• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

ECS P4S5A bios???...help

C

Chain777

Senior member
I've tried getting some answers on this MOBO (it's the one based on the SiS645 chipset just released).

The problem is the computer won't go beyond post without checksum errors, memory errors and won't detect any IDE devices.

I checked their website Link (I know this link brings you to another site, but there's a link to click on to go to elite computer systems). Anyway, I found the updated bios files, and noticed the problems I'm having are listed in the updates. Great! Problem solved...maybe. Next I checked the bios utility page to get the file I need to actually "flash" to the new bios. No go. I can't find any utility files for this MOBO listed. Now what? I'm still waiting for some kind of reply from ECS on the e-mails I've sent, and can't get though on the phone...hope this isn't typical of ECS support.

Anyone have any suggestions, or better yet, any experience with this board?

Thanks for any feedback. :disgust:
 
Did you get the CD with the board? It includes a multitude of Flash Util's. Some work, some dont. The readme file gives you an indication of which ones work with what chipsets.

Im loveing this board so far, but my 1.8 runs hot as hell with the Retail HSF (ide 47c and 57c under max load). Time to reseat the HSF and add a case fan for intake I guess.
 


<< I've tried getting some answers on this MOBO (it's the one based on the SiS645 chipset just released).

The problem is the computer won't go beyond post without checksum errors, memory errors and won't detect any IDE devices.

I checked their website Link (I know this link brings you to another site, but there's a link to click on to go to elite computer systems). Anyway, I found the updated bios files, and noticed the problems I'm having are listed in the updates. Great! Problem solved...maybe. Next I checked the bios utility page to get the file I need to actually "flash" to the new bios. No go. I can't find any utility files for this MOBO listed. Now what? I'm still waiting for some kind of reply from ECS on the e-mails I've sent, and can't get though on the phone...hope this isn't typical of ECS support.

Anyone have any suggestions, or better yet, any experience with this board?

Thanks for any feedback. :disgust: >>




See buddy? I told ya 😀

P4S7A IS ECS K7S5A's lil bro.
 
The link to is ECS. The file you need is called "AMINF329.EXE". This is the flash program to upgrade the bios and I got my copy from ECS's site. Good Luck

(edited to fix url)
 
hkctr: A simple question, but a vital one. I found the file you pointed out, followed the instructions for flashing the bios but can't install as they say: create bootable system disk (this I might be confused on, but I assumed they mean a startup disk (using win98se), but this almost fills a floppy, and leaves no room to add the flash utility and the bios upgrade file.

You're supposed to do all this from one floppy according to their instructions.

Am I missing something here? Is a "bootable system disk" the same as as a "win98 startup disk"?

Sorry if these are obvious questions, but at this point "I'm confused"!!!!


Thanks for any help.
 
The AMINF329.exe is the one to use. The other flash program is for award bios. I got the same message when I used the awdflash. I just setup my system yesterday and flashed to the newest bios.
 
tran 1981:

I found the flash utility you mentioned, and the bios upgrades: How can you determine if your board is LAN enabled or not? I have the LAN port on the MOBO.

More importantly; can you walk me through how you created the bootable floopy with the bios updates? I'm having problems creating a bootable floopy (from win98se; is a bootable system disk the same as a setup disk? This may be my problem, because when I create a setup disk, there's no room left for the bios utility and bios update on one floppy like the instructions on ECS's website says. Am I creating the wrong boot disk?)

Exactly how do you create a "bootable system disk" and about how much space should it take?

Thanks for the feedback.

 
Take the Win98 start-up disk you made and delete all the files except: command.com, io.sys, msdos.sys and maybe ebd.sys, if it is there. This will leave you a clean boot disk and plenty of room for the bios file and flash program. Set your floppy drive as the first boot device in bios if it doesn't begin booting on start-up.
 
You can just use another floppy disk for the flash ultility with bios rom. You don't need to have the flash ultility and the bios rom on the boot disk.
 
The reason to delete all the files is:
1. You won't need them the purpose of flashing your bios
2. You do not want to load himem.sys or drivespace or the ramdisk or anything else that may corrupt your flash
3. You can keep a copy of the flash program and bios on the same disk if you wish
4. Keep a copy of the flash program and bios on a second disk just in case your boot disk fails during flashing

Point 4 seems redundent but twice I have had corrupted files during a flash and the second disk (actually a copy on my hard drive) has saved my life. You need to use this before you reboot because you may not be able to reboot!
 
OK guys, I finally got the boot disk, bios utility and update installed. All went ok. New bios flashed to latest (11-14-2001).

The problem I was trying to resolve; won't detect ANY IDE devices (hard drives and CD drives), is still happening after updateing the bios.

I've tried auto detecting from the main post screen: no go - no devices detected.
I've tried going into the bios setup and autodetecting: no go - no devices detected.

I have two HD's. One brand new (Maxtor 40GB 7200 ata-133) and an existing one (Maxtor 30GB 7200 ata-66). The point is I know the old drive is good, and I tested the IDE cable on another comp. OK. So, I know at least one HD, the one I'm using for setting this comp. up is good and I know the IDE cable (80 wire ata-100) is good, and I've re-checked the jumpers and cable connections.

I don't know what else to do???


PLEASE HELP....


Thanks for the feedback
 
Have you checked all the appropriate jumpers on the mobo? Is the CMOS being cleared accidentally every time ? I remember that being an early problem with the jumpers on the K7S5A because it was accidentally packaged that way by ECS. In any event, try using one HD connected and make sure that the jumpers on the HD are set up appropriately. If the HD manufacter's recommended settings don't work, try different combinations but in general it should work. I'm getting this board this week but can't put it together till next week when my case comes in from directron. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top