F-I90HD BIOS / Display Problem... :(

[barrelhousecat]

Hi,

After reading warning after warning after warning, I *still* went ahead and flashed my F-I90HD's BIOS using the Windows Utility (from 11 up to 13, non-beta). Everything went successful, it seems, but on reboot, I received the Checksum / Floppy / Keyboard / "System Halt" error. Upon a subsequent reboot, there's no display at ALL!

I've tried installing a PCI-e Graphics Card I had lying around, but to no avail. I've cleared the CMOS (I think - You just moved the jumper to pins 2+3 for 10 seconds, right?), removed the battery, removed CD drive but no joy.

With a PCI-e card (if the BIOS defaults to that), would it be DVI or VGA that it would default to? I've a floppy drive attached too, but it doesn't seem to boot "correctly" if that makes sense i.e. I don't hear the standard sounds and see the standard order of LEDs coming on and off when I power up the machine.

Can anyone please advise me? I'd really love to salvage this board if at all possible!

Thanks in advance.

[BUFF]

where are you?
worst come to the worst you can just get a new BIOS chip.

[barrelhousecat]

Hey Buff, I'm in Ireland. Afaik, abit UK cover us along with their UK customers.

As far as installing a new BIOS chip:

1. Is it difficult? I've never done it before. I presume it's quite straight-forward though!
2. I can request a BIOS chip with the latest firmware on it, right? i.e. the problem is with the flashing mechanism, not the actual abit BIOS's in general?
3. Is it expensive, or do you know if it's covered by RMA?

Thanks, sorry for the newbie related questions!

[ABIT Sean]

1. It is straight forward to change the bios chip. You will need a PLCC extractor to the job correctly.
2. Bios chips can be programmed to any version.
3. abit UK offer 2 services for bios chips. You can either purchase a new bios chip or you can send the original chip back to be programmed.

It is not covered by RMA but you can email technical@abitcomputer.co.uk and explain the situation.

[barrelhousecat]

1. It is straight forward to change the bios chip. You will need a PLCC extractor to the job correctly.
2. Bios chips can be programmed to any version.
3. abit UK offer 2 services for bios chips. You can either purchase a new bios chip or you can send the original chip back to be programmed.

It is not covered by RMA but you can email and explain the situation.

Done and done. Thanks Seán!

[barrelhousecat]

For anyone who's interested, I've also ordered a replacement BIOS chip from eBay. I'll let you guys know how I get on.

[barrelhousecat]

Well, I received the BIOS chip from a Power Seller on eBay called "MainPartner". Worked an absolute treat!

After about 15 minutes trying to get the fried chip out (eventually used two paper-clips after slightly bending the tips to form hooks), I simply installed the replacement, powered on and violá... My HTPC booted straight up!

I asked the seller to program it with BIOS version 13, which they did. Now I've got everything I want working in my HTPC, S3 Resume being the final missing piece.

I'd STRONGLY recommend simply buying a pre-programmed chip rather than trying to flash this board, given the tirade of issues people have faced. It only cost me €16 altogether (incl. delivery) and I had it in 4 days after placing the order. It takes just as long to install as hooking up a floppy drive does, so really there's no comparison.

Just my 2c - Would be interested to hear what people say about it!

Thanks for your help,
Seán (me, not abit Sean )

[BUFF]

you could now try to hotflash your old chip which would give you a backup

[barrelhousecat]

Yeah, was thinking about that... Is it worth the risk though? I've never done a hotflash before.