Processor Install?

November 3, 2005 8:39 AM

Why can't I get my new processor to work?

I have a Dell Dimension XPS T Series. I bought one of these: Intel Pentium III 933/256/133/1.7v s1 7108a716.

I put it in. I upgraded the BIOS to A11. I adjusted the jumper to boot to BIOS. With the new processor in, there are some beeps that don't meaning anything according to the beep codes, and the computer won't boot to BIOS. The old processor still works.

What have I missed? I tried flashing the BIOS with an Intel version, but it gave me an error message...

posted by ewkpates to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

My first guess was voltage, but google reveals: Dell Dimension XPS T Processor Upgrade Information, which says your system doesn't support 133MHz FSB CPUs.

What a great page, I didn't expect such detailed information at all, I was just looking for the chipset.
posted by Chuckles at 8:49 AM on November 3, 2005

I read this page, got dizzy, and stopped. So the problem is the 133 part of the 933/256/133/1.7v description... It would need to say "100", right?

So I could try ebay this processor and get a 1ghz/256/100... that might (!) do the trick?
posted by ewkpates at 9:04 AM on November 3, 2005

Shouldn't she/he be able to downclock this processor to run at 100mhz? I'm more of a software guy so I'm not sure.
posted by meta87 at 9:19 AM on November 3, 2005

I mean the front side bus speed, not the actual cpu speed btw.
posted by meta87 at 9:20 AM on November 3, 2005

So I could try ebay this processor and get a 1ghz/256/100... that might (!) do the trick?

yes.
posted by rxrfrx at 10:00 AM on November 3, 2005

I mean the front side bus speed, not the actual cpu speed btw.

Sometimes. It depends on the BIOS and/or the jumper settings available on the board.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 10:28 AM on November 3, 2005

PIII 1GHz with 100MHz FSB sell for a big premium. Consider looking at an 850MHz processor instead, or the powerleap tualatin adapter mentioned in the article I linked (PL-iP3/T).

Depending on exactly why you want to do the CPU upgrade, it probably isn't worth the cost/effort. Complete off-lease ~1GHz PIII systems sell regularly for $100-150.

(I know the language is really complicated, I am happy to help clarify specific questions, but you seem to be doing fine so far...)
posted by Chuckles at 10:28 AM on November 3, 2005

I thought I'd posted this, but must have blanked after previewing. Check the BIOS settings for a means to adjust the FSB to 100 -- some boards offer that. (Basically what meta87's and PinkStainlessTail said.)
posted by Zed_Lopez at 1:26 PM on November 3, 2005