BIOS Problem

[Simon Parzer]

I have a weird problem with my BIOS and I don't know what to do, so
maybe someone here can help me.
I destroyed my previous BIOS chip in an attempt to update the BIOS
(flash). So I ordered a new pre-flashed one, and now the BIOS *seems* to
work, it starts up the graphic card's BIOS (displaying a message like
blah blah VBIOS rev. blah), then gives a short beep like it always did
before starting up, and... and just gives up with a blank screen. No
floppy or hard disk activity, the fans are running and that was it.

I tried resetting the BIOS by removing the battery, but it didn't change
anything. What could be the problem? Could it be because of a wrong BIOS
version?

Hoping for an answer,
Simon Parzer

 

[Bob Day]

I have a weird problem with my BIOS and I don't know what to do, so
maybe someone here can help me.
I destroyed my previous BIOS chip in an attempt to update the BIOS
(flash). So I ordered a new pre-flashed one, and now the BIOS *seems* to
work, it starts up the graphic card's BIOS (displaying a message like
blah blah VBIOS rev. blah), then gives a short beep like it always did
before starting up, and... and just gives up with a blank screen. No
floppy or hard disk activity, the fans are running and that was it.

I tried resetting the BIOS by removing the battery, but it didn't change
anything. What could be the problem? Could it be because of a wrong BIOS
version?

Sure. Or it could be because of a lot of other reasons, such as
maybe a flaky bios chip. Did you unplug your computer and
take precautions against static discharge when you installed it?
You might try flashing the new chip with what you know to be
the correct bios version. Or, try another chip. I've had good
luck with www.badflash.com

-- Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com

 

[Vanguard]

I have a weird problem with my BIOS and I don't know what to do, so maybe
someone here can help me.
I destroyed my previous BIOS chip in an attempt to update the BIOS
(flash). So I ordered a new pre-flashed one, and now the BIOS *seems* to
work, it starts up the graphic card's BIOS (displaying a message like blah
blah VBIOS rev. blah), then gives a short beep like it always did before
starting up, and... and just gives up with a blank screen. No floppy or
hard disk activity, the fans are running and that was it.

I tried resetting the BIOS by removing the battery, but it didn't change
anything. What could be the problem? Could it be because of a wrong BIOS
version?

Removing the battery can take a long time to discharge the capacitor used to
keep power to the CMOS chip that contains a copy of the BIOS settings. Is
there a 2-pin header on the mobo that you can jumper to short them to
quickly discharge the capacitor and clear the CMOS copy?

Sounds like you don't have the correct settings in CMOS for memory timing,
CPU multiplier, video controller select, boot drive select, hard drive
geometry, or whatever. Have you waded through each BIOS screen to ensure
the settings are correct? The defaults may not work for your current
hardware setup (i.e., they were tweaked for the hardware and the defaults
are not valid).

 

[simon.parzer]

I did unplug my computer and I didn't damage the BIOS chip (I think). I
also shorted the two pins to discharge the CMOS capacitor.
The problem is that I don't have access to the BIOS settings. It just
displays the video bios and then wents beep - dead. I just can't
believe that the chip won't work. It's the right BIOS for the right
mobo, I have ordered it at http://www.recoverybios.com. The short beep
means that everything (CPU, video, RAM) is ok, so why does the BIOS
freeze??

 

[Ken Maltby]

I did unplug my computer and I didn't damage the BIOS chip (I think). I
also shorted the two pins to discharge the CMOS capacitor.
The problem is that I don't have access to the BIOS settings. It just
displays the video bios and then wents beep - dead. I just can't
believe that the chip won't work. It's the right BIOS for the right
mobo, I have ordered it at http://www.recoverybios.com. The short beep
means that everything (CPU, video, RAM) is ok, so why does the BIOS
freeze??

Try a different video card, even an old PCI card would
do. Then see how far you get.

Luck;
Ken

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Try a different video card, even an old PCI card would
do. Then see how far you get.

Luck;
Ken

To add to ken's note, if you have optional cards installed that are not
needed to bring up the BIOS screen, like Ethernet, Sound, TV, ETC. remove
them and give it a try. I keep an old slow generic video card around just
for testing things like this.

For most motherboards you don't even need a Hard, Floppy, or CROM drive
installed when trying to power on and go to the BIOS screen. Reseat the
power connection to the motherboard and try reseating the memory modules.

I have run into a few machines with built in video that were defaulting to
the motherboard video connector after the initial flash but due to an
external video card plugged in they were becoming confused and just shutting
down. I Pulled the external card, moved the video cable, and was able to
disable the internal video. Plugged the external card back in and moved the
video cable and things were working just fine again.

 

[don]

Did you .... or can you get to the bios setup by pressing the delete key (or
whatever key combination you need for your particular system) and set "setup
defaults"?

 

[simon.parzer]

I tried two different video cards, and the problem is always the same.
But no matter, I mailed to recoverybios where I ordered the chip. They
will exchange it with a new for free. So... in a week or so I have the
new chip, then I'll see if it works.