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SoftFSB works for me
Front Side Bus speed overclocking

New MessageSoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) OpenGL Guy
Using SoftFSB, I was able to successfully o'c my I-OP. As usual, I am not responsible for anything you do that could harm your computer. Overclocking your computer can break it and should only be done by extreme enthusiasts who know what they are doing.

Here's how I did it:

1. Get the latest beta version of SoftFSB.
2. Target the clock generator "Cypress 156x"
3. Enter the options menu, and clock on "AcerOPEN Motherboard." This should uncheck the "Readback" option, or something similar. If it doesn't, uncheck "Readback" yourself! This feature is not compatible with the I-Op.
4. Click OK.
5. Get FSB... This won't tell you anything. However, the chip is running at a default of 66.8 MHz FSB by default, just FYI.
6. Twiddle the FSB. You will have to reboot and go through the steps all over again when you select something that causes the computer to hang. If you do hang the computer, turn it off, wait 10 seconds or so, and turn it back on again.
7. Once you've found the right setting for you, you should install a utility like CPU-Idle. This cools your CPU by adjusting the powe rto the processor to fit the processor usage - it idles it, when it is not in use.
The max I was able to up the speed to was 75 (37.5) MHz. This sets the chip to run at 225 MHZ. Those of you with alternate chips and cooling fans ought to be able to get it to run faster, but if you've got stock, like me, you can at least squeeze out an extra 12.5 percent performance. This raised the CPU temperature to something like 127 degrees Fahrenheit, as reported by the BIOS. Normally, it is around 120 or so. Lousy heatsink...

SoftFSB, a software utility for adjusting your computer's clock speed by adjusting the Front Side Bus Speed, the speed at which your processor interfaces with the rest of the computer, can be found at H. Oda's web page:

http://www.h-oda.com/

05-10-2000 13:59:13

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) Thnkgrn
Looks like ODA has pulled the active links. Did you get it from H-oda recently? Can you e-mail it to me?

Thanks,

Thnkgrn@bellsouth.net

05-10-2000 14:16:26

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) Blah
It's also here
http://www.processor.org/files.htm

Not sure if it's the latest version

05-10-2000 14:21:27

New MessageNope (modified 0 times) thnkgrn
Nope the version at http://www.processor.org/files.htm is v1.4, Oda has 1.7-g1

Anyone?

05-10-2000 14:31:27

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) OpenGL+Guy
Check this out:

http://www.tweakfiles.com/processor/

05-10-2000 15:09:17

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) Brian
http://www.kaktus.punkt.pl/incoming/files/uzytki/sfsb17g1.exe

you'll find it here.

05-10-2000 15:13:06

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) OpenGL Guy
Forgot to mention, the above site has SoftFSB 1.7, as well as SFSB plug-ins that may allow for PLLC readback (at your own risk). This place also has CPU-Idle, to cool your I-Op CPU, in case you really care about your WinChip C6.

H-ODA appears to be coming out with a new version of something in the near future. His message board mentions a leaked beta version. Keep an eye out for it - this may lead to clues that allow for PLLC readback.

05-10-2000 15:13:36

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) Brian
have the newest beta -- IC Works is cypress, when i choose the IC Works 156x generator it doesn't list the motherboard you specified. what version of SFSB exactly did you use, OpenGL Guy, and did you need any of the plugins? my version is 1.7-g1
05-10-2000 15:28:25

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) OpenGl Guy
Now that I am in front of my I-Op I can be more specific.

Don't target a mainboard!

Click on the radio button next to "Target Clock generator." Select "Target Clock generator."

Pick "IC-Works W156x" in the drop-down list. IC-Works and Cypress are now the same company.

Now, click on Option. Check the box next to "Using AOpen M/B"; this should automatically disable "ReadBack" and enable "Write Only PLL IC". Click OK.

Get FSB. This should tell you nothing but the CPU clock in MHz.

Choose "75(37.5)" with the slider, then click "Set FSB".

