A7N8X-LA by HP BIOS unlock

[TheWiz]

I would send an email to MrTangoWhiskey because he was the expert on this for several months.

TheWiz

[junghm69]

Thanks for the info and suggestions 1234s282 and whizkid.

I was hoping for a boot up screen that is similar to my other custom builds with the graphics card info coming up first then the bios information during the boot sequence but if I can't get that, I guess a splash screen will do.

I was able to overclock this chip using Speedfan. It didn't list "a7n8x-la" as a motherboard choice but it did offer "a7n8x" under Asus. So I chose it and turned the clock up to 170Mhz from 166. CPU-Z's clock measurement went up from 2079.6 to 2133.3 and the system ran stable for the short time I used the computer.

I wasn't able to test it much as the core temps were getting in the mid 60s. It wasn't the overclocking as temps got up to this during non overclocking stress. I will have to replace the thermal interface material. And the ambient temps are too high in the low 40s as this is a micro-ATX case.

[TheWiz]

Yeah we can definitely replace the HP logo, the question is whether to mod the proposed unlocked one or the standard one. Right now, I think Tango should post some more testing results for the unlocked. Meanwhile we can go ahead with modding the standard BIOS with a custom splashscreen, so simply upload the splash you want and we can replace it. Adding the graphics info text is "possible" but a bit of a risk over just putting a splash on.

[junghm69]

Yeah we can definitely replace the HP logo, the question is whether to mod the proposed unlocked one or the standard one. Right now, I think Tango should post some more testing results for the unlocked. Meanwhile we can go ahead with modding the standard BIOS with a custom splashscreen, so simply upload the splash you want and we can replace it. Adding the graphics info text is "possible" but a bit of a risk over just putting a splash on.

Thanks but turns out that it is not necessary. I dug a little deeper into the bios and it has a feature which disables the HP logo from coming on and enables the display of all the boot messages from bios which was exactly what I wanted.

Now all I have to figure out is why both Speedfan and Motherboard Monitor are misreporting temps. I thought before that the chip temp was getting above 60 C but those readings are now suspect. When I use the hardware monitor in bios, the cpu temp at idle reports 48 but both Speedfan and Motherboard Monitor report 39 at idle just after booting. Plus many of the voltages seem unlikely for example both the +5V and 3.3V lines read around 2.5V but the computer runs stable. I'm gonna try putting this PSU in another build but my guess would be that all this has something to do with the board or monitoring software and not the PSU or cooling system.

[TheWiz]

Did you try Hardware Monitor?

[MrTangoWhisky]

OK, Tests say:

- The A7N8X-XE BIOS works completely with firewire and all the other stuff, but slow...
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=5vee2zoCMBLmLPzP&content=overview
- The A7N8X-VM BIOS works better even with firewire...
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=pPR0NBX0mzUFT1PK&content=overview
- The A7N8X-VM/400 BIOS works best, but without firewire!!!
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=OYMrFEShYfp6m1dg&content=overview

I tested with several proc's and, if possible with the betaversions. I got an Athlon XP 3200+ @ 4000+ (2,7 GHz) running smooth, a Sempron 3300+ @ 4000+ (2,5 GHz) gave me some fun and even the Athlon MP 2600+ @ 3000+ 2.333 MHz was stable and silent!!!

[MrTangoWhisky]

No more comments?
I hope someone can confirm my tests and maybe someone got the abilities to edit some BIOS-code to make it easier...
I will definetly donate the board during the next few days!

[Madjimms]

OK, Tests say:

- The A7N8X-XE BIOS works completely with firewire and all the other stuff, but slow...
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=5vee2zoCMBLmLPzP&content=overview
- The A7N8X-VM BIOS works better even with firewire...
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=pPR0NBX0mzUFT1PK&content=overview
- The A7N8X-VM/400 BIOS works best, but without firewire!!!
--- http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=OYMrFEShYfp6m1dg&content=overview

I tested with several proc's and, if possible with the betaversions. I got an Athlon XP 3200+ @ 4000+ (2,7 GHz) running smooth, a Sempron 3300+ @ 4000+ (2,5 GHz) gave me some fun and even the Athlon MP 2600+ @ 3000+ 2.333 MHz was stable and silent!!!

I don't mean to steal the thread or anything, but I have the A7N8X-VM version (no overclocking options) Would flashing with the either of these versions(A7N8X-XE or A7N8X-E) work? I only know of one major difference which is 3 dimm slots instead of 2 on the VM. I don't mind having no firewire ports, but my major concern is will it boot properly & support OC functions.

Thanks, hoping to hear back soon.

[MrTangoWhisky]

I am returnig to this old thread because I'm still on this... I just got an A7N8X-VM/400 and a -XE, now I will try to do everything possible with my 3 A7N8X's till friday! Wish me luck I can get this to a successful ending!

[1234s282]

I am returnig to this old thread because I'm still on this... I just got an A7N8X-VM/400 and a -XE, now I will try to do everything possible with my 3 A7N8X's till friday! Wish me luck I can get this to a successful ending!

Best of luck mate , i admire your perseverance