bug in abit k7a bios yh and zt if multiplier is changed

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

Hallo!!

If I change the CPU multiplier my system will crash (it will freeze, keyboard and mouse will not respond) at windows' desktop.


I have tried changing bios settings (k7 clk control,cpu drive strength, and many more.....) and the trick pencil works: i have tried the cpu on a msi k7t pro 2a and it works without problems.


This bug isn't present on WW bios version.


This is my hardware config:
- Abit KT7A RAID rev. 1.1 ;
- BIOS ZT (I have tried also WW and YH,but with WW bios the system won't boot if I set AGP 4x and/or other AGP settings. YH and ZT versions crash if I change the multiplier);
- Athlon Thunderbird 1000; serial number is AVIA0110APEW Y6105280162; it is rock solid at 1350, but it can reach higher speeds;
- CPU cooler: Vantec fce62540 with 2 delta fans (7000 rpm)
- case Supermicro sc 750a with 300w power supply
- ASUS v7700t (no boot problems )
- 2 x 128mb pc 133 infineon (cl2) ( i also tried with very conservative setting, but I didn't obtain different results)
- sound blaster live! platinum (first edition, with connectors on the rear of the case) (it doesn' give problems) (third PCI slot)
- asus cds 500/a (IDE1 master)
- samsung sv2044 20,4 gb UDMA 66 (IDE3 (RAID)master)
- plextor 12/10/32a (IDE2 master)
- unex NexNIC ND012 10/100 Mbps fast ethernet PCI adapter
- microsoft optical mouse USB
- microsoft precision racing wheel USB
- floppy....


and this is my software config:
-Windows ME
-VIA 4in1 4.28 (i tried also other versions....)
-NVidia drivers v.7.76 (i tried also other versions....)
- Liveware 3.0 (i also tried disabling it, but i obtained the same result:freeze at windows' desktop)
- Intellimouse 3.2
- Sidewinder software version 4.0

i think it's a bios bug
Any Help?

 

[k_lined4lyf]

I remember running into overclocking probs with YH, YP, or some revision of either. I'm using ZT1.11+ now, and I haven't had any probs as of yet. I like the WZ BIOS revision myself, and I suggest you give that one a try. Beyond WZ, I've only flashed to experiment.

K-Lined4lyf

 

[asmodean]

No problems for me, at the moment. Altough, I had a problem with the Vcore dropping down to 1.725. That is, maximum settable Vcore. Reset-button solved that, always. Now it seems to have gone away.
Oh yeah, i'm running ZT1.11+. Almost forgot.

 

[GotCow]

I'm running the YH bios now with my T-bird 1.33 and the only way I can boot into windows without it locking up is by changing the KT7_Clk to optimal instead of default. Something about default mutiplier changing that my KT7a-raid doesn't like. I can now boot at any multiplier(provided it's not too far overclocked) to the desktop. Not sure why it didn't work for you though.

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

i have tried all bios settings, but the problem remains....

ZT1.11+ is a new bios version?it's a beta?

thanks...
and i'm sorry for my english!!!!!

 

[asmodean]

Obi Gian Kenobi (May 30, 2001 10:37 a.m.):
i have tried all bios settings, but the problem remains....

ZT1.11+ is a new bios version?it's a beta?

thanks...
and i'm sorry for my english!!!!!

ZT1.11+ is a modified version of the ZT bios, almost all options are changeable, including ACPI and Fast A20 Gate. http://www.viahardware.com/faq/kt7/kt7faq.htm is the place to get it.

Your english is good, didn't see a single typo.

 

[Hoot]

I am running the YH revision of the bios and have not encountered that problem. The KT7_Clk option made no difference on my system running Win ME. That, having been said, the issue I've found with the KT7A is that there was a run of them that came out a short while ago that were unpredictable from one board to the next. The first one I got, back in March would not run the FSB above 133 regardless of bios revision and settings. I returned it to NewEgg for another one and it ran 150 FSB with the same components from the first one. Since YH is working great for me, I certainly will not change it, since the fixes in subsequent releases don't impact me.

