If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
ECS Pathetic Technical Support
I'm posting below some messages I've exchanged with ECS USA technical
support recently. I was trying to find out what should be the correct setting for the AGP clock on a 741GX-M motherboard, which has independent settings for CPU FSB, memory and AGP clock, and the replies I got were almost surreal. Although the quality of the motherboard itself is not in question here, I have no intention of buying again from a company with such a pathetic support service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (My first message to them) From: Pedro Corbett Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 6:59 PM Subject: AGP Clock on 741GX-M I have a 741GX-M motherboard with an Athlon XP 2500 processor and 256 MB DDR333 RAM. The default BIOS value for the AGP clock is 133 MHz, and I have changed this to 166 MHz, to match the processor and RAM clock. Is this setting correct? Pedro G. T. Corbett ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Their first reply, where they write a lot about the CPU FSB settings, and nothing at all about the AGP clock setting) From: "Support" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:46:23 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Valued Customer, No. For your information, the CMOS factory default setting is always set at FSB 100Mhz. Furthermore, nowadays, we use memory type that comes with the module type DDR(double data rate). It is just a multiplication of the actual FSB (Front Side Bus) x 2 If you're having CPU FSB (Front Side Bus) is -333MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 166MHz. -266MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 133MHz. -200MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 100MHz. If you're using a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ with FSB of 333, please get to the "CMOS Setup Utility Frequency/ Voltage Control" and set your "CPU Frequency" to 166MHz. Next, save your settings and exit the BIOS Utility. Thereafter, you could verify your CPU speed in Window XP (start/My computer/ System Tasks/ View System Information/ System Properties/General/Computer) should be "AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83GHz)". ~ Please include Case # or prior correspondence in your emails ~ (The case# could be found on the subject line of this email) Thank you for using ECSUSA product, ECSUSA Technical Support Department. JF ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Pedro Corbett To: Support Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:00 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Thank you for your answer, but I was referring to the "Graphics Engine Clock" setting at "Advanced Chipset Setup/ OnChip AGP Control", which is by default set to 133 MHz. I am aware of the settings for the CPU FSB, as you described in your message, and I need to know if the "Graphics Engine Clock" setting should be left at 133 MHz or should be changed to match the CPU FSB value. Pedro Corbett ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Support192" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 10:22:18 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Sir/Madam: Yes, it is correct FSB speed 166MHZ when you using XP2500+ FSB 333 , the CPU will running double speed at CPU internal clock. """""""" Please include all the previous correspondence or case number when replying """""""" Regards, ECSUSA Support Team ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Pedro Corbett To: Support192 Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 8:26 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Either you are unable to understand English, or you don't know the BIOS of the 741GX-M motherboard. I AM NOT talking about the FSB speed setting. I am talking about a COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT setting, the "GRAPHICS ENGINE CLOCK" setting at the BIOS section "Advanced Chipset Setup/OnChip AGP Control". Due to your confusing replies, I will never ever buy another ECS product again, and will strongly recommend everyone I know to do the same. Pedro G. T. Corbett ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Support192" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 15:43:34 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Sir/Madam: The AGP clock nothing relate to CPU and memory clock at all. You should contact your AGP VGA vendor about your AGP clock setting. You must using PC2700 memory when you using FSB 333 CPU, or PC2100 memory when you using FSB 266 CPU. """""""" Please include all the previous correspondence or case number when replying """""""" Regards, ECSUSA Support Team ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Pedro Corbett To: Support192 Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 8:04 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Since my FIRST MESSAGE I have been saying that the AGP clock is INDEPENDENT. But as the 741GX-M motherboard has ON BOARD INTEGRATED VIDEO and that's what I'm using, the "AGP VGA VENDOR" IS ECS, so YOU should be able to inform about the AGP clock setting. Do a favour to the computer market, quit your job and go work in a McDonald's. All your replies will be posted to the newsgroups so people know what they're getting themselves into when buying from ECS. Pedro Corbett |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
It's not great, but you contributed to the misunderstanding
by never telling them what video card you were using. You should have specified right away that you were using the on board graphics controller. The board has an AGP slot. "Pedro Corbett" wrote in message om... I'm posting below some messages I've exchanged with ECS USA technical support recently. I was trying to find out what should be the correct setting for the AGP clock on a 741GX-M motherboard, which has independent settings for CPU FSB, memory and AGP clock, and the replies I got were almost surreal. Although the quality of the motherboard itself is not in question here, I have no intention of buying again from a company with such a pathetic support service. