Voltage mod on abit kt7

[Cyrex]

I did the voltage mod on my mobo but didn't work!
i used a very thin (small) wire maybe that's the prob?
I had to cut the wires because it would't boot anymore!
so i can reconnect them using a bigger wire between them maybe it works post when you know something!

 

[maveryk]

just wondering wat is the significance of getting a higher voltage psu?
if all runs fine on a the current one?

 

[AMDGuy]

Cyrex (Jun 30, 2001 07:20 a.m.):
I did the voltage mod on my mobo but didn't work!
i used a very thin (small) wire maybe that's the prob?
I had to cut the wires because it would't boot anymore!
so i can reconnect them using a bigger wire between them maybe it works post when you know something!

You hit the overvoltage protection circuit. The system will not boot if it goes over 2.1V. This is a feature of the HIP6301 chip. Go into your BIOS and set the voltage at 1.7V, then try to boot. Check your volts in a monitoring program like MBM5. Then you can go in and up the voltage in the BIOS. If you go over 2.1V it won't boot.

A better solution, which I used, is to use a micro potentiometer Radio Shack P/N 271-283. This way you can vary the voltage realtime without having to reboot.

 

[AMDGuy]

maveryk (Jun 30, 2001 07:40 a.m.):
just wondering wat is the significance of getting a higher voltage psu?
if all runs fine on a the current one?

Welcome to the forum.

He's not referring to a new PSU. He's referring to the mod where you solder a resistance to the voltage output IC on the motherboard to produce more voltage than the default 1.85V maximum. You can find more info here www.tweakhardware.com

 

[hooziewhatsit]

What size resistor did you use? I used a 30kohm on mine, and it works fine. You're also sure you weren't sloppy and spread some sauter around?

good luck

 

[k_lined4lyf]

AMDGuy, how did you do your mod? Did you mount wires directly to the IC pins or did you mount to the solder tabs on the MB as on the TweakHardware site?

Also, what wattage soldering iron should I be using for this project? I have a 30W one from the Shack, but I don't trust it with this particular project.

Finally ,just to get my bearings straight... dialing the trimmer (I only plan to use a pin7 mod) to full resistance effectively disables the mod, right?

Thanks,

K-Lined4lyf

 

[AMDGuy]

k_lined4lyf (Jun 30, 2001 05:15 p.m.):
AMDGuy, how did you do your mod? Did you mount wires directly to the IC pins or did you mount to the solder tabs on the MB as on the TweakHardware site?

Also, what wattage soldering iron should I be using for this project? I have a 30W one from the Shack, but I don't trust it with this particular project.

Finally ,just to get my bearings straight... dialing the trimmer (I only plan to use a pin7 mod) to full resistance effectively disables the mod, right?

Thanks,

K-Lined4lyf

I used one of the grounded type irons from the shack 15W I think?

Dialing the trimmer to full resistance will not allow the computer to boot (i.e. over 2.1V). You want ZERO resistance so dial it as such.

I used one of the soldering pads and DID NOT go straight to the pin on the chip. Made more sense to me.

 

[k_lined4lyf]

Will do. Had to thump myself in the head when I realized what I asked about the trimmer resistance...
Seems I forgot to think for a split second. Thank goodness forgetting to breathe isn't a concern.

Thanks,

K-Lined4lyf

 

[Colin]

Hope this helps.

Solder wires to Pin 7 and Pin 10 of the IC that controls the voltage to the CPU. Put a 47K trimmer (49 cents at Radio Shack part # 271-283) between each wire and ground. Use a spade lug or loop under a motherboard mounting screw for your ground connection. For convenience I suggest you mount the trimmers on a piece of breadboard and secure it to your motherboard tray with Velcro.

Pin 7 controls the voltage, Pin 10 controls maximum voltage threshold. Turn the trimmers to full resistance boot your PC and start VIA Hardware Monitor. Set the polling interval to 2 seconds and slowly dial up the pin 7 trimmer until the voltage peaks. This should be about 2.1 volts. Then dial up the Pin 10 trimmer until your screen blanks and back it off a tad. Your PC will probably reboot when the screen blanks. Go back into VIA Hardware Monitor and dial the Pin 7 trimmer up to 2.3 volts. You may be able to go higher but I don’t recommend it.

Caution this will stress your cooling. Be careful or your CPU could end up a crispy critter. I also suggest buying a third hand device from Radio Shack to hold a pre-tinned wire to the IC leg while you solder. The magnifying glass on the third had will come in handy too. Get in and out fast so you don’t toast the IC. Lay off the caffeine and if you are of age, have a beer a half hour before soldering to steady your hands.

Be sure to tie your wires down to the board. After doing several boards, I finally screwed one up. The mod went fine but I snagged the wire to Pin 10 on the end of my workbench and ripped the IC pin right off the board.

[img="[URL]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1551335&a=11768501&p=42534658[/URL]"]

 

[k_lined4lyf]

It did help, thanks.
Is there any particular type of wire or solder I need to use for this job? Just trying to do this right.

 

[Colin]

I think I use 22 gage stranded wire most of the time, with the end tinned before soldering to the IC legs. Sometimes I grab whatever spool is near me on the bench. Rosin core solder is fine. I prefer a silver solder but I don't think this is necessary for a volt mod.

 

[HMOverclocker]

What an explicit explanation on how to do the mod was given and the picture produced is very sharp and clear too.

 

[AMDGuy]

k_lined4lyf (Jul 02, 2001 11:18 p.m.):
It did help, thanks.
Is there any particular type of wire or solder I need to use for this job? Just trying to do this right.

I used a 18 ga solid core wire and regular o'l radio shack solder. The solid core wire will be easier to route as it will hold it's shape when bent.

 

[Colin]

HMOverclocker (Jul 03, 2001 12:25 p.m.):
What an explicit explanation on how to do the mod was given and the picture produced is very sharp and clear too.

Thanks Andrew. Very kind words from one who took time to teach me how to do the mod.

Best Regards,

Colin

 

[HMOverclocker]

You're welcome. It's only experience sharing.