Bad BIOS flash... almost recovered, one last problem

[aNtHrAx323]

I had a bad BIOS flash on my MSI K7T Pro2-A, and for a while I was unable to get it to turn on at all (3 second series of "normal" beep tones, followed by perpetual higher pitched and faster beeps). Well, now it turns on and goes to the boot block (I threw in an old PCI card), but when it's detecting a floppy so I can flash it, I get the following error: "Floppy A error. System halt" whether there is a disk in the drive or not, or even if it isn't connected. I've swapped out floppy drives, made sure they are connected correctly, disconnected all other drives, etc., but to no avail, as I still get that error. I know it isn't the drive, as it works in other systems, and I know it isn't the flashing disk I made (autoexec.bat, etc.), as the system never even tries to read from the floppy. I've reset the CMOS numerous times, disconnecting the board from absolutely EVERYTHING (PSU, IDE drives, floppy drive) and removing the battery for up to 24 hours at a time, but nothing. Did I screw my BIOS over so badly that it doesn't even know how to use a floppy drive anymore? PLEASE let me know if you know what could be causing the problem. I can't do a hot swap and flash, as all my other boards use the DIP chips (heh, that rhymes), and this one uses a 2 MB PLCC chip (the newer socketed ones), nor do I know anyone in the San Antonio, TX area who has one who can do this for me. I also don't really want to pay $20 for www.badbios.com to flash it for me or $30 to buy a new chip. Please help! I know there is probably some obvious detail I am overlooking, so feel free to make me look stoopid . Thanks!

 

[bacillus]

sorry about your system but IMO, it looks like you'll need a new or reflashed bios chip!

 

[miken]

I know some boards will allow a Flash back if you press <end> or something, and boot up with the good BIOS in the floppy... just something to try..

 

[larrymoencurly]

It the chip in a socket so you can do a hot swap flash?

 

[aNtHrAx323]

Bah! I don't own another board with a PLCC chip, nor do I know anyone with one, so the hot swap-n-flash is out of the question. The problem is with the floppy drive giving me that error. What gives?

 

[banena04]

most likely u will have to get another bios or motherboard. I did something like this with my mb one time and luckily a friend had the same mb. In ur case, u might want to call whoever u bought the mb from and see if they are willing to send u a bios or... exchange ur motherboard (if they are very nice).

 

[DaddyG]

I'd spend the money for a chip from BADFLASH. Who knows what the problem is with your floppy. When did you last use it ?? With a bad bios your left with zero choices. Put out the $$s and chalk this one up to experience. You've already spent more than $30 of your time.