Bios flash woes

I did a bios flash a couple of weeks ago on my K8VSE Deluxe v 1.13. On the
Asus website, it states that if you have bios version 1001, you need to use
their AFUDOS flash program if you are upgrading to version 1004. But it
doesn't say anything about upgrading to version 1005, so I figured it was OK
to use EZflash, which is built into the bios on some Asus motherboards.

Anyway, what happened was my computer was rendered useless. Wouldn't do
anything. No disk spin, no video, no nothing. So, I contacted a
professional bios recovery guy and ordered a new PLCC bios chip with version
1005 pre-installed. When it arrived, I installed it. As soon as it started
up, it gave me a "bad bios checksum" message and asked for the floppy or CD.
I copied bios ver 1005 to a floppy using another computer and stuck it in
the drive where it copied itself to the bios. Then I had to reboot twice,
set the time, date, etc. and got the system going. But now, every time I
reboot, I must go through the same "bad bios checksum", insert floppy, copy
bios, and reboot twice. I even tried the "hot flash" trick with my original
chip. It flashed, but wouldn't verify, and still wouldn't work. So, I'm
back to leaving the machine on 24/7, or rebooting with the bad checksum each
time.

I contacted the bios flash guy again and he told me to send him my ORIGINAL
bios chip and he would flash it for me (on an eeprom burner). He thinks
it's because my original chip was a different model from the one he sent me,
although the tables all say they are an exact replacement.

So, I sent my chip to him. I'm hoping it will work. But, just in case it
doesn't, does ANYONE know where I can buy an SST brand PLCC chip number
39SF040, 70-4C-NH? I would appreciate any help. The last option would be
to replace the motherboard. ($$$) Asus' website doesn't have any
options for ordering bios chips.

There aren't too many places to get a chip flashed!!! Or to buy a blank
chip for that matter!! Hmmm. Maybe I could invest in an EEPROM burner?

I ran into the follow info recently, but I don't recall where. Since I
merely saved it and never tried it, I can't vouch for its authenticity or
reliability (a reverse phone number directory search does suggest
authenticity, however). Just thought you might want to check it out.

---------------------------
ASUSTechnology
Attn: BIOS Dept
7100 Intermodal Drive
Suite A
Louisville, Ky 40258
For assistance contact BIOS department at 502-995-0883 x7172

Reflashed Chip: Customer mails their chip
Reflashed chip sent UPS ground (2-10days) ... $5.00 (price covers
S&H, flash free)

New Chip:
New chip sent UPS ground (2-10 days) ... $25.000 (price covers the
chip and S&H)
----------------------------

Again, I haven't needed to try it (thankfully). If you do, please post back
your results.

Good luck.



"Tocapet" <tocapet DeleteThis @NOSPAMcharter.net> wrote in message
news:agvHd.50$Tq1.29@fe07.lga...
 >I did a bios flash a couple of weeks ago on my K8VSE Deluxe v 1.13. On the
 >Asus website, it states that if you have bios version 1001, you need to use
 >their AFUDOS flash program if you are upgrading to version 1004. But it
 >doesn't say anything about upgrading to version 1005, so I figured it was
 >OK to use EZflash, which is built into the bios on some Asus motherboards.
 >
 > Anyway, what happened was my computer was rendered useless. Wouldn't do
 > anything. No disk spin, no video, no nothing. So, I contacted a
 > professional bios recovery guy and ordered a new PLCC bios chip with
 > version 1005 pre-installed. When it arrived, I installed it. As soon as
 > it started up, it gave me a "bad bios checksum" message and asked for the
 > floppy or CD. I copied bios ver 1005 to a floppy using another computer
 > and stuck it in the drive where it copied itself to the bios. Then I had
 > to reboot twice, set the time, date, etc. and got the system going. But
 > now, every time I reboot, I must go through the same "bad bios checksum",
 > insert floppy, copy bios, and reboot twice. I even tried the "hot flash"
 > trick with my original chip. It flashed, but wouldn't verify, and still
 > wouldn't work. So, I'm back to leaving the machine on 24/7, or rebooting
 > with the bad checksum each time.
 >
 > I contacted the bios flash guy again and he told me to send him my
 > ORIGINAL bios chip and he would flash it for me (on an eeprom burner). He
 > thinks it's because my original chip was a different model from the one he
 > sent me, although the tables all say they are an exact replacement.
 >
 > So, I sent my chip to him. I'm hoping it will work. But, just in case it
 > doesn't, does ANYONE know where I can buy an SST brand PLCC chip number
 > 39SF040, 70-4C-NH? I would appreciate any help. The last option would
 > be to replace the motherboard. ($$$) Asus' website doesn't have any
 > options for ordering bios chips.
 >
 > There aren't too many places to get a chip flashed!!! Or to buy a blank
 > chip for that matter!! Hmmm. Maybe I could invest in an EEPROM burner?
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->