Could a BIOS update help?

I just realized that it can accept the PIII (manual for a different version of the board maybe?):

The PIII CPU that I am trying to install is a 650 (100MHz FSB), so according to the manual, I set the FSB to 100, and changed the jupmpers to 6.5X

The system boots but I don't hear POST beep, and no BIOS screen.

C0deHunter wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:30:

I just realized that it can accept the PIII (manual for a different version of the board maybe?):

The PIII CPU that I am trying to install is a 650 (100MHz FSB), so according to the manual, I set the FSB to 100, and changed the jupmpers to 6.5X

The system boots but I don't hear POST beep, and no BIOS screen.

The motherboard is REV 1.04.

I'm running the same ASUS P2B motherboard from 1999 that I bought back in college and I'm currently using a 600MHz Katmai Pentium 3 CPU in it just fine.

First - be aware of WHICH Pentium 3 processors will work on it.
Second - make sure you have the absolute latest BIOS installed so that you have the microcode to support the CPU (use the Pentium 2 to install the BIOS first).
Third - make sure you have the Jumpers set up for the CPU you're trying to install.

The board only supports up to 100 MHz FSB, so any chip that asks for a 133 bus will be most likely to fail. Also, the CPU has to support the voltages supplied to it. Slotkets that allow you to install a PGA chip into the SLOT 1 often times come with voltage regulators built-in, but again, you run into the 133 MHz bus requirements and the limitations those impose.

If you're a tinkerer and just HAVE to try to mess with it to get something working that was never designed to work on it working, then go right ahead. But from what I was able to read, the fastest Pentium 3 that works on the board natively (and confirmed by me as I bought the CPU and use it myself just fine) is the 600MHz Katmai Pentium 3. It operates at 100MHz FSB and uses a 6x multiplier (these are the jumper settings you want to set).

FFXIhealer wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:33:

The fastest Pentium 3 that works on the board natively (and confirmed by me as I bought the CPU and use it myself just fine) is the 600MHz Katmai Pentium 3. It operates at 100MHz FSB and uses a 6x multiplier (these are the jumper settings you want to set).

I am using a very similar CPU (PIII 650MHz operating at 100MHz FSB), so it should work, but I have NOT updated the BIOS.

I even lowered the multiplayer from 6.5X to 6.0 (essentially down-cloking my CPU), sill no go. It HAS to be BIOS then.

Would you kindly point to the BIOS update for this particular motherboard?

thanks!

Here is my settings:

C0deHunter wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:42:

Would you kindly point to the BIOS update for this particular motherboard?

https://soggi.org/motherboards/asus.htm

What is the board revision ? 1.03 only supports up to p3 600mhz katmai minus the 133 fsb varient... revision 1.04 pcb seems to have support up to 800Mhz out of the box. I have never had my hands on one.

I have the older board, so yeah, that's what I'm working off of.

C0deHunter wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:42:

I am using a very similar CPU (PIII 650MHz operating at 100MHz FSB), so it should work, but I have NOT updated the BIOS. Would y […]
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FFXIhealer wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:33:

The fastest Pentium 3 that works on the board natively (and confirmed by me as I bought the CPU and use it myself just fine) is the 600MHz Katmai Pentium 3. It operates at 100MHz FSB and uses a 6x multiplier (these are the jumper settings you want to set).

I am using a very similar CPU (PIII 650MHz operating at 100MHz FSB), so it should work, but I have NOT updated the BIOS.
Would you kindly point to the BIOS update for this particular motherboard?

thanks!

There are two core variants for Slot1 Pentium IIIs: Katmai (with external L2 cache) and Coppermine (with integrated L2 cache).
The 650MHz variants are all Coppermines. Due to different power requirements there are often issues with early 440bx motherboards and Coppermine CPUs. I don't think your board supports them. You can try the latest BIOS but I wouldn't count on it.

Yeah, for the record, the Katmai 250nm processor core for the Pentium 3s only went as high as 600 MHz. The 650 is guaranteed to be a Coppermine 180nm core. There were 100 and 133MHz FSB models made, but it's still a Coppermine. I'm pretty sure the Coppermine is NOT going to work on the motherboard.

