ROM Checksum Error - Could the BIOS chip be bad?

[eBauer]

When I attempt to reflash the BIOS, there is always one block in the award flash program that "fails to update" I've tried using a few bios revisions, and this same block always fails to update. Am I looking at a bad bios chip here? MB is a Soyo K7VTA-B, KT133 chipset. If it's a bad bios chip, any way of salvaging this thing?

 

[Killrose]

Just an idea here, but make sure have virus detection turned off in bios. It might be stopping the process thinking an attack is being made on the bios rom?

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: eBauer
When I attempt to reflash the BIOS, there is always one block in the award flash program that "fails to update" I've tried using a few bios revisions, and this same block always fails to update. Am I looking at a bad bios chip here? MB is a Soyo K7VTA-B, KT133 chipset. If it's a bad bios chip, any way of salvaging this thing?

It is possible the BOIS chip is bad.

OTOH, when I flashed my BIOS one block, which was blue, never updated because there was no update for it. It was perfectly normal.

 

[eBauer]

Virus detection is off... Also the block that fails to update is red, first time I've ever seen a red one heh.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well, it all depends on if the BIOS chip is soddered directly onto the board or not. If its in a chip holder, you may be able to just get a replacement chip from the manufacturer.

 

[Killrose]

Does it actually tell you that the bios flash has failed? And does it not show the new bios date on start-up splash screen?

It is typical for some reserved blocks of the bios rom that are'nt flashed with new data.

 

[clumsum]

eBauer,

My first Bios flash went the same as you describe .......... one block remained (can't remember the color) and I thought something went wrong when I saw, the "Checksum Error" message ............ actually, if the new Bios date (version) reads on the post screen and everything else is normal, just go into your Bios Settings and reset the parameters and all should be well, no worries.

 

[eBauer]

It doens't tell me the bios flash has failed. The only reason I suspected something was wrong was because when the computer was turned on, I was getting the BIOS rom checksum error, Detecting floppy drive A media, Drivemedia is: 1.44mb - and re-flashing the BIOS didn't solve it.


But get this- I turn on that computer this morning, POST's up just fine like nothing ever happened. It's working for now, but I still think something is flaky with that BIOS chip.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Perhaps a faulty CMOS battery is causing the problems, have you tried changing it just to take it out of the mix?

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Perhaps a faulty CMOS battery is causing the problems, have you tried changing it just to take it out of the mix?

Ya, check that out.

 

[clumsum]

Originally posted by: eBauer
It doens't tell me the bios flash has failed. The only reason I suspected something was wrong was because when the computer was turned on, I was getting the BIOS rom checksum error, Detecting floppy drive A media, Drivemedia is: 1.44mb - and re-flashing the BIOS didn't solve it.

What I'm saying is the checksum error message is normal, after flashing with some programs.
It's an indication that you need to reset your bios clock and some of the other bios setting parameters have returned to default settings........ everything is ok, I don't think you have a bios chip problem.
The fact that it posted normally the next time indicates all is cool.

 

[eBauer]

Well thanks for all your help. The machine is just being used as a game server, so I'm glad I don't have to stick anything more in it.