MSI Pro2A users: Why won't this board multiplier overclock??

[Technonut]

I just received a Pro2A to compare against my very stable, full featured KT7. I actually like to try boards out before I base an opinion on them, or use them since I do this for a living.

I have 2 Loctite unlocked 800 T-Birds that work at whatever multiplier increment that I choose on my KT7. Neither will multiplier overclock on the Pro2A. I set it at 900, it boots and runs at 500MHz, I set 950, it boots at 600MHz. I set it at 850, it will not boot at all, and requires a insert key reset to start. It runs fine at the default 800MHz, and will FSB overclock.

I have only the T-Bird, video card, RAM (Mosel Vitelic PC133), floppy, hard drive installed, Enermax power supply, and have tried flashing the BIOS to 1.9, and MSI's overclockers BIOS. I am no stranger to proper BIOS configuration, and have tried everything. I even went as far as to redo the Loctite on one of the T-Birds, even though I knew it did not need it. The voltage is at 1.85.

Any ideas??

 

[oaydin]

having also same problem here (and wishing that I wouldn't sell my KT7 to my friend
I found a solution. first leave the fsb@100 mhz and multiplier @ 8. After entering bios only change the multiplier to 8.5, it may work correctly, than try increasing the multiplier like that, step by step. After u reach the right multiplier, u can change fsb as u wish( or should I say, as msi can?, hehehe)

 

[Technonut]

Thanks for the reply. My FSB IS at 100. When I set the multiplier to 850, the damn thing won't boot at all, and requires an insert key reset. With the FSB at 100, trying a 900 multiplier, it runs at 500MHz.

I pop the same T-Birds in my KT7 (which I am online with now), and the multiplier adjustments are fine. I also agree with you that this Pro2A BIOS is lacking very much compared to the KT7. I would like to be able to base an honest opinion on the Pro2A, but so far I am not impressed at all with the benchmarks and memory performance at the 800MHz I am running it at compared to the KT7. Maybe if I can get it to multiplier overclock, I will see some improvement.

 

[oaydin]

Hey techno, maybe one more way. After changing multiplier and as u say it boots 500 or 650, enter to bios again. But don't change anything, save and quit. Maybe it may detect the right multiplier now. Interestingly I'm having this problem with multipliers higher than 9,5 . I chance to 10.5 and it boots 600 mhz, then enter to bios and quit, bingo it boots 1050...
Btw I want my abit and I want my abit back.
I hope we don't have to wait too much for KT7A

 

[Technonut]

Thanks again, but no go. This thing will just not multiplier overclock. It is strange that you cannot reduce the multiplier below default clock in the BIOS, but it damn sure will reduce below default clock on this one if you try to set it above.

 

[PCComp]

Try flashing the board with the latest BIOS from the Internet. Earlier versions of the BIOS have quarks in the multiplier settings. Also, the latest BIOS improves memory bandwidth...

 

[Technonut]

Thanks for the reply, but I have already flashed to all official MSI BIOS's including the overclocker's version. It still does the same thing.

 

[Herr Yunta]

I must say I am having similar trouble (v 1.8 bios) but can get only 8 and 8.5 to work on my unlocked duron 800. I also have no multiplier choices below 8. I was going to try going to the 2.01 bios but have heard not so great things about it.

 

[heng1028]

i can get to 1gig for my duron 800

i tried bios version 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.01

they can get me to 1 gig at no problem

 

[PCComp]

Also, after flashing the BIOS, use the "clear system CMOS" jumper to restore the BIOS defaults. For some reason, after flashing the BIOS, your lowest multiplier will become your current multiplier setting...

 

[thai]

i'm having a similar problem over here. my duron 700 runs fine at 950mhz with the asus a7pro. when i switched it to the msi pro2-a, it wont boot when i set multiplier higher than 7.5x. i have to shut down and then it would boots up at 700mhz again, even when bios is already set to 7.5x or higher. i have not try anything higher than 9.5x.

it doesnt even post at 750mhz. very weird. i also notice that at default 700mhz speed, this board is very slow under sandra memory benchmark. it is about 30% slower than my asus a7pro.
i'm using the latest bios too.

 

[thai]

okay i have just tried it with a tbird 800, and when multiplier set to 9x i would get 500mhz; set to 9.5x and i get 550mhz; set to 10x and i got 600mhz. very weird. this tbird was working just fine in an asus a7pro

 

[dennilfloss]

This might shed some light on your problem.

 

[Technonut]

dennilfloss, looks like you hit the nail right on the head. looks like I received one of the buggy ones. Thanks. I have already sent the board back.

 

[Technonut]

Just read today's review of the Pro2A at HARDOCP. Looks like they have the same problem:


Reason #2: Multiplier

I've got two issues with the multiplier. The first one being that I was unable to get any multiplier above 8.5 to operate correctly. Now, I'm not putting much into this issue, as I've never seen anyone else with the same problem, and I'm relatively sure it's an issue unique to my specific test board. The other multiplier issue I have is the fact that the lowest multiplier offered is the defualt multiplier. I suppose it's not a biggie. But you know what? I want full adjustment capability. I don't want to be limited. It's all about me, baby. And I want it all.

 

[Subversal]

Both of mine work great. Both my Duron 700's work with any multiplier setting up to 10 ( well one does, the other can only due 900, but its the chip not the mobo).

 

[TGEN]

Heh, a friend of mine had this problem too, but he has fixed it in some way.. by accident. I'll ask him about it in a couple of hours I hope

 

[oaydin]

mine was working normaly too, now it doesn't, 9.5 gives 5, 10 gives 5.5, 10.5 gives 6
I didn't change anything. The only change is I installed colin mc rally 2, can be?
and totally msi gives headheache to me

 

[FoolGuy]

I have had the SAME problem with TWO Abit KT7-RAID Boards!!!
I have a 750 T-Bird and it won't go past 850... on the 9.0 multiplier it boots @ 700.. then goes up from there.. 9.5 gets me 750, 10 = 800, 10.5 = 850, 11 = No Boot, need to reset bios manually. WTF!!!

Also, A friend of mine, who also has the Abit KT7-Raid, can't get his Duron past 800... when he sets it @ 850, it boots @ 800... sounds to me like it's not limited to the MSI Board...

 

[groovy]

Overclockers.com has his latest (final?) comments here

 

[Jamey]

thanks groovy