You can use Socket 478, P-4, 400 or 533 FSB only, 512K cache or smaller processors. You cannot use 800 or higher FSB and Prescott [1M or larger cache] processors.
The fastest processor the GX260 can support, is the Socket 478 P-4, 3.06GHz 533FSB HT.
I managed to obtain a 3.06GHz processor as suggested. When I boot up, I'm getting a memory error from POST (1-3-2); I had installed new PC2700 sticks from Crucial. Thinking these may be faulty I tried a couple of old PC2100 sticks (as originally specified) but am getting the same error. Everything is seated correctly.
Does this sound like a motherboard problem, or am I missing some thing?
Try removing all the memory modules, reinstall one module, and restart the computer, if the system does not boot, try installing the module in second slot and reboot the system.
Still does not boot, then try the second module and repeat the process.
Continue until you have identified a faulty module [or slot] or reinstalled all modules without error.
Then if the computer still does not start, it's possible that the motherboard has failed and needs to be replaced.
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A06 to create A07:
1. Added display of error message if an FMB 1.5 processor is inserted.
2. Fixed error in 8 MB integrated video frame buffer memory allocation.
3. Added display of the Intel processor badge on the Dell splash screen.
4. Permit utility partition to be on any DOS accessible drive.
5. Updated processor microcodes.
6. Minor change to the RBU header to set PRGBOOT.
7. Correct amount of memory displayed on setup screen when 8 MB integrated video frame buffer is allocated.
8. Improved SMART error message reporting.
9. Insure diag LEDs show GGGG after a sucessful PXE boot.
10.Fixed possible issue with the auto-power-on WEEKDAYS function of SETUP.
11.Fix issue with some multichannel PCI graphics adapters and other PCI cards with multiple processors on the card.
12.Fixed POST hot-key reboot persistence problem.
13.Fixed problem resuming from S3 Stand by.
14.Updated USB code to fix system hangs with some USB multi-function printers, USB disk keys and USB CD-ROM drives. Improved USB boot operations for USB devices. Fixed USB bulk transfer end point checking. Enhanced USB support in Manufacturing. Fix issues with USB hard drive, key, CD and floppy booting when large numbers of bootable USB devices are present.
15.Improved USB keyboard and mouse emulation and clear USB Keyboard SHIFT status on disconnect. Ignore error packets from a USB mouse to prevent erratic mouse movement after a USB mouse is unplugged.
16.Eliminate several limited CDROM boot and install issues with some Linux configurations.
17.Flush F3/F10/F12 state information after handling each option ROM setup. Failing to do so could cause an unexpected boot menu appearance, etc.
18.Eliminate a case where an option ROM BIOS might fail to be cached.
19.Fix hang when the F12 boot menu is brought up with no bootable devices attached.
20.Add support for some 1920x1200 and 1024x768 modes in the integrated video.
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A05 to create A06:
1. Updated microcode for Northwood B0, C1, D0 and D1 processors. 2. Added support for RPL network boot if enabled in the BIOS setup screen and updated network PXE code to handle spanning tree issues completely and correctly. 3. Improved detection of hyperthreaded processors on resume from suspend and hibernate states. 4. Eliminated rare, nonrepeatable RTC and memory boot failures. 5. Updated intgrated video BIOS to correct an issue with full screen text mode switching and an issue with some LCD monitors and the DVI interface card. 6. Minor improvements in USB mouse polling speed, in USB floppy configuration control and in Bonzai USB minidisk support.
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A03 to create A04:
1. Prevent sending PET alert when there is no boot device. 2. Allow booting from USB floppy and flash devices. 3. Added support for 48-bit LBA hard drives (> 137 GB). 4. Report memory size correctly in the SMBIOS structure type 11 entry. 5. Update SMBIOS token handling for HD Acoustic token. 6. Save and restore (across S3) AGP calibration. 7. Add support for hyperthreading. 8. Add Intel NIC PXE code fix for spanning trees. 9. Passes Microsoft HCT 11.
