Issue with 64-bit processor, not enough RAM?

[cakesmithinc]

Hi,

I have been having an issue with my computer. I want to upgrade it to a 64-bit system, but when I install a 64-bit processor (they are the right slots; a T5450 and a T6400) the power light turns orange instead of its normal green, the fans and hard drives spin up, but no display or POST beeps are present.

I was worried, so I reinstalled the original Pentium 4 processor, and luckily it still works as slowly as it did before swapping out the processor a few times.

I assume I am missing something basic, like not having enough RAM or the motherboard has no support for the processors I tried to install, bu I would like to have a solid answer and or a fix if you guys have one.

Thanks,
Vaughn B.

Original PC: Gateway MFATXSTL EL2 500L
Motherboard: Gateway El Paso 2 Motherboard 4000777 (original)
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 processor, PGA478 (original)
Video card: NV875.0 Rev B (may be original, unsure)
Ethernet adapter: TP-Link TG-3269 (installed by me)
RAM: 2x PC3200U 1GB DDR 400MHz (may be original, unsure)

 

[Pinhedd]

Hi,

I have been having an issue with my computer. I want to upgrade it to a 64-bit system, but when I install a 64-bit processor (they are the right slots; a T5450 and a T6400) the power light turns orange instead of its normal green, the fans and hard drives spin up, but no display or POST beeps are present.

I was worried, so I reinstalled the original Pentium 4 processor, and luckily it still works as slowly as it did before swapping out the processor a few times.

I assume I am missing something basic, like not having enough RAM or the motherboard has no support for the processors I tried to install, bu I would like to have a solid answer and or a fix if you guys have one.

Thanks,
Vaughn B.

Original PC: Gateway MFATXSTL EL2 500L
Motherboard: Gateway El Paso 2 Motherboard 4000777 (original)
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 processor, PGA478 (original)
Video card: NV875.0 Rev B (may be original, unsure)
Ethernet adapter: TP-Link TG-3269 (installed by me)
RAM: 2x PC3200U 1GB DDR 400MHz (may be original, unsure)

That's a Socket-478 (PGA478) motherboard.

The Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 and T6400 are Socket P CPUs designed for laptops. The may be mechanically compatible with Socket-478 (socket P and Socket M both have 478 pins as well) but they are not electrically compatible.

 

[cakesmithinc]

Okay, so I assume that would be the issue, then. Do you have a suggestion on a processor to upgrade my system to 64-bit? Is it as simple as upgrading the processor?

 

[Entomber]

why do you want to upgrade to a 64-bit system in the first place? You don't have enough RAM (2GB) to take advantage of it.

 

[cakesmithinc]

Because I didn't know that I did not have enough RAM. Thank you for contributing to my question despite your passive-aggressive tone.

 

[Supernova1138]

There aren't any 64 bit CPUs on the Socket 478 platform. The first Pentium 4s that were 64 bit capable were on the LGA 775 socket. If you want 64 bit capabilities, you're going to need to get a new motherboard, and new RAM as well as a new CPU. You might as well just build a new system, Socket 478 is about 12 years out of date at this point, and there isn't much you can do to upgrade it.

 

[cakesmithinc]

Okay, thank you for your help, guys.