System Bios & SSE Processor

[scarecrowdr]

Can you Help a Newbie understand a bit more about his Computer Please!!!
Sysoft Sandra tells me to Update my Bios,I know how to do that if need be. Also tells me that a SSE Processor is recomended.(what is a SSE Processor?)Also,if ACPI is Enabled in Bios I should Disable APM.(what is a ACPI & APM) Also, Mediascape Onscreen Display needs to be updated from 16bit to 32bit.Who is Mediascape?? & where do I go to update.
Last but not least--Modem Script File-Dial up Networking-Properties\Scripting. What do I Type in here to dial up faster.
Just updated my Creative Labs 3D Blaster Savage4 Bios & Drivers & since then Sandra has reported the above. Sorry to be long winded. Thanks in advance.yours Dennis

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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[HomerJSimpson]

Are you having problems , errors , with your system ? if not , then not even think of playing with BIOPS update .I have had Sysoft Sandra and bunch of other proggies on my machine, and they all are wrong usually , and not accurate .

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She is so blonde, she thinks Taco Bell is the Mexican phone company.

[HowdyBubba]

Hi scarecrowdr,

The program Sandra has had mixed reviews here at Virtual Doctor - some people love it some hate it. I personally like it for getting a good inventory of what components a computer has. Although I will have a look at the suggestions that Sandra offers, I really don't put much stock in them. Sandra seems to think that a piece of hardware being more than 2 months old constitutes it being broken.

Sandra tells me to Update my Bios,I know how to do that if need be.

As Homer stated you shouldn't update your BIOS unless there is a problem. Just so you know, the BIOS is a set of programs which are held on a chip on your motherboard. These programs tell the motherboard how to use all of it's parts (serial ports, USB, harddrive controller etc...) Occasionally the company that makes the motherboard will update the BIOS programs to fix bugs or allow the board to use new devices that weren't supported previously. In order to update the BIOS you need to download the new program file and "flash" it to the BIOS chip. If this procedure doesn't work properly, or you get the wrong program file, then your computer may not work at all - and it is generally very difficult to fix afterward. That is why you shouldn't update the BIOS unless there is a specific problem that you know the BIOS update addresses. If you didn't buy your computer yesterday then Sandra will likely recommend a BIOS update.

what is a SSE Processor?

Without getting too technical (cause that would make me read something technical) an SSE processor is a CPU that has more instructions than a non-SSE CPU. These extra instructions allows the computer to process data more efficiently. Every generation of CPU will process data faster than the last. Sandra isn't saying anything more than "if you had a newer CPU then your computer would be faster." No kidding! really?

Also,if ACPI is Enabled in Bios I should Disable APM.(what is a ACPI & APM)

ACPI and APM are both systems to control the power useage of your computer. I don't use power management so perhaps somebody else could let you know about these settings.

Mediascape Onscreen Display

This seems to be an overlay program that comes with many video cards or computer packages. It is made by http://www.netropa.com but I don't see any downloads from there that relate to this product. I would leave it as is if you aren't having any problems with it.

Last but not least--Modem Script File-Dial up Networking-Properties\Scripting. What do I Type in here to dial up faster.

Find out what kind of modem you have and look around at the following webpage.
http://www.56k.com/inits/

good luck,
bubba

[scarecrowdr]

Hi Again,
HomerJSimpson----Thanks for Info.,Have had this Computer since 1998. I seam to have 2 Bios Dates--1995 & 1998 so thought my Bios would be out of date & would need a Bios Flash Update.Have been updateing all my Old Drivers etc.,so didn't want to leave my Bios behind.Have copied my Bios to Floppy so I could put it back in if anything went wrong. It is Working well so will leave alone then.
THANKS for replying to me.

HowdyBubba---Thanks for explaining all to me.
It's all a lot plainer in my little brain now. As mentioned above,been upgradeing all my Drivers,(hardware & software)so didn't want me old Bios left behind. Everyone says don't touch unless you got a prob,except me mate!! Will leave it alone for now then.
Found a Scripting for a Modem,but not sure if its for mine,so will check around first to make sure.
Mediascape is for my KeyBoard so have downloaded an upto date Driver & put it onto a CDRW for safe keeping.
As for a New MotherBoard & Processor,Yes I do need one as mine is only a Pentium11 350Mhz, 256Mgb mem. Running 2 Hard Drives & DVDRom. Alass,can't afford them at moment.
When I am ready to buy them,what would you recomend?? I don't play games,into Photography a hell of a lot.So use PSP7 & PhotoShop5.5.
May I take this oportunity to THANK You BOTH for answering my questions. This is a Great Forum & an Imense Knowledge Base for thickies like me.They should of invented computers 30 years ago,but I'm slowly catching up on Technoligy,snail pace!!
Thanks again & keep up the Good Work.
yours,Dennis.