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A02 to create A03:
1. Properly set system power state when AC Power is lost in S3. 2. Support for multiple PCI adapters with PCI-to-PCI bridges and memory devices behind the bridges added. 3. Fix to improve handling of stalled USB keyboards and mice (Cherry smartcard keyboard, specifically). 4. Update SMBIOS tokens for UDMA/HD, HD Acoustic, S1/S3, JT_enable. 5. Added support for newer core chipsets. 6. Update PXE code to reduce timeouts when used with Gigabit switches with spanning tree protocol enabled.
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A00 to create A01:
1. Added faster hard drive access support for shorter Hibernate resumes. 2. Added chipset revision compatibility mechanism. 3. Added System Setup performance settings for hard drives. 4. Added "Series" to system name. 5. Added support for Northwood 0F27h processors. 6. Updated memory code to version 1.2. 7. Fixed handling of USB 2.0 PCI cards. 8. Fixed a race condition involving the power button override feature on a Standby resume. 9. Reduced POST processing time when USB keyboard or mice are connected. 10. Fixed several ASF issues (yellow bang, double alerts, intermittent failure). 11. Fixed possible CMOS corruption due to BIOS/OMCI interface. 12. Removed display of F1/F2 prompt when keyboard error is displayed. 13. Fixed support for Cherry USB keyboard. 14. Updated SMBIOS table's processor structure maximum cpu speed value. 15. Updated BIOS and DOS support of USB 106 keyboard special characters.
I am running into the same problems...I bought the sl6pg and cant get the bugger to boot...It'll boot just fine with the old processor, but not with the 3.06 i bought becuase I read it here! It also won't boot with a celeron 2.6 I have laying around, just the 2.4...What do I have to do? could this be a power supply problem? does the sl6pg use too much power for the stock power supply? jumpers? settings?? help, you got me into this here ...lol
Prior to installing the processor in the GX 260, did you check that the latest BIOS version A09 is installed, because with BIOS version A08, updated processor microcodes were added.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
January 17th, 2009 12:00
Nick Ball
You can use Socket 478, P-4, 400 or 533 FSB only, 512K cache or smaller processors. You cannot use 800 or higher FSB and Prescott [1M or larger cache] processors.
The fastest processor the GX260 can support, is the Socket 478 P-4, 3.06GHz 533FSB HT.
Bev.
Nick Ball
6 Posts
1
January 17th, 2009 12:00
Fantastic, many thanks.
Nick
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
January 17th, 2009 13:00
Nick Ball
Pleased to have helped.
Bev.
Nick Ball
6 Posts
1
January 22nd, 2009 07:00
I managed to obtain a 3.06GHz processor as suggested. When I boot up, I'm getting a memory error from POST (1-3-2); I had installed new PC2700 sticks from Crucial. Thinking these may be faulty I tried a couple of old PC2100 sticks (as originally specified) but am getting the same error. Everything is seated correctly.
Does this sound like a motherboard problem, or am I missing some thing?
Mo'board is original Dell 02X378.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
January 22nd, 2009 12:00
Nick Ball
Try removing all the memory modules, reinstall one module, and restart the computer, if the system does not boot, try installing the module in second slot and reboot the system.
Still does not boot, then try the second module and repeat the process.
Continue until you have identified a faulty module [or slot] or reinstalled all modules without error.
Then if the computer still does not start, it's possible that the motherboard has failed and needs to be replaced.
Bev.
Nick Ball
6 Posts
1
January 22nd, 2009 12:00
Bev, thanks again.
In fact I have tried that process, without success. Sounds like my fears for the motherboard may have been right.
Thanks and regards.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
January 22nd, 2009 13:00
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/ug/index.htm
Technical specifications
Northwood-only (400/533MHz FSB && < 1MB L2) 3.06 Ghz is max without powerleap specific upgrade.
Prescott needs a powerleap interposer/cpu. Newer cpus need newer bios.
