Re: Shuttle SN85G4 Mobo FN85v1.2
Yeah I'm replying to an old post, but whatever. Someone might find it useful.
Also recently acquired two of these systems. Exact same model and revision FN85 v1.2 on the mobo.
Before re-capping
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System #1:
Booted to BIOS, sometimes even booted to Ubuntu (via USB drive). But was not stable, random shut-offs. 3 visible bad caps (2 of OST RLX 10v 1500uF, 1 of can't remember now). Dead FAN1 connector, no voltage registering.
System #2:
No visibly bad caps. Sometimes turned...
swartz
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Last Activity: 04-25-2011, 08:00 AM
Joined: 05-17-2009
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
Interesting find. Thanx for the FYI.
I'd still like to punch that DELL person that sold us these GX280's and claimed that full 4Gb is in fact supported. And by "supported" I mean usable by OSs/applications.
I did some research of my own. The reason we only see 3.1Gb is because these GX280 have PCIe, which reserves a whole 512Mb chunk of address space additional to a typical 32bit reservation space.
So we wont even see 3.5Gb due to PCIe on the motherboard. But, like I said, we got...Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
Unfortunately buying from OEM has both cons and pros. Like everything in life, I guess/
Pros:
I have always have spare parts.
Upgrading and maintaining is easier.
Tech are familiar how to quickly open and fix some common problems.
However, if there is a serious issue and need to phone in... thats quite the experience. DELL's business support was good and we could actually get someone who spoke perfect engrish and was actually capable of analyzing our problems.. Recently when I inquired...Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
We use the GX280s for VMware's ESXi servers as testing environments for various software and OS's. So 3GB is bordering on hindering performance especially if a whole bunch of OSs are booted and running for testing. 1GB extra is not much, but it would come in handy.
Unfortunately, I realize, GX280s are low-end consumer PCs and DELL purposely limits its upgrade paths.
My biggest gripe is that when these were purchased by the university that employs me (way before I started), these GX280's were marketed...Last edited by swartz; 08-09-2009, 04:27 PM.Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
We use the GX280s for VMware's ESXi servers as testing environments for various software and OS's. So 3GB is bordering on hindering performance especially if a whole bunch of OSs are booted and running for testing.
Unfortunately GX280s are low-end consumer PCs and DELL purposely limits its upgrade paths....Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
I have tried putting Vista x64, Ubuntu x64 on it. It still only sees 3.1Gb of it.
My research indicates that memory above 3.1Gb is reserved for IO devices (PCI, PCIe). BIOS must provide memory remapping option for the remainder of memory to show up in 64bit (or 32bit with PAE) OS. DELL's bios in GX280 does not have memory remapping switch anywhere in BIOS. Hence why I'm looking for a hacked BIOS or tools that would allow me to modify it....Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
GX280 are based on i915 chipset.
CPUID Limit is enforced so that these systems are compatible with pre-WinXP OS's.
I have seen other mobo's on i915 with CPUID Limit option in BIOS.
I think this is a case of DELL being lazy.
When the systems were originally bought, DELL marketed GX280 as supporting the full 4GB. This was very misleading. DELL should be ashamed knowing that the most customer will see is 3.1Gb. I realize if I had a 32bit OS, 3.1GB is a technical limit there. Again I think this is something...Last edited by swartz; 08-08-2009, 06:54 PM.Leave a comment:
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Re: Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
Are you saying that MODBIN can edit live BIOS?
I was hoping to dump the BIOS first and then try to edit it with modbin.
Only then attempt to flash it.Leave a comment:
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Backup DELL GX280 BIOS and hack it?
Got a few Dell GX280 desktop computers used as test environment. I use free VMware ESXi server on them to test various pieces of software/OSs.
The annoying part is that ESXi keeps displaying error message that allude to CPUIDLimit is being limited. And recommends to disable this feature in BIOS. However Dell bios has no such settings.
Is there a way to add this setting?
Here's the latest bios from Dell:
[url]ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/GX280A08.EXE[/url]
Also these machines support upto 4Gb (4x 1Gb) of RAM (according to DELL), which... -
Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Just to update.
Yes, I have tried resetting the CMOS via the jumper as well as removing the battery when all power cables are unplugged. No go.
