FIC AZ31 (oem UWAVE)

[conomark]

I have recently acquired an older working pull motherboard and AMD Duron 800 Mhz processor from a Compaq Presario Desktop. After doing some research, I've found that the UWAVE board is actually a FIC AZ31 with a Compaq OEM bios chip.

I've heard some horror stories of people trying to flash the uwave bios with the fic update and killing the board.

My question is, if were able to obtain a new bios chip with with FIC specs and replace the chip on the board, would it work?

Thanks,
Conomark

[sulbert]

AFAIK the Compaq uwave board has the BIOS chip soldered on board (at least the one I had).

[conomark]

The bios on my mobo is a PLCC in a socket.

The FIC website has a the latest bios version number for the AZ31 board. If I get a bios new bios chip, do you think it will work in the uwave/compaq board?

Conomark

[NickS]

I think there's a good chance. Why do you want to change?

[conomark]

The Compaq/Uwave bios isn't worth a hoot. There are only a few settings you can change. I guess it's a safeguard for Compaq support so people can't really screw things up.

I downloaded the 58 page AZ31 manual from FIC and the bios settings and options comprise almost 35 pages.

I would like to tweak and oc a little and see how far I can go with this board.

Conomark

[sulbert]

Got one of those Uwave boards (with socketed BIOS) today just for experimenting. That thing didn't boot with 1200 MHz Duron (the slowest one I have in the moment) so I had to use the c't flasher to flash the chip... Put the chip on the board, switched the thing on and looked at the POST card. C1, C3,...1D... 26... YEAH! IT BOOTS!
OK, the BIOS needs modification as the Duron is recognized as Athlon 1200 but that can be easily done.

[Toby B]

Got one of those Uwave boards (with socketed BIOS) today just for experimenting. That thing didn't boot with 1200 MHz Duron (the slowest one I have in the moment) so I had to use the c't flasher to flash the chip... Put the chip on the board, switched the thing on and looked at the POST card. C1, C3,...1D... 26... YEAH! IT BOOTS!
OK, the BIOS needs modification as the Duron is recognized as Athlon 1200 but that can be easily done.

Would like more info please... Can you provide a complete list of what you did/used. Exactly what verion of UWAVE board was it?

Thanks

[sulbert]

1. FIC AZ31 vdb41 BIOS
2. UWAVE board with KT133 chipset and socketed BIOS chip (W49F002U; don't have it in my hand right now so I will try to determine the exact revision later).

The only result I have so far is that the board boots with FIC BIOS - too many toys (and work ), too little time you know... But I will surely do some more research and post the results here.

[Toby B]

1. FIC AZ31 vdb41 BIOS
2. UWAVE board with KT133 chipset and socketed BIOS chip (W49F002U; don't have it in my hand right now so I will try to determine the exact revision later).

The only result I have so far is that the board boots with FIC BIOS - too many toys (and work ), too little time you know... But I will surely do some more research and post the results here.

sweet, as you may or may not know I have a site devoted to Compaq and (working on) HP info. The info you provide is/will be a valuable asset..

Thanks

[KachiWachi]

Toby B -

How about a link to your site in your signature?

(I will assume this will be OK with the moderators... )

EDIT - Is that it in your "buttons"?

[Toby B]

Toby B -

How about a link to your site in your signature?

(I will assume this will be OK with the moderators... )

EDIT - Is that it in your "buttons"?

Link to my site is in my profile (i.e. the www button below my posts). If the Moderators and/or admins don't have a problem with it I could put a link in the sig.

[sulbert]

09B9433KA3 UWAVE
0110
786K1
217155-002
That's what is printed on the stickers.
The PCB revision is 1.3 I guess (etched (i.e. not silkscreened) in one corner).
686A south bridge
AD1881A sound chip

I can try to make some photos if needed.

[Toby B]

09B9433KA3 UWAVE
0110
786K1
217155-002
That's what is printed on the stickers.
The PCB revision is 1.3 I guess (etched (i.e. not silkscreened) in one corner).
686A south bridge
AD1881A sound chip

I can try to make some photos if needed.

no real nead for photos, but thanks for the info...

[kltsin]

Got one of those Uwave boards (with socketed BIOS) today just for experimenting. That thing didn't boot with 1200 MHz Duron (the slowest one I have in the moment) so I had to use the c't flasher to flash the chip... Put the chip on the board, switched the thing on and looked at the POST card. C1, C3,...1D... 26... YEAH! IT BOOTS!
OK, the BIOS needs modification as the Duron is recognized as Athlon 1200 but that can be easily done.

Hi, Sulbert thanks for the info.
I just wanted this to be a bit more clear

You have a second pc that has a flashboard of some sort, either isa, pci or ide. (Ive heard you can actually build one, somewhere...)
Then REprogrammed the original chip, or did you have a new chip that you programmed using c't flasher?

I also was curious if this would allow ALL of the Compaq boards that use the FIC AZ31 (UWAVE, UWAVE-2, UWAVE-3, UWAVE-R) to actually now utilise the K133 chipsets 133mhz speeds.
Compaq used only 100mhz on all except the UWAVE-3, but left the 100-133 mhz jumper.

Compaq also seems to have removed the multiplier jumpers also, well at least on the UWAVE, not sure about others...

Anywho thanks for your time.

[Toby B]

I would like to tweak and oc a little and see how far I can go with this board.

the new bios wont mean squat for overclocking if the multipliers were soldered or missing unless he mods the board.