Biostar M7VIZ -- BIOS is bad?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Andrew
  • Start date Start date
A

Andrew

I just wrote them with:

I can't sucessfully enter BIOS without clearing the CMOS with the jumper. I
FLASHed the BIOS several times with no change. Boots irradically, but WHEN
it does boot, it runs like a champ! After loading Win98SE but got an error
on initialization of "IOS" so I loaded WinXP -- drivers and all.

If I hit <DEL> during the boot the system will either hang, display the BIOS
screen and hang, or re-boot! NO pattern to what, or why.

I even stripped it down to no drives and cleared CMOS. I'd get checksum
error, enter, set optimal and save BIOS. When it reboots it will not enter
BIOS again -- ONLY after clearing CMOS will it access BIOS.

If there's no hope, then I'll have to return this one too. My first (Rev 5)
wouldn't acknowledge keystrokes nor err that the keyboard was or was not
present. This newer Rev 5.1 has the SATA RAID connectors on it! I'd LOVE
to get it running -- it's such a full-featured board - but I need a reliable
board ;-)

What gives? Is this salvagable or trash? HELP!!!

and their website replys with:

Thank you for contacting Biostar. We will get back to you as soon as
possible. Unfortunately, due to the large amount of emails we receive each
day, we may not be able to reply to every request. However we will try our
best to assist you with your problem. We appreciate your patience.
I'm running an AMD Athlon XP 1800+, 512Mb DDR333, and a 300W PS.

Any suggestions before I incur more $$ sending THIS one back too?
 
Very difficult to diagnose that without running some kind of DOS diagnostic
program or switching out the PS, ram or video card with known good units.

Double check the settings and make sure you're not running anything out of
spec. IOW, check the memory timings.

You might want to DL memtest86 and run it.

http://www.memtest86.com/
 
THANKS for the advice. I did (am) running it now... so far: PASS 1 w/o
errors. The video is On-Board, and I tried another PS, a 400W from THIS
machine, nade no difference. I feel it's a BAD BIOS chip or bad mobo, but
this is the second one! What are the chances of 2 for 2, anyway?

It's finicy to get it running, but once it does it's a great board!

Any other suggestions... anybody? Should I try another copy or change to
another manufacturer? I got this board as a combo set from Newegg for $99
with the AMD XP 1800+ Retail box w/HSF. The reviews on their site show it's
a good board too. Is 2 for 2 bad luck or a bad batch?

Thanks
Andrew
 
Andrew said:
THANKS for the advice. I did (am) running it now... so far: PASS 1 w/o
errors. The video is On-Board, and I tried another PS, a 400W from THIS
machine, nade no difference. I feel it's a BAD BIOS chip or bad mobo, but
this is the second one! What are the chances of 2 for 2, anyway?

It's finicy to get it running, but once it does it's a great board!

Any other suggestions... anybody? Should I try another copy or change to
another manufacturer? I got this board as a combo set from Newegg for $99
with the AMD XP 1800+ Retail box w/HSF. The reviews on their site show it's
a good board too. Is 2 for 2 bad luck or a bad batch?

Thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...

It's also possible the CPU is flakey. It's not impossible to get two bad
mother boards in a row. I just went through it myself.
 
Could a new BIOS chip, already FLASHED, from the manufacturer solve this? I
mean, it doesn't make sense that it COULD EVER boot, load, and run with
faulty CPU or motherboard? Seems it's ALL in the BIOS chip, to me?
Thoughts?

Thanks

Andrew
 
Andrew said:
Could a new BIOS chip, already FLASHED, from the manufacturer solve this? I
mean, it doesn't make sense that it COULD EVER boot, load, and run with
faulty CPU or motherboard? Seems it's ALL in the BIOS chip, to me?
Thoughts?

Thanks

Andrew
Click to expand...

Not true. I just got a bad XP2800 CPU that would lock up in the bios. It
also booted and ran around 95% of the time but would cause a hard lock in XP
from time to time. A bad MB will also boot but there will be some
manifestation of the flaw in the OS. Either file corruption or lockups.

