VIA motherboards BIOS getting corrupted.

[David Jones vpac org>]

Not sure why but certain hw seems to corrupt the BIOS requiring a BIOS reset
and configure.
The symptom is that at boot the video doesn't show, although the system
seems to boot and run OK otherwise.
This has happened on a number of VIA boards.

It might be a USB or hibernation related issue.
Note XPe systems but happens with XP Pro as well.
--
David Jones
Software Developer
(Embeddded Systems)
Victorian Partnership of Advanced Computing
Melbourne, Victoria Australia

 

[Mike Warren]

Not sure why but certain hw seems to corrupt the BIOS requiring a
BIOS reset and configure.
The symptom is that at boot the video doesn't show, although the
system seems to boot and run OK otherwise.
This has happened on a number of VIA boards.

It might be a USB or hibernation related issue.
Note XPe systems but happens with XP Pro as well.

In my experience that sort of thing is usually caused by battery or
power supply problems.

Probably not much help but something to think about.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

I have seen this on VIA systems when hibernation is used. I never understood
why it change the BIOS settings. You might want to look into a BIOS update
for the board.

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[Smedly Tonker]

Had the same problem here and we didn't even support hibernate. This and
many other issues (I really do mean many) caused us to redesign our product
around an Intel based ETX module. I always wondered why Via didn't have more
design wins in the embedded space when they are very cost efficient and low
power, but after having to deal with them for the past two years I no longer
ask that question.

 

[David Jones vpac org>]

Thanks for the replies.

The OEM supplier of the system has indicated that a BIOS update is required.
They supplied me witha link to the BIOS update.
Sean you're on the money again!

Getting such information directly out of VIA oneself is often difficult.
Was useful having a supplier to do that.

--
David Jones
Software Developer
(Embeddded Systems)
Victorian Partnership of Advanced Computing
Melbourne, Victoria Australia