Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (
More info?)
The options are locked in the BIOS, but not for the reasons one might think. A
flash BIOS update will not help here.
I am not sure if the 4400 motherboard HARDWARE handles a CPU with a 533MHz front
side bus. What you are reporting indicates that it does not. The 2.4GHz CPU
has a clock-locked FSB multiplier, and if the FSB is only 400MHz, it powers up
at 400/533 x 2.4GHz, which is 1.8GHz.
If the 4400 is supposed to support 533MHz FSB, check the memory speed in the
system. PC2100 memory is too slow for 533MHz. PC2700 or faster is fine.
It's possible that the 4400 detects the slower memory and cranks down the FSB
speed to match the memory speed.
Now that I've checked the Dell web site, according to the following URL, the
4400 supports only 400MHz FSB, not faster, so you have a mismatch between CPU
specs and motherboard specs. A BIOS update will not fix this.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4400/specs.htm#1101572
.... Ben Myers
On Fri, 13 May 2005 12:00:09 GMT, "James Atkinson" <James__@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Hi guys,
>
>I upgraded from P4 1.8/256/400/1.75 V (socket 478) to a P4 2.4/512/533, but
>as expected BIOS will report it 1.8. The options are locked in BIOS. The
>computer is a 4400. Is there a way to reflash the BIOS?
>
>TIA
>JA
>
>