PC-DL bios won't show or flash

[res07mnf]

just built asus w/2.8 xeons, posted fine and I've even loaded windows but
during install and after computer says no bios and gives option of dos or
awdflash utilty to load, I've tried both without success, also won't show
chipset. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? thanks

 

[R.H. \(Rick\) Mason]

just built asus w/2.8 xeons, posted fine and I've even loaded windows but
during install and after computer says no bios and gives option of dos or
awdflash utilty to load, I've tried both without success, also won't show
chipset. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? thanks

I'm having a possibly-related problem which I have never encountered
before. The PC-DL Deluxe board POST's OK, but NOTHING I can do will
persuade it to enter the BIOS Setup. The PC hangs after the SATA
controller posts a 'BIOS not loaded' message (no SATA devices present).
I've tried 2 different keyboards and every imaginable way of rebooting
but DEL still won't work.

Config thus far:

PC-DL Deluxe m/b
Dual Xeon 2.66GHz CPU
2 x 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
Intel U320 single-channel SCSI adaptor
2 x Maxtor Atlas 10k-IV 36GB drives (non-RAID)
52x IDE CD reader
1.44MB FDD
nVidia FX-5600 8x AGP adaptor

Any ideas as to why this puppy won't enter Setup?

TIA,

R.H. (Rick) Mason
MASCO Design Services Pty Ltd
Oyster Bay NSW Australia

 

[Leythos]

I'm having a possibly-related problem which I have never encountered
before. The PC-DL Deluxe board POST's OK, but NOTHING I can do will
persuade it to enter the BIOS Setup. The PC hangs after the SATA
controller posts a 'BIOS not loaded' message (no SATA devices present).
I've tried 2 different keyboards and every imaginable way of rebooting
but DEL still won't work.

Config thus far:

PC-DL Deluxe m/b
Dual Xeon 2.66GHz CPU
2 x 512MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
Intel U320 single-channel SCSI adaptor
2 x Maxtor Atlas 10k-IV 36GB drives (non-RAID)
52x IDE CD reader
1.44MB FDD
nVidia FX-5600 8x AGP adaptor

Any ideas as to why this puppy won't enter Setup?

First, make sure the KB is in the proper connector, I had to say this
just in case you had not already tried it.

Second, remove CPU 2, I know it's a pain, I've had to do it while
diagnosing a bad Xeon CPU in CPU 2 position.

Next, turn the computer off, turn off the switch on the PSU, reset the
BIOS using the jumper (10 seconds) and then boot it back up.

There are 4 SATA connectors, two are for the promise RAID, two are for
the standard SATA controller. In the bios the Promise RAID is disabled
by default. I also seem to remember that the SATA is set to OFF by
default - standard SATA controller. Since you are running SCSI, make
sure that all SATA is set for OFF. Make sure that your CD ROM is using
the CD cable and the CD controller port on the mother board.

Reset all settings to default, not optimal, and set the CPU speeds to
what your CPU is - meaning a 2.4 Ghz was something X 18 if I remember
correctly, I don't know what 2.66 Ghz is.

If it still won't enter the BIOS, then move the SCSI card to a different
slot.

One last thought, but you ARE using a PS2 keyboard aren't you?

 

[R.H. \(Rick\) Mason]

Leythos,

First, make sure the KB is in the proper connector, I had to say this
just in case you had not already tried it.

- Yeah, it's a PS/2 k/b and correctly connected. I can get into the
Config. menu for the U320 adaptor & the k/b works perfectly there.

Second, remove CPU 2, I know it's a pain, I've had to do it while
diagnosing a bad Xeon CPU in CPU 2 position.

- Hmmmm ... will try this as a last resort.

Next, turn the computer off, turn off the switch on the PSU, reset the
BIOS using the jumper (10 seconds) and then boot it back up.

- Yep, already tried that. No joy.

There are 4 SATA connectors, two are for the promise RAID, two are for
the standard SATA controller. In the bios the Promise RAID is disabled
by default. I also seem to remember that the SATA is set to OFF by
default - standard SATA controller. Since you are running SCSI, make
sure that all SATA is set for OFF. Make sure that your CD ROM is using
the CD cable and the CD controller port on the mother board.

- Have tried PRI & SEC IDE connectors for the CD-ROM, but haven't
tried booting WITHOUT the drive being connected. Will try this.

Reset all settings to default, not optimal, and set the CPU speeds to
what your CPU is - meaning a 2.4 Ghz was something X 18 if I remember
correctly, I don't know what 2.66 Ghz is.

- POST is OK, and both CPU's are correctly identified. Can't get at
any config. settings until I can enter the BIOS Setup, of course ...
CPU clock is 533MHz (133 * 4x multiplier) so 2.66GHz Xeon is driven
at 20 x 133MHz.

If it still won't enter the BIOS, then move the SCSI card to a different
slot.

- Good thought.

One last thought, but you ARE using a PS2 keyboard aren't you?

- See above.

Thanks for the input - I'll go experiment further.

Rick.

 

[Leythos]

- POST is OK, and both CPU's are correctly identified. Can't get at
any config. settings until I can enter the BIOS Setup, of course ...
CPU clock is 533MHz (133 * 4x multiplier) so 2.66GHz Xeon is driven
at 20 x 133MHz.

I bought a PC-DL Deluxe and Dual 2.4/s last week, it would post, let me
into the bios, but after installing the OS, it would hang just as it
loaded the Multi-Processor DLLs.... Turns out that CPU #2 was defective.

Make sure that both CPU's show as the correct speed (the White text at
boot, not the gray text). Also, Disable HT until you see it working.

 

[R.H. \(Rick\) Mason]

Leythos,


- Yeah, it's a PS/2 k/b and correctly connected. I can get into the
Config. menu for the U320 adaptor & the k/b works perfectly there.

- Fixed the sucker. Figured it might have been something to do with
the PS/2 input queue, so I removed the optical mouse & replaced it with
an old PS/2 ball-mouse - success! Looks like the optical mouse was
'flooding' the PS/2 port and preventing the BIOS from polling the
keyboard - or something. Weird, but at least we're up & running!

Thanks - as always, 'talking' helps!

Rick.