A7N8X dx fails flash write, HELP!

[Pjotr]

I've got an A7N8X Deluxe 1.04 bios 1001G and a Tbred-A 1800+, which is factory unlocked. It refuses to run anything else than 100 MHz FSB, no matter if I set the jumper to 100 or 133, no matter if I set auto, manual FSB etc etc in BIOS, nothing works. I read on forums the 1001G BIOS does this. So I want to flash BIOS 1001C or E.

Problem is I can't flash, the ALt-F2 fails, boot floppy and AWDFLASH.EXE 8.23z fails and even ASUSUpdate fails from within Windows. About 90 % of all blocks gets Write Fail, only a few gets OK. I tried clearing CMOS, load defaults etc, nothing changes this fact. When I try to flash the G BIOS from ASUS instead, only 1 single block near the end fails write, again same for all 3 flashing methods. If I try to flash the latest G BIOS, it fails only a single block write, but again, same with all three flashing methods.

I've bought a motherboard and CPU that can't run as advertized, plus I'd like to run a higher FSB eventually.

I already RMAd one A7N8X Deluxe because it died after a BIOS Save and Exit. I waited three weeks for this replacement board. I do NOT want to RMA and wait another three weeks, I need the computer. If ASUS doesn't get its act together, this was my one and only attempt at an ASUS product, I am not very happy with this. Is there a way to receive a working BIOS chip so I can start flashing the BIOS revision I want? Is my board not working correctly? It seems 100 % stable under load in all other aspects.

(for more comments, see http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=25137 )

 

[jpbushido99]

I don't know what you are doing wrong. I have reflashed my board 3 times now not a problem. This is what I did. I copied Awadflash on to a floppy. I copied these bios on to the floppy. Restarted hit Alt F2 entered "AW1001E.bin" and pow I was reflashed. That easy. If you are still having problems contact Asus Tech support, or the vendor that you got the board from. Hope you have better luck.


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I have been to OC..., and it is gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

 

[Pjotr]

I'm not doing anything wrong, I've flashed boards for ten years, I know how to do it. This board must have a faulty BIOS chip as it always gets this write error.

 

[Pjotr]

Tried the new 1002 BIOS, same 90+ % write fails as C and E

 

[chizow]

Does sound like a faulty chip...like its not the right size or something. I think it should be a 2MB chip, you may have something smaller, which is why it is failing to install the last few blocks.

Chiz

 

[mechBgon]

A computer system is a system, so don't knock Asus just yet. Tell us more about the details of your computer, and what troubleshooting steps you've tried so far. Could your floppy diskette drive be bad, could your power supply be underpowered, could your RAM be too low of quality...? Have you tried flashing with other floppy drives, removing all the other drives prior to flashing, using different RAM, threatening the motherboard with violence, or pulling it out of the case and testing it outside the box...? More info is always good

 

[Pjotr]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
A computer system is a system, so don't knock Asus just yet. Tell us more about the details of your computer, and what troubleshooting steps you've tried so far. Could your floppy diskette drive be bad, could your power supply be underpowered, could your RAM be too low of quality...? Have you tried flashing with other floppy drives, removing all the other drives prior to flashing, using different RAM, threatening the motherboard with violence, or pulling it out of the case and testing it outside the box...? More info is always good

I've tried a LOT. The system works flawlessly in all other aspects.

Ignore floppy, even AsusUpdate flashing fails from within Windows with BIOS file on HD. Fails in identical way too, same write blocks fail.

PS is an Enermax 350 W and system has 1 HD, 1 CD, 2 DIMMs, 1 1800+ running 1150 MHz, 1 GF4 4200 AGP board. No power problem.

RAM is excellent TwinMOS PC3200 running at various speeds including a record low 100 MHz DDR CAS2.5-3-3-6 as well as 200 MHz DDR CAS2-2-2-5, same problem flashing. Not a single sign of instability.

I've requested an RMA and will hope to get a 3rd A7N8X... it better work! That 1002 BIOS looks great, so I will try again.