BIOS flash gone wrong? Is your computer a paper weight? Maybe not.

[Gusfo0]

I recently had an unfortunate turn of events where my BIOS flash failed and I was unable to boot up my machine. I didn't have the ability to 'hot swap' with another BIOS chip, so I had no other alternative.

I searched around forums and found this great website/service called badflash.com. Essentially, you input your motherboard make / model / revision and what kind of BIOS chip and BIOS version you want to have re-programmed.

For $23.50, I got a new chip that worked when I plugged it in. This saved me easily $100 in a motherboard replacement. The shipment was fast and the packing was good.


If you're ever in the situation where you have a flash failure, there is still hope!

 

[Flashram]

.

 

[Gusfo0]

Not an advertisement.

I am not getting any money or credibility by posting this website. I am just sharing a helpful link for those in need.

I've been there, it helps to have somewhere to turn.

 

[Gusfo0]

Maybe the way I worded the topic post threw you off, but this is no way an advertisement.

 

[zzzz]

I don't think this is an advertisement. He wanted to get a bios before..But you can get a bios cheaper than that on ebay.

 

[Gusfo0]

True, you could search e-Bay, but then you'll have to either:

a) outbid someone
b) wait for shipping
c) deal with someone who doesn't "deal with bioses"
d) you can't get it programmed for your needs

If you need one fast, eBay just doesn't work.

 

[swampman]

Gusfo0,

I have an Abit bx6 rev 2 mobo. The place that built it "strongly" suggested I not flash the bios. I have wanted this done for months. I had no idea that this was possible until I your post. I sincerely thank you

bill

 

[jwags]

Thanks for the helpful info. Disregard those who always know better.

 

[wiseguy]

If you have a board like mine, a Gigabyte GA-6VX7-4X, you can't
use the "buy a new BIOS chip" method since the BIOS chip is
soldered to the motherboard. BUT, what you can do if it uses an AMI
BIOS chip is rename a known good BIOS upgrade file (usually a .BIN file)
to "AMIBIOS.ROM", copy this file to a floppy (does not need to be
bootable), put the floppy in the floppy drive of the "dead" system,
power up and if the system is not automatically trying to access the
floppy on bootup, press CTRL and HOME (I think, I didn't need to do this
on my board because it was accessing the floppy on boot-up already), and
the system will read the AMIBIOS.ROM file, wait a little bit, then beep
four times. Shut off the computer, pop the floppy out, power up, cross
your fingers...

This procedure worked for me and resurrected my "dead" Gigabyte board.
It was free (although it took a little searching to find the procedure)
and I couldn't replace my BIOS chip anyway (I can't solder that well).

 

[Atlantis]

I had a bad flash about 2 months ago with new system that I had put together, and It was on the ANANDTECH forums that I had heard about badflash.com. I used (Jacks) service and was up and running in 2 days.
I learned that as a newbie to overclocking I should leave the bios flashing to more experienced techies. Also I learned that there are many honest people on this forum and I am happy that I found this site
A bump for all those that help out us newbies.

 

[conlan]

I just had a BIOS flash go wrong on me on Monday. I've done several flashes with no probs till this one (bad file me thinks) I ordered a new BIOS chip from Badflash.com yesterday (Tuesday) and it's already on it's way. I let y'all know how it works, but so far, i'm impressed.

 

[vengence00]

bump

 

[conlan]

I recieved my BIOS chip from Badflash.com today (Friday) @ noon, after ordering it on Tuesday @ noon, plugged it in and it's up and running with the BIOS file that i requested they install on it. Jack kept in touch via E-mail and based on this experience, i highly recommend his service for anyone stuck by a bad flash.

 

[Killrose]

I too am a former member of bad flashers anonomous, I however was able to send out my chip, and was sent a new one pre-flashed all for free from Epox.