AMD Phenom II X4 940 not recognised

883 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by IEATFISH, Dec 6, 2009

Strawb

Discussion Starter · Dec 6, 2009

I recently bought a Phenom II X4 940 CPU, and put it in my rig, but when booting, it says the the model is unknown and the CPU runs and 2.3GHz instead of the correct 3.0GHz. I know that this is due to my BIOS being outdated, so that's not the problem. The problem is that I've tried several approaches to updating my BIOS, but none of them work.
When I try to flash BIOS using a portable USB stick, it doesn't show up in Qflash(Yes, Legacy USB Storage Detect is enabled). The only option shown in Qflash is "Floppy", which is useless to me since I've disconnected my Floppy drive ages ago.

I tried creating a bootable USB drive(not sure if a USB stick would suffice), but that didn't work either.

I even went as far as buying a membership for DriverAgent, but this turned out to be a ripoff, since it doesn't download and install an update; it just gives you a different download location and another install walkthrough. However, the walkthrough didn't make sense to me as it seemed like a part was missing.

Can anyone help me with this? I'm getting desperate and I really want my new CPU to run properly.

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The Duke

· #2 · Dec 6, 2009

Do check with the MB makers web site, that CPU may not be on the "list" of compatable CPUs or as you suspect ti's a BIOS revision that is the answer.

If we knew what MB you have we could offer more advice.

You might be able to do it through a burned CD disk if you set the BIOS to only show the CR/DVD ROM as the only boot able device.

N2Gaming

· #3 · Dec 6, 2009

It would help to know what kind of hardware/software you have. Additionally did you rename the bios file w/a .bin at the end of the bios file name so the bios qflash can properly recognize the file. I don't know if that is the proper file type name for your bios but if your using an ASUS mobo then chances are it may have to end in .bin

update your system information so it shows in your sig please. You can find the add or change system info on the left columb of the page after you click on the User CP tab on the top of any page.

Good Luck,

N2G

IEATFISH

· #4 · Dec 6, 2009

Please enter your system specs so we can see your system. See the Site Features guide in my signature, Section 2.

I use QFlash and it worked with a USB drive. I'll see if I can find a guide...

Strawb

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 6, 2009

I've put in my system info, so that should give you a hint.

I've already found a guide to flashing the BIOS, IEATFISH, since another user on this forum had the same problem, but like I said, I've tried that approach already without success. At the moment, I'm following a guide that explains how to do it with an external HDD, so I'm trying that for now. Other tips or explanations will be greatly appreciated though.

Fear of Oneself

· #6 · Dec 6, 2009

double chaek your board supports the CPU, then update your BIOS by burning a .iso onto a DVD and flashing it from there. It needs to be burnt as a .iso, so don't just copy and drag. Use poweriso to burn it.
That was my issue installing this CPU in my old board, it said AMD CPU unknown and booted as a dual core.
So check that the board supports the CPU and try flashing the BIOS

Strat79

· #7 · Dec 6, 2009

If all else fails just use the Windows Bios flash tool from Gigabyte. It will let you pick a bios file to update from off your HDD or auto download the newest one and flash inside windows. I know this is not the preferred method, but I've never had a problem using windows based flashes yet.

Can get the Gigabyte one here.

IEATFISH

· #8 · Dec 6, 2009

Are you actually able to get into QFlash? I remember I had the option of going there straight from boot or from within my BIOS. One of the ways didn't work but the other did...I can't remember which one... Also, did you enable Legacy USB Support in your BIOS when you were trying the flash drive?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat79

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If all else fails just use the Windows Bios flash tool from Gigabyte. It will let you pick a bios file to update from off your HDD or auto download the newest one and flash inside windows. I know this is not the preferred method, but I've never had a problem using windows based flashes yet.

Can get the Gigabyte one here.

Also true. Sometimes it is just easier.

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Diabolical999

· #9 · Dec 6, 2009

Do you have the previous cpu that was in there before the Phenom II 940? Could simply put it back in, update to latest BIOS via Windows, reinstall 940.

Strawb

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEATFISH

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Are you actually able to get into QFlash? I remember I had the option of going there straight from boot or from within my BIOS. One of the ways didn't work but the other did...I can't remember which one... Also, did you enable Legacy USB Support in your BIOS when you were trying the flash drive?

Yes, I am able to get into Qflash, but, like I said, the only available option is Floppy. Yes, I had USB support enabled in the BIOS.

I just had a look at @BIOS options, but I've read several people saying that had problems updating the BIOS like that. Are you sure it's safe to use the @BIOS tool?

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Strat79

· #11 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strawb

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Yes, I am able to get into Qflash, but, like I said, the only available option is Floppy. Yes, I had USB support enabled in the BIOS.

Is the downloadable file from Gigabyte just an .exe file you run?

The download will install a small program that will ask you if you want to flash from your disk or from the internet. Yes, it's just a simple .exe that installs a flash program inside windows, once you have flashed, you an uninstall it if you want. The page I linked has the instructions. Just don't pick from internet. Pick from files on hard drive and pick your bios out and flash. Done.

Here is the direct link to the download. It has support for all versions of windows it looks like, xp/vista/7 32bit and 64.

I have no experience with Gigabytes Windows flash utility, but I have used Asus, and MSI's many many times without a problem. No guarantees, just giving you another option.

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KamuiRSX

· #12 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strawb

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Yes, I am able to get into Qflash, but, like I said, the only available option is Floppy. Yes, I had USB support enabled in the BIOS.

I just had a look at @BIOS options, but I've read several people saying that had problems updating the BIOS like that. Are you sure it's safe to use the @BIOS tool?

Well, try the other suggestion of putting in your old CPU and flashing from within Windows or better yet, just flash from within Windows with your 940 BE inside your rig if you can get into Windows. Or even better, go to a local shop and spend $10 on a floppy drive, hook up, and flash your bios.......

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Dopamin3

· #13 · Dec 6, 2009

Use the files located here to create a bootable usb drive using this. Make sure the check quick format. Then put the flashing utility and bios file on the flash drive. Boot to the flash drive from the boot menu then.

IEATFISH

· #14 · Dec 6, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dopamin3

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Use the files located here to create a bootable usb drive using this. Make sure the check quick format. Then put the flashing utility and bios file on the flash drive. Boot to the flash drive from the boot menu then.

That's what I did, I remember now. Worked for me.

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N2Gaming

· #15 · Dec 6, 2009

I don't know if this will help any but I'm for putting your original supported cpu back into the socket before you attempt the bios flash and also reset your cmos settings to default before flashing.

Regarding Qflash only seing the A drive. Is it possible the Qflash see's the usb thumb dirve as an A: drive?

Have you even tried to select the A: drive to see if your bios detects your usb thumb drive as drive A:???

Rememeber there is not OS running to configure your drive letters in the bios so you may get lucky if you try to use drive a: w/the usb plugged in.

Good Luck,

N2G

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Strawb

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 6, 2009

Thank you very much for all the helpful ideas. I managed to update the BIOS with @BIOS(without issues), by using the downloaded BIOS-file on my harddrive. Thanks a lot for the help, my CPU runs smoothly now.

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IEATFISH

· #17 · Dec 6, 2009

Sweet!! Always nice to see these sorts of things get worked out.

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