600E CPU Upgrade - Powerleap install and SpeedStep questions

[Spaceballz]

[Mod edit: split off into separate topic]

Hello all,
It appears that ya'll are right on!! THANK YOU!!! I took my old 2645-5BU and installed (what was supposed to be) a 750MHz PIII (after checking w/ CPU-Z, it was unveiled that it is a 600MHz Coppermine PIII E, but whatever). After changing the values in the hex editor, error 127 was gone, and it started without a hitch. However, I'm having trouble enabling the L2 cache with the powerleap utility. When attempting to install powerleap (downloaded from this forum), I get the following error message:

An error occurred during the move data process: -113
Component:
File Group:
File: C:\DOCUME~1\CAPTAI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\WZS14.tmp\data.hdr

I'm not well versed in this world, but I'm assuming the "~1"s are abbreviations so the path would fit in the dialog box (as well, I don't see any of these folders existing as hidden). In trying to follow the path, I got to Captai~1, and noticed that there is no Locals folder. I made it, and made Temp inside it, but that is as far as I got and it did not make a difference. Might it be a setting in the installation that I am not choosing correctly that is causing this? Any help here would be GREATLY appreciated. It would be nice to have the L2 cache up and running.

Additionally, I am running XP Pro (SP3) and have read that XP does not utilize the L2 unless you use define the L2 size in the registry. Is this the same basic issue, or are there different levels here (given that L2 was disabled in BIOS, independent from any operating system overlaid)? I guess otherwise said, are there two chores to be taken care of before the L2 works, or will powerleap (HOPING that it works) solve both of these issues? As a mention, I have gone ahead and defined the L2 size in the registry (256KB), but it had no effect (might it have if L2 was already enabled in BIOS?).

Two other curiosities of mine:
1) I'm quite sure that I've found this in the forums before, but I have forgotten and am having a hard time finding it, so please forgive me:

The 600MHz I have installed is running at 598.3MHz; will an 850MHz run at ~850MHz? If not, at what point do these two numbers begin to depart from each other? I remember talk of "speed step", but that's about it.

2) It is my understanding that the maximum use-able RAM is 512MB, is this consistent with what you know? Would that imply that if 2 low density 512MB sticks were installed, only half would be utilized?

Thanks in advance for any reply, and a BIG thank you for all of the work you folks have done. It's hard to find a reliable laptop with serial and RS232 ports these days

Sincerely,

Spaceballz

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.

This is the abbreviated version that older Windows versions and DOS use (also designated as: 8.3):
File: C:\DOCUME~1\CAPTAI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\WZS14.tmp\data.hdr
Every name was shortened to 8 characters. To allow for 2 or more similar names, they used the ~1, ~2 etc. suffix.

Under Newer Windows versions this "translates" into:
File: C:\Documents and Settings\Captain Kirk [or whatever your Username is]\Local Settings\Temp\WZS14.tmp\data.hdr

So go back to your HD and delete the Locals folder you created, with everything in it.

I know nothing of the 600E, I am sure others will chime in.

[Spaceballz]

RealBlackStuff,

Thanks for the info.

[RealBlackStuff]

You're welcome.

It's hard to find a reliable laptop with serial and RS232 ports these days

Serial and RS232 ports are different expressions for the same port.
A more modern Thinkpad with Serial port would be the T23, which can take up to PIII 1.20GHz CPU (with Speedstep), 1GB RAM and hard disks up to 320GB.
The T23 runs XP-Pro very well and is a worthy successor to the 600 you have.

[pkiff]

I'm having trouble enabling the L2 cache with the powerleap utility. When attempting to install powerleap (downloaded from this forum), I get the following error message:
An error occurred during the move data process: -113
Component:
File Group:
File: C:\DOCUME~1\CAPTAI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\WZS14.tmp\data.hdr

Someone else ran into this problem recently (see HELP! PowerLeap Ctrl Panel & Cache Utility prog probs 770Z). I'm not sure why this problem is cropping up, but if you PM me your email address, then I can send you a copy of the PowerLeap cache utility that I'm using. It is a stripped down, slightly earlier version compared to the PowerLeap Control Panel that is available elsewhere. I originally got it from PowerLeap as well, but for some reason it does not seem to be available through their site any longer.

Additionally, I am running XP Pro (SP3) and have read that XP does not utilize the L2 unless you use define the L2 size in the registry. Is this the same basic issue, or are there different levels here?

I've never tried to use PowerLeap with XP SP3, so I don't know.

The 600MHz I have installed is running at 598.3MHz; will an 850MHz run at ~850MHz?

Yes, those are all normal. I don't know whether this has to do with the actual speeds or with the tools used to report the speeds, but I wouldn't worry about as long as the CPU reports running within 1-2 MHz of what the max is.

It is my understanding that the maximum use-able RAM is 512MB, is this consistent with what you know? Would that imply that if 2 low density 512MB sticks were installed, only half would be utilized?

You can't install a 512MB stick - it won't be recognized. And I think that any 256MB sticks you install have to be "low density". More info about what that means is available elsewhere on the forum.

Phil.

[Spaceballz]

RealBlackStuff,

Thanks for the heads up. I meant parallel . Would the T23 also have this? I ask because we use these ports for data acquisition and control.

Phil,

Thanks as well for the advice. Strangely enough, I tried installing the utility again for the hell of it (maybe the 10th-15th time), and it worked!! No idea why. Nonetheless, I was able to enable L2 and CPU-Z shows it up and runnin'! You mentioned you've seen this problem recently; I suppose it would still be prudent of me to get the stripped down version from you for future hiccups? I'll PM you my email add.

850 will run @ ~850: check
2X256MB low density, no 512s: check

Thanks again ya'll and have a good one

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes, the T23 also has a parallel port, AND 2 USB ports instead of 1.
See here for more specs: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4YTG43
And if you are interested, I have several T23s for sale, including ones with the much sought-after built-in wifi.

[pkiff]

The 600MHz I have installed is running at 598.3MHz; will an 850MHz run at ~850MHz?

Yes, those are all normal. I don't know whether this has to do with the actual speeds or with the tools used to report the speeds, but I wouldn't worry about as long as the CPU reports running within 1-2 MHz of what the max is.

850 will run @ ~850: check

Just a quick clarification here. On re-reading your question I'm not sure if you were asking about why it says 598.3 vs. 600 or whether an 850 CPU will run at 850/848 or something slower. It is quite likely that a PIII 850 on an MMC-2 board will run at only 700MHz (or 698 or whatever) instead of running at 850 (or 848 or whatever) when you first install it in a 600E. And that difference does indeed have to do with the SpeedStep hardware that is included in all 850 CPUs. There are various stories about some people getting an 850 to run at 850 without any hardware mods, but I would say that there is a strong possibility that you will only be able to get an 850 to run at its maximum 850 speed by doing some kind of hardware mod on the MMC-2 board. The default and maximum speed for an 850 in a 600E is going to be 700MHz unless you are lucky or do some kind of hardware mod. I don't have any experience with this mod and can't say much about it, except to say that it looks far too delicate for me to be able to attempt myself. Only someone with some reasonably good soldering skills should expect to be able to do this mod successfully.

Phil.