a7n8x bios corrupt after failed flash

[nfamous]

I already asked this in the motherboard forum, but I think it's better suited for over here:

I was flashing my a7n8x deluxe (rev 1.04) to the new 1008 BIOS, and in the middle of it, the system hung. I left it sit for 3 hours, but nothing changed, so I turned if off. Now the BIOS is corrupt. I've tried the following articles:

http://www3.telus.net/agentsmith/articles/article1.html
http://www.biosman.com/biosrecovery.html
And the recovery article on http://www.amptron.com/

But they didn't work. I do not have any way to hot flash the system, so am I stuck with ordering a replacement BIOS chip?

The autoexec.bat I'm using on the floppy is currently this:

@ECHO OFF
awdflash an8d1008.bin /py/sn/f/cc/r

Also, the floppy was created in windows xp as a ms-dos boot disk.

When it starts, it reads the floppy, and then after a few seconds of disk access, it beeps I think 2x, but they are very, very close together, and then the computer just sits there and doesn't do anything. If I take the agp video card out, it lets out a long beep, and then goes to the disk access.

Here are the system specs:

AMD Sempron 2200 - socket A
Asus a7n8x deluxe rev 1.04
256 mb kingston pc2700
80 gb Maxtor PATA - storage
15 gb WD PATA - OS/Programs
Geforce 2 AGP
Sound blaster live
Benq DVD-RW DL (can't remember the exact model number)

The sempron was being detected as an athlon mp 900 mhz, and that is why I was updating the BIOS.

Edit: Added SB card to info.

 

[nfamous]

After checking some things out, I've discovered that it is two beeps, and that means that there is no boot disk in the drive.

 

[daniel49]

usually when I flash bios i use a bootdisk to get to a prompt then use a second disk to flash with once I'm in...You may also try downloading again in case you got a bad one first time around. read mb manufacturers instructions carefully

 

[nfamous]

That will work with corrupt BIOS? I'll try it and post the results. I also tried uniflash, with and without the -asus option. That gave a long continuous beep, meaning there is an error. I expected as much because the website for it says it may not work with the nforce 2 chipset.

 

[Slikkster]

Can you get into the bios at all? There's something called Asus EZ Flash, which is built right into the bios, where you can flash without a diskette. Of course, if you can't get into the bios, that's not an option. But it may be one of the options you see when you first turn on the pc when the bios post messages come up, like one of the "F" function keys.

 

[nfamous]

Originally posted by: Slikkster
Can you get into the bios at all? There's something called Asus EZ Flash, which is built right into the bios, where you can flash without a diskette. Of course, if you can't get into the bios, that's not an option. But it may be one of the options you see when you first turn on the pc when the bios post messages come up, like one of the "F" function keys.

No I can't. I just have a black screen. If I had a PCI video card I would try using that, but the only thing I do have is the AGP card.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Some mobos have dual BIOS. You can switch to the backup BIOS is the primary fails. You need to check the manual for your mobo.

Failing that your only choice is to contact the manufacturer and RMA it. It's covered under warranty. Ask for a cross-shipment (they send you a mobo in advance with a credit card guarantee, and you ship back the old one in the same box when it comes in).

NOTE: If, by chance, you bought the mobo from NewEgg then deal with them for the warranty RMA. Usually easier than dealing with the manufacturer.

 

[KGB]

Famous,

Unless you can locate someone with that same MB (for a hot flash), it looks like you are stuck with ordering a replacement BIOS chip.

Sorry but bad flash = big headaches. :brokenheart:

 

[Slikkster]

http://www.badflash.com

 

[nfamous]

Well, I'm just going to order the chip - nothing is working. At least my lappy works. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it. I'll post how the replacement chip works out.

 

[daniel49]

that sucks good luck

 

[NotquiteanooB]

Did you try to reset the CMOS... before ordering a new CMOS chip.?
Page 21 of the user manual Clear RTC RAM?CMOS. Try this and if it works will put you back to the CMOS version the board was delivered with. If it doesn't work you will need the new chip !!

 

[superkdogg]

At least new bios chips aren't really expensive. I'd also try to contact the mobo maker and tell them. They may help you out with the charges or something. However, I stand firmly against lying to them about what happened and getting a fake RMA.

 

[nfamous]

Well, I did try resetting the CMOS - no luck. I ordered the new chip from Asus, and it came overnight because I'm close to their location in Louisville, KY. I installed it, reset the CMOS again, turned the system on, and...........nothing. It didn't even search for the floppy drive, like it did with the old corrupt BIOS. I'm wondering - did ASUS just send me a blank chip, with no programming on it?

 

[cirthix]

try use the 100 fsb jumper, it saved me a few times

 

[nfamous]

I don't have a 100 fsb jumper - just a 200 or 266/333 fsb one. I set it to 200, but that didn't help. With the new BIOS chip, now all it does is turn the CPU & power supply fans on. I'm going to put the old chip in, and see if it looks at the floppy drive.

 

[nfamous]

I had called ASUS earlier in the week, they took my number for a call back, and they just returned my call, after 4 days. I need to call back tommorow, and they are going to RMA it!

 

[Slikkster]

Tell them you want credit for the unnecessary bios chip, too.

 

[nfamous]

Ok...I just recieved the board back. Hooked everything up...the green light came on....and NOTHING. I press the power button, and it just sits there. I tried a different power supply that I know is good, and nothing! Any ideas?

Edit: The slip that came with the board indicated that the board was fixed and working.

 

[aGreenAgent]

The board could be shorting on the case. Leave everything connected but take it out of the case and place it on a wood or other non-conductive surface.

 

[IceBreakerG]

Originally posted by: nfamous
I had called ASUS earlier in the week, they took my number for a call back, and they just returned my call, after 4 days. I need to call back tommorow, and they are going to RMA it!

WOW!!! I can't believe they actually called you back. I had a similar problem with my A7N8X Delux. Bad flash, they told me to replace the bios chip or send them my current bios chip and they would flash it. I chose to just get a new board. Well, that didn't work either, so i ended up replacing everything (i still can't figure out whats causing issues with that system). But Asus told me that they moved me to their "priority list" and someone would call me back. They never did. This was weeks ago. I don't plan on buying another asus product again. They have the worst tech support/customer service i've ever seen. I hope you fix your system though.

 

[nfamous]

Ok...it was the case shorting it out. It's up and running....but they only flashed it till 1007, so it's still not supporting my sempron. It's seeing it as a 900 mhz athlon mp. I'm going to try flashing again... *crosses fingers*

 

[nfamous]

Well, it works! I had to set the FSB from 100mhz to 166mhz, and now the CPU frequency is set right for a sempron 2200, except that CPU-Z is still showing it as an athlon MP, thoroughbred core.

All the other settings are right for a sempron...any ideas?

 

[lavaheadache]

nfamous, next time I recommend using asus' live bios flash. It downloads the latest bios from their website and installs it over windows. Thats how I flashed my a7n8x-deluxe and was the easiest flash I have ever done.