Wrong BIOS!!!!
- Thread starter busto
- Start date
dx
1
Yeah if your system will not boot at all and you tried clearing the CMOS and pulling out your Mobo battery for 5 min and replacing, then yeah you have a fragged BIOS chip.
However, don't fret there is an Internet site that specializes in this sort of thing.... badflash.com http://www.badflash.com/
Hopefully your BIOS chip is removable (most are). The new BIOS chip & programming (you tell them the BIOS to flash) will set you back $19 USD + shipping. Plus, you should get a chip puller (Radio Shack has a good one
). Instructions are all at that site (but they send you some anyway).
Not sure where you live (within the confines of reality is a vast amount of space you know), but they can have a chip to you very quickly.
Good luck
However, don't fret there is an Internet site that specializes in this sort of thing.... badflash.com http://www.badflash.com/
Hopefully your BIOS chip is removable (most are). The new BIOS chip & programming (you tell them the BIOS to flash) will set you back $19 USD + shipping. Plus, you should get a chip puller (Radio Shack has a good one
). Instructions are all at that site (but they send you some anyway).Not sure where you live (within the confines of reality is a vast amount of space you know), but they can have a chip to you very quickly.
Good luck
Another vote for badflash.com. They sent a replacement chip that got me out of a jam last year. Their North American office has an affiliate in Europe, so if your location is European, you may find that you don't have to wait for a trans-Atlantic package to arrive.
nolonemo
1
Here's something else you can do - if you're adventurous. Find a friend with the same mobo, or at least the same bios, and do this:
1. Pull working bios chip from working computer re replace your toasted one with it.
2. Boot your machine to dos
3. With your machine on, pull the working bios chip and replace it with the one you toasted.
4. Flash the toasted chip. (You previously set up your bios flash files on the boot disk).
5. Reboot your machine, replace chip in friend's computer.
BTW, I agree on badflash.com, they saved my ass some years ago.
1. Pull working bios chip from working computer re replace your toasted one with it.
2. Boot your machine to dos
3. With your machine on, pull the working bios chip and replace it with the one you toasted.
4. Flash the toasted chip. (You previously set up your bios flash files on the boot disk).
5. Reboot your machine, replace chip in friend's computer.
BTW, I agree on badflash.com, they saved my ass some years ago.
Last edited:
dx
1
Yes, what nolonemo posts is correct. This is called hot swapping of the BIOS chip.
You see your BIOS chip is probably fine, it's just that its programming is messed up enough to prevent it from booting. You could send your fragged BIOS chip to them, but considering the time wasted and the possibility of your BIOS being non flashable (this sometimes can happen on bad flashes) its not worth it.
Now, hot swapping is a possibility, but it is risky. I have heard stories of peeps who fragged 2 BIOS chips this way. And now you are out 2 chips and you have a very upset friend. Make sure you fully understand how to do this before attempting it or you will be sorry. Mind you you could still do this with your own system if you purchase a new one from badflash.com. Just hot swap and store it away for safety.
catachresis is correct the European affiliate is here: http://www.flashbios.org/
You see your BIOS chip is probably fine, it's just that its programming is messed up enough to prevent it from booting. You could send your fragged BIOS chip to them, but considering the time wasted and the possibility of your BIOS being non flashable (this sometimes can happen on bad flashes) its not worth it.
Now, hot swapping is a possibility, but it is risky. I have heard stories of peeps who fragged 2 BIOS chips this way. And now you are out 2 chips and you have a very upset friend. Make sure you fully understand how to do this before attempting it or you will be sorry. Mind you you could still do this with your own system if you purchase a new one from badflash.com. Just hot swap and store it away for safety.
catachresis is correct the European affiliate is here: http://www.flashbios.org/
dx
1
@ZoZekool if you still have a BIOS (or can find one on the Net) for this Mobo of yours, they can still do it. You have the option with Badflash.com to send them the BIOS you want used. BIOS chips haven't changed that much in the past few years, so chances are they have your BIOS chip in stock
dx
1
Yes it does indeed work, I have done it successfully myself. But it's a bit of a risk and possibly fragging a "friend's" Mobo is bad form. But if you want to try it on your own, you have only yourself to blame.
Nevertheless a $20+ dollar charge is not bad for setting your Mobo right.
Mind you you could always buy a BIOS Saviour from EkistData to save your arse in the future. It's kind of like Gigabyte's Dual BIOS function but as an add on. I don't use one, but I have several friends who swear by them (especially if you try a lot of experimental BIOS's) http://www.eksitdata.com/_uk/index.asp
Nevertheless a $20+ dollar charge is not bad for setting your Mobo right.
Mind you you could always buy a BIOS Saviour from EkistData to save your arse in the future. It's kind of like Gigabyte's Dual BIOS function but as an add on. I don't use one, but I have several friends who swear by them (especially if you try a lot of experimental BIOS's) http://www.eksitdata.com/_uk/index.asp
