Boot Problems and L2 Cache Backwards Compatablity - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Scorpion23 · 04-21-2004, 03:18 PM

I just bought a new board and cpu combo this week. An Asus P4P8X-SE and an Intel 2.8GHz HT with 1MB L2 Cache.

After putting the system together I noticed it won't boot....... at all. No Bios screen, not even an error beep. I've tried everything I can think of including taking out all the components and changing PSUs, but it won't even give error beeps with no RAM installed (I checked the speaker too). The green power indicator on the motherboard comes on when it's plugged in, so the board's getting power. And all the fans come on when I hit the power switch so I'm not really sure what the problem is.

After combing through the manual for the board I can across a single line that says the board is made for "Intel Pentium4 / Celeron Processors with 512KB L2 Cache and 533/400 MHz system bus". I meet all those requirements except for the L2 cache, since I have 1MB

I would think that it'd be backwards compatable and just use 1/2 of it instead of the full MB, but this is the only thing I can find wrong besides a faulty board.

Has anyone else run into this problem before? Is the L2 cache not backwards compatable afterall or is it a faulty board

Pragma · 04-21-2004, 03:40 PM

Well, most motherboards tend to be very strict about what kind of CPUs they'll like. You may need to update the motherboard's BIOS in order to get it to like the new CPU (of course, you'll need a compatible CPU to get it that far).

The type of backwards compatability you're thinking of works with RAM, but unfortunately I don't think it works with cache sizes.

Lasereth · 04-21-2004, 03:52 PM

Well, a few issues I noticed after reading:

There isn't a 2.8 GHz HT 1 MB L2 P4 that runs at 533 MHz FSB. The *only* P4 that has 1 MB of L2 cache at 2.8 GHz is the Prescott, which is 800 MHz FSB. Check and see which processor ya have!

Secondly, on Asus' website, the Prescott 2.8 GHz E core (the processor you probably have) at 800 MHz FSB is reported as compatible with your motherboard, but you have to have BIOS version 1002 or higher as well as OC the motherboard to 800 MHz FSB using DDR PC3200 RAM that's compatible with it. In other words, to get that processor running, you need damn good RAM that's compatible with your motherboard as well as a BIOS update.

Now, if you don't have the 2.8 GHz E Core, then it's a bit different. Please respond as to which P4 ya have!

-Lasereth

Scorpion23 · 04-21-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lasereth
but you have to have BIOS version 1002 or higher as well as OC the motherboard to 800 MHz FSB using DDR PC3200 RAM
-Lasereth

That's what I was afraid of. I do have the Prescott, and according to the sticker on the bios chip, version 1001. However, wouldn't it still give warning beeps even if the cpu wasn't compatable?

I'm going to try and find another cpu and see if I can't get it to boot up.

Lasereth · 04-21-2004, 04:18 PM

Yeah, that'd be my first action. Find another P4 and stick it in there, update the BIOS, then switch'em back out. The bad part is that according to Asus' website, you have to use the RAM on their list or there are compatibility issues when using 800 MHz FSB processors. I hope ya get it fixed...good luck!

-Lasereth

04-21-2004, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Boot Problems and L2 Cache Backwards Compatablity I just bought a new board and cpu combo this week. An Asus P4P8X-SE and an Intel 2.8GHz HT with 1MB L2 Cache. After putting the system together I noticed it won't boot....... at all. No Bios screen, not even an error beep. I've tried everything I can think of including taking out all the components and changing PSUs, but it won't even give error beeps with no RAM installed (I checked the speaker too). The green power indicator on the motherboard comes on when it's plugged in, so the board's getting power. And all the fans come on when I hit the power switch so I'm not really sure what the problem is. After combing through the manual for the board I can across a single line that says the board is made for "Intel Pentium4 / Celeron Processors with 512KB L2 Cache and 533/400 MHz system bus". I meet all those requirements except for the L2 cache, since I have 1MB I would think that it'd be backwards compatable and just use 1/2 of it instead of the full MB, but this is the only thing I can find wrong besides a faulty board. Has anyone else run into this problem before? Is the L2 cache not backwards compatable afterall or is it a faulty board

04-21-2004, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	Well, most motherboards tend to be very strict about what kind of CPUs they'll like. You may need to update the motherboard's BIOS in order to get it to like the new CPU (of course, you'll need a compatible CPU to get it that far). The type of backwards compatability you're thinking of works with RAM, but unfortunately I don't think it works with cache sizes. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

04-21-2004, 03:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Well, a few issues I noticed after reading: There isn't a 2.8 GHz HT 1 MB L2 P4 that runs at 533 MHz FSB. The only P4 that has 1 MB of L2 cache at 2.8 GHz is the Prescott, which is 800 MHz FSB. Check and see which processor ya have! Secondly, on Asus' website, the Prescott 2.8 GHz E core (the processor you probably have) at 800 MHz FSB is reported as compatible with your motherboard, but you have to have BIOS version 1002 or higher as well as OC the motherboard to 800 MHz FSB using DDR PC3200 RAM that's compatible with it. In other words, to get that processor running, you need damn good RAM that's compatible with your motherboard as well as a BIOS update. Now, if you don't have the 2.8 GHz E Core, then it's a bit different. Please respond as to which P4 ya have! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

04-21-2004, 04:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Yeah, that'd be my first action. Find another P4 and stick it in there, update the BIOS, then switch'em back out. The bad part is that according to Asus' website, you have to use the RAM on their list or there are compatibility issues when using 800 MHz FSB processors. I hope ya get it fixed...good luck! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert