bios chip for PCWave (aka PCChips M577)

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.

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

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,

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.

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.

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.

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!