On going Issue Still not Resolved

[patislesfan]

A while back I wrote a post about me screwing up my BIOS:

http://www.forum.pcmech.com/showthre...threadid=89883

And I exchanged PMs with Panama Red (he was a big help).

But my problem has gone from bad to worse.

Right now my computer:

• has an 80 Gig and a 40 Gig HDD both formatted with nothing on them
• I don't know what BIOS version I have for my A7N8X Deluxe MOBO (originally was version AN8 1002)
• and my computer will boot up but it says no signal on the screen.

I opened a help ticket with Asus and they got back to me in 20 minutes but since then i've sent 3 e-mails to the person I was working with and only got one back initially but he hasn't responded since that first one. I'm trying to be patient.

He pretty much told me to (this was before I knew my computer would boot without a signal to my monitor)

[2/26/2004 8:16:00 PM - mauricer]
Thank you for your support for our products!

Please see:

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/engli...ios/index.aspx

for BIOS update procedures, or follow this procedure to flash your BIOS:

1) Please use the DR DOS utility, or a Windows boot floppy, to flash your BIOS. You can format a floppy from a Windows 9x or DOS based system (make sure to check the option to "Copy System Files Also"). Either of these can also be downloaded from:

http://www.bootdisk.com

Please make sure this is a CLEAN boot disk, without the "ATUOEXEC.BAT" or "CONFIG.SYS" files.

2) Extract the BIOS file to your floppy disk. The BIOS file, if not attached to this email, can be downloaded from:

http://www.asus.com/support/download/download.aspx

Be sure to UNZIP the file, and please note the exact name of the file you copy over.

3) Extract the file "AFLASH.EXE" from the CD that came with your Motherboard, or, you can download the latest version from our ftp site:

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/flash

4) Make sure to remove or rename the files "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and "CONFIG.SYS" from your boot floppy if they still exist (they shouldn't show if disk is freshly formatted).

5) Boot the PC with the boot disk. If this boot disk is not a "clean" boot disk (contains an AUTOEXEC.BAT and/or CONFIG.SYS), tap F5 at the "Starting Windows" text message. If done correctly, you will get a "Windows Is Bypassing Your Startup Files" message.

6) At the A:\> prompt, type "aflash" and press [ENTER].

7) Follow the on-screen instructions, making sure to save your old BIOS file to your floppy before flashing the new file. Name it anything you want, and make a note of which name you use.

8) When instructed it is safe to do so, reboot your machine.

9) As the system boots, enter BIOS SETUP using the [DELETE] key. Load setup defaults by pressing [F5] within BIOS SETUP.

10) Save and Exit.

If the system fails to boot after BIOS update, please follow the instructions in your manual to clear your CMOS, making sure to remove the power cord and battery before moving the CLR RTC jumper.

Be advised that flashing your BIOS is a risky procedure and should ONLY be done if necessary. If something fails during the flash, DO NOT POWER OFF YOUR MACHINE. Doing so will render your machine un-bootable. Try to flash the new BIOS again, or reflash using the old BIOS. If you still need assistance, please contact us at 502-995-0883 (M-F 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM EST) for instruction.

Then I wrote back saying I couldn't boot my machine with a signal from my monitor and I didn't get anything back.

[3/6/2004 12:35:00 PM - patislesfan]
I followed all the steps and created a couple of boot disks and put BIOS files on disks as well. But when I went to boot the machine I think it did not read the video card. Nothing come on the screen. So I tried another video card in the same motherboard and setup and still nothing. I don't know if the AGP slot on the board is shot or what. I don't know what to do next. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again for your help Maurice.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't know where to go next. I know i'll get this resolved eventually but sometimes it seems like it will never get fixed.

Thanks.

[QuickSilver]

Whatever you do, don't be too patient with tech support. Sometimes it takes hounding them a little to get anywhere. You don't have to be rude, but don't let them forget about you either.

[patislesfan]

was this thread too long or too confusing. I'm trying to make my threads more effective so more people read them and help me out more.

