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Dell Dimension 8300 BIOS not recognizing CPU

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Mouse - May 26, 2009 at 02:08 PM
 Chris - Feb 18, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Hello,
I have replaced my 2.8G P4 with a 3.4G P4. The System tab in Control Panel says "Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz 2.79GHz, 3.25 GB of RAM". When the computer starts or restarts it also says "Alert! The processor is not supported on this system, and will run at a reduced speed." I have CPUID and Everest to give you any information needed to help me with this. Thank you for your time.
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12 responses

Answer 1 / 12
Chris
Jun 24, 2009 at 11:12 AM
HI, I'm sorry to tell you that the processor is not supported by the motherboard. It is of Prescott type that uses more power than the motherboard can supply. But the bios upgrade A07 was not in vain! Before that the motherboard could have been damaged! The processor runs OK in 2,8 now, though.

Mind you, this is not a Dell specific. Your motherboard was designed to support Northwood processors. NW is in all aspects a better processor too. So, your best bet is to track down a NW processor. I have 2 Dell Dimension 8300 computers, both with 3,2 Ghz processor and Evga 7800 GS CO AGP. It is a great allrounder and really reliable too. I still have my original Xp running (-03) and the system has never freezed! On the other 8300 I have Linux.

And don't trust those Nintendo people in the future!

Cheers,
Chris
MoJo!MOUSE100
Jul 1, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Will the motherboard only support the type and speed of the processor that was in it? My old CPU was a 2.8G. If it is a Northwood 3.4, it will recognize it and run at the full speed? Thanks for checking this out so late.
MoJo!MOUSE100
Jul 1, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Is there any information I could show you using Everest that would help to answer this question?
Thanks
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
Aug 2, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Your system has never freezed? And unlikely, Windows crashes one way or another, no doubt.
Answer 2 / 12
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 26, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Try updating your BIOS if you have not already.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R86308&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8300&os=BIOSA&osl=en&deviceid=308&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=8&formatcnt=1&fileid=113031
That is the link to download the BIOS. It is version A07. If you have A07 then do not update it.
Answer 3 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 28, 2009 at 01:27 PM
I have not tried that yet. Not sure which jumper on the board it would be or exactly how to do it. I don't want to do the wrong one and fry something. Is it different resetting the BIOS with a jumper as opposed to doing it with software?
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 28, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Usually there is a jumper to clear password and one for resetting the BIOS. It should be one close to the battery. You just have to read what is printed on the motherboard or the manual.
Answer 4 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 28, 2009 at 05:55 PM
I found on the board about one of the 3 pin jumpers. One and 2 pin is normal, 2 and 3 pin is password clear. It is jumped on the 1 and 2 pin now. There is a 4 pin jumper with nothing on it and a 3 pin with CMOS J9G2 near it on the board and the 2 and 3 pin jumped looking at it from left to right. The first 3 pin is called J8H3 and the 4 pin is called J8H4. Any ideas?
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 28, 2009 at 06:04 PM
CMOS J9G2 is the one. Power off first, unplug the power supply and press the power button a couple of times, then put the jumper to 2-3 (it should be on 1-2, if not then do it the other way around). Press the power button for a second, then move the jumper back. That should do it.
Answer 5 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 28, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Did it. Had to reset the time and date in the setup menu to start with. It still shows the CPU as 2.8G and the L2 cache as 1024Mb. I tried this before but just unplugged it and removed the battery for a while. Not sure if it is the same way to clear stuff. Didn't mess with the jumpers.
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Well, this might be your last option, which is to reset the BIOS with the jumpers. You won't fry anything unless you touch some metal to a circuit on the motherboard, or if you try to do this with the power on. If you decide to reset it, make sure you unplug the power supply and press the power button a couple of times to get any stored power out of the system just to be safe. Just remember when you move the jumper to plug the power back in and press the power button, then repeat but moving the jumpers back to where they were.
Answer 6 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 29, 2009 at 11:43 AM
OK, did it with the jumpers as well. Same results as before. Still not recognizing the full speed of the CPU. Thanks for taking the time to try and help me with this King_Kong.
Answer 7 / 12
stupid
Sep 22, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Version: A01
Build Date: 02/12/04

The following updates were made to the A00 BIOS to create the A01 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
1. Fixed the WQHL ACPI Verifier test failure.
2. Fixed the issue in which production 3.2GHz processor is reported
as 2.8GHz.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

only a01 bios is messed, flash & update
Answer 8 / 12
phuang3
Feb 5, 2010 at 07:48 PM
I got a IBM A50 ThinkCenter (8196-18v) and had the same problem as yours. I installed a 3.4g ES prescott, and it just fixed at 2.8Ghz. The frequency ratio in BIOS is adjustable but not working at all, even for low multiplier ratios.
Answer 9 / 12
Chris
Feb 18, 2010 at 04:07 PM
Hi, motherboard manufacturers made bios updates to support prescott processors. Those upgrades limited the cpu to 2,8 GHz. You don't wan't go over that with a Prescott with these motherboards as I already stated.

My first 8300 came with a 2,6 Ghz Northwood and it is still running ok with a 3,2 Ghz Northwood afeter all these years :)

I still have the original -03 windows xp installed but I made a clean install when the system was new. The secret is to uninstall the unneeded processes etc. Here's one link: http://www.blackviper.com/


Dell Dimension 8300
4 Gb 400 Mhz Kingston Value Ram
1 Tb WD Green
eVga 7800 GS CO Superclocked
Win 7
Win Xp
LInux Ubuntu - triple boot
Answer 10 / 12
Chris
Feb 18, 2010 at 04:22 PM
That first revision 8300 already had bios version A06 when the Prescotts came out. The 2nd revision Dimension 8300 Motherboards (875P Clone) supported 3,4 Ghz Pentium Extreme Edition, though. I have one of these babies as well. (Bought it new back then).
Answer 11 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 27, 2009 at 01:30 PM
I do have the A07 BIOS installed already.
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 27, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Well, maybe it's the simple fact you have a Dell. Dell computers basically just suck.
Answer 12 / 12
MoJo!MOUSE100
May 27, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Thanks Donkey Kong! I know who I won't be asking for help in the future...
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 28, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I am being serious. Dell=Crap. I read the specifications for your computer and it says as plain as day that it accepts the P4 3.4 ghz 800 mhz FSB. So you do the math.
King_Kong Posts 89 Registration date Wednesday May 20, 2009 Status Member Last seen May 28, 2010 16
May 28, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Oh wait. Have you tried resetting the BIOS with the jumper on the motherboard? I forgot to mention that...

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