AMD 2900+ Abit motherboard problem

[keithg]

I purchased a package deal online including an Abit KV7 board and 512 memory with a AMD sempron 2900+ processor. I installed everything ok but the BIOS says the processor is a AMD 990mhz processor and will not allow me to change the setting. When I boot up I get a message saying the CPU is unworkable or has been changed. If I change anything in the BIOS and save settings, it reboots and audible alarms go off. I have to power down the board and the settings in CMOS are reset to the defaults before it will fire back up... Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Keith

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Hmm,
Was the CPU in a package identifying that it is indeed a Sempron 2900? I'd look for markings on it and looking them up if it was preinstalled or in a white box.

Can you raise the settings a step at a time and find out just how fast you can get it to run before any beeps or errors occur?

Is there a possibility of returning any or all of the package?

Sorry about having more questions than answers so far :o ;)

[malcore]

The KV7 is an old board, been around for a few years now. What version is your bios? Latest version is 18, from January 2005. Sempron support was only introduced in bios number 17, from August 2004.

Check your bios version. Look here: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/bios_revision.php?categories=1&model=125

If your bios is earlier than 17, it needs an update. You have two choices then :

1. Carefully read the update procedure instructions and perform the update yourself.

2. Be aware that if the flash goes wrong, your warranty will be voided. If you aren't confident enough to flash the bios, then get on the phone with the supplier (let me guess, Tiger Direct? ) and tell them the problem, and have them send you a board with the proper bios.


EDIT- Be sure here. Is your board the KV7 or the KV7-V? Bios for KV7-V is different. See here: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/bios_revision.php?categories=1&model=230

Just found this on Tiger Direct customer comments. Check last post:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1197962&Tab=11&NoMapp=

[keithg]

Well guys, I do have a KV7-V board and the BIOS was at version 13. I flashed it and upgraded it to the latest version (14) and I get the same problem.

[keithg]

Finally found a fix for it. first off, the CPU cooler was turned around backwards causing the processor to overheat. After correcting the cooling problem, I found a forum listing the problem others were having and loaded the failsafe defaults in CMOS after flashing the BIOS with latest version. it recognized the processor and memory immediately!

Thanks for the help..
Keith

[PrntRhd]

Thanks for posting the fix. Just wondering exactly how the CPU cooler was backwards, or do you mean the fan was blowing in the wrong direction?

[r53s]

Obviously, it was the Bios update

that did the miracle...

[keithg]

Thanks for posting the fix. Just wondering exactly how the CPU cooler was backwards, or do you mean the fan was blowing in the wrong direction?
No... The cooler has a step or notch on one side to keep it from resting on a nearby chip onboard. This caused the cooler to be cocked and not fully seated on the processor.

[keithg]

Obviously, it was the Bios update

that did the miracle...

The BIOS was flashed DAYS before and was not successful until both the cooling problem and the failsafe settings were corrected...
Thanks for your concern...