My PC is pretty old at this point, most of the components are from 2008 with a few upgrades along the way. I recently bought a Xeon X5460 to replace my Q8200. A modest upgrade, and I've been able to install it and have everything working as before.
However I can't get the most out of the new processor as the multiplier is locked to 6 (instead of the intended 9-9.5) and I can't change it in the BIOS. If there's any way around this without updating, I'm happy to try that. Googling has not been particularly helpful in this regard.
Updating the BIOS is something I'm very wary about trying unless absolutely necessary so I'd like to have the best information available if that's what's required.
System Information:
I'd like to know which particular BIOS flashing software I should use, as I've been seeing a lot of conflicting information as to which is best/correct to use for my particular motherboard (MS-7502). I don't know whether to try via MSI, Award or Phoenix, as well as via Windows/Dos to execute the process.
The Ebay seller of the processor I got offered a custom BIOS file for my system and I have that file available in anybody here wants to take a look.
In addition, I've been having trouble making a bootable DOS environment using a USB key. I've used
Rufus as well as trying a HP USB disk tool that has also been recommended. Trying to boot off the drive isn't quite working, as I'll end up with "Loading Freedos No KERNEL.SYS" on boot. Trouble is that using the same USB on my netbook works just fine and gives me the DOS prompt!
I'm really looking for advice here as to what's my best course of action as this is a little bit outside of my technical comfort zone!
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Pretty much cant go wrong unless you have a sudden random power outage, and even many modern mobos may be able to survive that.
I'd be leery of a "custom" bios that some dude gave you though.
What bios did you use? the custom one from some dude or did you download the appropriate one for your motherboard from a proper source?
Only information I can find on MS-7502 is that its an OEM board and the last bios update was released 6 years ago.
I dont know if this will work considering the age and OEM nature, but go here and scroll down to the BIOS Recovery segment
Official bios with official tools provided by the company that makes the motherboard, absolutely. Been doing that for years, never had an issue.
If you've broken a BIOS and that one doesn't have a recovery BIOS (some high end boards do, but not all) you're probably out of luck.
It'll be a couple of days before I can take a look at the system again and see what options are available to me. Hopefully something can be done but time will tell.