Mobo died, need to get the proper BIOS file.

Hot-swapping and Boot-Block flash & Boot block flash and floppy support
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SH4D3H
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K here's the deal:
A while ago my mobo stopped workin and started to gimme those 'code' beeps.
After lookin them up, it said: 4-3-4-1 Boot the Flash program.

There are a few problems:
1. I do not know the exact type of mobo, its a Packard Bell MediaRunner mobo, BIOSwiz once gave me this list:

Code: Select all

BIOS CAPABILITIES TEST REPORT
================================
Generated by: BIOS Wizard 2.10
Date: March 16, 2003
Time: 12:02

PnP Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
PCI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 2.1
PCI IRQ Routing Table : BIOS currently supports this feature
Enhanced Disk Drive : BIOS currently supports this feature
DMI Version : Current version is 2.0. The minimum DMI version is 2.1
ACPI Version : ACPI is not found
APM Version : Bios currently supports lastest version 1.2
Booting From CD-ROM : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports ESCD : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Updated (flashed) : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Shadowed : BIOS currently supports this feature
BIOS Chip in Socket : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports Selective Booting : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports LS-120 Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by the current DMI version
Supports ZIP Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by the current DMI version
Supports Network Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by the current DMI version
BIOS Manufacturer : PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 licensed to Intel
BIOS ID : 4A3NT0X0.11A.0003.P06.9709111759
BIOS Date : 09/11/97
BIOS OEM Signon : 
BIOS ROM Size : 256K
Chipset : Intel Triton 430TX rev 1
Super I/O Chip : NSC 307 rev 15 found at port 2Eh
2. I dont really know how im supposed to flash my BIOS without seeing anything on my screen? ( Maybe threw a .bat ? )
3. I havent found a proper BIOS file to flash into my ROM yet.

Could you guys help me out?
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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Ritchie
BIOS Guru
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Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 5:17 am

"Boot the flash program" may or may not mean that the BIOS is currently corrupted and is operating in bootblock mode.

If in bootblock mode, use of an ISA video card may give you a display, but this isn't gauranteed either.

However I presently would not be able to say with confidence if you have a bootblock mode or a completely different problem.
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SH4D3H
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Well i dont hava ISA graphcard, only a PCI one, but that didnt work either.
The BIOS has been reset a couple of times, but nothin seems to work ...
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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Ritchie
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On older machines, PCI support may not be included for video cards but ISA may be more likely supported, when in bootblock mode.

The idea with bootblock is that you can set up an automated boot disk to flash your BIOS if you think it is corrupted. You can still do this without a video card and display, except that you cannot see what is happening until the BIOS is sucessfully flashed and operational.

Only problem is, at this stage I am not sure you definitely have a bootbock problem.
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SH4D3H
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How to find out whether your are right or not?

I cant get the mobo to boot, it always gives me the same beeps ...
Well, not always, when i boot without the CPU (so thats without anything!) the mobo gives a long beep ...
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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SH4D3H
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Well, ive come to the conclusion that i just wanna flash the *** thing nomatter what :)
So, the question remains, can you guys help me to
- find the proper bios file for my mainboard
- flash without seeing anything

Thanks in advance :lol:
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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ajzchips
El cheapo dude
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Location: Madrid, Spain

Intel AN430TX (Anchorage) mobo.

But you have the Packard Bell OEM version:
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/pb/mb/790.htm

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/mypc/ ... cy_PB#show

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/mypc/ ... cy_PB#show
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SH4D3H
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Well, im busy tryin, though the problem is i cant see a thing :|
It says follow the on screen instructions, but i dont know what to do :(
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SH4D3H
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No one that could give me a lil help here?
Instead of the beep code, the mobo now gives me a single beep (like its supposed to) but i still dont see a thing, and without the floppy loaded, it returns to its beep code self ;)
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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NickS
BIOS Bodhisattva
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Location: Thames Valley, UK

The instructions at the
Answer affirmatively to the confirmation routine to proceed with the automated flash update.
I would guess that means type "Y". If nothing happens, press the <CR> key. This assumes that the boot procedure is working normally.

Otherwise, as it is an Intel motherboard, I guess the standard recovery procedure may work:
http://developer.intel.com/design/mothe ... rybios.htm
Set jumper J8A1 to position 2-3, as described in the link to uktsupport that Ajzchips gave you.
Tested patched BIOSes. Untested patched BIOSes.
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SH4D3H
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It wont even boot the floppy now :(
Since i moved the jumper.
Tried a bios reset, but even that didnt work.

It now says this:
4-3-4-2 Initialize the boot device.

But thats connected and loaded :?
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NickS
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Location: Thames Valley, UK

So with the jumper in the BIOS restore position, does it try to read the floppy?
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SH4D3H
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No!
The problem is it has always been on restore mode, i switched it to normal and tried to boot once, that got me the 4-3-4-2 beep (Saying start the flash program) then i switched it back, and now it beeps 4-3-4-1.

Before i tried this, the floppy disk seemed to boot, but stoped making noise after some time. So i tried pressing some things on my keyboard, without any result :(
:: If it ain't broke after the first run, do another, and another ... ::
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NickS
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Location: Thames Valley, UK

I think you may have a chipset fault. As the BIOS chip is not in a socket on this board, I believe, I do not think that you can replace it or reprogram it to confirm this. Unless anyone else has any ideas??
Tested patched BIOSes. Untested patched BIOSes.
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Ritchie
BIOS Guru
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Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 5:17 am

I am wondering if that when the floppy drive was reading the floppy, and it stopped and you tried keys without any sucess. Maybe there was just a error in the commands or seutp of the floppy disk or you were pressing the wrong key at the wrong time.

I assume you were unable to see a display while you were dojng this?
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