im currently running a gateway with an 1100mhz amd athlon, i thought i read somewhere that i could put up to a 1.6ghz on the board but i forgot where i saw that. anyway i can figure that out?
Haw fast is the RAM? If its 200mhz and up than you can put in an Athlon XP cpu. Your motherboard might be able to take XP CPUS but since its a gateway, they put BIOS limitations. CHeck gateway's website and download the latest BIOS for that model you have. If BIOS upgrade doesn't let you upgrade CPU then you will have to get a new motherboard.
Does Gateway use proprietary mobos, like Dell? You'd have to check your board model and see what it can accept.
Ppl like Dell, HP, and Gateway and Compaq put limitations on the motherboard to limit vital upgradeability like CPU. What you do first is just buy an XP CPU you want, and then put that in PROPERLY*** and see if your PC boots. You'll also want to get a new heatsink to keep it cool because chances are your current one won't keep your new one cool. ***To do it properly. Since it is a Gateway, they use thermal padding to transfer the heat faster from the CPU to the heatsink. Scrap that off with a plastic paint scraper and clean out the bottom until you see nothing but metal. You can clean it by using Rubbing Alcohol. When installing your CPU, do not touch the CPU die (the black square) because you'll leave a fingerprint and you basically make the surface dirty which makes the heat transfer innefficient. If you get a retail CPU you'll also get a heatsink for it and a thermal pad which you just gotta peel off the sticker, then you just put that in and you're done. However, if you get an OEM CPU. It won't come with a heatsink and thus you would have to buy a heatsink that is rated to keep your CPU cool, plus some thermal paste. When you get all that. Put a lil dab of thermal paset on the CPU DIE. Then put a lil dab on the heatsink. Take the heatsink, and then get a plastic bag that hasnt been used (like a ziploc bag) and turn it inside out, then use as a glove and rub the thermal paste onto the heatsink until you start seeing the metal. Then you install the heatsink and plug in the fan and you're done.
It's been a while since I worked with them, but the Gateways I've seen have proprietary front panel connectors. 'Twas pretty tough getting a G7-450 to boot without a power switch :smt043 But apart from that, they're normal ATX mobos as far as I know.
i downloaded the bios update, it was like 600kb or something, unziped it in about a second and thats it. i dunno if it even did anything, it brought up a text document: ======================= File Description: Oxnard Motherboard BIOS Update Version: 0AAVWP13 Operating System: Not Operating system specific Part Number: 7511677 Date: 07/16/2001 ======================= Table of Contents ======================= Overview Identification Installation Removal Troubleshooting Reason for Update Applicable Part Numbers ======================= Overview This is the P08 BIOS for the Oxnard motherboard. Identification Use the following steps to confirm that this is the correct BIOS update for your motherboard. If the computer is turned off: 1. Turn on the computer. On your keyboard, repeatedly press the F1 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. 2. After the BIOS Setup Utility opens, on the Main tab, look at the bottom of the screen for the current BIOS version. The version needs to read 0AAVWPxx (where Pxx is the current revision number). 3. If 0AAVWPxx is displayed, you have the correct BIOS update. Press the F10 key to exit the BIOS Setup Utility. If the computer is turned on and you are in Windows: 1. From the Start menu, click Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click Yes. 2. As soon as the computer restarts, on your keyboard, repeatedly press the F1 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. 3. After the BIOS Setup Utility opens, on the Main tab, look at the bottom of the screen for the current BIOS version. The version needs to read 0AAVWPxx (where Pxx is the current revision number). 4. If 0AAVWPxx is displayed, you have the correct BIOS update. Press the F10 key to exit the BIOS Setup Utility. Installation Before updating your BIOS, read the following. Preparing Your Computer Before updating your computer's BIOS, enter the current BIOS Setup Utility, and then write down each of the current settings, in the event that this information is needed again after the upgrade. Copying the Files 1. On your screen, double-click the BIOS update that you have downloaded. The files self-extract and copy into the C:\cabs\7511677 folder. 2. Double-click the My Computer icon. 3. In the My Computer window, double-click the drive C icon, double-click the Drivers folder, and then double-click the 7511677 folder. If you do not see any files or folders, click View the entire contents of the drive. 4. In the 7511677 folder, from the Edit menu, click Select All. 5. In the 7511677 folder, from the Edit menu, click Copy. 6. Close all open programs and windows. 7. Place a blank IBM-formatted disk in the floppy disk drive. Note: Do not format the floppy disk in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) Me, Windows NT(r), Windows 2000, or Windows XP. Do not use a floppy disk that has been formatted in those operating systems. 8. Double-click the My Computer icon. 9. In the My Computer window, double-click the drive A icon. 10. In the A: folder, from the Edit menu, click Paste. Performing the Update 1. Restart the computer with the disk in the floppy disk drive. The erasing and writing of files to the hard drive is displayed on the screen. 2. When finished, the computer is brought to an MS-DOS prompt. Remove the disk from the floppy disk drive. 3. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart the computer. 4. As soon as the computer restarts, on your keyboard, repeatedly press the F1 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. 