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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[HowdyBubba]

Hi Dennis,

It's definately a good idea to keep drivers up to date. Sometimes newer drivers will have conflicts that older drivers don't but that isn't very common.

As for what processor to buy when you are ready - that's a toughie! Right now you have a P2 - 350, this means that you have at least PC100 memory. What model of motherboard do you have? This may be a reason to upgrade the BIOS at some point. A BIOS update will often give the motherboard the ability to correctly identify and use newer CPUs.

You really only have 2 choices in chip manufacturer - Intel and AMD. There is a good chance that you could buy a new 633-800Mhz P3 or Celeron and a slot1 adapter, and just plug it right into your motherboard (note that some P3s require 133Mhz motherboards).

If you go with an AMD Duron or Athlon then you would need a new motherboard as well (possibly different RAM) The AMD socket-A motherboards are very picky about their RAM. The Duron the scaled down version of the Athlon and is very well proced and has had good reviews.

The higher speed P3s would probably require a new motherboard and probably faster RAM.

The P4s are very expensive and would require a new (expensive) motherboard and a totally different kind of (expensive) RAM. Unless you are a total speed-freak I would wait awhile to look at the P4 .

I hope this helps a bit,
bubba

[This message has been edited by HowdyBubba (edited 04-10-2001).]

[scarecrowdr]

Hi HowdyBubba, Thanks again for your reply,it's apreciated.
My motherboard is an Intel 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX,to me thats an, Intel 440BX, 100Mhz.
I've upgraded all Drivers now except the Bios. There is a much higher upgrade than the one I have now. I might buy just a Prosessor for this system,maybe a 600 or 800 if it will work in this system. As you know it's 350 at moo. I'm not games oriantated except for Arkaniod & PinBall.
The only Prob I have at moment is that my conection keeps logging off every 5to10 minutes and can't find what's causeing it.
Only started to do that since Monday night.
Was wondering if the upgrade to the Graphics Board was causeing it,or maybe one of the other updated drivers.Or is my mind going into overdrive.LOL.It's doing my head in.
It is true mind you,what you all say!! If everything is working well,then leave it alone.Must be my inquisitiveness to have my system running better than it was.Put in an extra 128mgb ram,still no faster.This system cost nearly £2000.00p when I bought it in 98. Can now buy one 3 times faster & better for £800.Time to stop rambling on and say THANKS for all the Info.
yours Dennis


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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[scarecrowdr]

Hi HowdyBubba, Thanks again for your reply,it's apreciated.
My motherboard is an Intel 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX,to me thats an, Intel 440BX, 100Mhz.
I've upgraded all Drivers now except the Bios. There is a much higher upgrade than the one I have now. I might buy just a Prosessor for this system,maybe a 600 or 800 if it will work in this system. As you know it's 350 at moo. I'm not games oriantated except for Arkaniod & PinBall.
The only Prob I have at moment is that my conection keeps logging off every 5to10 minutes and can't find what's causeing it.
Only started to do that since Monday night.
Was wondering if the upgrade to the Graphics Board was causeing it,or maybe one of the other updated drivers.Or is my mind going into overdrive.LOL.It's doing my head in.
It is true mind you,what you all say!! If everything is working well,then leave it alone.Must be my inquisitiveness to have my system running better than it was.Put in an extra 128mgb ram,still no faster.This system cost nearly £2000.00p when I bought it in 98. Can now buy one 3 times faster & better for £800.Time to stop rambling on and say THANKS for all the Info.
yours Dennis


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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[HowdyBubba]

Hi scarecrowdr,

The "82443BX/ZX" is a part of the chipset on your motherboard. While it is the chipset used by the 440BX motherboard it isn't necessarily that board. When you boot the computer ther will be a BIOS string for the video card, then you will see a BIOS string for the motherboard. Write that string down and get back to us.

