WHS4u said: I've been away from this forum for a while and see this thread is thriving. I really do not understand why some people have had success with the E5200 and others do not. It’s really a mystery to me. I don’t think it’s related to HP hardware revisions, but to the Intel CPU revision. This is just a theory. When I upgraded my CPU, I did not make any changes to the BIOS.  The EX485 started without any problems. After running some test (see beginning of thread), I noticed the CPU was running at half speed and that’s when I disabled the Speed Step feature using the VGA/keyboard cable. Be aware that I never modified the PECI options. Do you guys mean the PCI-E options?? I don’t know what the PECI is. However, if modifying this setting is working for you, that’s great. BTW, the Speed Step option is in the CPU configuration under Advance Settings. See pic here: http://www.mediasmartserver.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bios_advanced.jpg  Regarding my EX-485, I’m happy to report that it’s working fine with no issues to report.

I have check the BIOS section that you are referring to and never have seen anything even closely related to Speed Step.  I'm beginning to wonder if we are all running the same BIOS version or not.  You can indeed look up what the PECI option is.  But it wasn't until I made that change prior to putting in either the E6300 or the E3300 CPU would my system work.  Made the change and all is fine except the SpeedStep option or any of the other terms that I looked up it might be called.

I have posted the exact BIOS version information earlier in the thread above.  I'd sure like to see if yours matches mine.

I am currently running the E3300 dual-core celeron because it is actually running cooler than the 440 processor ever did at either idle or full load.  The E3300 is dual-core, runs fast, cheap and runs very cool.  My idle temp is 44C and full load is 72C according to the WHS console.  Other utilities say it isn't even run that hot.

Here's a link that explains what PECI is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_Environment_Control_Interface

HP EX485, 2GB RAM, Intel Celeron E3300 2.5GHz Dual-Core Processor, 4 x 2TB WD Caviar Green

is that what you are looking for?

http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=609&start=0&postdays=0...

The key was at the time of making the request for the blind update I didn't have a VGA cable. I just got my email that it is ready so in the next day or so I will. Although depending on how hard the directions woul be on how to doit, it could be very useful for those wanting to upgrade the processor. I like the suggestion of the Celeron E3300. That may be the next spot I try for this upgrade as heat is clearly a concern with such a small space.

Mavrrick

HTPC1(Phenom 9950/8GB/HDPVR/HVR-2250)(Bedroom computer and TV with 24" Dell Ultrasharp)
HTPC2(Athlon II 7750/2GB/HVR-1800)(Serves living room TV)
MSS EX485 with Pentium Dual Core E5200(2x1.5TB,1x750GB)

Have you closed the J circuit? I was not able to use any keyboard until I did that.

I should have included that in the original email - I did catch that note earlier and I had a jumper across the "J" jumper from the first attempt. I just tried another jumper to make sure it was making a good connection (stole the old one off a really really really old hard drive) and it didn't make any noticeable difference.

One thing that I'm seeing - With the keyboard/mouse plugged in to the bottom port on the back, it reports the keyboard/mouse after the "Initializing USB controllers" message. Any other port, it doesn't list them. On the last attempt I thought it was working - I saw the "Hit DEL to enter setup (or F4 on remote keyboards)" change to "Entering Setup..."

The screen flashed a couple of times, nothing long enough for me to read anything, and then proceeded to boot windows.

Is there anything else that locks us out of the Bios?

It it matters, I've had my EX485 for about 3 months..


Thanks!

I just verified that the jumper is closing the connection between the pins.. it's still doing the "Entering Setup..." but booting windows routine..

I've noticed that sometimes after hiting "del", I'll see the "Entering Setup", but the BIOS will still post and continue onto windows.

The way I've gotten around this is to continue to hit the "del" key several times, once a second, until you get to the screen. You will not get into the screen until all of the drives are registered. Continue to hit the "del" key even through this step. Maybe give that a try?

Somewhere between my brother and I we got it. His had the same issue - Entering setup, keyboard interface error, booting windows.

I bought the cable without PS/2 - so he hacked apart a PS/2 extension, looked up the pin-outs, soldered it on, and we tried with a PS/2 keyboard. The keyboard was completely useless, but we did get indication from it that it was getting recognized. We plugged in Both the USB keyboard in the bottom port on the back (the only port that acknowledged the keyboard after the initializing USB line.. The PS/2 keyboard still didn't accept any keystrokes - but the USB keyboard did. The PS/2 keyboard being plugged in allowed the system to get past the keyboard interface error issue, and voila, Bios Setup Screen!

We might have had a bum PS/2 keyboard, who knows.. but the PS/2 seemed to prevent the interface error, which allowed the USB keyboard to interact with the system.

Hopefully this will help someone else..

I built myself a VGA cable Monday and just received one of the last E5200s from Newegg and will attempt the upgrade tonight.

I couldn't justify the $70 (plus shipping and tax) cable so I spent $15 and got the parts and built my own. It was a pain to build so I hope it doesn't backfire on me.

Anyway I'll update my results tomorrow.

Can you give the details on the cable, on which parts you had to get? and what had to be done?

Just wanted to add my experience. Ordered the cable from http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3980 last week, arrived quickly by mail and I live in Canada. I then went out and bought the E5200 2.5GHZ mentioned throughout this post. I tried installing the CPU without changing the PECI option in the BIOS first and no luck (Silly me). Same blinking that others have had here (Stops after memory test). Reinstalled the original CPU and booted up. Could not get into BIOS using the PS2 connection that came with my cable (Tried two keyboards). Then tried a USB keyboard and still no luck. Plugged the USB on the bottom back port and left the PS2 keyboard in and it didn't work at first, but I was not hitting delete past the first boot screen, once I kept hitting it I got into the BIOS. Changed the PECI setting and reinstalled the E5200. Everything booted up fine this time. Then I wanted to find that "Speedstep" option in the BIOS, but it was not there. I downloaded the Intel CPU identifier tool http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/sb/CS-014921.htm and found out that mine was already running at full specs, so I guess there was no need for the "Speedstep" option posted earlier for my CPU. The utility showed that Speedstep was not enabled.

Thanks for eveyones help. Did this upgrade to run Air Video Server on my WHS. It's an App for the iPhone/iPod and does on the fly conversions of videos in formats not natively compatible (DivX etc). Just thought I'd throw that in there. I'm hoping now it won't tell me that my WHS is not powerful enough!

Well, I got my VGA Cable the other day and tried it out to get into the BIOS to make the suggested changes. Well I still can't get into the bios. I tried the trick with Jumping the J block jumper. It didn't do it I am still getting the keyboard error with the USB keyboard i have. I am going to try to barrow a PS/2 keyboard and see if that will do it. Fortuneately I got the VGa connection with the ps/2 ports as well. we will see what happens.

Mavrrick

HTPC1(Phenom 9950/8GB/HDPVR/HVR-2250)(Bedroom computer and TV with 24" Dell Ultrasharp)
HTPC2(Athlon II 7750/2GB/HVR-1800)(Serves living room TV)
MSS EX485 with Pentium Dual Core E5200(2x1.5TB,1x750GB)

Well as I am trying to do the upgrade I don't mind taking notes on how to do it. But I need to get into the bios first. I haven't had any success using a USB keyboard in any port. Hopefully tonite I can use the PS2 ports to get in.

Mavrrick

HTPC1(Phenom 9950/8GB/HDPVR/HVR-2250)(Bedroom computer and TV with 24" Dell Ultrasharp)
HTPC2(Athlon II 7750/2GB/HVR-1800)(Serves living room TV)
MSS EX485 with Pentium Dual Core E5200(2x1.5TB,1x750GB)