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Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

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    #1

    Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

    A while ago I was able to save a super socket 7 board from the landfill. It is a MSI MS5169 ver 2.1 with an Alladin V chipset. There is 512KB L2 cache onboard and the board has Chhsi caps. I tested the board with different AMD K6-2 processors and different PC133 memory modules. The board is equipped with the latest BIOS version.

    The board is completely stable on 66FBS with the cache enabled. At 100fsb the board is only stable with the cache memory disabled. No memory errors. With the cache enabled at 100fsb I get errors in Memtest 86+ 4.xx and 5.xx

    I therefore replaced most of the capacitors with new low ESR capacitors. The old capacitors don't measure very bad. Sometimes they have a slightly too high capacity, but they were not very bad.

    Also with the new capacitors I get memory errors in Memtest86+ when the cache is enabled and running at 100FSB. Changing CPU, memory module or memory bank does not help. Disable the cache does help. With the cache disabled i got 0 errors.

    I'm now starting to think that the cache chips on the board are no longer good. The chips are: Winbond W25P222AF-4A chips. Does it happen more often that these chips fail? Was this board originally stable at 100fsb with cache enabled? Does anyone know where I can buy these chips? (Preferably in Europe or China)
    Are there any other tips I can Try?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

    Try changing the cache timing from 1T to 2T if the board allows it.
    "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

      Unfortunately, there is no option in the BIOS to adjust the cache latency.

      But I think I found the solution. I downgraded the bios from version 3.1 to version 2.3. And so far I don't get any errors in memtest with the cache enabled. It seems that BIOS version 3.1 is not stable and version 2.3 is stable.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

        Mmm with this old bios I run into another problem. My AMD K6-2 500Mhz is seen by the bios as a 350Mhz processor. Windows 98SE is very unstable when I have it set to 500Mhz. It seems stable at 350Mhz. I'm afraid this bios version supports a maximum of 350Mhz....

        I think I need to modify the latest bios and I hope that I can add the cache latency setting.
        Last edited by jhead22; 10-14-2023, 07:27 AM.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

          I found Bios V3.3 for mainbord v2.1. Let's try that.

          https://theretroweb.com/motherboards...-al9#downloads

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

            With bios V3.3 I can no longer start memtest 86+. Win XP starts, but futumark crashes immediately.

            When I read the notes of V3.3, I read the following:

            MS-5169 A569MS33 BIOS Release
            -----------------------------

            1. This is the AMI(r) BIOS ver 3.3 release.

            2. This is only for PCB version 2.1, 3.0 and 4.0

            3. The BIOS fixes the ff. problems of the previous version:
            - Fixed Windows98 SE Standby problem
            - Support AMD(R) K6-2 500Mhz
            - AMD(R) K6-III 450Mhz, AMD(R) K6-III 500Mhz

            ** Please refer to FLASH.DOC for programming notes.


            2.7 indicates the following:

            BIOS MS-5169

            Version: 2.7

            Manufacturers
            MSI

            FileName
            a5169v27.exe (381.0 KB)

            Additional Notes
            Support AMD(R) K6-3 CPU. Support AMD(R) K6-2 450 CPU.

            Support Cyrix(R) MII CPU.

            Special note:1.This is only for PCB version 2.1 and 3.0

            2.PCB version 2.1 can only support up to K6-2 400MHz.

            Set my AMD k6-2 500 to 400Mhz did not help. Maybe bios 2.7 with 400Mhz is stable and maybe it is the max this board can do?

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

              Update, with bios v2.7 and a K6-2 400 the board is quite stable. Until I want to start a graphics benchmark, the PC crashes. (3dmark 2000 and others)

              I have now replaced all the capacitors. The board is now more stable. I can start a graphics benchmark (3dmark 2000) and it goes a long way. But it is not completely stable. Unfortunately, a different PSU does not help either.

              I'm not sure what to do now. Should i take a oscilloscoop? What are the points to mesure?

              PS: With Bios 3.3: IDE controller 2 is not working. on a MSI-5169 rev 2.1

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Super socket 7 Cache unstable? MSI MS5169

                Messurements:

                VCCS3 (I/O) = 3.4V
                VCCS2 (core) = 2,2V
                VSS = 0V

                Comment

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