CPU problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter retro_cal
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retro_cal

I have attempted to change the CPU in my PC but after installing I get the
following alternating messages on start-up.

CMOS checksum error
CPU is unworkable

have I done anything wrong or forgotten to do something, I built the PC from
scratch a few years ago with no problem so have no idea what is wrong now.
the CPU was an Athlon XP1600+ and I am supposed to be replacing with an
XP2000+ although boot up does not confirm this. Also underneath the original
CPU is an array of chips, on the replacement there are none, is this a
factor. Problem is though I am getting same messages with original CPU in
place.
HELP!!!
 
the ruminant said:
I have attempted to change the CPU in my PC but after installing I
get the following alternating messages on start-up.

CMOS checksum error
CPU is unworkable

have I done anything wrong or forgotten to do something, I built the
PC from scratch a few years ago with no problem so have no idea what
is wrong now. the CPU was an Athlon XP1600+ and I am supposed to be
replacing with an XP2000+ although boot up does not confirm this.
Also underneath the original CPU is an array of chips, on the
replacement there are none, is this a factor. Problem is though I am
getting same messages with original CPU in place.
HELP!!!
Click to expand...

I assume it's an Abit motherboard.
You'll need to make sure the version of BIOS you have installed supports the
2000+. You'll want to go into the BIOS and select the appropriate
parameters for your original CPU if you want that to work. You are aware
that the 1600 and 2000 doesn't directly reflect the cpu clock speed, aren't
you?

--
For my own part, I have never had a thought which I could not set down
in words with even more distinctness than that with which I conceived
it. There is, however, a class of fancies of exquisite delicacy which
are not thoughts, and to which as yet I have found it absolutely
impossible to adapt to language. These fancies arise in the soul, alas
how rarely. Only at epochs of most intense tranquillity, when the
bodily and mental health are in perfection. And at those weird points
of time, where the confines of the waking world blend with the world of
dreams. And so I captured this fancy, where all that we see, or seem,
is but a dream within a dream.
 
retro_cal wrote:
|
|I have attempted to change the CPU in my PC but after installing
| I get the following alternating messages on start-up.
|
| CMOS checksum error
| CPU is unworkable
|
| have I done anything wrong or forgotten to do something, I built the
| PC from scratch a few years ago with no problem so have no idea
| what is wrong now. the CPU was an Athlon XP1600+ and I am
| supposed to be replacing with an XP2000+ although boot up does
| not confirm this. Also underneath the original CPU is an array of chips,
| on the replacement there are none, is this a factor. Problem is though
| I am getting same messages with original CPU in place.
| HELP!!!
|

Press DEL at the POST screen. Select Load Optimized Defaults from the menu.

Then go into Softmenu III Setup and check to ensure that your CPU and memory
are properly detected. If your CPU is properly detected, you're good to
then enter the rest of your BIOS settings to configure for your hardware.
If not, check Abit's website for a BIOS update which will address support
for your CPU.

You don't mention your motherboard model .. big faux pas in asking for help
... so there's no way to comment whether or not your board supports your new
CPU.

Jef
 
Oh yes I am well aware that the clock speed is different to the chip
designation. But shouldn't the board automatically recognise the CPU?
 
Apologies! mobo is Abit KR7A-Raid and afaik, it supports the chip which I
incorrectly said was a 2000+. It is in actual fact a 2400+.
 
retro_cal said:
Oh yes I am well aware that the clock speed is different to the chip
designation. But shouldn't the board automatically recognise the CPU?
Click to expand...

is it jumpered/dipswitched to do so?
 
retro_cal said:
I have attempted to change the CPU in my PC but after installing I get the
following alternating messages on start-up.

CMOS checksum error
CPU is unworkable
Click to expand...

Have you by any chance used the Clear_CMOS-jumper and forgotten to put
it back in original position, or somehow shorted out the battery?
 
retro_cal, <[email protected]>, the overlarge, abstruse Jehovah's witness,
and church officer who attends the magistrates and justices at court for the
purpose of bribery, breathed:
Oh yes I am well aware that the clock speed is different to the chip
designation. But shouldn't the board automatically recognise the CPU?
Click to expand...

Depends if the BIOS revision includes recognition for the chip.
If it does then perhaps, you merely need to reset it, you know the original
CPU is working so you would be best advised to get that working again before
you try to get the newer one going.
Assuming that your general level of attention is at a par with the level you
show on Usenet then perhaps you should read the manual several times.