BIOS : Dell OptiPlex System BIOS
Version A09
For OptiPlex : GX260
Languages : English
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz&SystemID=PLX_PNT_P4_GX260&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=162&typecnt=1&releaseid=R89214&vercnt=7
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
BIOS RELEASE NOTES
Copyright 2003 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A09
Release Date: 11/01/2004
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A08 to create A09:
1. Update Hotkey processing.
2. Fix ACPI tables for PCMCIA type devices.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A08
Release Date: 09/24/2003
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A07 to create A08:
1. Updated processor microcodes.
2. Prevent waking on wrong days when set to wake on weekdays only.
3. Added to support in PXE boot environments with Spanning Tree support
enabled.
4. Fixed PCMCIA adapter support degraded in earlier revision.
5. Restored remote functionality of the SMBIOS PXE boot token.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A07
Release Date: 05/13/2003
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A06 to create A07:
1. Added display of error message if an FMB 1.5 processor is inserted.
2. Fixed error in 8 MB integrated video frame buffer memory allocation.
3. Added display of the Intel processor badge on the Dell splash screen.
4. Permit utility partition to be on any DOS accessible drive.
5. Updated processor microcodes.
6. Minor change to the RBU header to set PRGBOOT.
7. Correct amount of memory displayed on setup screen when 8 MB integrated
video frame buffer is allocated.
8. Improved SMART error message reporting.
9. Insure diag LEDs show GGGG after a sucessful PXE boot.
10.Fixed possible issue with the auto-power-on WEEKDAYS function of SETUP.
11.Fix issue with some multichannel PCI graphics adapters and other PCI
cards with multiple processors on the card.
12.Fixed POST hot-key reboot persistence problem.
13.Fixed problem resuming from S3 Stand by.
14.Updated USB code to fix system hangs with some USB multi-function
printers, USB disk keys and USB CD-ROM drives. Improved USB boot
operations for USB devices. Fixed USB bulk transfer end point checking.
Enhanced USB support in Manufacturing. Fix issues with USB hard drive,
key, CD and floppy booting when large numbers of bootable USB devices
are present.
15.Improved USB keyboard and mouse emulation and clear USB Keyboard SHIFT
status on disconnect. Ignore error packets from a USB mouse to prevent
erratic mouse movement after a USB mouse is unplugged.
16.Eliminate several limited CDROM boot and install issues with some Linux
configurations.
17.Flush F3/F10/F12 state information after handling each option ROM setup.
Failing to do so could cause an unexpected boot menu appearance, etc.
18.Eliminate a case where an option ROM BIOS might fail to be cached.
19.Fix hang when the F12 boot menu is brought up with no bootable devices
attached.
20.Add support for some 1920x1200 and 1024x768 modes in the integrated
video.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A06
Release Date: 04/28/2003
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A05 to create A06:
1. Updated microcode for Northwood B0, C1, D0 and D1 processors.
2. Added support for RPL network boot if enabled in the BIOS setup screen
and updated network PXE code to handle spanning tree issues completely
and correctly.
3. Improved detection of hyperthreaded processors on resume from suspend and
hibernate states.
4. Eliminated rare, nonrepeatable RTC and memory boot failures.
5. Updated intgrated video BIOS to correct an issue with full screen
text mode switching and an issue with some LCD monitors and the DVI
interface card.
6. Minor improvements in USB mouse polling speed, in USB floppy configuration
control and in Bonzai USB minidisk support.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A05
Release Date: 02/26/2003
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A04 to create A05:
1. Remove Intel NIC PXE code added in A04 to prevent possible NIC errors.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A04
Release Date: 01/28/2003
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A03 to create A04:
1. Prevent sending PET alert when there is no boot device.
2. Allow booting from USB floppy and flash devices.
3. Added support for 48-bit LBA hard drives (> 137 GB).
4. Report memory size correctly in the SMBIOS structure type 11 entry.
5. Update SMBIOS token handling for HD Acoustic token.
6. Save and restore (across S3) AGP calibration.
7. Add support for hyperthreading.
8. Add Intel NIC PXE code fix for spanning trees.
9. Passes Microsoft HCT 11.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A03
Release Date: 09/24/2002
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A02 to create A03:
1. Properly set system power state when AC Power is lost in S3.
2. Support for multiple PCI adapters with PCI-to-PCI bridges and memory
devices behind the bridges added.
