Updating bios in a computer that won't boot

[HotWire]

Can someone explain the best process on how to update the bios of a system that won't boot into windows...possibly the bios is already damaged. XP Pro is the operating system Asus AV8 is the motherboard.

Thanks

 

[garikfox]

Make a Startup Floppy Disk or CDROM, go into BIOS and make sure to boot from floppy/cdrom, into DOS, Then just Flash it from DOS.

 

[Rike]

Confirmed. The Asus AV8 is a buggy board IMO. :thumbsdown:

I would start by reflashing with the last BIOS you knew worked. Then I would only upgrade your BIOS if the new BIOS provides you with some new functionality that you really need. Otherwise, I'd leave well enough alone.

 

[HotWire]

I tried it last night, problem when I opened the bios zip file to move the .rom file to my desktop to move it onto the floppy startup disk it defaulted to a realplayer file the minute it was placed on my desktop??? then when I still when ahead and moved it to the floppy and tried to flash the bios it gave me an error message and wouldn't complete the flash? Could the fact the file associated itself to realplayer be the cause it didn't work?

 

[Aries64]

Originally posted by: HotWire
I tried it last night, problem when I opened the bios zip file to move the .rom file to my desktop to move it onto the floppy startup disk it defaulted to a realplayer file the minute it was placed on my desktop??? then when I still when ahead and moved it to the floppy and tried to flash the bios it gave me an error message and wouldn't complete the flash? Could the fact the file associated itself to realplayer be the cause it didn't work?

Why must people place things directly on their Desktops? Files' placed directly on the Desktop (not in a folder) are quite vulnerable to corruption. Yes, people do this all the time, but this doesn't mean its' a safe practice. If you feel the need to place files (especially really important stuff like a BIOS) for fast access, at least place them in their own folders so that you reduce the possibility of corruction or wanted automatic file association.

Personally, I always place driver and BIOS files in their own folders on my C: Drive, unzip them, then move the unzipped files over to the appropriate folders. In the case of a DOS-based BIOS flash place the BIOS and the most current version of AFUDOS that works with your mobo on a freshly-formatted floppy).

So, try this:

(1) Download the appropriate BIOS file and AFUDOS utility for your mobo.

(2) Save them in their own folders.

(3) Unzip them, copying them over unto a freshly-formatted floppy.

(4) Make a bootable floppy disk (if you don't already have one). If all the files fit onto the floppy you can place them all on the same disk. Personally I prefer to use a separate disk containing only the BIOS file and AFUDOS utility. That way I know my DOS boot disk is "clean" and I won't get that annoying Windows message telling me that the "disk is full".

(5) Go into your PC's BIOS and set the first boot device to be your floppy drive.

(6) Place your DOS boot-disk in your floppy drive.

(7) Save your changes and exit the BIOS, the PC will now boot into DOS from the floppy.

(8) Remove the (DOS) boot disk and replace it with the disk containing the BIOS file and AFUDOS.exe file.

(6) At the command prompt type: "AFUDOS /i[BIOSfilename]" and then hit return. AFUDOS will verify the BIOS file and update the BIOS. During the BIOS update you will be asked if you want to save the current (your "old" BIOS). While you suspect that your currect BIOS may be corrupted, I would still save it to a separate floppy disk just in case the new BIOS doesn't work for some reason, especially since you aren't even sure if your BIOS is the problem to begin with. Then you can re-format the disk after you have determined that your new BIOS is operating correctly.

(7) Reboot the system. At the POST screen you should see the new BIOS specified (however, if you have "Quick Boot" and/or "Full Screen Logo" enabled you may not see the BIOS information because the system boots too quickly).

NOTE: Some people will go directly back into the BIOS and change their boot device from the floppy drive back to their normal boot device. This is fine, since going back into the BIOS you will be able to see the BIOS version that your mobo is running on. However, since I am paranoid regarding BIOS updates I typically boot back into DOS instead of going back into the BIOS right away. Don't ask me why - I can't explain it. Obviously, you will need to place the bootable disk back in the floppy drive prior to restarting the PC or the PC won't be able to find the OS.

(8) Go back into the BIOS and change your boot device from the floppy drive back to your normal boot device.

(9) Save changes and exit the BIOS (reboot).

On a side-note, its' always nice to have you system hooked-up to a reliable UPS system, since a power outage, brownout, or spike can stop any updates you're running at the time. A loss of power during a BIOS update can render hardware useless.

Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[tcsenter]

All else fails, send it off to be reflashed. Not to promote any business, but there is a guy on Ebay who will reflash your BIOS chip with the BIOS ROM version of your choice for a reasonable charge and turn-around time. I've used him twice now and have no complaints. Turn-around might be longer with the holidays and all. Ebay ID is biosdepot

 

[HotWire]

Well I sucessfully flashed the bios and the system still fails to get past the windows post it starts and then goes to a blue screen with a failed message and series of numbers X00000.... etc. maybe it's the power supply not delivering enough power to the motherboard as I read in another post. Thanks for all replys they are welcomed and serious consideration given to each one.

 

[Jhhnn]

My son's computer recently exhibited the same problem, so I ended up booting to the Windows CD, using the restore console. Turns out his MBR was corrupted, something the console repaired quickly and easily...

 

[tomt4535]

Originally posted by: HotWire
Well I sucessfully flashed the bios and the system still fails to get past the windows post it starts and then goes to a blue screen with a failed message and series of numbers X00000.... etc. maybe it's the power supply not delivering enough power to the motherboard as I read in another post. Thanks for all replys they are welcomed and serious consideration given to each one.

Next time it freezes to the blue screen and gives you those numbers and whatnot, write it down and post it here. That could help narrow down the problem a bit.

 

[HotWire]

I will get the numbers and post them...as far as the booting to the windows CD I've tried that also with no success....which tells me I have a hardware issue chances are.

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

I've been through troubleshooting hell with my ASUS A8N-E board.

I was getting bluescreens at startup until I rebooted using the XP CD into the recovery console and ran CHKDSK on the boot drive. no /f flag, just the plain CHKDSK. It found errors, but booted anyway. Then I backed up the important stuff and ran CHKDSK again to fix the errors. Been fine since.

 

[HotWire]

This is what I am getting:


Stop: c000021A [Fatal System Error]
The windows login process system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0xc0000005
{0x00000000 0x00000000}
The system has been shut down

When I try to go into the recovery console it says no hard drive located windows recovery cannot go any further.....thinking it was the hard drive I picked up another sata drive and windows still does not recognize it

 

[HotWire]

anyone?

 

[HotWire]

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