[jkmuse01]

I have an older dell dimension 4600. upgraded to 4gb ddr memory, upgraded from pentium 4 2.4ghz cpu to 3.2ghz, upgraded BIOS from A02 to A12. I am now having lots of blue screen problems. Stop message 0x0000008e. Suggests changing video adapter. I get the same message with either VGA I have. Sometimes get blank blue screen. Applications shut down without warning. Major headache.

[peck1234]

I would try doing a re-flash...

[win2kpro]

Dell shipped the 4600 with two different configurations. One had a video card and the other had onboard video (video integrated on the motherboard). Which version of the 4600 do you have?

[jkmuse01]

My system has a AGP graphics card

[win2kpro]

Before you do anything with your BIOS, post the exact specs of the processor you installed.

According to the Dell site the 4600 with the AGP card only supported Pentium 4's with the following specs;

Intel® Pentium® 4 that runs at 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, or 3.0 GHz internally and 800 MHz externally; or 2.26, 2.4, 2.53, 2.666, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally.

Also, it appears from the Dell site the the processor could only have an L2 cache of 512KB which would be a Northwood cored processor.

If you installed a Pentium 4 processor with a 1MB L2 cache it would be Prescott cored. If the machine only supported Northwoods and you installed a Prescott this could very well be the reason for your blue screen problems.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...cs.htm#1084976

[jkmuse01]

...installed P4 3.2ghz 800mhz external speed with HT technologies

[jkmuse01]

....512k L2 cache

[win2kpro]

It's very probable that the BIOS is not reading the microcode from the 3.2GHz. processor correctly since Dell indicates the fastest processor supported is 3.0GHz.

[jkmuse01]

...that's it. It's got to be. Should've researched my system better. I had a feeling that was the problem. Thanks win2kpro.

[jkmuse01]

...I will try that first thing tomorrow.

[win2kpro]

You're welcome.

Just remember if you purchase a 3.0GHz. processor to replace the 3.2 that the L2 cache needs to be 512KB not 1MB.

[jkmuse01]

That did it. I put the 2.4ghz cpu back in and everything is running smooth again.

[win2kpro]

Very good.

You should be able to find a 3.0GHz. processor 800MHz. FSB with a 512KB L2 cache pretty cheap on eBay or other sites.

That's exactly what I'm running on this machine right now, and has run great since I built this machine in 2003.

[jkmuse01]

Hey guys. I bought a 3.0GHz P4 800FSB, 512KB L2 Cache processor, now back to the blue screen errors again. Any Idea what gives?

[win2kpro]

What is the sSpec # of the processor you purchased?