BIOS recovery tips (updated topic)

**Ruslan** · May 7th, 2002, 12:48 PM

Since my original topic once again disappeared after updating these forums to the new UBB version, I decided to re-post my topic again with latest updates (because my original topic was more than one year old).

As I promised, this is my topic about BIOS recovery - thanks to forum members, who saved all my BIOS recovery topics, and sent them back to me, so, I do have them all again.
My topic is for experienced techies only, so, I think, here is the best place to post it.

My topic is about "how to" revive motherboard after failed attempt of updating BIOS, especially if motherboard won't boot at all after that bad flash (!). Materials, placed here, content some of my "know-how", and cannot be quoted without reference.

Why seemed to be simple BIOS updating operation can be finished with undesired result - motherboard, what won't boot at all?
Reasons can be different here:
1. You have downloaded wrong BIOS image file. Rarely, but sometimes manufacturers places wrong BIOS updates for their motherboards on their www-sites.
At least, once I had been surprised to see BIOS string message "P2B-F" after downloading and updating BIOS for my ASUS P2B motherboard (it was German ASUS FTP). Filename was correct - listed as for P2B, but it turned out be wrong file's content.Fortunately, both of motherboards are having almost compatible BIOSes.
But I've seen also quite a few BIOS updates for Gigabyte motherboards, what aren't working at all.
So, be careful here...
2. You forgot to unzip archived file - unbelievable, but sometimes it happens...especially with "dummies".
Many (if not all) BIOS updates placed on manufacturer's sites, are being packed using ZIP or another archiver.
So, You have to unzip the BIOS image file first before flashing.
3. Power surge or cut-offs during flash operation. You should have either UPS, or at least reliable PSU ; although flashing BIOS takes not so much time, but nevertheless, "be on safe side of caution";
4. Flash utility did not recognize BIOS chip correctly.
Make sure what flash utility does recognize You BIOS chip type correctly (!); otherwise You can fry Your flash IC!
Some of an old flashers (for example, awdflash ver.5.35) can recognize new types of flash ICs as 28F010 or 28F020 flash (i.e. with 12V programming voltage(!)). If Your BIOS chip is in fact flash IC with 5V programming voltage, Your BIOS chip will be damaged! So, make sure Your flash utility is fresh enough and supports BIOS chip type.
Some of motherboards are having special jumper for changing programming voltage (either 5V or 12V DC) of the flash IC. Make sure You have set correct voltage!
5. Sometimes new BIOS file can have incompatible with original boot-block. That boot-block (can be hardware protected or software protected) is responsible for booting motherboard even if rest of flash chip is erased or damaged (for example, after Win95.CIH virus attack).

New versions of awdflash utility by default does not support reflashing boot-blocks. That's the main reason, why seemed to be successfully done flash operation sometimes can turn out what motherboard won't boot at all!- an old boot block can be incompatible with new BIOS update.
Besides that, in some motherboard that boot-block can be hardware protected (as shown on picture above).
Sometimes boot-block survives and You can hear some booting sounds from speaker, and PC trying to boot from floppy. It is the easiest situation for BIOS recovery, though.
6. Of course, sometimes flash chip itself can be damaged. There are could be few situations...
Chip can have few bad bytes, what can't be correctly re-flashed.
Or have lost two manufacturer's ID bytes written into first two bytes (hidden) in chip. Can be activated only by applying programming voltage to the A9 adress line of the chip.
In last case You can see message "unknown flash type", and that chip cannot be re-flashed using ordinary methods.
It could be also simply an old flash utility what unable recognize new type of flash IC - use the latest possible one instead...
7. Current version of BIOS flashing utility can be working incorrectly with some flash IC types.
For example, I've seen too many failed BIOS updates after using ASUS flash utility (aflash) version below 2.02 and Mosel Vitelic 29F002T flash ICs. It turned out an old versions on Aflash utility are working incorrectly with those chips ... although flashing seems to be successful, flash operation has undesired effect -motherboard won't boot after that. Newer version of Aflash (2.02) utility have no such problem.
8. Some of flash ICs may be not supported by that particular motherboard's chipset ... it's definitely engineer's fault.
You can refer to .doc for Uniflash utility for some details.
9. Using Winflash utilities also can be risky - programming flash IC types requires precision timing, what hard to get in multitasking environment. Some programs can interfere with working winflash utility (antivirus, spyware, and so on).

**freddy** · May 7th, 2002, 02:39 PM

thanks ruslan ,,,i spent about two hours looking for this article the other night ,(eventualy found a dead link)....

now can we have the update on PSUs

simple question ruslan ....can U buy "retail" unprogrammed bios chips ,,,sutable for "modern boards ie award bios ver 6 ? ,,,for use in modern bx (?) p11 p3 amd boards ?

who supplies them ,,,,have not checked - because i have no Pt No ,,,,largest supplier in UK is "radio spares"

cheers alan.

**Ruslan** · May 7th, 2002, 03:26 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by freddy:

now can we have the update on PSUs <hr /></blockquote>Unfortunately,I didn't save that my topic either...

Never mind, I do remember it. I'll post that topic again, whan I will have enough time...
I was going to translate (from Russian) and post here interesting articles regarding correcting BIOSes for supporting new CPUs and large size harddrives (above 32Gig).It takes so much time...

