[NBLUG/talk] BIOS -failed update - help

[Justin Thiessen]

On Fri, Jan 07, 2005 at 07:50:24AM -0800, Glen Gunsalus wrote:
> Sorry if this is considered off topic, but my linux box is out of 
> commission and I'm clutching for resources just now.
> 
> The short story is that I have no or a partial or a corrupt BIOOS so my 
> main linux box is dead.  I have the original BIOS on floppy (saved by 
> flash update program).  My BIOS is on a 40-pin EEPROM (socketed).  Is it 
> possible to write the chip using an eeprom writer and the 
> original_bios.bin?    If so, does anyone on the list have access to such 
> a resource and willing to give me a hand?

This might indeed be be possible, but first, let's see if there's an easier
way.  It's possible with some motherboards to go through a bios flash sequence
even if the BIOS is fubarred.  Unfortunately it requires doing things like
interpreting boot-time beep codes and the like, but it's better than tossing
your motherboard!

So...what brand and model motherboard do you have?


Justin

> This was all in the interest of installing a new disk which was bigger 
> than my BIOS could see/access.  I purchased a BIOS upgrade for my 
> motherboard from eSupport.com, followed their update instructions and it 
> hung during the eeprom write.  So far I've not been able to get a 
> response from eSupport.com (yea for support  :-(( )
> 
> TIA for any help or pointers.
> 
> Glen Gunsalus
> 
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