bios chip for PCWave (aka PCChips M577)

[CEDAR]

I know this board is not worth much, however, a bios upgrade attempt failed and now the board is useless. I would at least like to get it running so I can build an extremely cheap (using some donated and some new parts) computer for a day-care center that has a lot of compassion and cheap rates for single mothers low on cash. Does anyone know where I can the award bios chip for this board? My supplier no longer carries this discontinued board and I've exhausted all other avenues. Thanks. Reply by email is great.

[shawnMt]

Do this AT YOUR OWN RISK. You could end up with 2 dead boards.

Hot swap the bios. Take a similar Award bios off another board. Does not have to be identical - I've done it from a Tyan to a Tiger m/b and it worked. Put it on the Pchips, paying attention to which way both chips are mounted before you remove either. Boot to a clean floppy and swap the chips out, then reflash the dead chip with the backup you made (if you made one.) If not then re-download the flash and try again.

Also maybe someone else has some pointers for doing this.

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Cannot find REALITY.SYS. Universe halted.

http://www.auwebdesign.com/shawnpages/laptop.html

[This message has been edited by shawnMt (edited June 22, 2000).]

[DR]

Cedar,

I run across this site while surfing for rescue type programs. I don't know if it will help or not. It's called Uniflash and looks like it might work. It's at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...wen/ufhome.htm or search with Uniflash.

[DR]

Cedar,

I run across this site while surfing for rescue type programs. I don't know if it will help or not. It's called Uniflash and looks like it might work. It's at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...wen/ufhome.htm or search with Uniflash.

[CEDAR]

Thanks. Will probably try to locate a similar award chip. I did back up the old bios (however, to the hard drive of the machine which is at a business and I'm trying to remember the name of the file.....)
Never thought of a hot swap but I see that is the only way I'll get it to boot so I can reflash.

[Ruslan]

Hi for all!
CEDAR!
Do not try using BIOS from another manufacturer, it's useless, even it's
BIOS from AWARD or AMI, no matter.
I can give You usefull advise:
BIOS code based on chipset - look on MB and
You will found samething looks like as
TX Pro,TX PRO2,or ALi.
You can use BIOS only from the same chipset-based MB.
I could say even more-BIOS also heavily depend from Input/Output IC.
You can try looking for BIOS file on site www.pcwave.com (may be www.pcwave.com.tw - I'm can't remember exacly)
If You will not found BIOS where, post me a letter with information about Your's MB, and
I'm can help You.
I'm sorry, if my English isn't well enough.

[Ruslan]

Yes!
I'm found BIOS file for You!
Look on site www.pcwave.com.tw.
PCChips and PCWave is the same M/B.
Page is named as "BIOS and DRIVERS".
Flashing procedure is following:
- You have to read instruction for flash utility carefully.
- You have to have working M/B, better if it
ASUS M/B, or friend with this M/B.
- You have run flashing utility on this M/B,load BIOS image file according to instruction for flashing utility.
- Then You have to make hot swap between original BIOS IC and unproperly flashed one.
- If IC BIOS completly damaged,You'll receive message "unknouwn flash".
- If You receive type of IC message, continue flashing procedure according to instruction.
- In order having to be unsured, what all will be OK and Your's working M/B can't be broken, I'm insist on using special 32-pin ZIF-soket.
You can buy it in special electronic shops.
It's quite a usefull thing.
Good by!