600E Processor compability problem

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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Here is an interesting problem that I've encounter. I already own a Thinkpad 600X (2645-5EU) that originaly came with a Pentium3 500mhz, upgraded to a Pentium 3 Speedstep tech. 600mhz with no problems whatso ever. But last week, I bought a 600E (2645-55U) for the wife, since we were always fighting for the bloody thing(LOL). Anyway, I tough about taking my spare 500mhz and install it in the 600E, so she gets a decent processor, but there began all my problems.

First bootup after the P3 installation, I got a few errors which was the dreadful error 127. But after googling and searching on www.wimsbios.com :) it toke care of the problem. But now I have another one, and its that the BIOS will only take my Pentium3 500mhz for a Pentium 2 333mhz. Once booted in WinXP, CPU-Z reports the cpu being a Pentium 3 500mhz, but only running with a multiplier 5 which is good, but only 66FBS!! I need the 100FBS! I flashed the bios with the lastest version, and you will not believe me, but tried to flash with a 600X BIOS (thinking that the overall motherboard was same architecture), but I just created myself a hell of a lot more problems lol However, I managed to boot trough cd-rom and re-flashed with the good BIOS again (Thanks god for that).

So, finally, my only problem is that the FBS is stuck at 66mhz. I compared my 600X and the 600E, and here is what I got:

Bios information comparision 600X 600E
model/sub-system/revision FC/01/00 FC/01/00
Power management version 1.11 1.13
Post/Bios version 1.20 1.18
Video version 2.00 1.15
Setup version 3.03 1.08
Slave controller version 1.10 1.08

In OS (both running WinXP), checking with CPU-Z, they both got the same chipset onboard which is Intel i440BX/ZX Rev. C1

I can't really figure out why the 600E will not go on 100fbs, tried almost everything, but ran out of ideas. . Anybody got a flashlight for this one? I personally believe that it is a voltage issue, but I'd like to hear a bit from you guys!
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Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
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Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 8:46 pm
Location: Finland

Swsnyder has reported similar experience with PIII-500MHZ with 600E series 2645-57U

http://www.wimsbios.com/phpBB2/viewtopi ... &start=180

In principle PIII-module selects 100MHz bus option with a signal that is passed to motherboard via MMC2-connector. This signal goes to the clock generator which activated 100MHz bus.

We don't know the reason why in some 600E's instead of 100MHz, 66MHz bus is selected, maybe older 600E's do not support 100MHz bus?

Did you try the 600MHz PIII? Does is run with 100MHz bus in the 600E?
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Hmmm that tought never crossed my mind, since it wouldn't fully accept the PIII 500mhz, but it's worth the try! I'm going to work on it right now, and let you know!
Women, can do without 'em, can't do without 'em
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Seems that the 2645-55U (600E) is limited to a PII 333mhz.. With the 600mhz it still runs it as a PII 333mhz, 5*66fbs .. But now I wonder if that because of the speedstep tech.. But regardless of what, I'm still stuck with a 66fbs .. I'm probably gonna have to look for a 600x mobo on ebay, cuz 300mhz PII is just aint enaugh lol
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Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
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I'd like study this problematic 600E motherboard if it can be modified to run 100MHz.

Do you have any electronics skills and digital volt/ohm meter?
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

I have searched all day yesterday and also this morning to solve this issue, but so far nothing in the horizon.. I tought since both 600x and 600e shares the same chipset, maybe in the 600E 100fbs is not "enabled" like what we can see in the so called intel 845 and 850 I believe that one takes only rambus, and the other one ddr "enabled" .. Not sure on this one, I'm still trying to get some information trough intel.. I'll let you know what I find out!
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Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
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You need to disassemble the laptop and take off the motherboard. At the lower side there is clock generator (IMISG577). Equivalent spec can be downloaded

http://www.standardics.philips.com/prod ... ck2000.pdf

Please check pin#25 (sel100/66) when power is on: 0V=L=66MHz, 3,3V=H=100Mhz. If it keeps low (0V), you can cut the folio and tie it to 3,3V with a 1kohm resistor. That shoud force 100MHz.

For pictures, take a look http://mav.nifty.com/ahp/textview.cgi?b ... +28067+106
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
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Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Well well well, this is what I call picking my curiosity muahaha
Proceeding right now with the screw driver to take it appart, and see what I can do, get back to you if I run trough a problem!
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Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
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Bus speed is signalled from PIII-module to motherboard via
MMC2 connector pin 34B. Signal name is FQS. 0=66MHz, 1= 100MHz.

Can you measure resistance between pin 34B and GND from the motherboard side of the MMC2 connector?

There might be a pull down resistor somewhere. Eliminating this pull down resistor could be solution.

Can you trace folio between pin 34B and clock generator pin#25?

Is there a connection between pin34B and pin#25? Resistance = 0?
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

The clock generator I got on my board differs a little bit, but I think it is still the same thing tho .. Marked: SG577DYB, under that markings go as: 9839 f5120

My board is hell of a lot different than the one on the link (The 770X one)
If I had a place to post pictures, I would post a few to show ya..
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

how can i find pin 34B just tell me how to find pin 1A and im gonna be aight
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Nevermind I found it .. Yes I have resistance between 34B and Pin#25 . . My tester read about 5 ohms, but the selector says x10, would make it 50ohms .. that much? Heh

Resistance betweek 34B and ground = 31x10= 310ohms

Now I'm gonna power it on and measure the power coming from #25 with the PII and the PIII, post them after
Women, can do without 'em, can't do without 'em
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

Voltages ... Well, with both PII 300mhz or PIII 500mhz, they stay at praticaly 0 .. I don't have a digital multi-meter, but it still a good one (I'm old fashion, like the gauge better than digital .. yes im weird :D ) , position 2.5volt sensibility, and my gauge barely moves, my wild guess is that there is probably about 0.01volts .. :) Well?
Women, can do without 'em, can't do without 'em
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Raistlin
BIOS Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:09 pm
Location: Bathurst, New-Brunswick, Canada

BTW, I got a picture of the backside of the board and the front side (Clock generator area), want me to send 'em to ya?
Women, can do without 'em, can't do without 'em
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Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
Posts: 679
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 8:46 pm
Location: Finland

Based on the resistance readings, the pins 34B and #25 are propably connected by a folio in the motherboard, and there is propably a pull-down resistor somewhere in the board. Can you find it by following the folio? It propably is near the clock generator pin#25.

You can try a rough mod: connect pin #25 with a 1k ohm resistor to pin#48 (3,3V), then measure voltage at pin#25. If it is more than 2,5 volts you can try to boot. If it voltage is less than 1 volts, try 100ohm resistor, and measure voltage quickly. See if there is any resistor hot/smoking, this is propably the pull-down resistor that you need to find :)

I pm my email, so you can send me the pictures.
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