A8N-SLI BIOS Hotflash?

[Solema]

Here's the situation. I recently used the Windows BIOS update utility to update my BIOS, and the PC froze mid-update. Now, I no longer get a POST beep or anything on the display. My question is, can I do a hotflash of the BIOS using another A8N-SLI? My friend has the same mobo and I don't want to risk corrupting his mobo unless I am sure it can be done. Can anyone help me out on this, and also give me instructions for the best way to hotflash it? Thanks in advance!

 

[Robor]

Edit: Just re-read your message and realized you're not even getting a POST. Hmmm... With no POST you're not going to get to your CD or floppy. Have you tried pulling everything out of the system except the necessary parts (CPU, RAM, Video) and doing a CMOS clear?

Have you tried booting with the CD? I haven't tried it yet but this is from the Asus site...

"ASUS CrashFree BIOS2
The CrashFree BIOS2 feature now includes the BIOS auto-recovery function in a support CD.
Users can reboot their system through the support CD when a bootable disk is not available,
and go through the simple BIOS auto-recovery process.
ASUS motherboards now enable users to enjoy this protection feature without the need to pay for an optional ROM. [/i]

Here's a LINK that might help as well.

 

[Solema]

Yeah, the CD assumes that enough of the BIOS was copied to initialize the display. I get no beep, no nothing.

 

[DavidHull]

Try unplugging the computer from the wall for 15 seconds, then plug it back in and try to boot.

 

[Solema]

I've done all of these things. I think I'm pretty much at the point of no return.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Solema
Yeah, the CD assumes that enough of the BIOS was copied to initialize the display. I get no beep, no nothing.

Have you cleared the CMOS just for kicks? I was having a problem getting mine to POST with my Maxtor SATA drive and flashed it back to the .002 official BIOS.

 

[bap4201]

agreed, try clearing the cmos.

 

[GodLovesPunk12345]

Solema, I have the EXACT same problem. I used the Asus Update utility to update the bios, however mine worked for a bit, would retart. This exact same problem occured when I unplugged my computer to take it home. Get home, hook everything up, nothing happens. Fans turn on but thats it.. Tried resetting the CMOS, nothing. Tried a brand new Antec TruePower 550w PSU, nothing. Going to RMA the board and not mess with the bios.

Donny

 

[Solema]

I've tried clearing the CMOS, and just about everything else. I figure I have nothing to lose at this point trying the hotflash. I will update this thread with my results later tonight.

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: Solema
I've tried clearing the CMOS, and just about everything else. I figure I have nothing to lose at this point trying the hotflash. I will update this thread with my results later tonight.

Where are you located in case we have to send the fire trucks?

No, no. Try another clearing of the cmos. Unplug from the ac power source. Press the power button to discharge any stored voltage in the caps. Move the cmos jumper to the clear position. Remove the cmos battery for about five minutes. Replace battery, move jumper back to the 1-2 position, plug it in and try to boot.

I'm saying to try this because this board is supossed to be able to recover from a bad flash, where the boot block portion of the bios is never supossed to be overwritten. (you'd need a pci video card to see if the boot block is still intact if the above doesn't work).

 

[Solema]

I've tried clearing the CMOS about a hundred times, to no avail. However, my friend and I did manage to restore the BIOS. It involved booting to a floppy using his BIOS, removing the BIOS chip, installing my BIOS chip, and running AWDFLASH to write the BIN file on the floppy to my BIOS chip. It worked perfectly and I'm back in business. Now we are having problems booting HIS PC!