I obtained a Pentium 4 530 for testing purposes. But much like the Celeron D it is only supported in the latest BIOS. No one I know has an older 775 chip. Damn it.
I shall try to take the mobo to one of the computer stores, maybe they have a chip we can test right there and then. I hope they wont charge me some ridiculous amount for 5min of their time.Leave a comment:
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Re: mirror, mirror on the wall- which OS is the best of all
What no FreeBSD?
Its perfect for servers. Superb performance with very low overhead.Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Damn it. After soldering four 2200 uF 16v caps I have no luck booting it.
Nothing I have tried so far made it work. The fans speed when I flip the switch on PSU, but when I short -POW+.... one big NOTHING...
Arghhhh... frustrated.Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
I've checked the CPU compatibility list on Gigabytes website. The celeron D 330 chip I have is in fact compatible with this board but only from firmware version F4. I dont know what firmware I have on the mobo, but there is a good chance its is not the latest.
Could this have an impact on the mobo not working completely? I'd venture to guess that at least it should start or make some beeps if it at least sees the cpu....Leave a comment:
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Re: New Members - please post your introductions here
swartz here.
Been lurking on this forum for close to a year now. Found some great info. Finaly registered not that long ago.
In my spare time (which I get less and less of) I love to tinker with all things electronic. Its less dirty than cars, although I've swapped out waterpumps, thermostats, timing belts, starters, etc on a few trucks/cars.
Got a B.Sc. in computers. Not formally educated in electronics engineering, although always wanted to go back to school for that. However...Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Good thing you've told me. I was just about to get on the phone with my lawyer to have you brought up on charges of copyright infringement. I was gonna sponsor my next computer upgrade on the proceeds of the case.
On a more serious note. I got a hold of a 775 socket Celeron D for purposes of testing. The owner swore that it works. I popped it in to the mobo, plugged in a known good PSU and a working stick of 512MB DDR400 ram. When I flipped the switch both fans (4pin CPU and 3 pin case) started spinning...Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Alright I'll just put four Panasonic FM 2200uF 16V caps as its all I've got in 16v.
As far as voltage testing goes... I dont have a 775 CPU to try it on. Like I said most mobos I've fixed so far were Socket 478s. So how would I test the supplied voltage if there is no cpu to start the mobo?
PS. I have plenty of 3300uf 6.3v Panasonic and Nichicon caps as its all I've seen on most motherboards. Alas they wont be usefull this time....Last edited by swartz; 06-11-2009, 10:08 PM.Leave a comment:
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Re: Low ESR or U-ESR Cap
U is for ultra low as far as I know.
Although a lot of places I've seen just label everything Low ESR.
Its best to look at the specs for original caps as well as for the new ones and see if they are the same. It is OK to replace higher ESR with lower ESR. In fact it is beneficial.
There is a good thread with make/series sorted in descending order by ESR:
[url]https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2280[/url]Re: Low ESR or U-ESR Cap<br /> <br ... lot of placesLeave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Yeap looks the same.
What voltage were the 1800uF caps?
Coz i've had aprox. ten P4 board pass my hands with exclusively 3300uF 6.3v caps in the VRM section. Although all of them were Socket 478 based. This is the first Socket775 board that I've had. Mainly because a lot of manufacturers switched to solid caps or that the crappy caps were more or less exited the market (I hope)....Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
Yeap there are 4 caps missing for sure. At least that is all I can see from the flux/scratches on the back of the motherboard. If they took off any other ones they must've been much neater than when they took off the first 4.
I include a link to the pic of the board. Its a 10Mpix image ~2Mb. The spots where caps are missing are highlighted. There is a row of 3 caps and another 1 above them that are missing.
[url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/max62/P1030193-edit.jpg[/url]
...Leave a comment:
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Re: Gigabyte GA 8S661FXM No Post No Beep
I realize this is an older thread.
But just recently a friend I know brought in this same motherboard (GA-8s661fxm-775) with missing caps. He got it from someone who used it for spare caps but it was working before.
Can you guys tell me what the values (capacitance, voltage and make/model if possible) for the following caps are on this motherboard?
Spots on mobo marked as:
dec7, dec6, dec8, dec9
all are part of the CPU VRM (near the cpu socket).
Thanks!Leave a comment:
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