I'm starting to think that if you don't put too much information up front then people will ask for more information and then the thread will become a conversation and then people feel they should help you more. Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

PS - Tried to give all the information I had. Thanks.

[QuickSilver]

Sometimes I think the same thing. It may be better to get a conversation going, but some of it could just be that you have kind of a unique problem that not too many of us are sure about. Did you already try clearing the CMOS?

[glc]

All you got was a generic canned response on how to flash a bios.

Tips and Tricks, Problems with a new build - strip everything out of the case and start from scratch with the mobo on the table.

[patislesfan]

Originally posted by QuickSilver Sometimes I think the same thing. It may be better to get a conversation going, but some of it could just be that you have kind of a unique problem that not too many of us are sure about. Did you already try clearing the CMOS?

I see what you are saying QuickSilver. I guess I have a problem not many out there have had. I tried clearing the CMOS last night and still the same problem.

Originally posted by glc All you got was a generic canned response on how to flash a bios. Tips and Tricks, Problems with a new build - strip everything out of the case and start from scratch with the mobo on the table.

glc pretty much was a generic response. This really isn't a new build but it might seem that way with nothing on the hard drives. I think I pretty much screwed up my BIOS. I'll try what you suggest. It can't hurt.

I think that I opened my ticket with Asus too early. I didn't have the computer in front of me and I should have just waited til I had it there. So I think my ticket got closed without even being resolved (obviously). So I think I might open another ticket and reference my old ticket.

Also on my board I can just pop out the BIOS chip (I haven't done that yet) but do you think that's a good suggestion in asking Asus to provide me with a new BIOS chip (i'd pay for it of course) ?

Thanks for all the help.

Pat

[QuickSilver]

A new BIOS chip would definately fix it. See how much they cost. It might be worth it to end the hassle. See if they can send you one with the lates BIOS already on it.

[patislesfan]

Ok thanks QuickSilver. I hope that works. I'm gonna open a new ticket up with Asus and see if they can do that for me. Thanks for all your advice.

Oh and cross your fingers for me.

[QuickSilver]

Will do bro.

[glc]

Do the out of the case test first before opening a new ticket. If the bios is in fact bad, you can get Badflash to take care of it and flash it with any version you want, they don't charge much.

[patislesfan]

Originally posted by HAL9000 Having problems with a new build? Try this. OK, then we're going to start from scratch. 1) Remove EVERYTHING from the case 2) Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. .DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can acually conduct electricity! We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case. 3) Install the CPU and heat sink. 4) Install the RAM (only install 1 stick for SDRAM, 2 for RDRAM) 5) Install the video card 6) Connect the monitor to the video card. 7) Connect the power supply to the motherboard. 8) Connect power to the power supply 9) Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected. 10) Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. If all is well, it should power up and you should get a display. If not, then you most likely have a faulty component. Do this and and post your results, then we will get it all assembled in the case and get this thing running.

I tried what HAL9000 stated here and also what glc suggested and I got video but it was just a blue screen like I got before. So I don't think it's a bad component. Like everyone has been saying but now I think it's confirmed I think it's the BIOS.

Just confirm to me that it is. Now I have to get a new BIOS chip. Thats fine with me. I will finally be able to put this all behind me and never touch the BIOS again

I have an A7N8X Deluxe Motherboard and i'm pretty sure that http://www.badflash.com covers my BIOS Chip. Is there anything specifics I need to know in dealing with them. Has anyone had any expierence with them?

Thanks.

[glc]

I've never heard anything bad about them.

[patislesfan]

Well I got lucky. www.badflash.com is located 15 mins from my house. So I drove over to the guys house and he reflashed my BIOS. So I'm all set with that.

Thank for helping me out glc and quicksilver.

I'm gonna open another ticket with another issue I have but i'll type it here so you guys can see it too.

I now have windows reinstalled on my machine and my computer states that I have an Athlon 1900+ when I really have a 2500+. Now i've tried setting the FSB higher but it when I reboot it says there is a file missing in windows. Has anyone had this problem before?

Thanks.