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BIOS version and CPU compatibility

I wish to buy an Asus P5VDC-MX and a Celeron D 326J CPU, for CPU suport Asus claims 326 will work only if your BIOS is 0405 or higher

How do you find out the BIOS version before buying?
If i buy and the BIOS is older, how would I flash without a working CPU?

SOLUTION

jdietrich

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SOLUTION

Callandor

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pruver3n

ASKER

Ok so all I need to do is when I go to buy it, ask to look at the board? And then how will I find out what the bios version is by looking, they might not let me open the packageing to check might it be on the box?

I sent an email to the store to ask them for the bios version hope this works, cause I do not have any other computers with 775 CPUS, this is my first time with such a socket.

Also I read not to touch the contacts under the CPU, which I would never do anyway cause of static, but what if one finger was to acedently slip, I am gona be wearing a Antistatic wriststrap, But manual says oil from fingers damage.

I will reward those with the answer after I wait for a few more responces.

mandude0

I'm not sure about the area you live in but where I am, when you buy a motherboard and processor at the same time, they post it for you to make sure it is working and if it doesn't the will flash the BIOS to the latest version to see if it will work.

Ask the place you get it from if they can do that for you. If you are buying online, it's a crap shoot. Go to the ASUS Web site and prep a disk with the latest BIOS just to be on the safe side. Well, if it doesn't support the Proc out of the box that won't really do you much good unles you have and older processor you can use to flash it.

SOLUTION

mandude0

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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

willcomp

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pruver3n

ASKER

Ok so let me just clerify, I can fisrt ask the store to lookup the BIOS info, otherwize I can ask to look at the board or ask if they will test it for me. And that if I end up buying a board with the wrong B IOS I might be able to flash the system if I already have a disk with the correct BIOS file?

If it is then I would split points between jdietrich, Callandor, and willcomp

let me know if this is ok.

willcomp

Reasonable approach to me. It is definitely preferable to have CPU support at the beginning, but not always feasible. I would try to ensure that mobo will boot with your CPU installed though.

pruver3n

ASKER

I have aproached both vendors via email, one has yet to respond, the other says CPU is discontinued, so I asked for him to find another Celeron D 775 $80 CDN or less that is compatible, I asked spasificaly for him to check compatibilty, and will await responce.

Thanks for all the help.