"Load fail-safe defaults" broke my motherboard

[crisium]

Has anyone else ever had this experience? At the time my CPU was overlocked, and I click this option "load fail-safe defaults" in the bios. It froze the bios and I am forced to cut power to the system. Such was the end of the motherboard despite repeated attempts to reset the CMOS with jumpers and such.

Is this a common thing? Or should this be a solid reason why Abit is out of the game?

 

[Visual]

Well, did it completely trash it, not being able to get in the bios ever again?
Or did it just cause it not to POST completely?
Or it POSTs but does not boot?
You weren't very clear.

I have an old system that was installed with "APIC Support" toggled in the bios to its non-default state. Now whenever I reset to defaults (happens due to bad mobo battery sometimes too) it fails to boot windows XP. Not very fun but obviously not the end of the world.

 

[crisium]

I believe the accurate thing to say is that it powers on but does not post. By this I mean my CPU and GPU start spinning, but I see nothing on the screen, and my motherboard is displaying an error on the little LED thing it has (manual calls it a "Boot attempt (INT 19h)" error).

I'm quite sure the bios it is dead so I have put in an order for an Asus M4A78-E. I have heard of ways to replace the actual bios, but I lack the specific knowledge and capabilities to get this done.

 

[Visual]

Sounds like the error is late enough that it _should_ display the POST screen ok... and even maybe let you get into bios.
Could it be that you're not seeing anything on the screen cos you have it plugged in your 4850 while resetting the bios made the integrated video the default?

Anyway, it doesn't sound like you want to be bothered troubleshooting this too much, so I wanna just wish you good luck with your replacement card instead.

 

[Heidfirst]

did you check the RAM voltage settings?
It's extremely unlikely that clicking on load fail safe defaults caused physical damage to the mobo or killed the BIOS.
I'm guessing that your POST indicator is showing FF? This is not an error code but a status code indicating that the board should be trying to boot from an OS.
However having loaded fail safe defaults may well possibly have changed your boot priority selections.

it does sound like you don't really want (or have the ability?) to properly troubleshoot it though.

 

[crisium]

Yes it is FF error, but I'm not sure that's what it means. I had an FF error a long time ago to, and it was causes by the CPU not being in the socket. I'm sure that's not the problem here, but even to be sure I reseated the CPU and it didn't help.

I'm not sure how I would change my RAM voltage since it won't post, but I have tried other RAM and it didn't help. I've also tried other video cards (and even an old regular PCI video card). I've disconnected everything from the motherboard except the mobo power, CPU, CPU Fan, GPU, RAM. Doesn't help. As earlier stated I also tried jumper resetting the bios, and battery removal, and the cmos switch the board has.

When I selected load fail safe defaults it froze on the bios screen. After waiting some time I tried to power off by holding the power button for 6 seconds, but there was no response. So I cut the power from the switch on the PSU. Since then I have been unable to post. I mostly seem accepted that it's broke because there's not much to do, right?

 

[Heidfirst]

worst case scenario is that you buy a preflashed BIOS chip & swap it out which should cost you all of something like $15.

 

[Gillbot]

FF error is usually ram related. Try different ram or a single stick. I had a couple of boards I had to boot up with a certain stick of ram, turn up ram voltage then swap ram for the system to work.

 

[deimos3428]

Before buying new hardware, attempt to locate the "BIOS recovery procedure" applicable to your motherboard. (I believe the Abit AX78 has an AWARD Bios, but don't take my word for it. Check your manual.) Quite frequently there are simple ways to restore the BIOS, which can save you time, money, and frusteration.

http://www.biosman.com/biosrecovery.html