myne wrote on 2025-09-26, 08:27:

ok, so which bios is in the pic?

That's you attached a couple post higher

In fact, it might be worth checking the BIOSPatcher microcode (file Reall.cod) set using the MCE utility.
I'm not particularly knowledgeable about families and compatibility.
It looks like BIOSPatcher contains all the necessary microcode for Slot 1, possibly including the Pentium Pro. (It can be run on Slot 1 using the corresponding Slotket.)
This file can be used to modify the any Award BIOS for P3.
The required microcode is simply replaced in a hex editor (all microcodes have a fixed size).
They can be placed in any order.

sunkindly wrote on 2025-09-26, 07:25:

I'm kinda curious if the working 933MHz CPU is SL448 (cB0) or SL4BV (cC0)...they're both 1.7V so that rules out the earlier discussion about voltage potentially being an issue...

The code on the side of the 933 is SL4BT and it indeed runs at 1.7V. The 866 is SL4BV and also runs at 1.7V, so voltage was in fact never the issue.

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-27, 04:09:

sunkindly wrote on 2025-09-26, 07:25:

I'm kinda curious if the working 933MHz CPU is SL448 (cB0) or SL4BV (cC0)...they're both 1.7V so that rules out the earlier discussion about voltage potentially being an issue...

The code on the side of the 933 is SL4BT and it indeed runs at 1.7V. The 866 is SL4BV and also runs at 1.7V, so voltage was in fact never the issue.

Hmm, between the two there's pretty much no difference other than the multiplier. Very strange, but I guess it just goes to show how unpredictable retro computing can be.

Amen to that. I’m still trying to figure out this weird issue with Half-Life where I get random lag and the audio stutters and skips over itself. I thought it might be the sound card, especially since I don’t have any RAM upgrades for it, but this AWE64 Value works fine with the other games I have installed, including Deus Ex. Sound Blaster Lives are still dirt cheap, so I may try that to see if it fixes the issue, as well as getting a different graphics card. I hear Deus Ex runs much better in Glide than OpenGL or Direct3D, so I may cut the flesh and buy a Voodoo3 despite how horribly expensive they are now. Decisions, decisions…

Sorry once again for asking for help here. I might need to make a new thread. However I am trying to build a socket 370 build and have an Intel P3 SL3XY. My current mobo is a Abit VL-6 version 1. I updated the bios using an Xgecu T48 to 7k(also tried other bios). However all I get is the CPU fan starting up but no display on the monitor. I have tried several things like clearing CMOS battery. Also it runs for a long time but no display. Can anyone tell me if flashing this microcode will help? Is there any modified bios for VL-6 anywhere. Also what socket 370 is the most compatible for a Win 95 build. I tried Asus CUV 4x and the Abit Vl-6 and all of them have issues.

Edit: I have also tried the yz and 4k versions of the BIOS. There is actually conflcting info on the retro web and on other sites about which BIOS is indeed the latest.

Hans Tork wrote on 2025-09-27, 23:26:

Sorry once again for asking for help here. I might need to make a new thread. However I am trying to build a socket 370 build and have an Intel P3 SL3XY. My current mobo is a Abit VL-6 version 1. I updated the bios using an Xgecu T48 to 7k(also tried other bios). However all I get is the CPU fan starting up but no display on the monitor. I have tried several things like clearing CMOS battery. Also it runs for a long time but no display. Can anyone tell me if flashing this microcode will help? Is there any modified bios for VL-6 anywhere. Also what socket 370 is the most compatible for a Win 95 build. I tried Asus CUV 4x and the Abit Vl-6 and all of them have issues.

Edit: I have also tried the yz and 4k versions of the BIOS. There is actually conflcting info on the retro web and on other sites about which BIOS is indeed the latest.

To reach the greatest number of experienced vogoners, I'd definitely recommend a new thread 😀

H3nrik V! wrote on 2025-09-28, 21:29:

Hans Tork wrote on 2025-09-27, 23:26:

Sorry once again for asking for help here. I might need to make a new thread. However I am trying to build a socket 370 build and have an Intel P3 SL3XY. My current mobo is a Abit VL-6 version 1. I updated the bios using an Xgecu T48 to 7k(also tried other bios). However all I get is the CPU fan starting up but no display on the monitor. I have tried several things like clearing CMOS battery. Also it runs for a long time but no display. Can anyone tell me if flashing this microcode will help? Is there any modified bios for VL-6 anywhere. Also what socket 370 is the most compatible for a Win 95 build. I tried Asus CUV 4x and the Abit Vl-6 and all of them have issues.

Edit: I have also tried the yz and 4k versions of the BIOS. There is actually conflcting info on the retro web and on other sites about which BIOS is indeed the latest.

To reach the greatest number of experienced vogoners, I'd definitely recommend a new thread 😀

Probably right. However I got my answers on the Abit-Vl6 CPU thread. It seems my motherboard might have bad capacitors which are causing these issues. I will recap and update there if any progress is made.