Thanks for the links to the BIOS files. Unfortunately I am having issues flashing my BIOS:

I have downloaded the latest BIOS in form of .BIN

1999/10/28 - BIOS 1011 (146 KiB)

And the latest Beta

2002/08/05 - BIOS 1014.003 (Beta) (153 KiB)

And for the Flashing utility I have tried the following:

AWDFLASH v8.99 (DOS)
WinFlash 1.94 (Windows)

When I run WinFlash 1.94 under Windows ME, my cursor turns into an hour glass, but nothing happens.

When I copy the AWDFLASH v8.99 along with the .BIN BIOS file onto a floppy diskette, and boot to DOS, the AWDFLASH v8.99 reports the following: (see the screenshots

Please help!!!

FFXIhealer wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:49:

C0deHunter wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:42:

Would you kindly point to the BIOS update for this particular motherboard?

...

Oh my...

First:
@FFXIhealer could you please change the link to the .htm page (f.e. https://soggi.org/motherboards/asus.htm) where you found the BIOS as hotlinking (inline linking) is not allowed on my page (for several reasons, f.e. like "Second:"). Thx! 😀

Second:
This is not the right BIOS as it's for the ASUS P2B-B (the Baby-AT version of the P2B [ATX])!

-------------

@C0deHunter:
Got your PMs, I'll have a look into it and hopefully edit this post soon and write you a PM. 😀
Please confirm that you have a ASUS P2B (ATX)!

kind regards
soggi

X86 wrote on 2021-12-15, 19:54:

What is the board revision ? 1.03 only supports up to p3 600mhz katmai minus the 133 fsb varient... revision 1.04 pcb seems to have support up to 800Mhz out of the box. I have never had my hands on one.

Min is a 1.04 revision

Yes, indeed it is a rev 1.04 ASUS P2B ATX!
Now where can I find the correct BIOS? 😀

I'm on the way... Wait a minute. I'll write you a PM.

BTW with such old boards you can always go with UniFlash - the best BIOS flash tool for boards from 486 to socket A (didn't test above). It is available for download on my website -> https://soggi.org/motherboards/bios-update-fl … h-utilities.htm. You can take UniFlash 1.40, UniFlash 1.47re.09 or UniFlash v2.00.SPI.RC03 - I don't think this makes any difference.

kind regards
soggi

FFXIhealer wrote on 2021-12-15, 22:38:

Yeah, for the record, the Katmai 250nm processor core for the Pentium 3s only went as high as 600 MHz. The 650 is guaranteed to be a Coppermine 180nm core. There were 100 and 133MHz FSB models made, but it's still a Coppermine. I'm pretty sure the Coppermine is NOT going to work on the motherboard.

According to CPU WORLD, the PIII 650 is Socket 370 / PGA350, whereas mine is a SLOT 1 variants: How is this possible?

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium- ... 256E).html

soggi wrote on 2021-12-16, 06:43:

I'm on the way... Wait a minute. I'll write you a PM. […]
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I'm on the way... Wait a minute. I'll write you a PM.

BTW with such old boards you can always go with UniFlash - the best BIOS flash tool for boards from 486 to socket A (didn't test above). It is available for download on my website -> https://soggi.org/motherboards/bios-update-fl … h-utilities.htm. You can take UniFlash 1.40, UniFlash 1.47re.09 or UniFlash v2.00.SPI.RC03 - I don't think this makes any difference.

kind regards
soggi

Yes, I have tried the UniFlash but the actual BIOS file is the incorrect version! (not suitable for my system that is)

C0deHunter wrote on 2021-12-16, 06:51:

According to CPU WORLD, the PIII 650 is Socket 370 / PGA350, whereas mine is a SLOT 1 variants: How is this possible?

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium- ... 256E).html

Look at this one instead. https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium- ... 0256).html

Because CPU World can only tell you what you tell it. I’m assuming, at this point, that you’ve ONLY been looking for a processor BY NAME (Pentium 3) and BY SPEED (650 MHz). That’s not enough. The slot 1 CPU package has a model and revision code printed on the top.

You also never told us initially what revision your MB was, NOR what BIOS version you are currently running, so we’re all making guesses here.

Like I said, the 650 is GUARANTEED to be a Coppermine core, not the Katmai. And I can ONLY confirm that the KATMAI works on my ASUS P2B motherboard.