Award Bios Update Fails

[Cristian]

Hi,

I have an Intel Triton 430TX Chipset (82439TX), TX400 Award Bios.

Manufacturer : Quality Design (QDI)
Name : TX400 Bios V1.5
Serial Number : 05/24/1998-i430TX-W977-2A591Q1FC-00
Chipset : Intel Triton 430TX
System Chipset : Intel 82439TX Triton

I have a I have tried to update my bios from windows. During the update I got a message like "Cmos erasing failed". After that I restarted my computer and then I saw it doesn't boot anymore. The screen doesn't turn on, it seeks for the floppy and I hear five sounds (Beep......beepbeep...............beepbeep - this last two on a different tone).

When Flashing the BIOS I followed the instructions. I entered the file *.bin to be used, I then saved the old bios and after that I started to flash the BIOS. But then I got a message that the CMOS Erasing Failed.

Please help me!
Thanks

[newme]

i havent done this before but did you clear your cmos jumpers on your board

[skeg]

did you download the flash program from your mobo's website?

[newme]

i think it would help if you could tell us in detail how you did your update ,did you follow the flash prgram instructions.

[mike breck]

I think the cardinal mistake you have made is trying to Flash from Windows rather than DOS.

The second mistake you made was shutting down the PC. If any errors appear during Flashing, you must never shut down. Keep it running and seek help. Even if it means keeping it running for days. Once you shut down, the damage to the CMOS chip can be final.

The general principle for most DOS-based BIOS flashes is the same.

You create a Windows Bootdisk (Startup Disk)by typing FORMAT A:/S at the DOS prompt (C:\>).

Download the BIOS flash program and new BIOS file from your mobo manufacturers website. Usually these are together in one zip file but sometimes they are in seperate zip files e.g. a common flash utility is AFLASH.EXE but check with your mobo manufacturer's website to see which one they recommend and provide.

Extract the BIOS flash program and bios file to the Bootdisk. Take a note down the full DOS name of the flash program and BIOS file. You will need need it.

Boot up with the Bootdisk and at the A: type the name of the flash program e.g. in the case of the AFLASH utility, you would type AFLASH.

The program will load and ask you which BIOS file you want to use. Type in or select the the name of your upgrade BIOS file and the flash will begin.

In most cases, the program will back up your old BIOS file so if anything goes wrong you can follow the same procedure and revert back to the old BIOS.

The cardinal rule is not to disturb the flash process until you receive some kind of "Flash successful" message.

After that, just follow the instructions on screen. It will probably tell you to reboot, enter the BIOS, and check all your settings.

That is a general guide, but you must always consult your mobo manual and manufacturer's Web Site for specific instructions.

What I would do clear the CMOS as neme suggested. You can do this by using the jumpers on the mobo. If you don't have a manual or can't find the jumper, then remove the mobo battery for ten minutes and then putting it back in.

Always, shut off your PC and remove the power lead before Clearing the CMOS. UNLESS YOUR MANUAL OR THE WEBSITE SAYS OTHERWISE.

If that doesn't get you running, then follow the proper Flash procedure and see if you can Flash the CMOS properly from DOS.
Try it a few times and see if it works.

If that doesn't work, then you're probably looking at a new CMOS chip or a new mobo. It's probably more prudent to invest in a new mobo.

HTH

[Tuf]

Those programs allowing to flash from Windows are getting more and more common. They are great when they work but all too often they fail. When they fail it means at the very minimum at new bios chip or if it is not removable a new mobo.

Depending on the chip it is possible to reprogram them on another board. I keep an old Soyo board just for that purpose but it won't support a lot of the newer bios chips.

I haven't used their services but I know several that have had good experiences with www.badflash.com