OK, so, there's been little in the way of progress reports recently, so here is the latest:
I've been doing some serious work to the core of System3CS over the past couple of weeks, and have now implemented some features that I've never been able to get working properly in the past. The most significant of these is something called mod_rewrite. This is basically an Apache (web server) module that allows some very clever manipulation of URLs. I can now turn the feature on and off to create what they call Search Engine Friendly URLs, or SEFURLs if you like your acronyms. So, what does this mean to you, the viewer? Well, for a start, you now no longer need complicated URLs like http://visualante.org/s3cs/index.php?id=10 to get to the contact page. Instead, you can use http://visualante.org/s3cs/contact.html, http://visualante.org/s3cs/contact.htm, or even better, just plain old http://visualante.org/s3cs/contact. Of course the old URLs still work, but isn't this nicer?
That's just one of the things I've been up to (check out the Development Progress section for more info) until I had a slight problem on Wednesday 11th February 2009.
So, the 11th February 2009. A significant date for me as it marked my 30th birthday. Amongst the presents that my wife bought me was an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000. I've been running a 4200 for two years now and it was way overdue being replaced. I fitted it but then my PC started to Blue Screen when I was loading in to Windows. I tried to repair my installation but still it wasn't working properly. D'oh! Why didn't I get a BIOS update? The CPU that I have fitted is the Brisbane core and has only been available since July last year, so obviously my motherboard doesn't know what it is. So, on the laptop and over to Alienware's support site. I download their latest BIOS for this board (P39) and burn the ISO to CD. I updated the BIOS and now my CPU was no longer detected on POST as AMD Model Unknown, but as the correct model. I had to reinstall Windows, and I decided to wipe the HDD first. The only HDD that I had that was big enough to take the files I need was the 320GB drive in my laptop, but (and praise the computer gods for this) when they switched to SATA they made the connectors the same for desktops and laptops, unlike the old PATA drives. So, the drive was useful. I backed my files up and reinstalled Windows.
That's just the beginning though. There are two X2 6000s you see. The Windsor core is the orginal, and has 2x 1024KB cache and operates at 3GHz per core. The Brisbane however (mine) has 2x 512KB cache but runs at 3.1GHz per core. Only mine isn't. Mine is running as if it were a Windsor CPU and won't go over 3GHz. The bus speed is 200MHz and the multiplier set to 15.5x, but still everything reports that it is running at 15x. So, in a bid to get the performance that I believe I'm supposed to have, I overclocked the bus speed by 10MHz and now have a core speed of 3.15GHz and a HyperTransport link speed of 1050MHz (Should only be 1000MHz). I've also clocked the memory closer to its maximum of 400MHz as a result and it's now running at 394MHz.
All good then eh? Well no, because clearly the board still doesn't know what CPU is in it. I believe that a BIOS update from the board manufacturer should resolve the problem finally, but (and you'll rib me for this) that will remove the Alienware logo from POST. What's the point in paying all that money for an Alienware PC if you don't get an Alienware logo on POST, eh? The manufacturer does have a BIOS update, dated July 2008, that resolves an issue with this exact CPU, so maybe that's what I need, but I'm waiting to hear back from Alienware first.
Is that it? Nope. The chipset cooling fan has been making whirring, pulsing noises for a while now. It's clearly not healthy, and needs to be replaced. Both Alienware and the motherboard manufacturer were approached asking for details on what cooler I need to replace it. I was advised to buy an EnzoTech SLF-1, which is a 12mm tall copper heatsink and fan, that should fit. I never got around to ordering one, but all this playing inside the PC convinced me to do it. I ordered in on Friday afternoon (yesterday) from Overclock.co.uk, along with a much needed new HDD (Seagate 1TB 7,200rpm model) and would you believe they both turned up this morning. How awesome is that? Super fast delivery! So, new chipset cooler and HDD fitted today.
That's it though, right? Nope. Well, OK, so this isn't another fault, but while I was inside the PC I decided to investigate a theory. You see, the Alienware P2 chassis has LEDs strategically placed around it. The alien head power button houses LEDs to indicate power and HDD activity. The vents on the front are illuminated from inside. There are lights that shine down inside the drive bay, as well as some more that light up the front panel icons. Both sides of the case are also sporting glowing alien heads. All in all, 6 different zones that I count. I bought a black machine and chose blue LEDs. In the bottom of the case is a PCB that has what looks like a mini-PCI card fitted in it though. This board has a DIP switch unit with three switches. My head automatically assumes that these are red, green and blue options. One is turned on, and the others are off, which explains the blue LEDs. So, I flick a few and sure enough, these are the controls. I now have red LEDs. Of course, this is the basic AlienFX card. There is also an AlienIce version which allows finer controls by software. You can have each different zone in a different colour, and I believe you can even choose different levels of each, whereas mine only allows on or off. You can even do pulsing effects on selected zones. How cool is that? OK, so I've just been playing, but still I think it's really nifty.
Anyway, with the exception of some stress testing that I've been doing to make sure everything is OK, it has just been a case of reinstalling everything. I'm mostly done and I think I'll work out whatever I've missed when I need it next. At least I've finally had the time to upload the latest version of System3CS to Visualante, and for once you guys get some benefit.
Until next time
Anthony
