BIOS is setting the actual memory speed to 266 (the lower of 266
vs. 333).

Of course, there's no way to tell ...

Youve been trying to configure this, with the only test being whether or
not it boots?
Get memtest86 bootdisk - it displays raw memory bandwidth on boot,
and CPUZ - the link I posted last message - It gives info about
chipset setup from within windows, you should find it intresting.

Both are very small downloads.

I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping down from 266".

Do you changing the Memory Speed setting to something lower than 266?

If that's what you mean, then I can't. The only selections in Memory Speed
are 266, 300, and Auto.

You step down by changing the FSB, not the memory speed - the mem speed
automaticaly adjusts (and is displayed)

Andy,

I don't know if you saw it, but I posted about 02:11 ("What's with Crazy
Asus BIOS?"). I was finally able to get the 200 Memory Speed to appear,
even with the 1008 BIOS, but got some strange results (see that post).

Jim

 

[Creeping Stone]

Summary with PC2100 installed:
Memory Speed = 266 => WinXP boots
Memory Speed = 333 => WinXP won't boot
Memory Speed = Auto => WinXP boots

Auto is probably 1:1 *tada* 200 DDR
the mystery solved!D

I don't agree. Like I said, the Memory Speed setting is showing 266, 333,
and Auto.

I think that with the PC2100 memory installed, and Memory Speed is set to
"Auto", the BIOS is setting the actual memory speed to 266 (the lower of 266
vs. 333).

Of course, there's no way to tell ...

Youve been trying to configure this, with the only test being whether or
not it boots?
Get memtest86 bootdisk - it displays raw memory bandwidth on boot,
and CPUZ - the link I posted last message - It gives info about
chipset setup from within windows, you should find it intresting.

Both are very small downloads.

I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping down from 266".

Do you changing the Memory Speed setting to something lower than 266?

If that's what you mean, then I can't. The only selections in Memory Speed
are 266, 300, and Auto.

You step down by changing the FSB, not the memory speed - the mem speed
automaticaly adjusts (and is displayed)