Dodgy BIOS on an X38 QuadGT?

[Steve]

When I turn the machine on, it sometimes hangs at code "90". The uGuru then turns the machine off and back on. It often hangs again here indefinitely.

If I power cycle it enough times it'll eventually come up. Clearing the CMOS doesn't seem to make much difference, but if the uGuru reset works it starts up in failsafe mode.

This problem has started in the last few days. CMOS battery reads 3.12V via a multimeter so I'm guessing its OK.

Anyone got any suggestions for me, or do I need to seek out a new BIOS chip?

[Agent]

Is it defo "90" and not "9.0"?

[Steve]

It's more likely to be 9.0. although I wasn't paying attention to the dots when I looked.

I'll take a closer look when it does it next time. 90 isn't a noteworthy POST code anyway, is it?

[Agent]

It's more likely to be 9.0. although I wasn't paying attention to the dots when I looked.

I'll take a closer look when it does it next time. 90 isn't a noteworthy POST code anyway, is it?

There is no 90 in the manual - that's not to say it doesn't exist, just that it's not listed.

9.0 however is "Complete μGuru initial process AWARDBIOS take over booting job", which would indicate a BIOS issue as you suspect.

ftp://ftp.abitshop.com/pub//manual/e...x38-quadgt.zip

Also in a thread here the problem was solved with a new BIOS (user "kreat0r")

I would try a CMOS reset / BIOS flash first though before shelling out on a new chip.
Make sure the PSU is also giving out stable voltages, but I suspect you've already done that

[Steve]

I'm running the latest BIOS so unless there's a beta or I can reflash, CMOS reset is my best option - which I already gon' dunned.

Voltages seem OK; hard to say all the rails are OK though. Might flick the switch around the back of the PSU and combine them.

[BUFF]

9.0. is usually either BIOS related (corrupt, unsupported CPU etc.) or power related (failing PSU, short etc.)

[Steve]

PSU voltages appear fine on a multimeter.

I took my graphics and RAID card out and it makes no difference.

I wonder if the CPU has gone wonky? Not had any crashes, mind you.

[shaithis]

Do you have the raid controller in the second 16x PCI-E slot by any chance?

If so, try switching it to the 4x slot.........I've had to run mine like that on this board else risk loads of power-on issues.

I also received the very latest BETA BIOS for the board today....drop me a PM with your email address if you would like a copy.

[Pip1957]

Shaithis would it be possible to get a copy of that bios as I am have problems since upgrading to the hd4850 I am back to bios 12 at the moment but still get random crashes with this card.

[Steve]

Do you have the raid controller in the second 16x PCI-E slot by any chance?

If so, try switching it to the 4x slot.........I've had to run mine like that on this board else risk loads of power-on issues.

I also received the very latest BETA BIOS for the board today....drop me a PM with your email address if you would like a copy.

I do have a RAID controller in that slot, but it's been fine for weeks. And now I've pulled both the graphics and RAID card from the system, and it still won't get past 9.0.

If I could have the BIOS, and even manage to get it to boot again, I can try updating it and see what happens.

[shaithis]

Shaithis would it be possible to get a copy of that bios as I am have problems since upgrading to the hd4850 I am back to bios 12 at the moment but still get random crashes with this card.

You certainly can, I do need your email address to send it though.....

[Pip1957]

My email is pipspen-sky.com please insert the @ where the minus is

[Steve]

OK, you're not going to believe for me A, trying it and B, it working.

I blasted the system internals with a hairdryer... I figured if there was some metallic dust shorting something that would dislodge it, and also if it's a dodgy track/bump that heating it up a bit might help me get it going.

And it worked.

Now it might be coincidence, but it's the first time it's booted in about 30 attempts.

I'm going to bung that beta BIOS on it now, see if reflashing the BIOS EEPROM does any good.

I still expect something is buggered, but at least it's alive for a while...

[shaithis]

hehe nice one.

A hairdryer is a new one on me, I'll have to remember that

Just about to flash mine as well

Edit: All installed fine and I have all the new BIOS features and my 4870x2 works...at last!

[Steve]

Not sure I'd recommend anyone blasts the insides of their PC with a hair-dryer - so if anyone does it and it makes things worse... don't blame me!

[byusinger84]

shaithis

Anyway I could get the latest beta bios from Abit for the IX38 Quad GT? I have the same ATI issues that everyone else is having with the 4800 series cards. Abit's site seems to have gone down completely. If you could send me the files, my e-mail is khsbigboom at hotmail.com.