Onboard cache & Keyboard

[dingo]

On a Biostar super7 MB with 500MHz K6-2+ I can't enable the onboard cache- machine won't get past post. Is this normal seeing that the L1 cache is on the CPU? Am I missing out on 512KB of cache?
Also sometimes the keyboard doesn't initialise- can't even get into setup. Is something on the way out?

Thanks
Barry:

[brad]

I'm not familiar with that specific mobo but I suspect you should leave the on-board cache disabled because the cpu has its own on-die L2 cache that runs at full core speed instead of FSB speed.

Once you get that straightened out then double check your BIOS setup to make sure that something related to the keyboard is not set wrong. Other than that, try another keyboard, and/or PS2-AT adapter if you are using one.

Brad

[jim chase]

When the keyboard doesn't initialise do you still get the bios POST screen? I imagine you do and can't think of any bios settings that effect K/B detection. I would try another K/B.

I have never had a M/B require the onboard cache disabled to run a K6-3 or 2+ AMD cpu if it ran at all. I wonder if you had another cpu on this M/B before the K6-2+ and was the cache a problem?

A Tyan M/B required System BIOS Cacheable disabled in order to boot into windows with a K6-3.

I'm not sure, but maybe there are some cache timing settings in the bios that can be changed. I would also consider trying a slower fsb, say 95mhz, it may be that the cache is marginal at 100mhz fsb with the faster K6-2+.

Jim

[dingo]

Thanks Brad & Jim for your replies.
Re the K/B: Can't access the bios without it. Have tried another K/B & it'll work for a while then go on the blink. When I canget into the bios there aren't any settings that seem to relate to it- can't even change it's IRQ. Faulty Mobo?
Re cache: Only ever had the K6-2+ - was the cheapest upgrade I could manage at the time & stay AT. Can't find any settings in the bios that affect it. Will try a lower FSB speed- hate to think there could be all that spare cache unused!
Barry

[jim chase]

That K/B problem is a strange one. I suppose it could be related to some instability caused by the M/B-CPU relationship not being right. I still think a new K/B aught to be the answer or else the M/B is faulty. I've never had M/B instability cause K/B problems.

By the way what is the M/B model number?

Jim

[dingo]

Jim,
The keyboard's been stable- like it works- for a day now. I've tried 3 different ones but eventually they stop.
The mobo is a Biostar m5vnb. It's set to 5x100, 128 ram, Tnt m64 pro 16 mb PCI. I've actually never thought it was much better than my old VX mobo with pentium 233mmx, 64 66mhz ram.
Will have to bite the bullet and get a good machine.
Thanks
Barry

[jim chase]

Barry,
I want to try to clarify, the K/B works all day then quits, a reboot and the K/B is still dead? All you lose is the K/B? I'd be looking for another M/B.

As for the speed or lack of it, if your using the same hard drive and have the cache turned off on the Biostar, that may account for some of it. What kind of programs do you run?

The Biostar, Tw site has a 7/24/2001 bios update. I've had a bios flash fix some strange problems but it is not something to be done lightly. http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/mainboard/socket_7/m5vnb/bios.php3

Jim


Jim,
The keyboard's been stable- like it works- for a day now. I've tried 3 different ones but eventually they stop.
The mobo is a Biostar m5vnb. It's set to 5x100, 128 ram, Tnt m64 pro 16 mb PCI. I've actually never thought it was much better than my old VX mobo with pentium 233mmx, 64 66mhz ram.
Will have to bite the bullet and get a good machine.
Thanks
Barry

[dingo]

Jim,
To clarify: sometimes the KB does not work from boot, other times it just dies [most often when coming out of "sleep" mode.
Am using the same HDrive. I run graphics programs a lot and am getting into audio, otherwise just word & such.
Flashed the bios with the latest you pointed me to- couldn't have hurled abuse if it hadn't worked- my computer would have gone very quiet! :)
No change though..
This'll give me an excuse to upgrade [as if I need one]
Thanks
Barry

[jim chase]

I've been positive and wrong at the same time before but here we go:D .

It sure sounds like a bad keyboard controller and with the cache needing to be disabled, I'd get another M/B.


From my experience, the FIC VA-503+ works very nicely with the K6-2+, cache on and everything. I've got a K6-2+/550 running at 112fsb x 5.5 for 616mhz in an old 486 AT case with a 200watt supply. I hear that most any K6-2+ will run between 550 and 600mhz. The down side of the VA-503+ is it can be sensitive to ram types, it's jumper setup is wierd, it will need the JE4333 bios flash to run the K6-2+ and you can get a good Athlon M/B for about the same price.

With light graphics, word, and some audio encoding 500 to 600mhz should be good.

Another suggestion, disable the sleep mode (even without the K/B problem).

Jim

[dingo]

Jim,
Appreciate your advise.
The Biostar is only a few months old so should be able to send it back though super 7's are a bit rare on the ground these days.
The Fic sounds good- will try to get one or go the whole hog and go to Athlon.
Barry