HTH
message
Click to expand...

--
For my own part, I have never had a thought which I could not set down
in words with even more distinctness than that with which I conceived
it. There is, however, a class of fancies of exquisite delicacy which
are not thoughts, and to which as yet I have found it absolutely
impossible to adapt to language. These fancies arise in the soul, alas
how rarely. Only at epochs of most intense tranquillity, when the
bodily and mental health are in perfection. And at those weird points
of time, where the confines of the waking world blend with the world of
dreams. And so I captured this fancy, where all that we see, or seem,
is but a dream within a dream.
 
retro_cal wrote:
|
| Apologies! mobo is Abit KR7A-Raid and afaik, it supports the chip which I
| incorrectly said was a 2000+. It is in actual fact a 2400+.
|

With BIOS revision 7G (many releases old):

1. Support AMD Athlon XP CPU, 0.18 micron process Palomino up to 2100+ and
0.13 micron process Thoroughbred up to 2000+.

Newer revisions, up to CX, which is the latest, don't add any additional
processor support.

So, from the Horse's mouth, looks like you're limited to a 2100+ Palomino or
a 2000+ Thoroughbred unless the multipliers are there for you to manually
enter your FSB and multiplier in Softmenu III Setup.

See:
http://www2.abit.com.tw/page/en/mot...NAME=KR7A-RAID&fMTYPE=Socket A&pPRODINFO=BIOS

Jef
 
Oh yes I am well aware that the clock speed is different to the chip
designation. But shouldn't the board automatically recognise the CPU?
Click to expand...

You'll have to clear the cmos first. (Lil jumper next to the battery,
make absolutely sure you've disconnected the computer from the grid
entirely or turned the powersupply OFF before you do it).

-P.
 
retro_cal said:
Oh yes I am well aware that the clock speed is different to the chip
designation. But shouldn't the board automatically recognise the CPU?
Click to expand...


Some BIOSes (well, all of them that I've seen) don't recognize a change
in CPU to initiate a refresh or change of the BIOS settings saved from
the EEPROM into the table in the CMOS. You need to reset your CMOS to
force the [default] settings get read from the BIOS and then customize
again. Usually there is a jumper (a 2-pin header on the motherboard)
that you short: turn off the power, short the jumper for a minute,
remove the jumper, reboot, and go into the BIOS screens.

ftp://ftp-usa.abit.com.tw/pub/download/manual/english/kr7a.pdf
page 2.13
3-pin header for CMOS reset
 
retro_cal said:
I have attempted to change the CPU in my PC but after installing I get the
following alternating messages on start-up.

CMOS checksum error
Click to expand...

You probably worked on it while it was still plugged into the wall outlet.

Whatever, and at any rate, it's simply telling you the CMOS parameters were
lost, which is why the checksum doesn't add up.

Go into BIOS, enter the correct values for your system (or select defaults)
and save.
CPU is unworkable
Click to expand...

The parameters in BIOS do not match the processor. Put the right ones in
and save.

have I done anything wrong
Click to expand...

The box should be unplugged, or turned off at the PSU entry point (if yours
has a switch there... some don't), before working inside as there is still
standby power on the motherboard even when the PC is 'off'.

or forgotten to do something,
Click to expand...

Yes, BIOS setup.
I built the PC from
scratch a few years ago with no problem so have no idea what is wrong now.
the CPU was an Athlon XP1600+ and I am supposed to be replacing with an
XP2000+ although boot up does not confirm this. Also underneath the original
CPU is an array of chips, on the replacement there are none, is this a
factor.
no

Problem is though I am getting same messages with original CPU in
place.
Click to expand...

Because BIOS lost it's parameters while you were messing around inside so
it's not configured for either processor now.
 
Cheers David, you answered best. Although I did realise most of what I
hadn't done after a while.
Thanks all for you replies
 
Thanks all for your replies! much appreciated, I now realsie what I hadn't
done in order to finish the installation!
 
retro_cal said:
Thanks all for your replies! much appreciated, I now realsie what I
hadn't done in order to finish the installation!
Click to expand...


It must've been a boner since you aren't telling.
 
retro_cal said:
Cheers David, you answered best. Although I did realise most of what I
hadn't done after a while.
Click to expand...

No sweat. I usually remember what I did wrong later too... mainly because
if I remembered before I wouldn't do it ;)
 
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