Same goes true for memory or power supply. Just the fact that windows will
boot is a feat in itself but that doesn't mean all is well.

Try this:


http://www.utilitygeek.com/details.php?fileid=143
 
NOW I've got a question... The BIOS had been reporting the Ram as DDR333
but NOW reports it as DDR266 and boots FINE! The CPU is a 1800+ which is a
266 FSB (not 333 as is my other system w/the Barton core 2500+) so the
memory SHOULD be operated as if it is PC2100 at 266Mhz, right?

SO, I don't know if I should feel the settings were not properly
coordinating the RAM with the CPU or if I should have noticed THAT sooner?
THINGS may be ok now... how should/will I know. WHAT testing should I be
doing to "burn in" the system?

THANKS for your replys... it gave me hope after spending over 35 hours
trying to get it working... :-(

Andrew

PS. Is it possible that the extended time (5 1/4 HOURS, 10 passes) I'd run
the memory checker could have helped the board, CPU and RAM get running
well?
 
SO, I don't know if I should feel the settings were not properly
coordinating the RAM with the CPU or if I should have noticed THAT
sooner? THINGS may be ok now... how should/will I know. WHAT testing
should I be doing to "burn in" the system?
Click to expand...

It is highly possible to run the RAM at 333 DDR and the FSB at 266 DDR.
The question is whether or not your RAM can /handle/ 333 DDR speeds. That
may have been the problem all along
PS. Is it possible that the extended time (5 1/4 HOURS, 10 passes)
I'd run the memory checker could have helped the board, CPU and RAM
get running well?
Click to expand...

Highly unlikely.

--
AIM: FrznFoodClerk (actually me)
email: de_on-lag@co_cast.net (_ = m)
website: under construction
Need a technician in the south Jersey area?
email/IM for rates/services
 
Andrew said:
THANKS for the advice. I did (am) running it now... so far: PASS 1 w/o
errors. The video is On-Board, and I tried another PS, a 400W from THIS
machine, nade no difference. I feel it's a BAD BIOS chip or bad mobo, but
this is the second one! What are the chances of 2 for 2, anyway?

It's finicy to get it running, but once it does it's a great board!

Any other suggestions... anybody? Should I try another copy or change to
another manufacturer? I got this board as a combo set from Newegg for $99
with the AMD XP 1800+ Retail box w/HSF. The reviews on their site show it's
a good board too. Is 2 for 2 bad luck or a bad batch?

Thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...

Make sure your power supply is good.
 
Andrew said:
NOW I've got a question... The BIOS had been reporting the Ram as DDR333
but NOW reports it as DDR266 and boots FINE! The CPU is a 1800+ which is a
266 FSB (not 333 as is my other system w/the Barton core 2500+) so the
memory SHOULD be operated as if it is PC2100 at 266Mhz, right?
Click to expand...

I would definitely start there, considering the trouble you've had so far.
there should be a setting in the bios for the memory.
SO, I don't know if I should feel the settings were not properly
coordinating the RAM with the CPU or if I should have noticed THAT sooner?
THINGS may be ok now... how should/will I know. WHAT testing should I be
doing to "burn in" the system?
Click to expand...

This app has a "burn-in" feature.

http://www.sisoftware.net/?location=update
THANKS for your replys... it gave me hope after spending over 35 hours
trying to get it working... :-(

Andrew

PS. Is it possible that the extended time (5 1/4 HOURS, 10 passes) I'd run
the memory checker could have helped the board, CPU and RAM get running
well?
Click to expand...

Nope, broken hardware won't heal. It is possible that a loose connection
will may be righted by the heat generated by operation but that is a long
shot.
 
Make sure your power supply is good.
Click to expand...

Well I don't know what the diff is From a M7viz and a M7VIGpro but i have
this board with an XP1800 Over Clocked to A XP2200 rating so It may be a
bad board or the Proc is bad try on a different board and see.

Just my two cents
gunner
 
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