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Safe to say that my motherboard is now dead?

A

antsct

Senior member
A couple nights ago, I noticed that there was a newer BIOS for my spare computer's motherboard (Gigabyte GA-7VM400M) which allowed support for newer processes. I had version F6 installed and wanted to upgraded to F9.

So, I decided to use Gigabyte's @Bios program. I downloaded the new F9 BIOS fine but when it came to installing it, at around 3/4 through the update, @Bios stopped and a box popped up saying "BIOS WRITE ERROR !!!".

Now, after I have rebooted my PC, i dont get a POST (no beeps) and there is nothing at all that shows up on the screen. I tried to make a bootable floppy (using Windows XP) and also put the BIOS files on the disc. I then opened the case, unplugged the power cable, removed the battery for 30 mins, then reseated it, i also unplugged my IDE hard drive and dvd burner (so it couldnt boot from them). I then plugged in the power cable, inserted the floppy disk, hit the power button, and still nothing at all, no POST, no display at all.

Whats ridiculous is that I found out that before you use @Bios, you have to disable 'BIOS write protection' in the BIOS before updating it (some security protection thing to help prevent viruses distroying bios). What im so angry about is that, there was no a single warning about this while using @Bios. I followed the BIOS update guide on Gigabytes website and they did not mention this at all! I've found out that alot of people have had the same problem as me due to this.

So what can I do? Any way i can bring this motherboard back to life? Or is this motherboard dead now? Any help would be really great!

Oh and this motherboard doesn't have any dual bios or anything like that.
 
I feel your pain, my brand new IP35 Pro failed because Vista froze but I was lucky enough to get it back through a floppy boot and flash. I heard something about a "hot flash" and also people buying the chips for a few bucks?
 
I was told about using the 'clear cmos' jumper but for the life of me I have no idea where to find it on the motherboard. I've checked online and the manual and it doesn't seem to say anything. Anyone have any information about this?
thanks.
 
Its dead.

Your lucky it is one of the boards that gigabyte hasn't changed over to the spi eeproms.
If it was you would have to send it back to gigabyte for a fix.

It is socketed so I suggest you contact someone who sells bios chips.
Several on ebay for 15.00 or so shipped.

Never use windows to flash a bios.
 
Yeah I will never use Windows again to flash a bios thats for sure...

What do you mean by, its socketed? Does that mean I can change the bios chip?
 
Originally posted by: antsct
Yeah I will never use Windows again to flash a bios thats for sure...

What do you mean by, its socketed? Does that mean I can change the bios chip?
Click to expand...

uhoh.
Which revision is it that you have ?
If its rev2.0 your going to have to send the board back for repair.

Gigabyte has gotten completely clueless with bios failures.
rev 1.0 of that board had a socketed chip that could be replaced for about 20.00.
rev 2.0 they soldered it to the board, I guess a 33 cent socket was too much extra cost.

So unless you got someone who can remove a 32 pin soldered chip , the rev2.0 will have to be returned to gigabyte.

If its a rev 1.0 then you can search ebay for bios chip and there is someone doing them for about 15.00 shipped.

 
I know I have the revision 1.0 board. So that's good news. Will I need to take the board to someone else to get the chip removed or is it something that I could do myself?
 
Thanks a lot for your help mate. So basically, I just order a new one off ebay, that chip should come with the bios already on it, then i just insert the new chip and away i go?

Hmm, now to find someone on ebay who can supply me with the bios i need...
 
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