SCSI Boot option for QDI XPLORER2 (I430VX chipset)

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gershon
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I don't know if anyone's got the time to help but it would be appreciated..

Background: have an old QDI Explorer2 which I've rigged to run a AMD K6-3 400 processor. Until recently I was using boot utils to configure relevant registers etc but thanks to the rom.by bios patcher I have a properly identified processor with write-allocate set :D

The problem: The ide controller only supports <8.4GB pio4 so I have bought an ITE8212 based PCI IDE Controller. I cannot boot from it however, aparently SCSI has to be set as the boot device in the bios. The latest bios for my motherboard does not support SCSI/ LS120 booting (on the mb website it incorrectly states it does). Has anyone got any advice for modifying the bios to define SCSI as a boot option in the menus.??

Note. I have found a bios on qdi's website for another jumper-based 430vx motherboboard which does support scsi/ls120 booting (checked using modbin), Is it possible to copy parts from that to use in my bios??

All help greatly appreciated as this is my first major bios surgery.!!
pps I can send a copy of my current bios to be posted to rainbow.software If you want.
Thanks
Gershon
i430VX-NS306-2A59GQ1AC-00 bios v2.3non-speedeasy patch by rom.by
Rainbow
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What about a BIOS from here http://www.qdi.nl/download/VXII.htm? Does the v3.5c match your board?
Patched and tested BIOSes are at http://wims.rainbow-software.org
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gershon
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Sorry no, the IO chip on my Mb is dated 1994 :(

Examining my current bios (ver2.3) It has the ncr16K.rom included in the firmware. I tried replacing it with Aha7850.16k extracted from a different bios. Still no success booting from the ITE card

FYI
On qdigrp.com there are two extra versions: VX_v35 and VX_36 which fix Y2K bug and a PCI network card prob. Both of which are not fully compatible despite them being listed for the VX2. If you use them you lose support for the following:
single SDRAM slot
USB Keyboard support
Boot options reduced to C or A drives (not even CDROM)

Ideally I'd like to include the Y2K fix as well but any help just getting SCSI /LS120 boot would be brilliant.
Thanks

Gersh :D
Rainbow
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The board can't be dated 1994 because it has i430VX chipset. AFAIK, the i430FX chipset (the first modern chipset) was introduced in 1995 and i430VX is a bit newer (most probably 1996).
Patched and tested BIOSes are at http://wims.rainbow-software.org
UniFlash - Flash anything anywhere
gershon
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Hi Rainbow
Sorry i didn't explain my last post.
the VX2_V35c bios is a specific one for MBs with an NSC IO chip dated 1997
Mine has copyright dates of 1994+1995 on its NSC IO chip.

As to the actual date of my motheboard, who knows? it's a family heirloom :D
Cheers

Gersh
Rainbow
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I have one of these boards but it has burnt keyboard port (inside the big NSC SuperI/O chip), so I haven't examined the BIOSes thoroughly. It would need an USB keyboard and BIOS with USB keyboard support enabled by default. But the BIOS chip is soldered to the board so that would require unsoldering, reflashing and soldering a socket there...
Patched and tested BIOSes are at http://wims.rainbow-software.org
UniFlash - Flash anything anywhere
gershon
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Hi Rainbow
I can send you copy of my current bios (with usb keyboard enabled) If that would help :?:
Rainbow
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If the v2.3 BIOS does support USB keyboard, it's easy to enable it using modbin. The hard part is desoldering and soldering the PLCC chip...
Patched and tested BIOSes are at http://wims.rainbow-software.org
UniFlash - Flash anything anywhere
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