MCP61PM-HM (Iris)

[TheWiz]

Well with our modified unlocked BIOS for the Nettle2, Acer series, etc. (anything with the MCP61 stuff) we had Phenoms up and running, and according to the documentation for a Nettle2, 89W TDP is supported. Now, I'm not sure if this lightweight compaq version supports a 89W tdp, but there is a good way to find out, which you already did

Because your PC boots with a simple Unrecognized CPU, using the unlocked Nettle2 BIOS on the thread should allow you to get on just fine. Buying the Nettle3 isn't only a bad idea because it isn't much different from a nettle2, but there are way better replacement retail boards. I am really confident though the unlocked BIOS found on the Nettle2 thread will get you going. Follow the instructions the same way as described there.

Report with the results,
TheWiz

[Diamond Jim]

Buying the Nettle3 isn't only a bad idea because it isn't much different from a nettle2, but there are way better replacement retail boards. I am really confident though the unlocked BIOS found on the Nettle2 thread will get you going. Follow the instructions the same way as described there.

Report with the results,
TheWiz

I am in no way trying to be argumentative here but let me explain my reasoning. I recently became unemployed and money isn't exactly plentiful at this time and that kinda makes buying a new motherboard out of the question. If I were to purchase a Nettle2 I would also have to purchase the IO Shield to match it. A Nettle2 goes for ~70 on Ebay and another ~20ish for an IO Shield. I have a local source that will sell me a Nettle3 with Shield, Athlon62 X2 7750 Processor and Heatsink/Fan for around ~50. I can resell the processor for ~30ish and the heatsink/fan for for ~10... See where I'm going with this? Since I'm running Windows7 64bit I would really like to have the ability to expand to 8 gig when I get back working or I would simply stick with the Iris I have. Besides, I'm a cheap SOB at heart and I just love to wheel and deal! So, given the situation that I have described, is the Nettle3 still a bad choice?
On a side note (or actually the reason for this entire post) I am going to try the BIOS flash tomorrow and see what happens. This will be my first attempt at a BIOS flash this complicated (I have done my Dells before but that was easy) so wish me luck! If everything works like it should I will report back and let you know! and if it doesn't.... you KNOW I'm gonna be crying for help!!


Thanks a bunch!
Jim

[TheWiz]

Sounds like a plan. Yoyu actually increase the value of your current mobo if you successfully flash the retial BIOS on the nettle2 thread, becaue it has way more functionaliy. I see where you are coming from with thtat combo deal and not paying shipping and handling, plus its a good rig for a really good price so if this doesn't work out in your circumstances I would take the deal.

TheWiz

[Diamond Jim]

I read that some of the Nettle supports SATA RAID 0 and 1 but not the HP/Compaq versions.

Is this supported in the modded retail BIOS?

And, since the only support for this mobo is for Vista, will I be able to use the RAID with Windows7 64bit?

Thanks,
Jim

[Diamond Jim]

OKAY!

As promised I tried the Nettle2 BIOS upgrade on my wimpy Iris Mobo today.

(drumroll please)

It WORKED!! YAY!

And, I then installed AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Dual core into the Mobo and it also worked like a charm.
After it downloaded and installed 34 windoze updates it came up and told me that it found new hardware and had to install the drivers for it.

Then it said I had to reboot (naturally) After I rebooted I looked at the properties screen to confirm that it was truly seeing the X2 5600 and it was. The interesting thing was it said my performance index needed to updated but the first time I tried it, it bombed out halfway through. I tried it again and this time it worked like charm but still told me I had an old slow computer and my 512Mb video card sucks rocks!

So, now I can go buy the Nettle3 that I was looking at, do the BIOS upgrade in it and start looking for a Quad Core to shovel into it as well as 4 more gigs and a real video card.

THANKYOU!
THANK YOU
THANK YOU!

Jim

Maybe now I can run AutoCad without having to take naps while waiting for it to render a drawing!

[TheWiz]

Nice work! Glad the upgrade worked and we turned that board into something halfway decent. Once you reply I'll put a redirect here and move this to the confirmed section.

BE CAREFUL: The nettle3 board does NOT support the unlocked BIOS we jsut used for this, because it has a larger chip and uses a slightly different bootblock. I am still working on a BIOS for the nettle3, so standby on that.

Good work!

TheWiz

[Diamond Jim]

I'm certain that is is a good solid BIOS upgrade so you can move it over now.
I would NEVER consider trying this BIOS on a Nettle3. I have spent literally hours pouring over spec sheets and photos of the three different Nettle mobos and the two different Iris Mobos and I realize that the Nettle3 is an entirely different animal!

Just for future reference, what is the highest wattage CPU that I can run in my Nettle2 BIOS'd Iris?

Thanks again,
Jim

[TheWiz]

Anything over 89W's is dangerous

TheWiz

[Diamond Jim]

Anything over 89W's is dangerous

I have read everything that I could find on this forum about the Nettle2, Nettle and Iris8. (wow! that was a lot of reading!) and I have one question for you.

If I read everything correctly my cheesy old Iris mobo will now support any AMD Processor that pulls 65W up to a Phenom II X4 910e 2600? Or did I miss something?

Thanks,
Jim

[TheWiz]

Yeah we tested a couple of 95W Phenoms that worked, so we recommend the 65W because the socket really isn't designed for 85W but manages with some issues. We haven't tested that specific CPU but that's the golden CPU I've been saying would probably be best suited for these boards, and those 910es are nice, cool, and fast too

TheWiz