As for the internet connection problem it probably isn't the video driver that's causing it. Did you upgrade the firmware for your modem? The firmware is like the BIOS on the motherboard. If you've upgraded the firmware and it's causing problems then a new init string might help or you may need to change the firmware back. Another option is to call your ISP and see if they happen to have changed their hardware lately.

later,
bubba

[scarecrowdr]

Hi HowdyBubba once again,my Bios is the----
Ami Bios by Micro-Star Int'l co.,Ltd
61-0504-001169-00111111-071595-440BX
61-Processor & Bios Rom Info
0504-Version Info
I think you know the rest so wont harp on.
I've found where to download it but not done so yet.
As regards the Modem,that's the only Firmware that I have not upgraded Yet.
So perhaps that should be next.
Should of put all this Info in at begining,didn't think. Once again,Thanks.
yours Dennis.

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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[HowdyBubba]

Hi again,

Your motherboard seems to be a Microstar MS-6116. There are two versions of this motherboard. One has CPU plug'n'play the other doesn't. If you look in the BIOS setup for a section called "Special Features Setup" and it has an option to change the CPU speed then you have the CPU plug'n'play version. The standard version uses jumpers to change the expected CPU speed. Most often the CPU speed settings or jumpers on motherboards do nothing anyway because the CPU multiplier on newer intel CPUs is fixed.

The BIOS files can be found at the following page.

Microstar MS-6116 BIOS

The later updates add support for properly identifying Pentium3 CPUs. I would be inclined to bookmark the BIOS page but wait to update your BIOS until just before you upgrade the CPU. Microstar doesn't seem to have a page identifying the Supported CPUs for your motherboard but it seems to be able to handle a P3-600 and possibly up to 800 Mhz.

later,
bubba

[scarecrowdr]

Hi Bubba, Once again,Many,Many Thanks for your Kind Help. All is now clear in my mind (i hope)on what to do.When it comes to electronics I'm stumped!! My m8 who does all the repairs & upgrades said I could not put in an 700 or 800 p2, p3,slot 1, so I wanted to prove him wrong as he always says hes right.
A nice bloke but a bit arogant and a knowall.
I know nowt about the insides of computers so have to ask. This is a Great Site, with very Helpfull peeps,without you all, peeps like me would never learn anything. I for one have learnt a great deal from this site.
I have bookmarked this page for reference.
Nearly forgot,my system is Plug 'n' Play.
Once again,MANY THANKS. yours DENNIS.

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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.

[HowdyBubba]

Hi Dennis,

Just a little more information before signing off on this thread.

I found this page that states the highest tested CPU that your board will support is the Pentium III 600 (katmai). This may just mean that they haven't tested faster processors but I don't know. As testing can be time consuming and expensive manufacturers often update testing less frequently the older a motherboard gets. CPU Support Status - MS-6116

It is likely that this is the fastest CPU you can use without overclocking though. I can't find a reference to the core voltage that your motherboard will support. There are more than one version of the P3-600 (katmai) CPU. One uses 2.05 Volts the other uses 1.65 Volts. If your motherboard supports the lower voltage then it will likely support CPUs much faster than 600. I would expect that the board only supports the 2.05 Volt setting and therefore is limited to the CPUs mentioned at the site above.

You of course also have some overclocking options which would get you decent performance gains for little cash. You could buy a celeron 300A for next to nothing now which if run at 100Mhz FSB would give you a 450 Mhz CPU. The Celeron 533 could likely be overclocked slightly using the 75 or 83 Mhz FSB settings to give 600 or 664 Mhz (I normally wouldn't reccomend these settings as they overclock the PCI bus but your motherboard has a fixed PCI bus). Lastly if you upgraded to PC133 RAM then you could likely overclock the P3-600 slightly using the 102, 108 or 112 FSB speeds.

Any way, I hope this gives you some options if you don't feel like performing a major upgrade.

later,
bubba

[scarecrowdr]

Hi Bubba, Thanks again for the Information.
I will show all this to my m8 & he can go from there. I can see now why most peeps save up & buy a new board + processor,seems easier. At least I've learnt quite a bit from your info.,very educateing to my little brain.LOL. Will let you get some rest now after all this typeing. Must go and sort out my Modem & try to stop it from disconecting every 5/10minutes.Doing my head in.
Take Care,will catch you around again.
All The Best,from,DENNIS.



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I Am Me,You are You.I Am Unique,So are You.