Tried to update Gigabyte Bios - now won't boot

[amheck]

Hi everyone,

I have a gigabyte GA-8SR533 ver 2.0 MB that had bios F2 on it. Tonite I tried to use the @Bios program to update to the F3 bios. I first saved my old bios, then had the program load in the F3 that I downloaded from the Gigabyte site. When the machine rebooted, it starts to load the bios and then there's a nasty, solid buzzer that goes off. I get to the part where is says to hit DEL to enter bios, but I am unable to do so.

Any ideas? How do I recover from this? I guess I should have listened to the old saying I'if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Have I fried this MB?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Boonesmi]

sounds like a bad flash (it happens sometimes even if you dont do anything wrong)

lots of gigabyte boards have dual bios... does your board?

 

[Boonesmi]

i was just checking at gigabytes web page... looks like the problem might be that you loaded the wrong bios file. you mentioned your board is GA-8SR533

the newest bios for GA-8SR533 is F6 (not the F3 that you mentioned)

im wondering if you downloaded the bios file for GA-8SR533P (the newest bios for that board is F3)



and sorry to say, but your board doesnt have the dual bios feature (that would have really saved you) and i havent seen any suggestions at the site to explain how to possibly recover from a bad/faulty flash


also have you tried clearing the CMOS?

 

[amheck]

Yep. you know, you are probably right. I did load the F3 bios for the GA8SR533P and I have the GA-8SR533 board. It was given to me, and for some reason, I didn't (and still don't) see the non "P" MB on the pull down list on Gigabytes site. So yes, it seems like I loaded the wrong bios. Funny thing is, the current bios on the board previous to my update was F2, so the new F3 that I loaded was the logical choice, or so I thought.

Dang, I see the MB now. It's not in the GA-8 where I was looking. It's in the "OTHER" pull down. What a bummer. I guess I should have known. So should I head over to the FS forum and look for another board?

Thanks for your help.
Aaron

 

[Boonesmi]

some boards can still recover from a bad flash, but i havent seen any info on how to do it with your gigabyte board with non-dual bios

also... is your bios chip removable? or soldered on? if its removable it can easily be reflashed by someone who has the equipment, or you can go to www.badflash.com and buy a replacment bios chip (they will pre load the new bios on the chip for you)... but you can only do that if the bios chip is replaceable.

 

[Boonesmi]

and have you tried hitting F8 before the board starts beeping? its possible it will let you get into the flashing utility and you will be able to load the correct bios

 

[Mem]

Badflash.com should save the day.

 

[Boonesmi]

Originally posted by: Mem
Badflash.com should save the day.

the problem is i dont think his motherboard has a removable bios chip

i cant tell for sure from the pics, but it looks soldered on

 

[amheck]

Well guys. thought I'd report back. Good and bad news.

Bad news - yes, bios chip is soldered on. Cannot hit DEL or F8 to get into BIOS before it locks up.
Good news - Gigabyte re-programs bioses (or is biosi the plural? ) for free. I just have to pay a $10 shipping charge.

It was kind of fun getting to shop for a new motherboard this morning, but when the day is done, this motherboard works good and for $10, I'm too cheap not to get it repaired, so it's going back to Gigabyte. I guess I'll just have to live on my wife's computer until it comes back.

Word of warning: WHEN FLASHING YOUR BIOS, YES, EVEN 1 LETTER DIFFERENCE CAN MAKE OR BREAK A GOOD FLASH! Although personally, I put some blame on Gigabyte and their organization of the website. I expected to see my MB in the list, along with all other boards that started with "GA-8xxx" but they put it in the "OTHER" list for some reason. Granted, my final fault, cause I'm the one who assumed these were the same and flashed anyway.

Thanks for your time everyone!
Aaron

 

[DJMiX]

Originally posted by: Boonesmi

Originally posted by: Mem
Badflash.com should save the day.

the problem is i dont think his motherboard has a removable bios chip

i cant tell for sure from the pics, but it looks soldered on

Forget badflash.com

I'm much cheaper !!! $15 instead of the $25 bux from badflash...

 

[Mem]

I'm much cheaper !!! $15 instead of the $25 bux from badflash...

Hehe Gigabyte is cheaper at $10 .Anyway amheck looks like you`ve a good deal there

 

[Auric]

What, no DualBIOS?

 

[Boonesmi]

Originally posted by: Auric
What, no DualBIOS?

nope

 

[Blain]

I'm going to upgrade my aunt and uncle's PC with a Gigabyte (KT600) based MB.
I was planning on flashing the BIOS and loading all the most current drivers before I turn it over to them.
The "@BIOS looks like a very nice option.

Just to be clear...

amheck,
Your flash problem was due to you choosing the wrong MB option... correct?

BTW, I plan on updating in this order...
Windows load (XP Home),
MB drivers load (from GA-7VT600-L CD),
Windows update (patches & DirX),
Newest MB drivers (VIA 4-in-1),
Video drivers (ATI Catalyst)

Is that the correct order?