Hoot

 

[asmodean]

Hoot, you really should. The modded ZT has a cool "AMD Athlon" logo instead of the boring EPA one.

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

I'd like to upgrade my bios....the EPA logo isn't nice to see!!
but there's one (big!) problem: I upgraded my bios using an UPS that wasn't mine...and now this UPS is 500 miles far :-(

so I'll wait until i can buy one!!obviously, the better way is to find a solution that doesn't require a bios upgrade!!!

thanks!

 

[JEFF]

my mobo came with the ww.it had issues with any setting above 133.when i first got it it ran almost any fsb i threw at it but soon settled in at 133 for highest setting.i tried yh and again got higher settings,,,,,,,,,,,at first,so i tried zt.got immediate freeze problems for first 4 or 5 boots.kept mouse moving while booting and got into windows.tried changing clock setting,no affect at first.tried other bios settings.to make a long story short the system stablelized on its own.it took awhile but bios settings make no difference now.my signature reflects my highest stable overclock with all bios'es.any higher overclock,weather adding to fsb or multiplier causes file corruption.id be interested to see if you guys who changed settings to stablize the board still need these settings now.

 

[JEFF]

i also noticed that adding the sigle digit numbers to fsb was not accurate,ie entering 5 actually added 6 instead and so on.

 

[SickBoy]

Obi Gian Kenobi (May 31, 2001 10:31 a.m.):
I'd like to upgrade my bios....the EPA logo isn't nice to see!!
but there's one (big!) problem: I upgraded my bios using an UPS that wasn't mine...and now this UPS is 500 miles far :-(

so I'll wait until i can buy one!!obviously, the better way is to find a solution that doesn't require a bios upgrade!!!

thanks!

I take it you're in california......

If I were you, I'd be afraid to be flashing ANY firmware without a good UPS backup. I'm lucky enough to be in MN where we haven't been having power outage problems.

SickBoy

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

Sickboy, i agree with you!!

i never had voltage problems...but i will never do a bios upgrade without a good UPS...and many floppies!!the last time i upgraded the bios, i made 4 floppies (2 with zt bios, 1 with ww, the last with yh)

To Jeff:
i haven't such problems!i have other problems...sigh!!

 

[Fiz]

I use YH as my board shipped with it, I have not encountered any probs so far. I run WIN ME, and the only time I can't get it to boot right is if I push it too far.

Fiz

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

my mobo went shipped with yh bios too...and i haven't seen differences between yh and zt versions.
Anyway, this mobo gives me only this problem...the system is rock solid...and it's a tbird 1000@1350@1,75v (1400@1,85v)...thank you, AMD!!

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

I have downloaded the via latency patch 0.14 from www.viahardware.com and now if i change the multiplier the system doesn't freeze!!It's OK!!!!
So this bug can be bypassed using this patch.

Bye!!

 

[nickhi]

My mobo shipped with Bios WW. I managed to get a stable O/C to 1.3GHz, when I tried increasing FSB nothing but lock up. I upgraded to ZT Bios, EVEN WORSE lock ups, I've now gone back to WW but can't get any multiplier settings 9, 9.5, 10 or 10.5 to work. When set to 10 it reports multiplier as 8. Have check CPU runs OK elsewhere. I think must be Mobo fault ! The highest setting I can get now is 8.5x145. !!

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

To Nickhi:

have you tried doing the pencil trick again?
Perhaps this is one of the problems...
You could also try the via latency patch: you can download it form www.viahardware.com, in the tweaks section...
Good luck!!!

 

[Me]

Why didnt you go with the yh bios?
I am thinking about buying this board and i dont know if i should now because of all thses problems. WHat are my chances now that i will get a better bios

 

[Obi Gian Kenobi]

>Me
>Why didnt you go with the yh bios?
>I am thinking about buying this board and i dont know if i should now >because of all thses problems. WHat are my chances now that i will get a >better bios

I think you should buy this mobo, i have bought an ASUS and a MSI, but I think that Abit is better!
Bye!!!!!!!