Congrats! Your stock IO is now running at 225.0 MHz. If it hung, go back through all the steps, choosing a different FSB. Keep trying until you find one that works.

The stock FSB is 66.8 MHz. This sets a 200.5 MHz CPU clock. With my method, most people should be able to get a 12.5% performance boost with no extra hardware and at no extra cost. Add a fan, and I wouldn't be suprised if you hit a 100 MHz FSB speed - which gives you a 300 MHz CPU!

I've created a profile for the I-Opener. I can't export it. The program requires a password for this. If someone can give me the password I can distribute a SoftFSB I-Opener plugin (Version 1?) to the world from my web page.

05-11-2000 00:38:12

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) pioneer77
Damn, you are the man. This is great, because everyone's said SoftFSB won't work with the IO.
Wanted to let you know that even though I have a nice hsf on a winchip2-200 and it runs at a nice
30-31C always, I still can't get it to run at a 100Mhz FSB. Always locks up. In fact, it locks up
on every setting except the 75Mhz(37.5) setting you verified.

Anyway, thanks man.

05-14-2000 21:06:37

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) uwiz
No luck here :(

I chose to target a Clock Generator and picked "IC-Works W156x" as instructed, then set the options. Clicking on 'Get FSB' resulted in:

- 1st click: "? Unknown"
- 2nd click: "124.4" <- which particularly didn't seem to make any sense, but...

Anyway, setting the slider to 75(37.5) and 100 (don't recall what the parenthesized number was) immediately froze my iopener hard.

This is a V2 iopener with a Hitachi 6.4G drive in it and I-MOD2 kit (w/Lasagna fan).

Has anyone else had better luck?

05-15-2000 00:58:07

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) Paramaddic
The highest I've gotten is 70 FSB. This is probably all due to the HD you use. Some tolerate out of spec PCI bus better than others. Everything else on our configurations is pretty much the same so that rules out major diffences caused by heatsinks, etc.
05-15-2000 09:04:34

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) uwiz
good point, I only tried 75 and 100. Will try 70 later...
05-15-2000 09:37:23

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) OpenGL+Guy
Finding a good bus speed:

1. Set aside one hour.
2. Proceed through each available FSB speed, notch by notch, until one of them works.
3. Hard reset your computer as necessary when FSB speeds cause a system crash.
4. Write down each speed that works.

When you have finished testing all available FSB speeds:

1. Recall via your notes the fastest available bus speed.
2. If the bus speed you found is faster than the default:
B. Use the computer at this speed for a good length of time, e.g. a week. If you smell burning, take the speed down a notch, and try again.
2. If the bus speed you found is the default:
A. Re-examine your system configuration, including:
*Processor fan
*Computer location
*Ambient temperature
*Dust buildup
*PCI/ISA cards
B. Throw out anything you suspect of slowing you down.
C. Start over from the beginning.
D. Re-integrate your components until you find the problem.
E. Fix it:
*Buy a newer component
*Switch to PCI
*Overclock the component, too

05-15-2000 14:57:52

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) TwincH
hello,
Thanks for the heads up on SoftFSB. I followed all the suggestions given by
OpenGl and I got my I-OP (win98se) clocked in at 75 (37.5) MHz, which was
the most that I could get it to go without locking up. I am also running
a winchip2 (ten fan) and hitachi 6.4gig from buy.con

HOWEVER, when I had it at this clockrate, my Linksys USB 10/100 adaptor
stopped working. Nothing would get it back online except a reboot back to
the old clockrate.

05-16-2000 09:31:51

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) JimRsa
just my 2c: I couldnt go faster than 210mhz, 70 fsb
06-13-2000 17:44:50

New MessageRE:SoftFSB works for me (modified 0 times) uwiz
just following up...

with a winchip2, 128M, fan and hitachi 6.4G configuration, i was able to set softfsb to the 75 (37.5) setting. it does seem a bit snappier.

all other settings still seem to freeze it (tried 100 and 80), but hey, free +12.5% is +12.5% :)

07-01-2000 02:41:43

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