Platform Compatablilty?

[jarcuri]

Can someone explain what platform compatability means? For instance is it something that has to be built into the motherboard or is it something that is handled by the bios?

 

[edfair]

Suspect that you are asking about the hardware platform, which is one step more basic than the motherboard.
It is defined by the processor chip(s) and associated instruction set.
The motherboard is a support device that handles getting stuff in and out of the processor and interconnects parts.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[BadBigBen]

Or it could mean OS in use...

ie. Linux Platform (meaning all LINUX distros based upon x86, PPC, MC68xxx etc.)

or as Edfair mentioned, just basically CPU dependend and not OS dependend...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[cdogg]

Just out of curiosity, what is prompting the question?

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[jarcuri]

I own an hp zd8000 notebook which is a desktop replacement. It has a desktop processor. Originally an intel penitum 540jHT 3.2ghz 90nm processor-prescott which I replaced myself with an intel pentium 640HT 3.2ghz-prescott. (by the way I have built and repaired I would guess at least 1000 desktops since the advent of the 286 cpu many years ago and when I bought this notebook it was only a matter of time before I broke into it to replaced the processor). However it runs very hot, of course that is the nature of the beast in putting a desktop pentium chip in such a small compartment and when I say hot I do not mean hotter than what it is suppose to run but hotter than a desktop. Lowest operating temp 48 degrees celsius and 68 celsius under load. Heat is the biggest reason systems like this don't last as long as desktops. So when the 65nm cedar mill still 775 socket came out and it runs about 30% cooler than the prescott, I ordered a 651 3.4ghz cedar mill and it would not even boot the system. It would power it on and it would shut itself down in about 3 seconds. In order to verify that the cedar mill processor was good or bad, my son needed a new computer for college. LSU freshman 3.57 gpa, I ordered a new desktop motherboard that tiger direct said was compatible with this cedar mill and installed the cedar mill in it, along with an ati pci 256mg ddr3 video card, new hard drive etc. and everything worked perfectly. And it also worked with the original 540jHT that I took out of my notebook so it is also backword compatable with the prescott. I than went on Intel's website and found this:

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...01cw2/sales_tools/eng_sales_guides/182403.htm

pay particular attention to line 15 the part that says for the cedar mill (65nm processor) the board has to be 05A compatable.

I then download Intel's Processor Id utility and it says my board is 04A and the new desktop board was 05A. So what I am trying to figure out, is this something that HP needs to write the micro code for the 65nm cedar mills into the bios and this will make my board 05A or is it something that has to be built into the board by the motherboard manufacturer. How is 05A platform compatability achieved. Everything that I have been able to find on platform compatability seems to lead me to a software (bios) conclusion.

 

[Freestone]

It appears that there may be more than just BIOS involved. See section labelled Platform Compatibility Guide in the following link:

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/216411.htm

 

[jarcuri]

The reference you gave appears to apply to the dual core processors. The 651 Cedar Mill is a single core HT processor and according to Intels website is compatable with the 915 chipset as long as it has the 09/05 update which it does and besides that the desktop motherboard I ordered I made sure it had the same chipset as my notebook and the 651 works fine on that motherboard but reports as 05A platform. How do they do that? Is it bios or someother software way to accomplish this?

 

[paparazi]

I've seen a recent post on TT relating to this same subject, was that you? I can't remember.
The conclusion was Intels 915 chipset does indeed support this CPU's stepping but depending on vintage of said motherboard a bios flash may need applying to work.
So down to HP to write the bios upgrade to support this newer chip.
As you have noticed laptop bios support is not as forthcoming as desktop, I think this is simply because desktops are considered more modular "upgradeable" and so are better supported (basically not many users go to the lenghts that you have by changing the CPU in a laptop)

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[jarcuri]

So the consensus is that a bios update by HP could accomplish what I am trying to do?

 

[jarcuri]

Yes it was me, then I found the platform compatability issue. Does anyone have an email address for HP for this issue that might have a chance of getting to someone capable of getting the bios micro code update in motion. I have sent 8 different emails to 8 different hp referred email address's and they all say it is not there specialty but give me someone else's email address and everyone keeps passing the buck.