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BIOS problem

Guest McDermotts

By Guest McDermotts
in Windows 98

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Guest McDermotts

Guest McDermotts

Posted
Posted

I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great info here

before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not proper ettiquette.

 

I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to install

BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added to the

system.

 

During the update process, something went wrong and a message flashed that

said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

 

Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn it on

with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries to read for a

while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy in

drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I hit any key

on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few seconds.

 

If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then stops.

 

I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!! I've

been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined, I've been

told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

 

I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the motherboard

that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

 

Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

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Guest Lil' Dave

Guest Lil' Dave

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

"McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great info here

> before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not proper ettiquette.

>

> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

> install

> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added to the

> system.

>

> During the update process, something went wrong and a message flashed that

> said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

>

> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn it on

> with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries to read for

> a

> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy in

> drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I hit any key

> on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few seconds.

>

> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then stops.

>

> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!! I've

> been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined, I've been

> told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

>

> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the motherboard

> that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

>

> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

>

>

 

A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the cmos

battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash. Rather, it

clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The bios and cmos are

2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND ram. In that analogy, the

boot media is corrupted. And, you're resetting the RAM to fix it.

 

Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix. The

first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some common bios

update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the orginal downloaded

update file, the bios update was not appropriate for the motherboard bios,

memory manager loaded, I/O error during bios update, electrical supply

glitch during update, turning off or rebooting the PC before the update is

finished, failure to clear cmos prior after update (which may fix it all

after a reboot).

 

Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common way to

fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can be purchased,

pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not soldered in place.

Rather, has a chip socket.

Dave

Guest =?Utf-8?B?RGFu?=

Guest =?Utf-8?B?RGFu?=

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

I am glad you are back here again Lil' Dave. Thanks for returning and I

really appreciate your feedback especially when it comes to hardware issues

where my knowledge is really limited.

 

"Lil' Dave" wrote:

> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> >I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great info here

> > before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not proper ettiquette.

> >

> > I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

> > install

> > BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added to the

> > system.

> >

> > During the update process, something went wrong and a message flashed that

> > said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

> >

> > Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn it on

> > with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries to read for

> > a

> > while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy in

> > drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I hit any key

> > on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few seconds.

> >

> > If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then stops.

> >

> > I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!! I've

> > been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined, I've been

> > told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

> >

> > I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the motherboard

> > that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

> >

> > Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

> >

> >

>

> A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the cmos

> battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash. Rather, it

> clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The bios and cmos are

> 2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND ram. In that analogy, the

> boot media is corrupted. And, you're resetting the RAM to fix it.

>

> Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix. The

> first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some common bios

> update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the orginal downloaded

> update file, the bios update was not appropriate for the motherboard bios,

> memory manager loaded, I/O error during bios update, electrical supply

> glitch during update, turning off or rebooting the PC before the update is

> finished, failure to clear cmos prior after update (which may fix it all

> after a reboot).

>

> Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common way to

> fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can be purchased,

> pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not soldered in place.

> Rather, has a chip socket.

> Dave

>

>

>

Guest Buffalo

Guest Buffalo

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

Lil' Dave wrote:

> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

>> proper ettiquette.

>>

>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

>> install

>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

>> to the system.

>>

>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

>>

>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

>> to read for a

>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

>> seconds.

>>

>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

>> stops.

>>

>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

>>

>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

>>

>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

 

 

Beep codes:

http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

 

Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

 

It sounds like:

"AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download file

for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing program, so all

you do is download one file, save it to a bootable floppy and boot the

system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the BIOS upgrade fails, you can

use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash again, a really great feature for

paranoid BIOS flashers. "

Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that you have

(there are six of them).

Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly on a

sticker.

Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS to

Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

> A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the

> cmos battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash.

> Rather, it clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The

> bios and cmos are 2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND

> ram. In that analogy, the boot media is corrupted. And, you're

> resetting the RAM to fix it.

>

> Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix.

> The first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some

> common bios update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the

> orginal downloaded update file, the bios update was not appropriate

> for the motherboard bios, memory manager loaded, I/O error during

> bios update, electrical supply glitch during update, turning off or

> rebooting the PC before the update is finished, failure to clear cmos

> prior after update (which may fix it all after a reboot).

