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Getting an "incompatible cpu" error message, cpu meets specifications !

O

onestory151

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Jul 11, 2011
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I HAVE AN HP TOUCHSMART PC DESKTOP 300-1025, THE MOTHERBOARD IS AN APP78-CF JESSE AND I AM ATTEMPTING A PROCESSOR UPGRADE.

I GET AN "INCOMPATIBLE CPU" ERROR MESSAGE AT STARTUP ON A PROCESSOR THAT MEETS THE MOTHERBOARD SPECIFICATIONS PRECISELY.

THIS IS THE PROCESSOR THAT DOESN'T WORK;
AMD CPU ATHLON II X4 605E 45W AM3 2MB 2300MHZ RETAIL AMD AD605EHDGMBOX

WHEREAS THIS ONE DID WORK;
AMD CPU ATHLON II X4 605E 45W AM3 2MB 2300MHZ RETAIL [AD605EHDGIBOX]

I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE SECOND PROCESSOR NOW AND AM IN POSESSION OF THE FIRST, CAN ANYONE SUGGEST ANY SOLUTION
OR SHED ANY LIGHT ON WHAT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE ?

THANK YOU:respect:
 
Some AMD motherboards will work with the incompatible CPU just as they would with the compatible one except not be able to show what CPU it has.

I tried this on an old AM2 board with a AM2+ cpu
 
The problem is that the computer will not start up and this is when the incompatible cpu error message appears.
 
ahh then there is no way to use that CPU with that motherboard. My advice is to reuse the original CPU until you can return that one and get the one that will work.
 
This is strange considering the two CPU's you listed are pretty much identical. Have you tried contacting HP for a motherboard bios update?
 
Hp wants big techy dollars and religiously does not come up with
answers or solutions, you're right it doesn't make sense, amd
says the processors are identical, the specs on the packaging
are identical, it's identical to the processor specs for the motherboard.
 
^ That sounds like a idea as well. Did you check to see if there is a new bios out for your motherboard?
 
No i have not, first of all i know nothing about updating bios and feel as though this would be overkill on this issue, also in so doing it may preclude my using the same dual core installed or obtaining the part number that i know works, in other words make matters worse
 
Save your current bios and then flash with the new one. if it doesn't work with this or the other CPU then flash back.
 
onestory151 said:
first of all i know nothing about updating bios
Click to expand...

You don't have to know anything. HP makes it easy since it's an .exe file. Download it and run it.

*The instructions are in the link brandon provided.
 
Where might i find instructions on how to do this save bios, flash bios, and/or flash back ?
 
I think it is worth noting that, while the processor seem identical they actually are not. The original processor was a C2 stepping and the new on is a C3, hence the difference part numbers. This is why the motherboard is not recogonizing the new processor without a BIOS update.
 
erocker and newtekie1 are correct. I have flashed many HP Bios. You close most running programs then run the file. HP does the rest. You restart when the flash process is complete and prompted to do so. I just did my neice's HP laptop last week and did a recover.

Your apprehension is unwarranted.

You should thank brandonwh64 as well.


HP: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...kId=135&prodTypeId=12454&prodSeriesId=4002827

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...4002827&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=4063#120
 
Last edited:
Alright, don't jump on me to harshly, peeps. I know almost jack about these AMD CPUs.

But, I was looking at HP's site and it states that MB supports:

AMD Athlon X4 600e and 605e (P)
AMD Athlon X3 400e and 405e (R)
AMD Athlon X2 235e and 240e (R)

Because, I am just guessing that (P) means Propus.
And, if, he happens to have a relabeled Denab with the L3 disabled; would that screw it up?

Just asking...:)
 
95Viper said:
And, if, he happens to have a relabeled Denab with the L3 disabled; would that screw it up?
Click to expand...

Should not if HP did their job with bios.

OP, should use the newest bios anyway as HP always has rushed to market new pc's. Almost every one you get needs a Bios update out of the box or shortly afterwards.
 
To everyone about the BIOS flash

I'll bet you're all correct that the BIOS flash is needed (I've flashed many HP BIOSes myself) but onestory151 doesn't have the original CPU, so he's in a catch 22 situation, unfortunately:

onestory151 said:
The problem is that the computer will not start up and this is when the incompatible cpu error message appears.
Click to expand...

It's all gonna come to naught unless he can stick in a compatible CPU first. :ohwell:
 
jsfitz54 said:
erocker and newtekie1 are correct. I have flashed many HP Bios. You close most running programs then run the file. HP does the rest. You restart when the flash process is complete and prompted to do so. I just did my neice's HP laptop last week and did a recover.

Your apprehension is unwarranted.

You should thank brandonwh64 as well.
Click to expand...

i flashed 3 HP systems last week, just don't do it whilst a windows update is installing because for some reason the bios update will muck up windows 7 if its done whilst an update is happening
 
cheesy999 said:
i flashed 3 HP systems last week, just don't do it whilst a windows update is installing because for some reason the bios update will muck up windows 7 if its done whilst an update is happening
Click to expand...

Man, who would flash while a Windows update is in progress?! :eek: But of course you're right and no doubt someone might just try it to "save time". :shadedshu

It's not really that surprising that a BIOS update would screw up Windows like that, because the BIOS is more active than you think, especially when Windows is starting up. Even worse, the flash could fail halfway through and kill the PC. Don't do it boys and girls!

I updated an ancient HP D510 once and had to reinstall XP, because the required HAL had changed. The BIOS became ACPI compliant in that flash.
 
qubit said:
Man, who would flash while a Windows update is in progress?! :eek: But of course you're right and no doubt someone might just try it to "save time". :shadedshu

It's not really that surprising that a BIOS update would screw up Windows like that, because the BIOS is more active than you think, especially when Windows is starting up. Even worse, the flash could fail halfway through and kill the PC. Don't do it boys and girls!

I updated an ancient HP D510 once and had to reinstall XP, because the required HAL had changed. The BIOS became ACPI compliant in that flash.
Click to expand...

no i hadn't realized it was doing updates, the bios thing restarted the computer by itself and it tried to do updates on the shut down and start up

=BSOD every start up after that, ended up having to reinstall
 
Why would anyone want to update Windows automatically so it can interfere with any program? It's not so hard to manually check Windows Update once a week or so. If you're afraid it's going to do harm, turn it off. Either way, it's not the point of this thread.
 
erocker said:
Why would anyone want to update Windows automatically so it can interfere with any program? It's not so hard to manually check Windows Update once a week or so. If you're afraid it's going to do harm, turn it off. Either way, it's not the point of this thread.
Click to expand...

Just one more word on this: my Windows is set to download and notify. I then look at what updates it wants to install and allow only the ones I'm interested in... and when I'm ready for them.
 
Bios update completed successfully

I have updated the bios which went off without a hitch however i have not attempted to install the new cpu for the second time as i am presently in communication with the company i bought the processor from, waiting for their final take on the matter before i take any additional risk with the processor.
 
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