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-25, 22:33:

I may get a different mobo anyway in case something bad happens here, and will definitely get some PC133 RAM to see how far I can overclock it on this old board, but for now I’m just glad to know it worked!

I built an AB-BH6 rev1.0 system for a friend and went through this entire process already to try and get a 133FSB CPU running (I purchased a 1Ghz 133FSB PIII for it and modified a slotket). Unfortunately the rev1.0 board is missing a PCI divider that lets it run stable at 133, the onboard storage controller glitches out from overclocking the bus. The fastest I was able to get it run run at was 112Mhz resulting in an 840Mhz clock speed. The correct divider was introduced in rev1.1. It may be possible to retroactively add the setting to the BIOS but I suspect the hardware was also updated to support it.

P.S. Try looking at Japan for a Voodoo3, since prices on eBay were very high I bought a V3 2000 for $78USD there and used a proxy to ship it. Not bargain bin pricing but at least it didn't make me feel bad haha.

NeoG_ wrote on 2025-09-29, 09:00:

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-25, 22:33:

I may get a different mobo anyway in case something bad happens here, and will definitely get some PC133 RAM to see how far I can overclock it on this old board, but for now I’m just glad to know it worked!

I built an AB-BH6 rev1.0 system for a friend and went through this entire process already to try and get a 133FSB CPU running (I purchased a 1Ghz 133FSB PIII for it and modified a slotket). Unfortunately the rev1.0 board is missing a PCI divider that lets it run stable at 133, the onboard storage controller glitches out from overclocking the bus. The fastest I was able to get it run run at was 112Mhz resulting in an 840Mhz clock speed. The correct divider was introduced in rev1.1. It may be possible to retroactively add the setting to the BIOS but I suspect the hardware was also updated to support it.

P.S. Try looking at Japan for a Voodoo3, since prices on eBay were very high I bought a V3 2000 for $78USD there and used a proxy to ship it. Not bargain bin pricing but at least it didn't make me feel bad haha.

Strange. I’ve seen people say this, but I’ve checked the manual for the 1.0 board and both BIOS I’ve used, and all of them mention/display that a 1/4 divider automatically kicks in for values at or around 133MHz. It’d be extremely strange and crappy if the manual was lying, so could the divider be faulty or flawed in design?

Also, very intriguing about looking at Japan for better prices. I presume using a VPN would help me in this situation?

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-29, 11:56:

Strange. I’ve seen people say this, but I’ve checked the manual for the 1.0 board and both BIOS I’ve used, and all of them mention/display that a 1/4 divider automatically kicks in for values at or around 133MHz. It’d be extremely strange and crappy if the manual was lying, so could the divider be faulty or flawed in design?

I found manuals for the 1.0x and 1.1+ here: https://soggi.org/motherboards/abit/BH6.htm#manu
Only the 1.1+ manual mentions the divider at all (including 1/4) which is part of the base clock selection

In the 1.0 bios, the latest bios version shows the divider but no matter how high you set the clock it's stuck at 1/3. A Voodoo card will survive the AGP clock but the PCI is hopeless. I even tried a PCI ATA133 adapter in the hopes it would be more clock resistant but no luck, it was even worse. I was kind of disappointed because all the information I read indicated that on the BH6 133FSB was fine, but I didn't read about the rev1.0 board specifically until after. The system would post at 1Ghz@133FSB no problem but any attempt to use a storage device totally failed. It would boot at 124 but freeze at the desktop.

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-29, 11:56:

Also, very intriguing about looking at Japan for better prices. I presume using a VPN would help me in this situation?

I used a proxy service, there are a few. Buyee, FromJapan, Zenmarket etc.

My rev. 1.0 BH6 doesn't know other divider than 1/3 it seems. SS BIOS.

NeoG_ wrote on 2025-09-29, 12:46:

I found manuals for the 1.0x and 1.1+ here: https://soggi.org/motherboards/abit/BH6.htm#manu Only the 1.1+ manual mentions the d […]
Show full quote

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-29, 11:56:

Strange. I’ve seen people say this, but I’ve checked the manual for the 1.0 board and both BIOS I’ve used, and all of them mention/display that a 1/4 divider automatically kicks in for values at or around 133MHz. It’d be extremely strange and crappy if the manual was lying, so could the divider be faulty or flawed in design?

I found manuals for the 1.0x and 1.1+ here: https://soggi.org/motherboards/abit/BH6.htm#manu
Only the 1.1+ manual mentions the divider at all (including 1/4) which is part of the base clock selection

In the 1.0 bios, the latest bios version shows the divider but no matter how high you set the clock it's stuck at 1/3. A Voodoo card will survive the AGP clock but the PCI is hopeless. I even tried a PCI ATA133 adapter in the hopes it would be more clock resistant but no luck, it was even worse. I was kind of disappointed because all the information I read indicated that on the BH6 133FSB was fine, but I didn't read about the rev1.0 board specifically until after. The system would post at 1Ghz@133FSB no problem but any attempt to use a storage device totally failed. It would boot at 124 but freeze at the desktop.