>

> Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common

> way to fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can

> be purchased, pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not

> soldered in place. Rather, has a chip socket.

> Dave

 

I just added a little to your post above.

Guest Buffalo

Guest Buffalo

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

Buffalo wrote:

> Lil' Dave wrote:

>> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

>> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

>>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

>>> proper ettiquette.

>>>

>>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

>>> install

>>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

>>> to the system.

>>>

>>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

>>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

>>>

>>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

>>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

>>> to read for a

>>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

>>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

>>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

>>> seconds.

>>>

>>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

>>> stops.

>>>

>>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

>>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

>>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

>>>

>>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

>>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

>>>

>>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

>

>

> Beep codes:

>

http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

>

> Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

>

> It sounds like:

> "AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download

> file for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing

> program, so all you do is download one file, save it to a bootable

> floppy and boot the system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the

> BIOS upgrade fails, you can use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash

> again, a really great feature for paranoid BIOS flashers. "

> Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that

> you have (there are six of them).

> Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

> The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly

> on a sticker.

> Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS

> to Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

>

I believe that the version number is printed on the MB between the PCI and

AGP slots towards the connector side of the MB.

Guest Dan

Guest Dan

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

Well, flashing a BIOS is not for the faint of heart. <wink>

 

"Buffalo" wrote:

> Buffalo wrote:

> > Lil' Dave wrote:

> >> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

> >> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> >>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

> >>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

> >>> proper ettiquette.

> >>>

> >>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

> >>> install

> >>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

> >>> to the system.

> >>>

> >>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

> >>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

> >>>

> >>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

> >>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

> >>> to read for a

> >>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

> >>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

> >>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

> >>> seconds.

> >>>

> >>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

> >>> stops.

> >>>

> >>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

> >>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

> >>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

> >>>

> >>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

> >>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

> >>>

> >>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

> >

> >

> > Beep codes:

> >

> http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

> >

> > Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

> >

> > It sounds like:

> > "AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download

> > file for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing

> > program, so all you do is download one file, save it to a bootable

> > floppy and boot the system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the

> > BIOS upgrade fails, you can use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash

> > again, a really great feature for paranoid BIOS flashers. "

> > Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that

> > you have (there are six of them).

> > Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

> > The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly

> > on a sticker.

> > Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS

> > to Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

> >

> I believe that the version number is printed on the MB between the PCI and

> AGP slots towards the connector side of the MB.

>

>

>

Guest Lil' Dave

Guest Lil' Dave

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

"Buffalo" <Eric@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message

news:wJudnTZISPI2_E3bnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@comcast.com...

> Lil' Dave wrote:

>> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

>> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

>>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

>>> proper ettiquette.

>>>

>>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

>>> install

>>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

>>> to the system.

>>>

>>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

>>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

>>>

>>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

>>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

>>> to read for a

>>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

>>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

>>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

>>> seconds.

>>>

>>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

>>> stops.

>>>

>>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

>>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

>>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

>>>

>>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

>>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

>>>

>>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

>

>

> Beep codes:

> http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

>

> Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

>

> It sounds like:

> "AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download file

> for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing program, so all

> you do is download one file, save it to a bootable floppy and boot the

> system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the BIOS upgrade fails, you

> can

> use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash again, a really great feature for

> paranoid BIOS flashers. "

> Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that you

> have

> (there are six of them).

> Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

> The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly on a

> sticker.

> Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS to

> Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

>

>> A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the

>> cmos battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash.

>> Rather, it clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The

>> bios and cmos are 2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND

>> ram. In that analogy, the boot media is corrupted. And, you're

>> resetting the RAM to fix it.

>>

>> Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix.

>> The first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some

>> common bios update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the

>> orginal downloaded update file, the bios update was not appropriate

>> for the motherboard bios, memory manager loaded, I/O error during

>> bios update, electrical supply glitch during update, turning off or

>> rebooting the PC before the update is finished, failure to clear cmos

>> prior after update (which may fix it all after a reboot).

>>

>> Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common

>> way to fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can

>> be purchased, pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not

>> soldered in place. Rather, has a chip socket.

>> Dave

>

> I just added a little to your post above.

>

>

>

>

 

OP is probably overloaded with information now. Guess I'll drive that nail

home with more.

