can the BIOS be changed from Linux? - failed overclocking with new computer

[Gilboa Davara]

On Wed, 2009-10-28 at 15:40 +0200, Gabor Szabo wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 2:46 PM, Gilboa Davara <gilboad at gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Mon, 2009-10-26 at 07:28 +0200, lior wrote:
> >> On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:44:17 +0200, Gabor Szabo <szabgab at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > I just bought a new computer, install Ubuntu 9.10 beta (not the RC as
> >> > it was not out yet)
> >> > and after I try to reboot, the computer does not even reach the BIOS
> >> > boot sequence.
> >> > (blank screen).
> >> > After letting it rest for some time I can turn it on, then it gets to
> >> > the BIOS boot and displays the
> >> > following error:
> >> >
> >> > Warning!!! The previous overclocking had failed, and system will
> >> > restore its default setting.
> >> > Press any key to continue...
> >> >
> >> > Pressing a key makes it boot but the happens again after one or two
> >> > bootings.
> >> >
> >> > Oh, an *I* have not touched the BIOS and *I* did not configure
> >> > overclocking.
> >> >
> >> > I already took the computer back once and they told me about some rare
> >> > thing that happens
> >> > only once every 2 years that the BIOS is flips.
> >> > I think they just either did not configure it well or for some reason
> >> > it gets broken after the first boot.
> >> > Or something is broken or incompatible in the hardware.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The question if Linux might change the BIOS or cause this problem?
> >> > If not, what do you think could be the reason and the fix?
> >> >
> >> > Here are the details of the computer (from the order form) just in
> >> > case someone can see
> >> > some parts that do not work well with Linux or with each other.
> >> >
> >> > CPU: Q8200 2.33 Gh 4MB Core 2 Quad
> >> > mother board: G41M-E43 DDR3 HDMI MSI
> >> > screen card: Nvidia GeForce 9400Gt 512MB P.P.View
> >> > HD: 500 Gb SATA2 16 Mb Hitachi
> >> > Memory: CL7 DBT GEIL 2x2Gb (4Gb) DDR3 1066 Mhz
> >> > DVD: GH22NS SATA LG DVDX22 DL
> >> > power: 350W FAN 12 CM Power man
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> I think you might be underpowered. I input the above specification in the
> >> newegg PSU calculator and got ~390W.
> >>
> >> http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html
> >>
> >> The boot sequence is one point in time where you might notice this.
> >>
> >> Lior
> >
> > I second the above.
> > You need at -least- a 450w PSU for this machine.
> > (In your case, the CPU + GPU alone can eat more than 250w...)
> >
> > - Gilboa
> 
> Interesting.
> I took back the computer again. They called me 3 days later and
> told me they tried to reboot it 100 times and it worked fine.
> 
> They also told me to look at the power calculator of MSI
> http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=power
> and that one shows that I need less than 300 W.
> 
> Very strange and I am not sure what to do with this whole situation.
> 
> 
> Gabor

When in doubt - buy big.
Don't forget that most computer shop labs are heavily A/C'ed, and last
week was one of the hottest days of the year.
PSU's doesn't really function that well at ~35C...

- Gilboa