Bios Failure

[dennisbrown]

I have a Soyo mobo with the SiS5595/6326 chipset. My system will not boot at all (no video). I suspect a bios chip failure (obviously) but have no idea how to fix this. Is it possible to flash the bios when I can't boot the system or do I need to buy a new chip. If so where can I get one?
Thanks for any help.

[Pantion]

Check that you have put everything in place CPU, ram, HDD, etc.; check the power connector to the motherboard and devices; check the cables from the IDE and floppy devices.

When you turn the computer on does it make some beeps or something?

[dennisbrown]

I should have stated that this problem occurred on a system I had bought from a retailer that worked fine for 2 mos. I started to notice abnormal reports on boot-up (cpu speed 333 instead of 400 and ram 16 instead of 64) just before it failed to boot. I didn't make any changes or repairs to the system prior to the problem. Now when I try to start the system the only indication of activity is the fan turning on and the lights of the hard drive. No beeps no flashing lights and no accessing the HD.

[Pantion]

First of all you should check that you haven't been taken for a fool. A CPU of 400 MHz shoudn't read 333 unless it is underclocked. And the RAM too, but there was a previous post from Mingus74 ( http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum2/HTML/003719.html ), which also reported a mismatch ram size.

Before doing anything go with the guy who sold you the stuff and make him test your computer parts so you can be sure its a 400 MHz cpu and 64MB ram. And if he agrees to check the motherboard with a different CPU and RAM then go for it.

As for flashing you can try the following:


RECOVERY PROCEDURES

If something should go wrong during FLASH PROGRAMMING - the system is powered down too soon, etc. - the system will not show video when it is rebooted. If this happens, listen to see if any beeps occur when the system is powered on. If beeping is heard, the system should be recoverable, if no beeping is heard - assuming the speaker is working correctly - the system is probably not recoverable. To recover the system:

1. Create a bootable floppy

2. Create an AUTOEXEC.BAT on the floppy with a line such as the following:
AWDFLASH P5T30B4109.BIN (Substitute the correct BIOS or "bin" file for the mainboard you are using.)

3. Reboot the system. The system should read the floppy and reboot automatically after it has recovered the BIOS.

In the event that recovery procedures are not successful, a new BIOS chip will be required.

[dennisbrown]

I bought this from an auction site with no warranty (stupid me) but the price was right and I think of myself as fairly resourceful in fixing computer problems at least up to now. The ram is definitely 64mb as to the celeron 400 who knows. But these are nonessential issues as far as getting the system to boot. My question is how to flash a bios when I have no idea what bios I have or where to get a new one. I'm trying to trace down the motherboard manufacturer to get some help. I was wrong in my initial post I believe the maker of the mobo is Eurone but their website is down and directs me to EuroComLA which appears to make matsonic boards. Possibly a change of name or ownership? Thanks for your help.

[Pantion]

Well if want to get a new BIOS chip then check this site:
http://www.unicore.com/

But first you need to know the manufacturer of the board. The member "Susan" placed post of great site with a long list of manufacturers look for yours in there:
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/002891.html