How can I tell if my motherbord is locked from OCing?

[gamecrazychris]

I'm getting a new computer in a few months and decided I would try overclocking my 2 1/2 year old dell xps 600. I have a basic idea of what to do but when I go into the bios I can't find any options to change the cpu settings. I've heard that some computer manufacturers "lock" the bios to prevent overclocking, do you think that might be the case and how can I tell.

 

[Evilonigiri]

Yes. It's a Dell, it's locked.

 

[Zorg]

It's worse than just "locked", the BIOS is completely stripped of any adjustments of any type whatsoever.

Dude, you got a Dell!

 

[gamecrazychris]

Thats stupid, I spent $2400 on that dam computer and they won't let me overclock it.

 

[gamecrazychris]

I can change the front led color but other than that I guess I'm screwed.

 

[runswindows95]

99.99% of OEM's mobos have a locked BIOS outside of boot devices, password, and the bare basics. Then again, OEM machines are generally designed for people who have no clue what a BIOS is.

 

[gamecrazychris]

what if the OEM overclocked it for me, could they overclock it then lock it?

 

[yay]

yer, dells $7 - $10000 gaming pc's come with overclocked cpu's, although i suppose they probably are relocked.

 

[jaguarskx]

Thats stupid, I spent $2400 on that dam computer and they won't let me overclock it.

It's to protect themselves from doing unnecessary troubleshooting and part replacements; especially from people who do not know what they are doing. Even people who know how to OC can screw up too.

Bottomline is if you wanna OC then build it yourself.