Question Flashed BIOS now system posts but won't boot

[jamesdsimone]

So decided to look into flashing the BIOS on my Biostar ta790gx 128m so I could try using my C3 stepping 980. I just wanted to look at the procedure so got into the flash utility and looked around but exited without updating. I rebooted and got at far as the Linux boot menu but then blank screen which for some reason flashed. Rebooted again same thing. So decided to flash the BIOS which seemed to go fine. It posted with a new BIOS screen and I got into BIOS and everything looked ok. I had to reset the boot priority so did that saved and rebooted. I still can't boot to a desktop. The system is WinXP/Linix dual boot so tried to boot into XP safe mood that hung mid boot. I tried booting to Linix maintenance mood and that hung as well. Any ideas?

 

[jamesdsimone]

First, try resetting the BIOS settings to their default values. If that doesn't work, you might want to consider re-flashing the BIOS again, just to make sure everything went smoothly the first time. And if all else fails, you might need to reinstall your operating systems.

This is why I hate messing with the BIOS. I'll try resetting the BIOS and then see if I can boot off of a Linux install disk. I'm not overly concerned about the XP install.

 

[jamesdsimone]

Tried booting from a Linux install disk and got to the boot menu fine but when I tried to boot I got the same blank screen that pulsed a dim flash.

 

[Iron Woode]

what did you set the SATA standard to in the BIOS? AHCI or IDE?

This maybe why you can't boot windows.

 

[tcsenter]

Use the clear/reset CMOS procedure.

JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header

By placing the jumper on pin2-3, it allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting
and the CMOS data, please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging
the motherboard.

1. Remove AC power line.
2. Set the jumper to “Pin 2-3 close”.
3. Wait for five seconds.
4. Set the jumper to “Pin 1-2 close”.
5. Power on the AC.
6. Reset your desired password or clear the CMOS data.

 

[Iron Woode]

So decided to look into flashing the BIOS on my Biostar ta790gx 128m so I could try using my C3 stepping 980. I just wanted to look at the procedure so got into the flash utility and looked around but exited without updating. I rebooted and got at far as the Linux boot menu but then blank screen which for some reason flashed. Rebooted again same thing. So decided to flash the BIOS which seemed to go fine. It posted with a new BIOS screen and I got into BIOS and everything looked ok. I had to reset the boot priority so did that saved and rebooted. I still can't boot to a desktop. The system is WinXP/Linix dual boot so tried to boot into XP safe mood that hung mid boot. I tried booting to Linix maintenance mood and that hung as well. Any ideas?

further to my first reply:

can you post a pic of your BIOS screen under Chipset > Southbridge Configuration?

It is possible you installed windows on the non-default SATA setting which is normally native-IDE.

 

[jamesdsimone]

I reset the CMOS jumper and everything seems to be working ok. Everything was set to default but must have changed something when I flashed the BIOS.

 

[Iron Woode]

I reset the CMOS jumper and everything seems to be working ok. Everything was set to default but must have changed something when I flashed the BIOS.

did you tell it to load defaults after the flash?

Back in the AM3 days that was needed to avoid weird boot issues.

 

[tcsenter]

I reset the CMOS jumper and everything seems to be working ok. Everything was set to default but must have changed something when I flashed the BIOS.

Hey toss in a fresh CR2032 battery for the CMOS/BIOS on that older mobo while you're at these things. I get them by the 20 or 30 packs from Amazon, Ebay, Japanese brand like Panasonic, Sony/Murata, Toshiba. South Korean brand, or major US brand like Energizer, Duracell are OK, too. Any mobo or PC that comes my way and is older than three years gets a fresh batt.

 

[jamesdsimone]

did you tell it to load defaults after the flash?

Back in the AM3 days that was needed to avoid weird boot issues.

After flashing it went to BIOS to reset which I did but apparently that didn't work. I had to reset with the jumpers on the MB which fixed the problem.

 

[jamesdsimone]

Hey toss in a fresh CR2032 battery for the CMOS/BIOS on that older mobo while you're at these things. I get them by the 20 or 30 packs from Amazon, Ebay, Japanese brand like Panasonic, Sony/Murata, Toshiba. South Korean brand, or major US brand like Energizer, Duracell are OK, too. Any mobo or PC that comes my way and is older than three years gets a fresh batt.

Yup replaced the battery before flashing the BIOS.

 

[Shmee]

What version of Linux is the system trying to boot? What is the the rest of the hardware? I would be sure to check/test it.

 

[jamesdsimone]

What version of Linux is the system trying to boot? What is the the rest of the hardware? I would be sure to check/test it.

I got the issue resolved. After flashing the BIOS the utility went to BIOS to reset but the software reset didn't work for some reason. I did a hardware reset with the MB jumpers and that fixed the problem. Both OS's now boot fine. The Linux version is Mint 21.1 or 21.2 forget which.