Abit SA6R error on CPU speed detection. Need help!

[Slaykill]

Just got an Abit SA6R for computer #3, which I'm wanting to use as my primary system. Installation and setup went without a hitch...well, except one: my PIII 933 (133x7) is being detected as a PIII 466E (66x7) and no amount of manual changes seems to change it. Even setting the onboard dipswitches to override the SoftMenuIII settings doesn't work.

Manually setting up the CPU, or using the pre-sets through the bios works but after saving and starting, the following message appears right after the memory check and drive detection:

"CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck - CPU Soft Menu"

I've checked and re-seated the cpu several times and there appears to be nothing wrong, and it worked perfectly in my previous mobo. Also what is odd is that in SiSoft sandra, it reports the cpu as "Intel Pentium III @ 466MHz" but a few lines down it says "Rated speed / FSB - 933MHz / 133MHz" which is absolutely right! So Sandra is reporting the cpu correctly, it must be ok.

I just got done flashing the bios to the latest version, but am still getting the same results. Anyone have any ideas as to why this board in underclocking my cpu, and what I might do about it?

 

[Tim-]

Set the "Speed Error Hold" mode to disabled, and this problem will go away.

 

[Slaykill]

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately that was already disabled. I enabled it and then re-disabled it just to be sure, and I'm still getting the same result. This one's got me stumped because everything else is working perfectly and the board is stable - no crashes - it just won't let me change any processor settings.

Any other ideas?

 

[marty]

My SA 6 has a strange section in the BIOS setup softmenu section. It is titled:

"When you change your CPU:"

This motherboard has been designed in such a way that you can turn the system on after having inserted a CPU in the socket without having to configure any jumpers or DIP swicthes. If you change your CPU, normally you just have to turn off the power supply, change the CPU and then set up the CPU parameters through the Soft Menu II.

NOW HERE IS TRHE WEIRD PART:

However, if the new CPU is slower than the old one (and is the same brand and type), we offer you two methods to successfully complete the CPU change operation.

Method 1: Set up the CPU for the lowest speed for its brand. Turn the power supply off and change the CPU. Then turn the system on again and set up the CPU parameters through SOFT MENU II>

Metohd 2: Since you have to open the computer case when you change the CPU, it could be a good idea to use the CCMOS jumper to erase the parameters of the original CPU and to enter BIOS Setup to set up the CPU parameters again.

Attention: After setting up the parameters and leaving the BIOS SETUP, and having verified that the ststem can be booted, do not press the Reset button or turn off the power supply. Otherwise the BIOS will not read correctly, the parameters will fail adn you must enter SOFT MENU II again to set up the parameters all over again.

(Maybe these three suggestions will help you if your SOFT MENU is somehow screwed up as this implies it can be. Perhaps someone tried a CPU in the motherboard that was faster than the one you are now using.)

Best of luck,

Marty

 

[Slaykill]

That exact same passage is in my manual too, and I had already tried BOTH methods as suggested. I tried them again just to be sure but no luck. I would think that the 2nd way - discharging the cmos to erase all parameters - would negate the "faster cpu to slower cpu" theory. Plus this is a brand new board right out of the box. Thanks for the suggestion though...