BIOS cannot boot

[dh]

Is it possible to get the BIOS damaged?
If yes, how to check it is damaged or not?
Is it possible to boot without any OS?
I just want to access the BIOS setting.
I use the OS saved in the floppy to boot up the computer, only once in a
while can boot it up.
The same happens for boot from CDROM.
Thanx

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

Is it possible to get the BIOS damaged?
Yes

If yes, how to check it is damaged or not?

Depends on how damaged it is, your machine may not proceed past the
memory check, it may not boot at all, the date may be wron, drives may
not be detected, you may not even be able to access the CMOS chip
itsself.

Is it possible to boot without any OS?
No

I just want to access the BIOS setting.

Usually done by taping the Del key just after the memory test, though
differnt keys may be used if it is a proprietry machine such as
Toshiba, Compaq, HP etc

I use the OS saved in the floppy to boot up the computer, only once in a
while can boot it up.

What OS

The same happens for boot from CDROM.

What OS

 

[Guest]

Yes, it is possible to get the BIOS damaged such as flashing failure and it
is possible too to boot without os. The BIOS screen does appear when you on
your computer. I think you know how to enter the BIOS right? Just press on
"DEL" or you may try to look into your computer manual .

 

[dh]

I cannot even get something on the screen.
My machine cannot boot that far to memory test or to boot up the VGA card.
I know the BIOS is able to detect the keyboard because the NUM LOCK light is
on.
But the monitor just showing nothing.
Yesterday, at first, I suspected the harddisk is crashed, and I have
downloaded the diagnostic tools which has a little OS included in a floppy
disk.
I just want to boot up the system and let me press DEL to access the BIOS at
this point.
Same thing happened to the WINXP CDROM.
I have tried more than ten times to access the BIOS but only 2 times
success.
How can I diagnostic the BIOS damage?
How to get the tools to fix it?
Thanx

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

Do you get any beeps at startup? If so how many and what duration? The
analysis of the beeps would depend on the motherboard make as different
manufacturers use different codes to diagnose the beep pattern.
Have you checked that the video card is properly seated? Of course if
the machine has an on-board video this suggestion is redundant.
Have you checked that the monitor is working by connecting it to
another machine?
If you answered no, yes and yes my suggestion would be to take the
machine to a repair shop, they may be able to find a replacement BIOS
chip or as a last resort put in a new motherboard.

 

[dh]

Yes, I got about 4 beeps at startup.
Yes, the video card should be seated properly because the system was able to
start once in a while, probably 1/10.
Therefore, the monitor is working.
Any tools for BIOS diagnostic?
Thanx

 

[Americantechie]

Ok, so the next question would be who is the manufacturer of your
motherboard or the computer?

 

[dh]

My PC is so stupid.
It is working now and start installing from WinXP!!!!!
I swear I havent touched anything!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Are you sure you didn't do any minor changes? What is the beep sound like?
three short one long?

 

[dh]

Yes 3 short 1 long
What is it?

Are you sure you didn't do any minor changes? What is the beep sound like?
three short one long?

 

[Guest]

I think it must be the problem of your ram. It was not inserted well or its
"touching surface" ( the gold fingers ) is not "touched" well with the ram
slot.

 

[Ron Sommer]

1/10 does not indicate that the video card or the ram are seated properly.

 

[Jone Doe]

OK, each computer has their own system of error boots, but they are somewhat
standard.

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm will give some information. Of course
the book you got with the computer will have a table saying what the beep
error codes mean, find it and read it. Usually, 4 beeps Timer not
operational, system board bad


Possible fix: Open it up and hold down the CUDA button on the motherboard
for about 5 seconds. This does a hard reset on the board. It is a small grey
button on the board.

 

[Jhoschak]

Yes it is possible to boot without an OS but You need a BIOS and it is
possible for the BIOS to get damaged from any recent software or hardwarre
changes!!!

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Yes it is possible to boot without an OS

That's completely false.

 

[Bob I]

You BOOT"strap" to an OS. With no OS to BOOT to you can't BOOT. You can
only "PowerOnSelfTest".

 

[NobodyMan]

Usually done by taping the Del key just after the memory test, though
differnt keys may be used if it is a proprietry machine such as
Toshiba, Compaq, HP etc

Agreed, although I suggest striking the word "usually" from future
posts you make regarding BIOS access. Every different BIOS uses a
different access sequence (sometimes the same BIOS will use different
sequences between revisions). I have found very few BIOS access keys
that used the DEL key.

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

Agreed, although I suggest striking the word "usually" from future
posts you make regarding BIOS access. Every different BIOS uses a
different access sequence (sometimes the same BIOS will use different
sequences between revisions). I have found very few BIOS access keys
that used the DEL key.

Of the 140 odd intel boxes I provide support for the vast majority use
the Delete key to access the BIOS. The only exceptions are a handfull
of Toshiba and Dell machines, so I feel justified in useing "usually".

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is it possible to get the BIOS damaged?

Certainly.


If yes, how to check it is damaged or not?

Generally, the computer's Power-On Self Test (POST) will fail, or
you'll be unable to flash the BIOS with a new revision.

Is it possible to boot without any OS?

No.


I just want to access the BIOS setting.

The operating system is immaterial, it has no bearing upon how one
enters the BIOS. Only you know what motherboard and BIOS you have, so
only you know the answer to your question. ;-}

In the extremely unlikely event that your PC's manual or the
motherboard manufacturer's web site doesn't contain the needed
information, try one or more of the following:

How do I access my computer's setup (BIOS)
http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/2157.html

Wim's BIOS Page
http://www.wimsbios.com/

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm




--

Bruce Chambers

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[GreenieLeBrun]

Yes, I got about 4 beeps at startup.
Yes, the video card should be seated properly because the system was able to
start once in a while, probably 1/10.
Therefore, the monitor is working.
Any tools for BIOS diagnostic?
Thanx

OK 4 beeps have a look at:-

http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml for beep codes - 4
beeps (if an AMI BIOS) suggests a RAM problem. If you have an award
BIOS you will probably need to go to the motherboard manufacturers site
for the meaning of the beep codes.

If you have more than one stick of RAM remove all the stcks and replace
them one at a time to see if your RAM is faulty.