need help with Asus P3B-F

[Esper]

I have been using my Asus P3B-F for with a P3 450 about 2 years now and I want to upgrade to a faster processor. The system bus can only run at 100MHz, so can I use a slot-1 P3 1000/100MHz? I found a place online to buy one, but I have no idea if it would even work.

If it would, what are the steps I would need to do to get it working? Would I have to flash the BIOS, and if so, is there a chance that I could really screw something up?

Installing a new processor, does that mean I would have to totally reformat my hard drives and start over once I get the new processor in there, or can I keep my system running as is? Right now I have a dual boot setup, Win 2k (on a 40 gig hd) and Win 98 SE (on a 10 gig hd), 384mb ram, geforce 3.

I appreciate any help!!:D

[frank5]

Yes, with a BIOS upgrade, you could go up to a 1GHZ PIII(100MHz) cpu.
Before you do, check out www.powerleap.com . Your board is listed and can take a 1.2GHz celeron that you should also consider.
I think cost should help you choose. Also, maybe someone can help give an opinion on the performance difference between the 2 options.

[SPEEDO]

According to Asus you can flash the bios to recognize an 850 MHz. cpu
If you decide to do so read the instructions here (http://usa.asus.com/inside/Techref/bios-flash.html)

SPEEDO

[SPEEDO]

frank5

Did you find the bios upgrade for 1 Gig. on the Asus website?

That other site has some interesting stuff..:)

SPEEDO

[frank5]

I helped a guy flash a BIOS for this board which allowed him to use his PIII950 MHz cpu with a 9.5 multiplier.
The US site may not have the version which allows for a multiplier of 10 but the German site definitely does.
It's the beta 1008 version. Something like 1008f3.004

[Esper]

thanks for the help! And as for reformatting, is it necessary when I make the processor switch or when I flash the BIOS?

[frank5]

No

[Esper]

ok, I couldn't find the German site you talked about, so I went to the Dutch site, found the ftp server and downloaded

1008f304.zip

Seems like the right one. ;)

I want to try it out tomorrow. But first I have another question, how can I make a boot disk for flashing the BIOS? I am using Windows 2000. I know about using Pflash and all that, but how do I make the disk in the first place? :confused:

Thanks for your advice about the processor, frank5. I decided to go with the 1.2 celeron you suggested after reading about it at that site (price was right, too). And it makes me feel much better that it has been tested and works with my motherboard. It's so hard to find info online about compatability.

[frank5]

Esper, check your private messages.