[skicrazer]

OK, I've got 1GB RAM installed now. System response is better, but the CPU issue remains. (as evidenced by having to backspace in this editor - the backspaces do not keep up with the keystokes and the task manager icon tray icon shows 100% CPU utilization) Don't really know what else to do, but I guess reinstalling everything is the next step. I don't really want to do that - should spend my time job hunting, not fixing my PC.



If there's anything else you can think of, I'd really appreciate your help.



coastie, I'm still a bit confused about the CPU clocking. Dont' know where I'd set it to 333MHz. The RAM is definitely clocking at 333, so would that mean the CPU has to be, also? I've looked all through the BIOS menus and don't see where this could be set, unless it'd take 333 even though it says a max of 165. ??

[rgreen4]

The front side buss speed is set through a combination of clock speed and multiplier. If the clock speed is set to 133 Mhz and the multiplier is set to 2.5, then the FSB is 333 Mhz. You will have to check the manual for the motherboard on how to change it, if you can. You may not be able to modify it, not all MB's permit over/under clocking.

[coastie65]

Hey Ski, In your BioS, you should have a listing for System Bus (FSB). If it is showing 333 Mhz, then that is fine and no tinkering should be necessary.

[skicrazer]

OK, just a quick response, before I go play in the BIOS. If the MB manufacturer, Biostar, says the MB FSB can run at 400 or 533, why am I targeting 333, other than that was what the original RAM that was in the machine was? www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/mb/content.php?S_ID=243

From the U8668D manual (I included items that I though might possibly be relevant):

CPU
Provides Socket-478.
Supports the Intel Pentium 4 processor up to 3.06GHz.
Running at 400/533MHz Front Side Bus.
Supports Hyper-Treading.

Chipset
North Bridge: P4M266A
South Bridge: VT8235.

Main Memory
Supports up to 2 DDR devices.
Supports 200/266MHz DDR devices.
The largest memory capacity is 2GB.

Super I/O
Chipset: ITE IT8705F.

BIOS
AWARD legal Bios.
Supports APM1.2.
Supports ACPI.
Supports USB Function.

[rtfire1]

its a long shot and i did not read all 100 post but have you ran spybot on your system I after I ran it on my father inlaws system it found a lot of spyware that was slowing down his system.

[skicrazer]

Thanks rtfire1. We did cover that, along with that I may have been running 2 spyware detectors simultaneously. Per forumite recommendations, I switched from SpyBot to SUPERantispyware, but have also added Malwarebyte's Anti-malware and that found trojan BHO in the registry. That has since been fixed.

[skicrazer]

OK, I'm resigned to upgrading the BIOS, then if that doesn't work, redoing the whole thing. I downloaded and installed the BIOS Update program provided by, I think, Phoenix, but it wouldn't run (task manager said "not responding" - the pgm showed up in the task bar, but wouldn't maximize). I got other instructions from Biostar, but the file names they are quoting, i.e. VIT0312F.bin are very different than the one I downloaded, U8668R41.DDR. Yeah, first of all, mine isn't a binary file, so I'm a little confused. I don't want to load an invalid file over my existing BIOS, so am asking you guys if that seems odd or not. ?? When I was loading the system last fall, I did use the jumpers to clear the CMOS, as, and I think this was it, I messed with the CPU frequency and the system wouldn't come up.



Anyway, can anyone help me with the question about the DDR file for upgrading the BIOS? (the mobo is a biostar u8668d v5.B and BIOS is Phoenix Tech, LTD 6.00 PG 04/28/2004.



Thanks!

[rgreen4]

Any BIOS upgrade for a Biostar motherboard MUST come from Biostar only. The BIOS may be written by Pheonix, but it is custom written and the only source is the board manufacturer. A CMOS reset will return the BIOS to all the default settings, but does not roll it back to a previous position.

[skicrazer]

When you say, "A CMOS reset will return the BIOS to all the default settings, but does not roll it back to a previous position" does that mean I could have reset it to a setting independent of the current hardware profile, i.e. Celeron 2.53GHz chip? I am still wondering how to change the FSB (assuming this is the same as "FSB Frequency" in the BIOS) which is showing 133MHz, when the mobo online specs (http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en-us/mb/content.php?S_ID=243#) say "Supports FSB 400/533MHz". But, the "Current FSB frequency" field in the BIOS is not editable. This is why I am looking for a possibly newer version of the BIOS for this board.

... also, does DRAM Clock or Timing come into this equation? They are both set at "By SPD", which I am taking as meaning the default for the chipset.





Thanks!

[SnyperTodd]

Skicrazer, what RGreen means is that if you have BIOS version R41, resetting the CMOS will not roll it back to R33 or any prior BIOS revision. It will simply load the optimized defaults in the BIOS.



Changing the FSB frequency is one way of overclocking, and you probably can't change it yourself. Most pre-built computers won't allow you to. The reason it's showing 133MHz in the BIOS is because that is your actual frontside bus speed. Data is sent four times per clock cycle, so your effective FSB speed is 533MHz (133 x 4), within spec for your board.

Your DRAM clock and timings will almost certainly be set to "By SPD" by default. Unless you are comfortable changing your RAM speed and latencies, this is the best setting for you. The RAM has a table in it, called a SPD, that has the values it will run based on the voltage it sees. Unless you are overclocking or running very high end RAM, your best bet is to just leave it set to "By SPD."

[skicrazer]

Thanks Todd. I'm glad to have "closure" on pursuing that fix. I guess the only thing left is to reload the OS. ... I just downloaded Red Hat...think I should give it a try? :-) (actually, I'm more likely to try it on my old PC)



Cheers!

[skicrazer]

Hey y'all, I know we've pretty much exhausted all remote trouble shooting options, so I was wondering if any of you have experience with PC Pitstop, and if it has proved beneficial. If you could provide some feedback, I'd appreciate it.



Thanks!

[coastie65]

Hey ski, I have used way back when in a computer ironically enough running a Celeron D 2.53 GHz processor. To be honest, it isn't in here, and as I recall, I wasn't all that excited about it, but don't recall the reason. I guess it is useful in some situations, but what they may be, I couldn't tell you now. I may have a copy around here somewhere. I guess if you want to try it, it will be ok, but I don't know if it will help your issues. coastie

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

I have never referred anyone to PC Pitstop ; very leery of "what" they do and what they may

"recommend". Most likely you should ask the experienced, certified, Volunteer "Microsoft

Most Valuable Professionals" on the Support Forums at aumha.net . IF they can't help

and/or refer you somewhere else, you seem to be "stuck" !?

[coastie65]

Hey SpiritWind, Thanks for jogging my memory. I remember why I quit using it. You have to very careful with their recommendations, as you can mess up your registry real good. That was the reason I quit using it. I never had a problem as I went through everything, but it didn't appear to be of much use. coastie

[skicrazer]

Thanks Coastie and SpiritWind. You input is very much appreciated. I'll have to check out the Support Forums at http://aumha.net .



One way I am benefitting from your advice is that my non-web apps definitely show a performance increase with the bump in RAM you suggested. Geeze, for $25 I wish I had done that sooner!

[mphenterprises]

Hi skicrazer. It has been almost a month since the last post in this thread. I found the post you submitted over on the other site:

http://aumha.net/vie...=38858&p=213417

In one month, no one responded to that post so one can only assume that no one over there has any other advice than what was suggested in the month we troubleshooted this issue.

Do you still have the same issue with the CPU Usage hitting 100% constantly?