 

If you don't want to buy a new bios chip (preloaded with a good bios),

there's another way assuming the onboard bios chip is removable and in good

condition. Basically, you have to find a motherboard with same bios on some

other PC. Remove that bios chip, then loosely insert back into the

motherboard. Leave the PC's cover off. Boot using the boot floppy with the

bios flash program and its bin file. Don't start the bios upgrade yet, stay

in msdos. Carefully remove the onboard bios chip, and insert your bios chip

in the socket. Flash it. Turn off the PC. Remove your bios chip, and

properly insert the original back in. Place the flashed bios chip into your

PC. Clear the cmos.

Dave

Guest Gary S. Terhune

Guest Gary S. Terhune

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

OMG! Don't think I'd want to try that one!

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

news:%233zSVb55HHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> "Buffalo" <Eric@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message

> news:wJudnTZISPI2_E3bnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@comcast.com...

>> Lil' Dave wrote:

>>> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

>>> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

>>>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

>>>> proper ettiquette.

>>>>

>>>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

>>>> install

>>>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

>>>> to the system.

>>>>

>>>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

>>>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

>>>>

>>>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

>>>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

>>>> to read for a

>>>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

>>>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

>>>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

>>>> seconds.

>>>>

>>>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

>>>> stops.

>>>>

>>>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

>>>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

>>>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

>>>>

>>>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

>>>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

>>>>

>>>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

>>

>>

>> Beep codes:

>> http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

>>

>> Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

>>

>> It sounds like:

>> "AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download

>> file

>> for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing program, so

>> all

>> you do is download one file, save it to a bootable floppy and boot the

>> system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the BIOS upgrade fails, you

>> can

>> use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash again, a really great feature for

>> paranoid BIOS flashers. "

>> Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that you

>> have

>> (there are six of them).

>> Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

>> The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly on a

>> sticker.

>> Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS to

>> Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

>>

>>> A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the

>>> cmos battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash.

>>> Rather, it clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The

>>> bios and cmos are 2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND

>>> ram. In that analogy, the boot media is corrupted. And, you're

>>> resetting the RAM to fix it.

>>>

>>> Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix.

>>> The first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some

>>> common bios update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the

>>> orginal downloaded update file, the bios update was not appropriate

>>> for the motherboard bios, memory manager loaded, I/O error during

>>> bios update, electrical supply glitch during update, turning off or

>>> rebooting the PC before the update is finished, failure to clear cmos

>>> prior after update (which may fix it all after a reboot).

>>>

>>> Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common

>>> way to fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can

>>> be purchased, pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not

>>> soldered in place. Rather, has a chip socket.

>>> Dave

>>

>> I just added a little to your post above.

>>

>>

>>

>>

>

> OP is probably overloaded with information now. Guess I'll drive that

> nail home with more.

>

> If you don't want to buy a new bios chip (preloaded with a good bios),

> there's another way assuming the onboard bios chip is removable and in

> good condition. Basically, you have to find a motherboard with same bios

> on some other PC. Remove that bios chip, then loosely insert back into

> the motherboard. Leave the PC's cover off. Boot using the boot floppy

> with the bios flash program and its bin file. Don't start the bios

> upgrade yet, stay in msdos. Carefully remove the onboard bios chip, and

> insert your bios chip in the socket. Flash it. Turn off the PC. Remove

> your bios chip, and properly insert the original back in. Place the

> flashed bios chip into your PC. Clear the cmos.

> Dave

>

Guest Dan

Guest Dan

Posted
Posted

Re: BIOS problem

 

I would not want to do that procedure either.

 

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> OMG! Don't think I'd want to try that one!

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in message

> news:%233zSVb55HHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> > "Buffalo" <Eric@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message

> > news:wJudnTZISPI2_E3bnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@comcast.com...

> >> Lil' Dave wrote:

> >>> "McDermotts" <jmcderm3@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message

> >>> news:uB6irBt5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> >>>> I know this is off subject for this group, but have gotten great

> >>>> info here before and hoping for some help. Please excuse if not

> >>>> proper ettiquette.

> >>>>

> >>>> I have an old AOpen AX6BC motherboard. Per AOpens advise, I tried to

> >>>> install

> >>>> BIOS update so the system would recognize the larger drive I added

> >>>> to the system.