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- (My first message to them) From: Pedro Corbett Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 6:59 PM Subject: AGP Clock on 741GX-M I have a 741GX-M motherboard with an Athlon XP 2500 processor and 256 MB DDR333 RAM. The default BIOS value for the AGP clock is 133 MHz, and I have changed this to 166 MHz, to match the processor and RAM clock. Is this setting correct? Pedro G. T. Corbett --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- (Their first reply, where they write a lot about the CPU FSB settings, and nothing at all about the AGP clock setting) From: "Support" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:46:23 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Valued Customer, No. For your information, the CMOS factory default setting is always set at FSB 100Mhz. Furthermore, nowadays, we use memory type that comes with the module type DDR(double data rate). It is just a multiplication of the actual FSB (Front Side Bus) x 2 If you're having CPU FSB (Front Side Bus) is -333MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 166MHz. -266MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 133MHz. -200MHz, on the CMOS Setup Utility needs to set FSB Frequency to 100MHz. If you're using a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ with FSB of 333, please get to the "CMOS Setup Utility Frequency/ Voltage Control" and set your "CPU Frequency" to 166MHz. Next, save your settings and exit the BIOS Utility. Thereafter, you could verify your CPU speed in Window XP (start/My computer/ System Tasks/ View System Information/ System Properties/General/Computer) should be "AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83GHz)". ~ Please include Case # or prior correspondence in your emails ~ (The case# could be found on the subject line of this email) Thank you for using ECSUSA product, ECSUSA Technical Support Department. JF --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- From: Pedro Corbett To: Support Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:00 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Thank you for your answer, but I was referring to the "Graphics Engine Clock" setting at "Advanced Chipset Setup/ OnChip AGP Control", which is by default set to 133 MHz. I am aware of the settings for the CPU FSB, as you described in your message, and I need to know if the "Graphics Engine Clock" setting should be left at 133 MHz or should be changed to match the CPU FSB value. Pedro Corbett --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- From: "Support192" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 10:22:18 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Sir/Madam: Yes, it is correct FSB speed 166MHZ when you using XP2500+ FSB 333 , the CPU will running double speed at CPU internal clock. """""""" Please include all the previous correspondence or case number when replying """""""" Regards, ECSUSA Support Team --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- From: Pedro Corbett To: Support192 Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 8:26 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Either you are unable to understand English, or you don't know the BIOS of the 741GX-M motherboard. I AM NOT talking about the FSB speed setting. I am talking about a COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT setting, the "GRAPHICS ENGINE CLOCK" setting at the BIOS section "Advanced Chipset Setup/OnChip AGP Control". Due to your confusing replies, I will never ever buy another ECS product again, and will strongly recommend everyone I know to do the same. Pedro G. T. Corbett --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- From: "Support192" To: "Pedro Corbett" Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 15:43:34 -0700 Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Dear Sir/Madam: The AGP clock nothing relate to CPU and memory clock at all. You should contact your AGP VGA vendor about your AGP clock setting. You must using PC2700 memory when you using FSB 333 CPU, or PC2100 memory when you using FSB 266 CPU. """""""" Please include all the previous correspondence or case number when replying """""""" Regards, ECSUSA Support Team --------------------------------------------------------------- --------- From: Pedro Corbett To: Support192 Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 8:04 PM Subject: CASE# JFE85427/ AGP Clock on 741GX-M Since my FIRST MESSAGE I have been saying that the AGP clock is INDEPENDENT. But as the 741GX-M motherboard has ON BOARD INTEGRATED VIDEO and that's what I'm using, the "AGP VGA VENDOR" IS ECS, so YOU should be able to inform about the AGP clock setting. Do a favour to the computer market, quit your job and go work in a McDonald's. All your replies will be posted to the newsgroups so people know what they're getting themselves into when buying from ECS. Pedro Corbett |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
[snipped correspondence]
Even though they were not helpful, they were prompt and courteous. It seems to me that you could have given them more than two chances before flying into a rage. Please take this as a practical assessment, not a moral judgement. I believe that you could have gotten the information you sought with well-mannered persistence, in spite of their early failings. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Lay down some cash for a computer course so you know how to set
up equipment... a motherboard does not come with a free education beyond the manual. Since I've been into programming (Pascal, Delphi, 65xx, Z80 and x86 Assembly) since 1987, I think it's hardly the case of me needing to take a computer course. I don't consider myself a complete dummy on basic to average hardware configuration either, having always assembled my own computers myself. I made it perfectly clear in my first message that my only doubt was about the AGP clock setting. Their first answer simply ignored the AGP clock question and went on explaining how to set up the CPU FSB speed, something I never asked. I suspect the person in charge of answering these technical inquiries is not very fluent in English, too. The 741GX-M motherboard has 3 possible settings for the AGP clock: 100, 133 and 166 MHz, defaulting to 133 MHz. I've never seen a motherboard with a basic AGP clock of 100 MHz, and that's what confused me in the first place and led me to ask their technical support about it. As far as I know, AGP speed should be set in multiples of 66 MHz - please correct me if I'm wrong. I was wondering (and still am) if, for some reason, the effective AGP clock speed in this motherboard might be related to the FSB clock speed, and that this might be the reason for the 3 possible settings. If you're an engineer or a really experienced technician and are able to sort that out, I'll be most pleased to listen and learn. And finally, yes - any motherboard vendor should answer this type of question, if it hasn't been covered with enough depth in the manual, and by that I mean a little bit more than just listing the possible values for a specific setting. I don't think that's a favour they are doing to their customers. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
The AGP clock nothing relate to CPU and memory clock at all.
