Trying to flash the BIOS...for the worse

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PhilTheGap - 15 May 2008 11:24 GMT

Hi there,

I've tried to flash my BIOS. I've downloaded this
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/BIOS/Others/ECS-RX480-A-BIOS-11f.shtml for
my Elite RX480-A motherboard. Then the BIOS has been upgraded but the flash
fails because I had to set a jumper beforehand on the motherboard. I've
decided to wait, then after a while I reboot.

Now he PC is running but nothing at all appears on the screen. I'm stuck ! I
don't know what to do (I wrote from my office laptop).

What I don't understand is that I didn't flash anything...didn't I ?

Philippe

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Gordon - 15 May 2008 11:38 GMT

> Hi there,
>
> I've tried to flash my BIOS. I've downloaded this
> http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/BIOS/Others/ECS-RX480-A-BIOS-11f.shtml

Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Downloads/Category_Download.aspx?LanID=0&MenuID=6

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PhilTheGap - 15 May 2008 11:43 GMT

>> Hi there,
>>
>> I've tried to flash my BIOS. I've downloaded this
>> http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/BIOS/Others/ECS-RX480-A-BIOS-11f.shtml
>
> Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?

Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

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Dominic Payer - 15 May 2008 12:54 GMT

Do you see anything at all when the system boots? If not, your BIOS is
erased or corrupted and you will need a new BIOS chip pre-flashed with the
BIOS version you want. You should get your local repairer to replace the
chip.

If you see the usual boot screen, try clearing the CMOS. You will need to
know and enter the correct BIOS settings for your system.

Flashing BIOSes is risky. I think failing to set the BIOS protection jumper
correctly let the flash utility erase the old BIOS but not write the new
one.

>>> Hi there,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?
> Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

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Mike Hall - MVP - 15 May 2008 13:07 GMT

>>> Hi there,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?
> Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

What to do next? You could start looking for a replacement motherboard..

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philo - 15 May 2008 13:18 GMT

> >> Hi there,
> >>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> > Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?
> Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

Contact the mfg of your motherboard to see if they can either reflash your
bios chip
or provide a replacement

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DL - 15 May 2008 13:31 GMT

Or visit your Laptop manu site to see if your system had any type of Bios
recovery option enabled

>> >> Hi there,
>> >>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> bios chip
> or provide a replacement

Reply to this Message

Mike Hall - MVP - 15 May 2008 13:39 GMT

> Or visit your Laptop manu site to see if your system had any type of Bios
> recovery option enabled
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> bios chip
>> or provide a replacement

The biggest problem is following onscreen instructions when there is nothing
displaying on the screen at all.

A primeval ISA video card would allow something on the screen in the event
of a bad BIOS flash, but one has to have a corresponding primeval ISA slot
on the motherboard of course.. :-)

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Colin Barnhorst - 15 May 2008 19:16 GMT

And there is no ISA support in Vista so there is no legacy provision in
newer computers. So sad.

>> Or visit your Laptop manu site to see if your system had any type of Bios
>> recovery option enabled
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> of a bad BIOS flash, but one has to have a corresponding primeval ISA slot
> on the motherboard of course.. :-)

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Mike Hall - MVP - 15 May 2008 23:51 GMT

> And there is no ISA support in Vista so there is no legacy provision in
> newer computers. So sad.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>> event of a bad BIOS flash, but one has to have a corresponding primeval
>> ISA slot on the motherboard of course.. :-)

Colin

It all comes under the general heading 'PROGRESS'.. :-)

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Bob Knowlden - 15 May 2008 20:19 GMT

Does your system have a jumper to clear the CMOS?

If so, give it a a try. (It does no harm. It returns the BIOS setup
parameters to their defaults.)

If you've done a bad BIOS flash, and the BIOS CMOS chip is socketed, it can
be replaced, rather than declaring your motherboard to be toast. Also, some
motherboard manufactures have a BIOS recovery function in place, but it's
very manufacturer dependent. If you can find a manual for your mainboard
(download one?), that's where you should look first.

Good luck.

Return address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

>>> Hi there,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?
> Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

Reply to this Message

Mike Hall - MVP - 15 May 2008 23:50 GMT

> Does your system have a jumper to clear the CMOS?
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>> Why did you go there rather than the manufacturers website?
>> Ok I'm foolish. But what can I do now ?

There are too many different BIOS chips even in one manufacturer product
range. On newer boards, the chip is not removable either.

There was a PCI BIOS card available at one time, and they may still be
available, but with only two PCI slots available on newer computers, the
option is not a good one.

If the board is still within the warranty period, it would be possible to
exchange it maybe, but one might have to be economical with the truth about
what happened.

If it was me, I would take the hit and get a new board, as negotiating with
manufacturers and vendors can take time and a great deal of patience..

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