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-29, 11:56:

Also, very intriguing about looking at Japan for better prices. I presume using a VPN would help me in this situation?

I used a proxy service, there are a few. Buyee, FromJapan, Zenmarket etc.

Download the clocker IC datasheet now, why guess?
Even if you don't understand anything about electronics, there will be a table with accessible values

https://theretroweb.com/motherboard/image/dsc … fe919110284.jpg
https://wasp.kz/Stat_PC/m-b/ab-bh6/14_ab-bh6.jpg
w124G rev1.0 -> w196G revX.X
So, most likely, no miracle happened.

If you're handy with a soldering iron, there are usually same-brand clock chips that are drop-in replacements (including software).
Though that doesn't mean it will show the right text in the bios.

Checked the BIOS and yeah, no 1/4 divider. Sucks, but I’ve got generally acceptable performance in all my games except Deus Ex, which is still a little choppy in big outdoor areas, so I’m not super torn up about it.

FromJapan was a great suggestion though, someone is selling a Voodoo 3 3500 with the big silly TV dongle for $12. As long as my bank plays nice and the card isn’t broken, I could totally experiment with Glide and just put up with the dongle. I know that even the crummy MX-4000 I have is technically more powerful, but opportunities like this don’t come around very often, right?

TheMysteriousGray wrote on 2025-09-29, 15:43:

Checked the BIOS and yeah, no 1/4 divider. Sucks, but I’ve got generally acceptable performance in all my games except Deus Ex, which is still a little choppy in big outdoor areas, so I’m not super torn up about it.

FromJapan was a great suggestion though, someone is selling a Voodoo 3 3500 with the big silly TV dongle for $12. As long as my bank plays nice and the card isn’t broken, I could totally experiment with Glide and just put up with the dongle. I know that even the crummy MX-4000 I have is technically more powerful, but opportunities like this don’t come around very often, right?

MX 4000 may be faster, but it's not GLiDE ... so if $12 and reasonably shipping costs is an option, I'd say absolutely YES!

Hi everyone,

could you help me identify the exact revision of my ABIT BH6 and recommend the safest BIOS version for it?

At boot I get this BIOS string:

10/08/1998-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1EC-FU

The board has:

* black rear I/O block around the PS/2 and USB ports
* Intel FW82371EB southbridge
* Winbond W83977TF-AW Super I/O
* Winbond W29C020P-90 BIOS chip

Photos of the board and chips are attached.

Current hardware:

* Intel Celeron 333
* 192 MB SDRAM
* NVIDIA TNT2 Pro
* FSP Fortron FSP300-60HHN 300W ATX power supply

Main issue:
the board does not detect any IDE ATAPI optical drives.

I tested:

* two IDE DVD drives
* one IDE CD-RW drive
* different IDE cables
* different Master/Slave jumper settings

IDE hard drives are detected correctly, including on the secondary IDE channel, but none of the optical drives are detected.

Could you please help me determine:

* whether this is BH6 rev 1.0 or rev 1.1,
* which BIOS version is the safest to flash,
* and whether this is a known issue with early BH6 boards?

I would like to avoid flashing the wrong BIOS and bricking the board.

Thanks!

Martinespl wrote on 2026-05-08, 21:21:

Hi everyone, […]
Show full quote

Hi everyone,

could you help me identify the exact revision of my ABIT BH6 and recommend the safest BIOS version for it?

At boot I get this BIOS string:

10/08/1998-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1EC-FU

The board has:

* black rear I/O block around the PS/2 and USB ports
* Intel FW82371EB southbridge
* Winbond W83977TF-AW Super I/O
* Winbond W29C020P-90 BIOS chip

Photos of the board and chips are attached.

Current hardware:

* Intel Celeron 333
* 192 MB SDRAM
* NVIDIA TNT2 Pro
* FSP Fortron FSP300-60HHN 300W ATX power supply

Main issue:
the board does not detect any IDE ATAPI optical drives.

I tested:

* two IDE DVD drives
* one IDE CD-RW drive
* different IDE cables
* different Master/Slave jumper settings

IDE hard drives are detected correctly, including on the secondary IDE channel, but none of the optical drives are detected.

Could you please help me determine:

* whether this is BH6 rev 1.0 or rev 1.1,
* which BIOS version is the safest to flash,
* and whether this is a known issue with early BH6 boards?

I would like to avoid flashing the wrong BIOS and bricking the board.

Thanks!

Since it has the W124G clock generator, it's a 1.0-1.02. The latest safest BIOS would SS.

As a previous BH6 owner, this was a useful page to have bookmarked:
https://soggi.org/motherboards/abit/BH6.htm

Thank you very much for your help!

When I search the bios string it lands on https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/abit-ab-bh6-rev.-1.0 and not https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/abit-ab-bh6-rev.-1.1 which seems to not list that bios string as one of them.