3. Fix to improve handling of stalled USB keyboards and mice (Cherry
smartcard keyboard, specifically).
4. Update SMBIOS tokens for UDMA/HD, HD Acoustic, S1/S3, JT_enable.
5. Added support for newer core chipsets.
6. Update PXE code to reduce timeouts when used with Gigabit switches
with spanning tree protocol enabled.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A02
Release Date: 07/25/2002
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A01 to create A02:
1. Added support for new cache ID on Celeron 2.0 processors.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A01
Release Date: 07/19/2002
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A00 to create A01:
1. Added faster hard drive access support for shorter Hibernate resumes.
2. Added chipset revision compatibility mechanism.
3. Added System Setup performance settings for hard drives.
4. Added "Series" to system name.
5. Added support for Northwood 0F27h processors.
6. Updated memory code to version 1.2.
7. Fixed handling of USB 2.0 PCI cards.
8. Fixed a race condition involving the power button override feature on
a Standby resume.
9. Reduced POST processing time when USB keyboard or mice are connected.
10. Fixed several ASF issues (yellow bang, double alerts, intermittent
failure).
11. Fixed possible CMOS corruption due to BIOS/OMCI interface.
12. Removed display of F1/F2 prompt when keyboard error is displayed.
13. Fixed support for Cherry USB keyboard.
14. Updated SMBIOS table's processor structure maximum cpu speed value.
15. Updated BIOS and DOS support of USB 106 keyboard special characters.
*****************************************************************************
System: Optiplex GX260
Version: A00
Release Date: 5/10/2002
1. Initial BIOS Release.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL66R
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
January 22nd, 2009 14:00
Nick.
That's a bummer.
Are you intending to replace the motherboard, because you buy a GX260 MoBo from HERE
Bev.
Nick Ball
6 Posts
1
January 23rd, 2009 00:00
Thanks for this.
But, how can I update the BIOS if the machine will not boot? I cannot get into BIOS setup or the OS environment.
Cheers.
Nick Ball
6 Posts
1
February 5th, 2009 01:00
Picked up a cheap secondhand mobo from ebay; the machine fired up first time... just upgrading the BIOS!
Thanks again for the advice.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
February 5th, 2009 10:00
Nick.
Happy to hear that replacing the motherboard resolved the problem and thank you for the heads up. :emotion-11:
Bev.
berger62
1 Message
1
February 21st, 2009 10:00
I have got 2 pentium 4 prozessors with 512/533 spezifications:
- 2,8 GHz
- 3,06 GHz SL77P
The 2,8 GHz CPU was properly detected, when the GC260 is switched on. The 3,06 GHz however is recognized as an 1,6 GHz only. BIOS ist A09.
What´s wrong? Any jumpers to be set? The BIOS seems to be the latest one.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
February 21st, 2009 11:00
berger62
The 3.06GHZ SL77P is a mobile processor and is not compatible with the desktop GX260.
See HERE
Bev.
wethermanks
4 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2010 00:00
I am running into the same problems...I bought the sl6pg and cant get the bugger to boot...It'll boot just fine with the old processor, but not with the 3.06 i bought becuase I read it here! It also won't boot with a celeron 2.6 I have laying around, just the 2.4...What do I have to do? could this be a power supply problem? does the sl6pg use too much power for the stock power supply? jumpers? settings?? help, you got me into this here ...lol
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
March 3rd, 2010 10:00
wethermanks
Prior to installing the processor in the GX 260, did you check that the latest BIOS version A09 is installed, because with BIOS version A08, updated processor microcodes were added.
Bev.