In article , Paul
writes
Strings I found in the 1001 BIOS. The same strings are in the 1002 BIOS.
I don't see anything to suggest a PC3200 stick is getting special
treatment, just the -6 (PC2700) sticks listed below. Presumably
other sticks are adjusted according to the contents of their
SPD (for better or worse). You can find these with a hex editor -
I couldn't get AMIBCP to accept the ROM files.
NT5DS16M8AT-6 Nanya 128MB PC2700 DDR
NT256D64S8HA0G-6 Nanya 256MB PC2700 DDR
MPMA82D-68KX3-MAA Kingmax PC2700 memory 128MB
MPMA82D-68KX3-MBA
MPMB62D-68KX3-MAA Kingmax PC2700 memory 256MB
HYS64D32300GU-6 Infineon PC2700 memory 256MB
HYS64D64320GU-6 Infineon PC2700 memory 512MB
NT512D64S8HB1G-6 Nanya 512MB PC2700 DDR
I checked a A7N8X/VM 1009 BIOS and it has the same module part
numbers in it, all except the last one.
This page has a memory table at the bottom. Note this is not for
the VM/400 board and does not imply the same memory would be
"special" in any way. I only mention this if you want to
discuss this table with your Asus tech support guy.
http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/sock...m/overview.htm
Under the circumstances, I think your workaround, an AGP card,
is the right one. Virtually any AGP card will have better
performance than the integrated graphics, and the AGP card
isn't stealing bandwidth from the memory controller, so you'll
get a (very slight) performance boost when doing normal
computing.
As for the rationale for why the board was produced - no OEM
requested this board. Asus just floods the market with every
chipset they can lay their hands on. Chip makers produce reference
motherboard designs, helping to reduce the work that Asus has
to do to bring a board to market. And, if the board or chipset
turns out to be a flop, Asus tries to sell them anyway. In
cases where a design is prematurely withdrawn from the market
(P4S8X), you won't get a swap for another model, to replace
whatever isn't working properly. So, I don't think there
is any "high minded" intent with respect to what boards they
produce.
(For the less than stellar boards, most home users will tire
of returning the boards under warranty and either crush the
board with a hammer or throw it in a dusty corner of the room.
And, the more unscrupulous home users will Ebay the board to
the unsuspecting noob.)
HTH,
Paul
Thanks for your most insightful comments, they encouraged me to have
another look at the problem but without further success. I'd like to take it
further but it's taking too long for me to work on it without being paid.
Thanks for the introduction to AMIBCP, a shame it won't accept the files.
Word of warning to aspiring downloaders of this prog, the crazyape page
on stormforce claiming to be the repository of AMIBCP has malware in the
link to v7.51.03 which tries to install a premium dialler if it is accessed with
javascript/activeX enabled. When accessed without these enabled, the true
prog is downloaded so I doubt the user was aware of the malware (popup
ad?), but I have raised a complaint anyway.
Well spotted on the string search. I had seen the recommended memory
on the VM variant, but just wasn't prepared to pay the premium price for
what was not a performance critical application, thinking I would detune in
the bios if necessary - oops. My thoughts are much as this guy's, a
system builder with similar problems:
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showth...5fbfc26ad5abcc
675c4bbae45e1&threadid=67997
The video card was an easy fix for me (Generic GeForce4MX 440 8xAGP)
and at 31GBP I didn't squeal too much at the extra expense - certainly
cheaper than a couple of sticks of premium 256M at today's prices.
Next time I will dig a bit deeper before committing, more haste, less
speed.
Ta,
--
fred