Can this BIOS be swapped?

[KachiWachi]

In order to test whether the BIOS has any effect on my memory write problem (see other thread posted in this section), I was thinking of flashing the DFI BIOS into the Amptron (M520).

Both use the same BIOS chip and System chipset, but the Super I/O chips are different. Does this mean that the BIOS won't work properly, or is there some cross-compatibility? By properly, all I need to be able to do is boot from a floppy in DOS (to run the test program) and use the keyboard...that's it.

DFI - Winbond 83977F-A found at port 3F0h

Amptron - UMC 8663BF found at port 108h

Thanks!

[ajzchips]

Most likely not, considering the different super I/O's....

[Rainbow]

You might be able to boot from HDD but not from the floppy.

[KachiWachi]

I can swap in a test HDD...got plenty of those to spare.

Would the keyboard be functional?

[ajzchips]

I remember always managing to use the keyboard even after testflashing several BIOSes, but I also do remember some people having problems with it...

[KachiWachi]

OK...thanks for the suggestions.

I decided to try this using a separate EEPROM just in case I can't flash back my original BIOS. Now I just have to check and see if I have one!

I'll post back with the results soon.

[Rainbow]

Keyboard should work - these boards usually have separate keyboard controller (big 40-pin DIP).

[KachiWachi]

I just found this while surfing -

[quote=""Someone""]The Winbond W83977F-A Super I/O chip provides most input/output interfaces of the system as the following:
● COM 1
● COM 2
● FDD or LPT. Support for SPP, EPP and ECP modes
● Keyboard interface
● PS/2 Mouse interface
● IrDA interface for infrared communication. This interface shares the controller of COM2
● Provision of buffered ISA data bus for BIOS (denoted XDBus)
● NVRAM with battery backup for BIOS configuration and real time clock
● Watchdog timer[/quote]
Since this chip is in the DFI (I don't see a separate Keyboard Controller chip), and the Amptron HAS a separate Keyboard Controller chip (a BESTKEY chip)...do you think I would still have keyboard control in the Amptron, or does coding for a Keyboard Controller chip need to be in the BIOS?

[Rainbow]

Then it might work or might not. Depends on how the board is designed (if the keyboard controller comes up enabled after power on or disabled and BIOS must enable it).