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> simple question ruslan ....can U buy "retail" unprogrammed bios chips ,,,sutable for "modern boards ie award bios ver 6 ? ,,,for use in modern bx (?) p11 p3 amd boards ? <hr /></blockquote>I don't know much about UK retailers, but here in Odessa they are available for retail price about 3-6 USD for 2Mbit flash IC (max). Beside that,as I have said, those chips can be taken out from faulty motherboards...
But here are links to some of flash ICs manufacturer's sites - who knows, may be some of them does have representatives in UK.
Really it doesn't matter, what chip type is - IC's size is more important (most of modern motherboards are using 2 Mbit flash ICs).
But some of motherboards are using those flash chips in PLCC package. I use custom build convertor for reflashing these chips (I'll bit later post some pics how it looks like).

I would recommend these manufacturers:

<a href="http://www.atmel.com" target="_blank">http://www.atmel.com</a>
<a href="http://www.winbond.com.tw/e-winbondhtm/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.winbond.com.tw/e-winbondhtm/index.asp</a>
<a href="http://www.sst.com" target="_blank">http://www.sst.com</a>

**freddy** · May 7th, 2002, 04:02 PM

cheers ruslan , i will make enquires - ,,,,anybody in uk know sutable part No ,,,maybe maplins?

by the way ruslan the link u posted (from me) at the start of topic is dsead link

thanks ,,,alan

**Antimatter** · May 11th, 2002, 10:03 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruslan:
I use custom build convertor for reflashing these chips (I'll bit later post some pics how it looks like).
<hr /></blockquote>Those PLCC sockets are very inconvenient. I'd certainly appreciate a pin converter diagram.

**ilovetheusers** · May 11th, 2002, 10:17 PM

You are awesome. I've always thought that once you ruined the bios that you were just done. I actually had no idea there were recovery techniques like this or services that could help you. Thanks!!

**Ruslan** · May 12th, 2002, 05:06 PM

That's why I have designed (by myself <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) those PLCC-to-DIP converters.
Here are two pictures of PCB of those convertors:
<img src="http://windrivers.narod.ru/BIOS_recovery/plcc32p1.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://windrivers.narod.ru/BIOS_recovery/plcc32p2.jpg" alt=" - " />

PCB is double-sided, with metallization. I'm ordering those PCBs from one of our local electronic plants.

Let me know, if You're having any problem with downloading (/accessing) these pics - I can e-mail them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Following two pictures shows little mods I have done with mentioned 32-pin ZIP socket (for convenience of using it in different motherboards). <img src="http://windrivers.narod.ru/BIOS_recovery/socket_for_BIOS_DIP.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://windrivers.narod.ru/BIOS_recovery/ZIP32mod.jpg" alt=" - " />

**Ruslan** · May 12th, 2002, 05:16 PM

Oh yeah, pin no.1 is shown on both of pictures of two-sided PCB as square bonding contact pad...

**Antimatter** · May 16th, 2002, 04:04 PM

Thanks Ruslan.
Do you sell those at all?

**Ruslan** · May 17th, 2002, 08:14 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Antimatter:
Thanks Ruslan.
Do you sell those at all?<hr /></blockquote>Yes,I do. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> But so far - locally (about 5US$ for fully assembled PLCC32 converter).
I was thinking also about selling full sets for reflashing...
I haven't tried to sell them worldwide because I don't know at this moment, how it can be done (shipping costs,money transferring an so on)
It presents some problems here in Ukraine

If someone will help me with that issue, I would greatly appreciate it.

But so far... I'm going to be in Canada (Toronto) this summer and can bring few of those converters or full sets with me. Let me know... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

**NooNoo** · August 15th, 2002, 05:42 AM

Heh, was looking for this in bios/motherboards, no wonder I couldn't find it

**confus-ed** · August 15th, 2002, 06:06 AM

Ruslan, as a fan, I refer to your excellent posts quite often!

Since I can never find them! for various reasons...

Could you add them to your bookmarks to save me & others from all that fruitless searching, & hopefully you a little less re-posting?

**Ruslan** · August 15th, 2002, 09:24 AM

Thanks for advice, I will bookmark them...

If someone will tell me, where is good free web-space for placing the pictures from my topic, I would greatly appresiate it...

P.S.
Just checked the links to the pictures again - all the pictures are accessible via direct links, but too slowwwwww...

**confus-ed** · October 5th, 2002, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by freddy
thanks ruslan ....can U buy "retail" unprogrammed bios chips ,,,sutable for "modern boards ie award bios ver 6 ? ,,,for use in modern bx (?) p11 p3 amd boards ?..uk....

Try these Freddy £6 + postage...

Actron Electronics Limited
2 Cochran Close
Crownhill
Milton Keynes
MK8 0AJ
+44 (0) 1908 561688

**Garak** · October 14th, 2002, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by Ruslan
Thanks for advice, I will bookmark them...
If someone will tell me, where is good free web-space for placing the pictures from my topic, I would greatly appresiate it...

P.S.
Just checked the links to the pictures again - all the pictures are accessible via direct links, but too slowwwwww...

Ruslan, I'll host them

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Can you add this to your bookmarks please...?

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