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BIOS drama with modern motherboard

1/10/2016

3 Comments

 
So I have this Asrock FM2A75 Pro4 board. I got a few weeks ago, a motherboard, CPU and RAM bundle for just 60 aussie dollars. How can you resist? It will make an awesome Windows XP retro gaming machine. Maybe even with the onboard graphics, we will see.

Great board, has power on button, reset button, a clear CMOS switch at the back, SATA, eSATA, USB 2, USB 3, DVI, HDMI, VGA, everything you need! 

As always, I HAVE TO flash the latest BIOS. It's in my DNA. Everything went fine, it told me to reboot. And it failed :( The machine was stuck during POST, the LED POST analyser just looping. Bugger.

Noticed the BIOS is socketed! YES. My Genius G540 flasher to the rescue I thought. However after flashing the machine wouldn't do anything :( Just fans spinning, no POST beeps, no LEDs flashing...

I gave up and ordered a replacement BIOS chip on eBay, but I also asked on Overclockers Australia for help.

Someone reached out to me and told me to HEX edit the BIOS file and delete the first 4 KB. And guess what? That worked!

I flashed 1.9 version of the BIOS, the machine POSTed, so then I tried flashing 2.4 again and this time it worked :D

Life is good.

​Phil
Picture
3 Comments
Kippykip link
2/10/2016 17:32:38

Oh wow, I never update the bios unless it's critical, otherwise something may fuck it up!

Reply
Phil
2/10/2016 18:52:17

Yea I can't help myself, I got to have the latest and greatest :D

Luckily I was able to get myself out of trouble...

Reply
Vincent G link
20/1/2021 02:19:39

Thank you for taking the time to share this

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm Phil and run a YouTube Channel and website under PhilsComputerLab. You can also find me on various forums such as VOGONS, OCAU, DOSForum and others.

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          • Disabling the red LED light on Creative Sound Blaster Z
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