"Kyle Brant" said:
It would be my interpretation of a "verify" message that the flash
program is comparing the d/l flash file with the "flashed" data in the
BIOS EEPROM. Thus, it strikes me that the write process completed. I
could be wrong though
A shutdown/reboot may just render the system non-bootable if the wrong
BIOS file was flashed, and he may not get into the BIOS to change
settings. I'd suggest preparing to use the "boot block" flash
approach, a google search will reveal the exact steps required and the
floppy setup files required. The ASUS web site may also provide the
steps to recover from a bad flash.
The following thread suggests that earlier versions of the
AsusUpdate utility weren't compatible with A7N8X-xx. Notice
that a copy of AsusUpdate is not included in the download
list for the A7N8X-E Deluxe.
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread/t-35483.html
To get the latest AsusUpdate, download 5.23.02 from this page.
It is probably too late to expect this program to run, because
when it queries the flash chip, it will be very confused:
http://www.asus.it/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=Tools&Type=All&SLanguage=en-us
The Abxzone thread suggests downloading the BIOS file
and having it ready on disk, to feed to the AsusUpdate
program. (I don't know anything about AsusUpdate, because
I would never flash without my DOS boot floppy and DOS
flasher program
And DON'T RESET THE MACHINE. Try everything else first, because
if you don't manage to recover it, it will not reboot in its
current state. You'll be dead in the water. If you can convince
AsusUpdate or another flasher to flash a good image, only then
can you try a reset. [ We know she's dead, Scotty ] The recovery
rate with "boot block" methods is perilously close to zero.
If the AsusUpdate doesn't help, then a true sign of desperation
is a visit here:
http://www.uniflash.org or
http://www.rainbow-software.org/programs.html#UniFlash
Read this before proceeding:
http://www.rainbow-software.org/uniflash.txt
I think the only way to use this program, is via a DOS boot
floppy, and the only advantage of the program, is you
can make an autoexec.bat file, to launch the program automatically
after boot. This is on the assumption that, after a reboot, you
cannot see the screen (blacked out). With the Nforce2 chipset,
you may want to try the -AMI option as an argument to the program.
(Since this requires resetting and rebooting the machine, there
isn't much chance of this working. Rather than wasting time
prepping the floppy, just insert a DOS boot disk. If you don't
hear the floppy being accessed, as if it is booting, you're
screwed anyway.)
Another option is to just leave the computer alone and continue
to use it (hoping it doesn't crash). Order a new BIOS chip from
one of the many replacement BIOS chip suppliers (badflash.com etc).
You may have to do a little searching, to find a supplier
close to you. Then, shut down and unplug the computer, and
replace with the new BIOS chip when you get it.
Yet another option is to find someone in your local area who
owns a BIOS Savior. With its dual EEPROM feature, you can install
a badly flashed chip of the same type (PMC4) and reflash it,
without harming the host machine in any way. Check the ioss.com.tw
site, to determine the model number of BIOS Savior necessary to do
this (should be PMC4).
Someone in this group managed to do a hot flash of a PLCC type
flash chip, but to me, that risks damage to a second motherboard.
Better to buy another BIOS chip than do that.
HTH,
Paul
