dead bios

[Matthijs Blaas]

hi all,

I tried to flash my (award) bios using an award flash program with the
appropiate bios image file, but it crashed(???) while writing the image, and
now the system won't boot anymore. I can't use the bootblock wich the bios
offers cause it requires an isa video card and the board doesn't have any
isa slots. Can I use an eprom programmer to reprogram the bios? (it's an
plcc type bios)
And what type of eprom programmer do I need for that?

thanks,
Thijs

 

[mike]

Matthijs Blaas wrote:

hi all,

I tried to flash my (award) bios using an award flash program with the
appropiate bios image file, but it crashed(???) while writing the image, and
now the system won't boot anymore. I can't use the bootblock wich the bios
offers cause it requires an isa video card and the board doesn't have any
isa slots. Can I use an eprom programmer to reprogram the bios? (it's an
plcc type bios)
Yes, you can...but

If the BIOS is not socketed, you have to figure out how to get it off
and back on without breaking it.
Unless you have a binary form of the BIOS contents, you have nothing to
give to the EPROM programmer. My experience has been that the file you
got from the vendor is NOT straight binary ROM contents. Even if it
were, you'd probably have to convert it to Intel-hex or some such to
feed the programmer.
But I'd be delighted to be wrong. Comment, anybody??

And what type of eprom programmer do I need for that?

almost any, just make sure the number on the chip is in the
compatibility list.

If you have access to an ISA motherboard with a hardware jumper to
prevent programming the bios, you can sometimes learn which keys to push
and do it blind on your non-isa system.

thanks,
Thijs
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[Dave Platt]

In article <3F808A04.2010800@juno.com>, mike <spamme0@juno.com> wrote:

If the BIOS is not socketed, you have to figure out how to get it off
and back on without breaking it.
Unless you have a binary form of the BIOS contents, you have nothing to
give to the EPROM programmer. My experience has been that the file you
got from the vendor is NOT straight binary ROM contents. Even if it
were, you'd probably have to convert it to Intel-hex or some such to
feed the programmer.
But I'd be delighted to be wrong. Comment, anybody??

Last year I frotzed the flash BIOS in an Epox KHA8+ motherboard, by
attempting to upgrade using a DOS boot floppy which wasn't
sufficiently bare-bones (the config.sys file had loaded a memory
manager... a definite no-no). I popped out the (socketed) flash BIOS
chip, took the Epox AWARD BIOS update file (binary) in to work, and
used a standard EEPROM/flash programmer our engineering guys keep
around. Popped it back in, powered up, and the machine went through
POST and complained about a CMOS checksum error (not unexpected when
first POSTing a new BIOS version). Reset the CMOS parameters to the
BIOS defaults, re-customized a few, saved the changes, and the system
booted just fine.

So, yeah, it's sometimes possible. You do need to have a binary
version of the BIOS file (which is what you get in at least some
cases, but perhaps not others) and a programmer which understands the
programming protocols for the specific EEPROM or flash chip used on
your motherboard.

--
Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

 

[Chaos Master]

Dave Platt engraved with a +2 athame:

Last year I frotzed the flash BIOS in an Epox KHA8+ motherboard, by
attempting to upgrade using a DOS boot floppy which wasn't
sufficiently bare-bones (the config.sys file had loaded a memory
manager... a definite no-no). I popped out the (socketed) flash BIOS
chip, took the Epox AWARD BIOS update file (binary) in to work, and
used a standard EEPROM/flash programmer our engineering guys keep
around. Popped it back in, powered up, and the machine went through
POST and complained about a CMOS checksum error (not unexpected when
first POSTing a new BIOS version). Reset the CMOS parameters to the
BIOS defaults, re-customized a few, saved the changes, and the system
booted just fine.

And with some mobos you can update the bios in a "blind" way:

From a working PC, create a boot disk with:

- command.com
- an EMPTY config.sys
- an 1-line autoexec.bat with the command for the BIOS updater
- the updater and the ROM file itself.

Put the disk in the A: drive, then turn on the BIOS-less computer and wait until
there's no activity of floppy drive.

I've done this 2 or 3 times. It worked.

--
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"Matthijs Blaas" <thijs_blaas@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<blq06t$237$1@news.hccnet.nl>...

hi all,

I tried to flash my (award) bios using an award flash program with the
appropiate bios image file, but it crashed(???) while writing the image, and
now the system won't boot anymore. I can't use the bootblock wich the bios
offers cause it requires an isa video card and the board doesn't have any
isa slots. Can I use an eprom programmer to reprogram the bios? (it's an
plcc type bios)
And what type of eprom programmer do I need for that?

thanks,
Thijs

Some bios ram chips used on motherboards these days are effectively
split in two, one section used for use as current bios, the other as a
back-up copy.
The back-up copy being in a "write protected" area of the memory
array.
This was introduced to attempt to combat bios virus attacks. With a
prom programmer, even a home built one, a little patience and the
correct pin-out etc from the device datasheet you should be able to
restore the original contents. Or find out from the board manufacturer
how to restore the bios from the back-up area. The alternative, which
I don't recommend unless as a last resort, is to obtain an identical
or nearest motherboard model bios chip, fit that to your board, then
boot the machine into the bios set-up. Swap the chips back over to
your own one and set-up the bios the way you would like it then save
the contents and exit the bios set-up. I have used this method a few
times for friends etc and had 100% success with it, however, I must
stress it's risky to the chips and motherboard.


regards
Alastair