Try this:
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BIOSes on older machines sometimes need to be updated because they limit the size of a hard drive. [/font]
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In you're lucky enough to have a machine with a flash BIOS chip, upgrading the BIOS is as simple as running an upgrade program that can be obtained from your motherboard manufacturer. [/font]
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"Flashing is relatively easy," explained Faisal Premji of Voodoo Computers in Edmonton. Though he warns there's an extra step you'll have to take since you have an ASUS-brand motherboard. [/font]
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"You do have to set a jumper to enable boot block programming," he said. [/font]
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But not to fear, here's the poop on that: You'll need to change a jumper on your motherboard to allow the BIOS to be written to. A jumper is a little black connector that straddles two tiny prongs. [/font]
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"Look in your motherboard manual for the correct location," suggests Premji. "It will have diagrams and tell you exactly what to do. [/font]
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"If you don't have a manual, take it to your local computer dealer, or where you bought the system from. They will be happy to do it." [/font]
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Not all motherboards require this boot block programming jumper set. [/font]
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If you're planning to upgrade the BIOS on your machine, check with the manufacturer of your motherboard. Most of the common brands have Web sites with clear and straightforward instructions. [/font]
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For our reader, the upgrade should be straightforward. Premji provided this step-by-step procedure. [/font]
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1) Download pflash.zip and the appropriate BIOS file. [/font]
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2) Unzip the files into a temporary directory. [/font]
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3) Set boot block jumper to 'PROGRAM' mode. [/font]
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4) Run the file Pflash.exe, and follow the instructions. [/font]
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The only instance where you may run into a problem is if you interrupt the programming by turning the computer off or rebooting it during the procedure. So, to be blunt, don't do that. [/font]
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I recently upgraded the BIOS on my dad's IBM Pentium machine and accomplished the procedure in under an hour, with the assistance of an IBM help desk technician. The folks who sold you your system will likely help you, too. [/font]
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There's a great list of flash BIOS updates at Wim's BIOS page at http://www.wimsbios.com. His Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section is also a must read.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I also found this page. http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/biosflash1.html
Warning: this voids your warranty, so proceed with caution. After you flash it, you should be able to oc to your heart's content.
More on this: [/font]While Dell offers no overclocking options whatsoever in the BIOS and in fact uses a PLL that was supposed to be designed to not modifiable, it turns out that one can still overclock.
Step 1) Check to see if the Dell uses the ICS 952601 PLL.
http://mitglied.lycos.de/podien/FSB.HTM
Step 2) Download and install CPUFSB available from:
http://mitglied.lycos.de/podien/CPUFSB.HTM
Step 3) Run CPUFSB; Under PLL manufacturer, pick ICS and under PLL type, choose 952607
Step 4) Click on the Fine tuning button
Step 5) Adjust the Frequency using the buttons at the top and adjust to a reasonable overclock value.
Step 6) Hit Freq Set and the system will be overclocked immeadiately. However, not all programs will register it, but CPU-Z and benchmarks that don't rely on processor cycles will show it.
Step 7) Reboot, and then all programs will recognize the new speeds
Hope this helps dude.
