Argg!! A8V Deluxe no longer loads Win XP after updating Bios

[BurbieBananas]

Hi, I really need some help here...

My system was working perfectly when I thought I'd update the BIOS for my Asus A8V Deluxe Motherboard (AMD 64 3500). Big mistake.

I used the Asus Updater tool to load and install the latest BIOS. According to the tool, everything installed ok.

However, when I started the computer again, I got a CMOS Checksum Error. The computer then takes me to a screen where it asks me if I want to load WinXP in safe mode, normal mode, etc.

I selected Normal Mode, the Win XP boot initial load screen appears, then a blue screen flashed on the screen (sorry could not read what it said because it flashed so fast), and then the system reboots). The same thing happens if I try to load XP in Safe Mode. I've tried it all million times.

I can no longer load Windows at all!!!

I cleared the CMOS and re-flashed the BIOS, same thing.

Out of curiosity, I tried re-installing XP using the XP disk and it told me that it could not find a hard drive on my system. My HD is in the RAID 1 slot.

If ever there was a case of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!!!"

My specs:
Asus A8V Deluxe
AMD 64 3500
Seagate Barracuda 120 GB ATA 100
1GB Ram

Thanks!

 

[lockmac]

Im assuming you know that when reinstalling Windows, you will probably have to hit F6 and install the RAID drivers for your HDD?

 

[BurbieBananas]

Do I have to re-install XP though? Is that a must in this case? Is there anyway I can solve this without re-installing XP?

I'd like to know what went wrong.

Thanks!

 

[lockmac]

You can do a repair of windows, which just reinstalls the files, but keeps all your programs and stuff in tact

 

[BurbieBananas]

Which RAID driver do you suggest? And where's the best place to download it?

Do I need to make any BIOS changes from the default?

Thanks, a lot of this stuff is still Greek to me.

 

[paxiamen]

The exact same thing happened to me after setting up a new PC with Asus K8V SE, after I updated the bios the HD was not found and the computer would not boot, I had to format and re-install windows again, F6 for the drivers, and then made a flash disk and rolled back the Bios.

Asus has no response.

 

[lockmac]

Originally posted by: BurbieBananas
Which RAID driver do you suggest? And where's the best place to download it?

Do I need to make any BIOS changes from the default?

Thanks, a lot of this stuff is still Greek to me.

The RAID drivers that you use would depend on what controller you're HDD is plugged into. If I recall, the Black RAID ports are controlled by the VIA Chipest. Go to the ASUS support area of their website, and download the RAID Drivers. It will be a utility that will create a floppy disk with the correct drivers

 

[Skoop]

Reflash it to the previous version of the BIOS. Then, get into the BIOS and enable the appropriate controller, and disable everything else that is not in use. See if you can get it to boot. If not, try a repair installation. You may have borked the boot record.

BIOS upgrades are typically issued to fix known problems, notably hardware compatibility or onboard monitoring issues. If you're not having a problem, then upgrading is extremely unlikely to net you anything, and the risks are greater than the rewards.