5. After entering the BIOS Setup Utility, press the F10 key, and then press the ENTER key to exit saving changes. Removal A motherboard must have a BIOS to operate, therefore, there is no removal procedure. Troubleshooting If you have difficulties installing this BIOS update, download the file again, and then ensure that all installations in this document are followed. If a checksum error message appears, enter the BIOS Setup Utility, change to the default values, and then restart the computer. Reason for Update ROMID: 0AAVWP12 * Removed all APM-related Setup questions. * Fixed Q_Power_Loss help text. * Added ID string at address F000:E840 for Microsoft SPL. * Removed pressing the F9 key when there is a CMOS checksum error. * Shortened mouse error handling routine. * Added support for logo flashing and saving system and chassis manufacture information. Must be done with the latest AFUDOS (ver. 2.21g). * Fixed problems with Zip drive attached with 40-pin cable. * Fixed problems with starting with Zip drive on secondary channel. * Added remote lockout support. * Added optimal support for ATA 66 optical devices. * Added F12 hot-key network startup support. * Implemented security freeze. * Added ID string at address F000:EDF0 for Microsoft SPL. * APM calls, return not supported. * Fixed unreported memory error with Windows Me and HCT 9.6. * Fixed password issue where user could change access level. ROMID: 0AAVWP11 * Fixed issue with the WD400 production drive that would stop responding at power-on self-test (POST) CODE 91h. ROMID: 0AAVWP10 * Fixed issue with the wrong hard drive size being reported in a utility. * Added support for the WINBOND flash chip. * Fixed problem with CMOS memory locations. ROMID: 0AAVWP09 * BIOS is based on the 7.00.01 core. * Fixed issue with L1 and L2 cache displayed in Setup. * Fixed issue with Fixed and Auto Pre-Delay. * Enhanced FAST POST. * Removed progress bar during POST. * Set unused PCI clocks to Disabled for a production release. * Fixed issue with L1 and L2 cache being displayed at system config screen. * Included changes for FAST POST. * Fixed issue when 'H/h' used during password prompt, PARTIES menu called. * Fixed issue if Setup entered with user password, supervisor password, advanced chipset page and Power Management page are not available. * Added question for PCI IDE busmastering. * Added Setup question to enable/disable IDE 32-bit transfer and default set to Enabled Mouse not attached, Setup issue fixed. * Modified DRAM drive strength and PLL test mode. * Fixed IOMEGA Zip drive DMA issue. * Fixed problem with pressing H key at WinME command prompt. * Implemented enhanced error handling. * CD drive is able to start from the secondary IDE channel without the primary IDE channel being populated. * Corrected Self-Monitoring Analysis Reporting Technology (SMART) status. * Fan always on question is not supported. * Corrected non-silent startup screen initiated by TAB key. * Setup questions match GW specifications. * Corrected ACPI OEM ID tables. * C1 state is supported per ACPI/FACP table flags. * S4 RTC Wake is supported per ACPI/FACP table flags. * Implemented non-silent screen (initiated by the TAB hot key) per Gateway specifications. * Fixed problem with USB keyboard hot keys not working. * Added support for 1.3-gigahertz (GHz) or larger processors. * Supports the OEM only setup that Gateway requested in NVRAM. * Supports both the Gateway and OEM setup that Gateway requested based on a setting in NVRAM. Applicable Part Numbers AMD Athlon (Oxnard) MBD umm... i myself have to read through it now, so im gonna do that now oh and sorry that was so long
oh and i dont need to put in an xp a regular athlon 1.6 would be fine by me unless it was safely possible to put in an xp processor. i need to go check my bios version first and make sure everything is up to date now.
Regular athlons top out at 1.4, I wouldn't advise you get that model though as they had major heat/reliability issues in all 3 of the instances I saw of them. The Athlon XPs fit the same slot, but are less likely to break (less fragile cpu die), have a lower heat consumption, are more efficient and are generally better. Note that Athlon XPs don't come in standard Mhz ratings - AMD abandoned that with the Athlon XP series. Instead they have a + rating, like 1600+ or 1900+. Their actual clock rates are about a quarter lower. The importance of this is, if your board says it tops out at (let's say) 1.6, then you can probably cope with up to a 1900+ Athlon XP, with a bios update.
my bios says im running 133mhz dram, will this board support an xp athlon processor or no? do i need to go to the boards manufactures site in order to determine what my board will handle? ive downloaded a program in the past the tells you all sorts of stuff about your computer i think i got it off of download.cnet.com but it always froze everything up
OUch. That's SDRAM, the obsolete kind. Do yourself a favor and just get this: http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=7NJL3-NL-N&cat=MBB I paid $60 that same mobo back in Oct. 2003. Great motherboard but I got a new one because I wanted to Overclock. Don't get that board if you want to OC. Other than that, it is a great and reliable motherboard that can take DDR RAM and the fastest XP possible.
Uggg ... brand name pc's are a real bitch to upgrade somtimes. Best bet is to just get a new board and ram that will work with the cpu you want. It'll be pretty much a new computer then. Also realise those brandname systems have really week ass power suplies sometimes. Once you get into the newer and faster cpu's yer gona want atleast a 400watt. You may get a way with less but you run a risk of having problems sooner or later....seen it MANY a times upgrading clients machines.
... is the sad truth. Get a decent PSU (Enermax are an excellent brand), and depending on how Gateway have proprietised their case connectors, maybe a new case too. At the moment with that RAM you won't really notice a CPU upgrade, to be honest.
Woah guys...wait a second here. The main problem with "name brand" PCs is generally the case, in paticular Dells. Gateway may be similar. The way Dell designs their cases makes them a total bitch to upgrade. So be warned, as some parts (PSU, mobo) may not fit into the case. :smt067
i just wanted a super cheap decent upgrade, yah know, just to speed it up a bit. for my next comp im just gonna go with a shuttle set up. this isn't entirely my computer anyways right now. i bought an external tdk dvd burner that i can take with me. i figured a new cpu wouldn't be a huge investment to keep this running fast for the few applications i actually use it for for now. the small shuttle cases use an atx board right? i think this gateway has a pretty decent power supply. i haven't had the cover off in over a month. i put in a usb2.0 board then but didn't check the supply. i wanna say its something odd, like 280 watt.
