Upgrade CPU in old compaq D500 evo

[LectroMan]

Hi everyone,

This is an older computer, that I want to upgrade. It is a Compaq D500 EVO Small Form Factor system.

The details are as follows;

Model # Evo D500 SFF 845 BU ALL

Serial # W220JYHZC466

Part # (off the Processor board, manufactured in 2001.) see below.

There are 2 stickers affixed to the Motherboard, the first one is marked: "219 Rev 0H S26"

The second larger sticker has a barcode on it and is marked: "SP# 277499-001", "DG# 011467-000", "P58630N9VM900M", "AS# 253219-002".

On the fan airflow cover is listed the following: "250805-002 Rev. E"
This airflow cover is installed over the CPU heat sink.

I hope one of these is the part number needed.

I want to use a faster CPU in this motherboard than it has in it now. It currently has a P4 @ 1.9 G/Hz in it now. I want to use a P4 @ 2.8 G/Hz. When I install the faster processor, and boot the system, I receive a message on the screen to contact Compaq customer support to get a bios upgrade for the system to use the faster processor.

The message description is: "1801 Microcode patch error. Missing or invalid microcode patch. Please contact Compaq Computer Corp. for a new ROM BIOS to support the new processor stepping."

I have already installed the Ver. 03.04A bios upgrade from the Compaq support web site. That did not fix the issue. When I installed the bios update, the Rompaq informed me that that bios version was already installed. I ran the Rompaq anyway. The computer will boot with the new processor installed, after I get the prompt to contact customer support, I can press "F1" and the computer boots.

There is no operating system installed yet.

I really hope you can help me to run this faster CPU in my computer.

When I boot the computer with the 2.8 G/Hz CPU installed, the bios "system info" lists the following;

Processor=P4
CPU speed=2.8 G/hz - FSB=533 M/Hz
Processor stepping=F29
Cache L1/L2=20/512 K/bytes
Installed memory=1024 M/bytes ( 2x 512 M/byte DIMM's )
Integrated MAC=00080251C039
System ROM=686Y2 Ver.3.04
Chassis Serial # W220JYHZC466
Asset Tracking # W220JYHZC466

All I want is to run this faster CPU in my computer. It seems the computer recognizes the CPU, but does not have the correct bios to support the proper stepping for this CPU.

I have seen on the Compaq support site that the D500 does support this CPU with the proper bios update. I have not been able to locate that update on the web site. Please help me to find the correct bios update to run my 2.8 G/Hz CPU, with the correct stepping setting.

I have not learned yet what the correct stepping is for a P4 @ 2.8 G/Hz. I am off to search for that info now. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike Survell

[RicheemxX]

Well if you have the latest bios and it still has issues there really isn't much you can do. I didn't see anywhere that it said the board would support a 2.8ghz cpu and nothing about the stepping that that cpu has. I think it said up to 2.2ghz (specs here) with a 400mhz fsb.

[LectroMan]

Yes, it is a mystry. I am running it with the 2.8 G/Hz P4 and the system info reports it @ 2.8 G/Hz--533 M/Hz FSB. The only problem left is to fix the stepping, which the bios reports as "stepping=F29". I am not sure how that compares to Intel's step ratings of D0, D1, and C1 as listed for this CPU.

Compaq's D510 evo series supports CPU's up to 2.8G/Hz--533 M/hz FSB. That series has the 845G chipset as opposed to my 845 chipset. Also, the D510 series has an 686O2 ROM, while mine has the 686Y2 ROM. Hmmmmmm......

I wonder if I can flash my board to the D510 bios to solve this. Could I flash it back, if I try this and it does'nt work?

On another thought, Does the chipset control CPU stepping? Will it do any good to load an O/S and then update the chipset driver, from H-P's website?

Let me know your thoughts on these DEEP questions.

Thanks, Mike Survell

[RicheemxX]

I WOULD not try to flash the bios with one from another board. Even a bad bios flash with a bios meant for that board could render the board useless, attempting a flash from another board could leave you with a totally dead board.

The bad info on the cpu stepping is likely due to the bios not entirely supporting the chip. It just reports whatever it knows or what it can. Loading an OS isn't going to help as it has no affect on the bios info.

[Littlebrian]

I upgraded my Compaq Evo D500 to the 2.2 Ghz Intel Celeron Processor. I, too, receive the same error for the patch and microcode regarding the processor stepping, even after upgrading to Rev. 3.04 BIOS. What I have noticed, however, is that I can press F1 and the computer will boot into Windows XP and run without issues or problems.

I will admit, however, that having to press F1 to continue the boot process is annoying. I would like to see a new ROMPAQ image release to fix this problem.

[Littlebrian]

Rev 3.04 is not the latest version, although it is the latest version in the support and download section. Rev 3.06 is linked in the FAQ's and Discussion Forum:

Compaq Evo D500 Desktop*-* HP Workstation System BIOS (686Y2) and BIOS Flash Utilities for Local Update - HP Business Support Center

This Rev (3.06) solves the problem.

[LectroMan]

Thanks very much for answering a monthes old post. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks again, LittleBrian.

[Littlebrian]

no, problem, LectroMan. I'm glad I could help someone out who was experiencing the same problem as I was with the upgrade.

[LectroMan]

Thanks again LittleBrian and everyone else who took time to post here. Mike

[alsina86]

Hi, i wanna buy this cpu. Could it works with the Evo D500 SFF 845??

Product Specifications:

• Family: Intel Pentium 4
• Frequency:2.8 GHz
• Bus Speed:533 MHz
• Clock Multiplier:21
• Package Type: 478-pin FC-PGA2
• Socket Type:Socket 478
• Core Stepping:C1
• Processor Core:Norhtwood
• Manufacturing Technology:.013 micron
• Cache Size:512 KB
• (V):1.525

[Bullit09]

Did the bios 3.06 work correctly ond the compaq evo d500 as it is not listed the update for this model and is stated for HP Workstations. I only ask as this is a job for a friend and do not want to screw their board.

[Bullit09]

Does this bios update work ok because I want to do the same upgrade to a 2.8 p4. It's a job for a friend and I don't want to screw the board so would be nice to know that it works fine for the upgrade.

[Bullit09]

Is this 3.06 version totally compatible cos I am doing the same 2.8 upgrade on the same system and I do not want to screw the board by using wrong bios rom.

[Littlebrian]

Version 3.06 is totally compatible. It even made the computer go a little bit faster.