> >>>>

> >>>> During the update process, something went wrong and a message

> >>>> flashed that said "UNKNOWN FLASH TYPE".

> >>>>

> >>>> Since then, the system will not even boot and no monitor. If I turn

> >>>> it on with the floppy containing the BIOS file in the drive it tries

> >>>> to read for a

> >>>> while and then stops. Same thing if I power on with a startup floppy

> >>>> in drive a. Also, if I power with either one of these disks, if I

> >>>> hit any key on keyboard it tries to read from a drive for a few

> >>>> seconds.

> >>>>

> >>>> If I power on w/out a floppy, it makes a quick two tone noise, then

> >>>> stops.

> >>>>

> >>>> I'd be very happy at this point just to get a functioining machine!!

> >>>> I've been told there's nothing that can be done, the mobo is ruined,

> >>>> I've been told it's easy to fix, and everything in between.

> >>>>

> >>>> I read somewhere that there may be a removable jumper on the

> >>>> motherboard that if pulled will go back to the original bios.

> >>>>

> >>>> Any advise or point in right direction greatly appreciated, Todd McD

> >>

> >>

> >> Beep codes:

> >> http://usa.aopen.com/news_detail.aspx?auno=7146&ntype=Tech.%20FAQ&support=Y

> >>

> >> Check out this page : http://www.overclockers.com/articles30/

> >>

> >> It sounds like:

> >> "AOpen has a nice feature to make BIOS upgrades easier - the download

> >> file

> >> for BIOS upgrades contains both the BIOS file and flashing program, so

> >> all

> >> you do is download one file, save it to a bootable floppy and boot the

> >> system with it. Nice. It also looks like if the BIOS upgrade fails, you

> >> can

> >> use a PCI VGA card to reboot and flash again, a really great feature for

> >> paranoid BIOS flashers. "

> >> Perhaps you have the wrong BIOS for the version of AOpen AX6BC that you

> >> have

> >> (there are six of them).

> >> Look for the VERSION # of your board. VERY important.

> >> The version number should be on the motherboard somewhere, possibly on a

> >> sticker.

> >> Try holding down the Home key upon booting as this will set the BIOS to

> >> Default, however it will not correct a bad flash.

> >>

> >>> A jumper on the motherboard for resetting the cmos, or, removing the

> >>> cmos battery momentarily, does not restore a botched bios flash.

> >>> Rather, it clears the cmos located on the motherboard elsewhere. The

> >>> bios and cmos are 2 different entities. Similar to boot media AND

> >>> ram. In that analogy, the boot media is corrupted. And, you're

> >>> resetting the RAM to fix it.

> >>>

> >>> Guessing you're using an Award bios software. Or, possibly, Phoenix.

> >>> The first question that hits me is how it became corrupted. Some

> >>> common bios update errors are: the bin file was not expanded from the

> >>> orginal downloaded update file, the bios update was not appropriate

> >>> for the motherboard bios, memory manager loaded, I/O error during

> >>> bios update, electrical supply glitch during update, turning off or

> >>> rebooting the PC before the update is finished, failure to clear cmos

> >>> prior after update (which may fix it all after a reboot).

> >>>

> >>> Assuming all the common problems have been addressed, the most common

> >>> way to fix a botched bios update is replace the bios chip. Some can

> >>> be purchased, pre-flashed. This is of course is assuming its not

> >>> soldered in place. Rather, has a chip socket.

> >>> Dave

> >>

> >> I just added a little to your post above.

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >

> > OP is probably overloaded with information now. Guess I'll drive that

> > nail home with more.

> >

> > If you don't want to buy a new bios chip (preloaded with a good bios),

> > there's another way assuming the onboard bios chip is removable and in

> > good condition. Basically, you have to find a motherboard with same bios

> > on some other PC. Remove that bios chip, then loosely insert back into

> > the motherboard. Leave the PC's cover off. Boot using the boot floppy

> > with the bios flash program and its bin file. Don't start the bios

> > upgrade yet, stay in msdos. Carefully remove the onboard bios chip, and

> > insert your bios chip in the socket. Flash it. Turn off the PC. Remove

> > your bios chip, and properly insert the original back in. Place the

> > flashed bios chip into your PC. Clear the cmos.

> > Dave

> >

>

>

>

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