Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.epox (
More info?)
I have the ep-8kta+ and can't boot to dos from wins xp pro to flash
bios. Any tips? Alt F2 method does not work either it hangs, I can
restart however w/o corruption so far.
stephensheppard@hotmail.com (phsstpok) wrote in message news:<1072813f.0408181051.7babcff4@posting.google.com>...
> "Phil" <ausnasia@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message news:<4122e169$0$15519$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au>...
> > I have a 8kta3+Pro which I just tried to bios upgrade, with 8K203528.bin.
> > It went about 3/4 of the way through and said "Checksum Error" and then
> > rebooted.
> > Then it say's "Insert system disk and press enter"
> > I put in a system disk made using a win95 computer rebooted in dos mode with
> > format format A: /s and added the awflash and new .bin files, but it comes
> > up with the same message.
> > When it reboots, it has the Award Bootlock V1.0 at the top of the screen and
> > the onboard system LED's stop at code 41.
> >
> > Any clues?
> The same thing just happened last month with my 8KTA3PRO (same as the
> +PRO but without RAID). I also received checksum error in the middle
> of flashing and then a reboot. (In my case, I was already using the
> 8K203528 BIOS but was falling back to 8K201A19. I prefer this version
> when using older 100 Mhz chips.
>
> I discovered the Award Bootblock BIOS v1.0 does not seem to work
> properly. It can't actually read any floppies. I tried 3.5" high
> density and low density disks (720 KB). I tried an old 5.25 inch
> high density drive (1.2 MB). I even tried a really old 360 KB drive
> and disk. Nothing worked. All drives and all bootdisks refused to
> boot even though all combinations were verified on another system. I
> just could not get the 8KTA3PRO to recognize the bootdisks.
>
> Finally I gave up and ordered a new BIOS chip. I bought mine from
> www.epoxstore.com for $10 USD + shipping. Unfortunately, the Epox
> Store is in the USA and I assume you are in Australia (based on you
> email address). I don't know where you can order a replacement in your
> country.
>
> I'm sure if you contact Epox they will take care of you.
>
> If not you could have your chip reflashed. Some computer
> stores/repair shops can do this. Probably they would charge a lot.
>
> For years (more than 5) I've seen a site online that reflashes BIOSes.
> The site is called www.flashbios.org. It's in Denmark but the cost
> is very reasonable, 10 Euro or 5 British Pounds or the equivalent US
> Dollars. These seem to be the only currencies. (Interesting, the
> values aren't equivalent. 5 British Pounds is approx $9.11 US dollars
> while 10 Euros is $12.30 US dollars). You ship them the chip with
> your payment (in hard currency). They flash it and return it to you.
> Return shipping is included in the price.
>
> They now accept Paypal if you don't like sending actual cash in the
> mail.
>
> You can also order a new chip flashed with the BIOS of your choice.
> The cost is higher, of course.
>
> If you know someone with an identical motherboard you can do a
> hotflash. You boot the good system to DOS and while it is still
> running you pop out the BIOS chip and insert the corrupt one. You
> then just flash that chip using the Awdflash program. Now you have two
> good chips. (I did this after I received my replacement chip. Now I
> have a backup).
>
> Hotflashing is not as risky as it sounds but there is some risk. It is
> not for the feint hearted.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Steve Sheppard
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