You should contact your AGP VGA vendor about your AGP clock setting. You must using PC2700 memory when you using FSB 333 CPU, or PC2100 memory when you using FSB 266 CPU. """""""" Please include all the previous correspondence or case number when replying """""""" Regards, ECSUSA Support Team Just another word about this post by ECS. Their answer is wrong. The BIOS allows the memory clock to be adjusted independently, so that you might have a 333 MHz FSB CPU working with a PC2100 (DDR 266) memory card, for example. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
I've posted the question on a technical forum at Adrian's Rojak Pot
site. This site publishes a BIOS Optimization Guide and is frequented by quite a few BIOS tweakers, besides Adrian himself. The address of the thread is: http://forums.rojakpot.com/viewtopic...=122256#122256 Let's see if somebody comes up with an explanation for the odd 100/133/166 MHz choice for this motherboard's "graphics clock engine" setting. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
kony wrote in message news:
Yes, but it didn't "need" changed, did it? No level 1 support person is going to remember all specs on every product. They can't know your entire hardware configuration and the time it would take to learn it and do the research might be worth more than the entire cost of product. They sell a product, not end-user support. They may even have 1000 emails waiting to reply to so they only reply with canned response that is necessary to get product working. Your points are very sensible, agreed, but I still think that a standard preformatted automatic reply explaining this odd "Clock engine speed" setting wouldn't mean I'm asking too much. My guess is that either some internal divider takes the value and divides it by 2, thus the 133 MHz value being the right setting, or the BIOS was simply badly written. Usually, these AGP clock settings come in the form of a CPU FSB ratio, where for example you set the AGP clock at 1:1 ratio, 2:3, etc, depending on the CPU FSB clock, in order to obtain the basic 66 MHz AGP bus speed. Now, taking into consideration them saying that the setting is independent from the CPU FSB, and the 100/133/166 MHz options lead to that conclusion too, I wonder why would someone possibly want to set the value to 100 MHz, in which case the AGP bus would be underclocked (100/2 = 50 MHz). Or, if setting it at 100 MHz automatically triggers a 2/3 divider (to get the 66 MHz basic AGP clock), and the 166 MHz value triggers a 2/5 divider, then what's the point in having the setting at all (since you'll end up with 66 MHz in all cases). So I guess it must be there for overclocking purposes (the 166 MHz setting), even though it would be very aggressive and dangerous to set the AGP bus at 83 MHz (166/2). As to the onboard video, as somebody wrote criticizing me for not having mentioned up front I was using it, that doesn't matter at all, since changing an AGP clock setting will affect both the onboard video chipset and the AGP slot. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Dlink and tech support | 123xxxxx | General | 3 | March 23rd 04 06:31 AM |
Enabling Large Disk Support | Bill Anderson | General | 3 | January 25th 04 02:58 AM |
Free Support forums various categories. | Askhow.net | General | 0 | January 12th 04 06:12 PM |
SCSI support? | Steve | General | 10 | November 18th 03 05:37 AM |
Can a motherboards bios be upgraded to support faster CPUs? How? | [email protected] | General | 0 | September 28th 03 12:50 PM |