BIOS deleting
- Thread starter Lynxcds
- Start date
yeah fritzing it with static usually naffs it up too seen that done before 
whoopsie ........ you CAN if found the correct bios firmware correct this by backflashing with a boot floppy with the firmware on another floppy
If the board apparently appears dead already whats to loose ?! ...other than that you may be able to get the boards manufacturer to replace it if under warrenty !?
If the board apparently appears dead already whats to loose ?! ...other than that you may be able to get the boards manufacturer to replace it if under warrenty !?
dx
1
It happens.Lynxcds said:
However if the Bios is not soldered to the mobo, you could replace it. Lookie here... http://www.badflash.com/
Not a bad deal to get you mobo running again. They also have an office in EU (Netherlands).
I've dealt with them before. Great guys... fast service.
DX is right. Badflash.com is a good group. The price they charge for flashing you a new bios chip might seem a tad steep, but it's reasonable by comparison with the grief of dealing with contrary, stubborn service technicians (who would prefer if you never flashed your bios) and/or the eventuality of buying a new mobo.
I bummed the bios on an asus A7M266 a few years ago, and the Dutch lads sorted me out. It's good their service exists.
I bummed the bios on an asus A7M266 a few years ago, and the Dutch lads sorted me out. It's good their service exists.
The CIH virus is the one that can zap the BIOS, or messing up a flash can do it too (wrong flash, or interrupting).
Some older boards had a protected bootblock, which could be used to reflash "blind" using a prepared floppy, but NOT an easy procedure.
Another HIGH RISK procedure if you have another identical / compatible motherboard and the BIOS is socketed - is the HOTSWAP.
The hotswap procedure requires:
1. A spare flash chip of the correct type (or the erased/misflashed one pulled from the nonfunctional board)
2. A suitable "donor" board
3. A flash that will load on the donor
4. Good nerves and a steady hand
Pre-loosen the donor's flash chip, by removing and then half-inserting (you may like to stick something to it to make the risky bit easier)
The system MUST be operating with BIOS SHADOW.
Start up, on a boot floppy prepared for flashing.
Pull the flash chip, and replace with the target (YES, with the power ON).
Now complete the flash procedure.
If it worked, you now have two flash chips loaded for that board.
IF IT FAILED, YOU MAY HAVE KILLED THE DONOR, AND/OR ONE OR BOTH FLASH CHIPS.
The only thing I can add, - is a friend did it to replace an EPROM with a FLASH, in a board which could take a flash chip, and needed it to be able to update - and it worked.
The procedure is HIGH RISK, but according to other hearsay, is amazingly successful if done well.
It's possible that it may help if the +5v and GND pins of the chip are pushed slightly forward, and the alignment mus be set so that all pins go in without fumbling.
If in doubt - DON'T DO IT!
Some older boards had a protected bootblock, which could be used to reflash "blind" using a prepared floppy, but NOT an easy procedure.
Another HIGH RISK procedure if you have another identical / compatible motherboard and the BIOS is socketed - is the HOTSWAP.
The hotswap procedure requires:
1. A spare flash chip of the correct type (or the erased/misflashed one pulled from the nonfunctional board)
2. A suitable "donor" board
3. A flash that will load on the donor
4. Good nerves and a steady hand
Pre-loosen the donor's flash chip, by removing and then half-inserting (you may like to stick something to it to make the risky bit easier)
The system MUST be operating with BIOS SHADOW.
Start up, on a boot floppy prepared for flashing.
Pull the flash chip, and replace with the target (YES, with the power ON).
Now complete the flash procedure.
If it worked, you now have two flash chips loaded for that board.
IF IT FAILED, YOU MAY HAVE KILLED THE DONOR, AND/OR ONE OR BOTH FLASH CHIPS.
The only thing I can add, - is a friend did it to replace an EPROM with a FLASH, in a board which could take a flash chip, and needed it to be able to update - and it worked.
The procedure is HIGH RISK, but according to other hearsay, is amazingly successful if done well.
It's possible that it may help if the +5v and GND pins of the chip are pushed slightly forward, and the alignment mus be set so that all pins go in without fumbling.
If in doubt - DON'T DO IT!
One other thing - if you think the BIOS is dead (no power on system test)
1. Check the CPU in another system, and be certain it's OLD enough not to require a BIOS update to work in the "dead" board.
2. Be sure to connect the case speaker, unless there is a micro-squeaker on board - many "no POST" problems will give a beep code ... eg. with just the CPU, and no RAM, no graphics, you should be able to provoke a beep code - and if you can provoke a beep code, then the BIOS is working - but something else may not be.
I'd also suggest raiding the junkbox for a basic PCI graphics when testing, as I've never known a PCI graphics incompatibility, but plenty of AGP ones.
Unless, from a previous comment, it DID work, you flashed it, and then it didn't work - in which case, getting a reprogrammed BIOS (if the board is worth it) is probably the best step.
1. Check the CPU in another system, and be certain it's OLD enough not to require a BIOS update to work in the "dead" board.
2. Be sure to connect the case speaker, unless there is a micro-squeaker on board - many "no POST" problems will give a beep code ... eg. with just the CPU, and no RAM, no graphics, you should be able to provoke a beep code - and if you can provoke a beep code, then the BIOS is working - but something else may not be.
I'd also suggest raiding the junkbox for a basic PCI graphics when testing, as I've never known a PCI graphics incompatibility, but plenty of AGP ones.
Unless, from a previous comment, it DID work, you flashed it, and then it didn't work - in which case, getting a reprogrammed BIOS (if the board is worth it) is probably the best step.
I hope your bios issues were satisfactorily resolved, but if you're at the stage that you're going to get medieval on the flash-mem, here's an exhaustive guide to performing the hot-flash approach.
http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=62&var2=0
Good luck and God speed if you do it.
http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=62&var2=0
Good luck and God speed if you do it.