Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (
More info?)
Re Asus boards in Presarios, the BIOS, although less feature rich than a non
OEM version still offers more setup options than earlier Presarios, Plus it
offers hardware monitoring capability, at least on my last 2 Presarios. On
the SR1000Z the generic Asus PC Probe software works beautifully, reporting
voltages, fan speeds and CPU and case temps. Strangely enough PC probe did
not function on the S5200CL but Motherboard Monitor 5 did and even had a
selection for the Asus A7N8X-LA motherboard that Presario used.
HH
<ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
news:4180e5c2.1908583@news.charter.net...
> "Asus may also meet special demands from Compaq that make that board in a
> Compaq
> superior." Or inferior, especially with HP ownership, depending on how
> one
> looks at these things.
>
> Asus P3 motherboards power many HP Pavilion computers. An analysis of the
> typical Asus OEM board in an HP box shows that many BIOS functions have
> been
> stripped away to make the BIOS idiot-proof, reducing the need for support
> caused
> by someone lamely tinkering with a BIOS about which he/she knows little.
> In
> other words, altho the retail Asus boards are known for features enabling
> one to
> overclock and otherwise tweak, DO NOT expect the same in an HPaq box with
> Asus
> board. Not even close.
>
> HP is not alone in this regard. Most name brand manufacturers are
> probably even
> barred from having BIOS overclocking tweaks by their contracts with Intel.
> Dell, IBM, and Gateway BIOSes do not have BIOS tweaks in them either,
> especially
> since many of these boards are designed by Intel with an Intel BIOS.
>
> Bottom line: Build your own if you want to play with a motherboard BIOS
> or
> experiment with overclocking... Ben Myers
>
> On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 06:08:17 -0400, w_tom <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Look further before assuming they must be the same parts.
>>To assemble a machine, detailed specs are required on every
>>component. Brand name manufacturers require details beyond
>>what the home builder even understands. HP Laser Printers
>>once demonstrated the concept. The Intel processor used in
>>that HP printer had a minor defect. No problem for others.
>>But HP detected the problem, then demanded and got Intel to
>>redesign that processor. Asus may also meet special demands
>>from Compaq that make that board in a Compaq superior.
>>
>> Most every laptop is built by the same company in Taiwan.
>>So why are some laptops better than others? Again,
>>differences are in specifications - details demanded by the
>>brand name. Just more reasons why the brand name machines
>>cost less.
>>
>> A most glaring example are many clone power supplies that
>>don't even meet Intel specs. And yet computer assemblers will
>>swear they saved money. A massive computer parts failure -
>>that must never occur with a property designed power supply -
>>is directly traceable to the human who did not spend an hour
>>to first learn what that power supply must contain. Brand
>>name computer manufacturers (unlike home built machines) make
>>sure their computers contain functions that were even defacto
>>standard 30 years ago.
>>
>> Components sometimes don't work well together. Again, the
>>brand name system eliminates that surprise AND provides
>>software corrections for any strange problem. Brand name
>>machines also provide comprehensive diagnostics even
>>configured for that unique machine. Many details and
>>undesirable surprises are solved, in advance, by brand name
>>machines.
>>
>> Benchmark for any minimally acceptable machine.
>>Manufacturer provides comprehensive diagnostics - for free.
>>Yes some brand name machines have become so inferior that they
>>don't even provide comprehensive diagnostics.
>>
>> They make look equivalent. But you don't know until you
>>first study detailed specs. Asus will not even provide such
>>specs. Assembler can only guess that two boards are
>>identical.
>>
>>HH wrote:
>>> Not anymore, Ben. The last 2 Presarios I've bought, a S5200CL and the
>>> one
>>> I'm now using, a SR1000Z, use Asus motherboards, Seagate and WD 7.2K
>>> HDs,
>>> the same GeForce cards you buy in the stores, etc. About the only cheap
>>> part
>>> in either was the modems which I do not use. The SR1000Z I have is as
>>> well
>>> built as the last 2 Dells I had, a 4550 and a 2400. I would agree with
>>> you
>>> on Presarios of 2 years ago, or so.
>>> HH
>