CPU

[RobertR.]

okay, thanks to cp my processor is running at 400 mhz instead of 200 mhz. But now i am still missing the other 100 mhz of my processor. So if anybody could tell me more information on how to make my processor run at the full 500 mhz, it would be greatly appreciated .

[cp]

please download ctcm and post the output. thx.

[RobertR.]

Thanks cp, but my computer comes up with an error message saying:

C:\Documents and Settings\Robert\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\T67UA109\ctcm17a[1]\CTCM7.EXE

The parameter is incorrect.

Can you give another program?

[cp]

don't run it from a dos box. create a bootable disk and boot it. ctcm7.exe doesn't require any parameters (at least for this special purpose)

[KachiWachi]

Also run this utility by Jan Steunebrink and post back with your results. Thanks.

http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/J.Steunebrink/chkcpu.htm

[RobertR.]

Thanks cp and KachiWachi, the program, and the results from the program "chkcpu" are:

CPU vendor and model: AMD K6-2 CXT 300/333/350/366/380/400/450/500/533/550

Internal CPU speed: 499.6 MHZ (using internal Time Stamp counter)

Clock multiplier: 6.0
Bus clock speed: 83.2 MHz
CPU-ID vendor string: Authentic AMD
CPU-ID Name string: AMD-K6(tm) 3D Processor
CPU-ID signature: 058C

0- type: 0=standard 1= overdrive 2=2nd dual pentium

5- Family: 4=486, Am5x86, Cx5x86
5= pentium, Nx 586, Cx6x86, k5/k6, C6, mP6
6= Pentium Pro/II/III, CxMII/III, Athlon, C3
F= Pentium 4, Athlon 64
8- Model : IndicatedCPu Model and 486 L1 Cache mode

C- Stepping or submodel no.

Current CPU Mode: Real
Internal (L1) cache: Enabled in Wirte Back mode.

[cp]

there you go! i guess the post screen will show "400 MHz" anyways..some bios bug i stumbled across lately. congrats to your amd k6-2 500MHz :)

[RobertR.]

So BIOS may be showing 400 MHz but it is actually running at 500MHz?

[cp]

actually it is! chkcpu uses the internal TimeStampCounter to determine the speed of the cpu. this method is very acurate. additionally the k6-2 stores the stats of the bf0-2 pins. so if you know the actual core speed (via TSC) and the multiplier you can easily calculate the bus speed. and that's all chkcpu does (there are not too many programs out there). you can rely on chkcpu's data..and just ignore the flaky bios output. if there's something to learn about bios' it's that their output sometimes is rubbish.

[RobertR.]

Thanks for the help guys!!!

[KachiWachi]

The BIOS code *may* not have 500 MHz in its tables, so it just makes the best choice it can to display. It's just a "cosmetic" error.

You could have Jan patch it out though...it's a pretty simple fix IMO.

Did you check to make sure that the CPU is setup correctly for Write Allocation, Write Combining, EWBE, etc...??

[RobertR.]

How do i check if my CPU is correctly setup?

[KachiWachi]

You need to dump the CPU MSR's.

Jan's ReadMSR program can do this from DOS, or you can use EVEREST to do this from Windows. WAMonitor can also do this from Windows and will allow you to change the CPU setup to your liking.

For more information on the CPU MSR's, download the CPU spec sheet from AMD, or post your MSR dump here and I'll check it out for you.

[BiosMan]

Hi RobertR,

Joining this thread because I've just finished a new patched BIOS for the Biostar M5ATC with full K6-2CXT/K6-III/K6+ support, including WA.
This BIOS supports IDE harddisks up to 128GB as well.

I've send you a private e-mail with the BIOS and test procedure. When you are going to use this BIOS, please write your findings here as well.

Cheers!
Jan.

[KachiWachi]

Thanks Jan for dropping by and posting your comments!