Update BIOS MOBO not installed

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snoots

snoots

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Let me apologize for this question right up front. Just installed a motherboard in a Dell Optiplex GX280 & the msg received is:

Alert! incompatible processor detected.
System Halted !

So either because the System Board I installed is an earlier Revision it does not support the Intel SL7J8 P4 3.4Ghz processor or it's because the BIOS is @ A07. Some Dell threads suggest BIOS A08 added support for newer processors.

Before I start bidding on an older/slower processor is there any way to update the BIOS without a functioning processor?

thank you
 
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snoots

snoots

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Well I tried F2 & various other keys right at startup but the Alert pops up immediately every time. No BIOS option at all like you would normally expect.

I have never replaced a system board in a desktop before, number of laptops tho. Took pictures before to make sure everything went back in same way it came out. The board that came out was a Y5638 - Rev A02 & the replacement a XF954 - Rev A00. XF954 is supposedly a compatible replacement for the Y5638 but I was concerned about the Revision.
 
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P1nnacle

P1nnacle

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You could try popping the CPU out and see if that lets you hop into the BIOS. It's quite strange that you don't have a way to get into the BIOS right from the start...
 
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snoots

snoots

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Wish I'd thought to do that, as many times as I've removed that heatsink / processor should have.

So without the CPU the monitor shows no activity at all. PSU powers, fan spinning as well as the CPU fan but that's about the extent of it.
 
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P1nnacle

P1nnacle

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So I don't know how I got it mixed up in my head, but you do need a CPU for the BIOS to fully run/ be editable. So my apologies for making you do all that work for nothing. So you may have to start bidding on an older processor, or you could see if someone you know would let you borrow theirs.
 
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snoots

snoots

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I only paid $15 for the MB on eBay & just picked up a 2.8 GHz P4 520 for $3.50 also on eBay - no one else was bidding. Guess that's the good thing about these old PC's - no one wants them & parts are cheap.

Hope the new processor works & I can then update the BIOS :)

Thanks
 
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P1nnacle

P1nnacle

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Maybe, but you won't be able to do anything without a cpu the BIOS accepts.
 
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snoots

snoots

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Don't think I'm even getting to a point where the keyboard is recognized. Have tried the delete key now several times as well as F2, F8 F12, Esc. Nothing. As soon as the display pops up the following msg appears:

Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Copyright 1985-1988 Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Copyright 1990-2004 Dell Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Dell System OptiPlex GX280 Series
BIOS version A07
www.dell.com

Alert! Incompatible processor detected.
System halted!

Will post back next week after giving Prescott P4 520 2.8 GHz a shot.

Thanks
 
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P1nnacle

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It is not possible to get into your BIOS without a compatible CPU.

Good luck when your new CPU comes in.
 
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P1nnacle

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The BIOS started and halted before he could access it. The BIOS relies on the CPU doing some of the processing (like video output), so it will start up to the point of realizing it can't, then halt with the error it's currently giving him.
 
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snoots

snoots

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The P4 2.8 GHz (520) arrived & works perfectly however after updating the BIOS to A08 the MB still will not accept the 3.4 GHz P4 (550). So apparently it's the Revision (A00 .vs A02) that provided support for the faster processor. Should have purchased a MB Rev A02, but they are harder to find, more $$ & none new. None that I could find anyway, but I did not look at all 300+ for sale on eBay. Just did a search on titles

Thanks
 
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