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JATON PowerProTX_BIOS patcher Wanted

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2003 1:32 am
by robertM
the cutdown version:
The M0b0 above works fine.
On upgrading to Debian 3.0 the boot whines
"geometry incompatibilty".
perhaps an upgrade of the BIOS is needed?
So..In researching the source of such a thing (patch) I have been directed here.
this link provides some background:
http://www.motherboards.org/forums/view ... hp?p=80913
the manual with layout is here:
http://db.jaton.com/newsite/document/di ... rprotx.pdf
the latest bios I am able to identify is here:
ftp://ftp.jaton.com/mb/pwrprotx/55t31h.zip
I am currently running an AMD K6 MMX CPU at 200Mhz.

So my question/request is in relation to a patched definition that allows Hard Disk Drives
manufactured after 1999 to be recognised by this bios in terms of compatibility with
whatever geometry Debian3.0 is screaming for?
Not much to ask..eh? :-)

Thanks for what you can do.

RM

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2003 9:27 pm
by Rainbow
According to the BIOS ID string, it appears to be Abit board:
10/07/1998-i430TX-W83977-2A59IA1EC-00
JMB55T31 1098

The latest BIOS from Abit is:
03/03/1999-i430TX-W83977-2A59IA1EC-FH
JMB55T31 0399
ftp://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/bios/axx5/axx5fh.exe
( 8O the JMB55T31 text in OEM string of Abit BIOS).
How big is your HDD?

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 2:31 am
by robertM
its an ABIT board allright but one that appears tio have been a 'one off' line for JATON (who btw - are being VERY unco-operative!). The manual for the JMB55T31 shows a layout completely different to the AXX5 and although the TX5;AX5 And AXX5 all use the same chip. I am a tad reluctant to use a definition built for them on the JATON PowerPro TX - which is the board I have.
I have been caught before with these "twins" - never been a happy ending! :-(
My HDD is only a 10GB so nothing hard there. As far as I can figure its simply the addressing the upgrade does not like. As in, aline of code in the upgrade sits in a different sector to the same line in the old version. The kernel is having difficulty getting the BIOS to understand this.
Its only a hypothesis but I did have something simililar a while back with a Seagate drive and F32/16 confusion.

Thanks for your help

RM

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 5:49 am
by robertM
After some running around,, can I ask this:
IF I did use
[quote="Rainbow"]
The latest BIOS from Abit is:
03/03/1999-i430TX-W83977-2A59IA1EC-FH
JMB55T31 0399
[/quote]
would i then be able to use the same "patch" you uploaded to:
http://wims.rainbow-software.org
for an ABIT board with a string ID of:
11/13/1998-i430TX-W83977- 2A59IA1BC-GP
?
?
That <Px5_gp.bin> is just sitting there dangling like a bunch of dew laden grapes..yummy :-)
Its the Taipan wrapped around the vine thats a worry!
I am not looking for any "ironClad GuaranTeezzz" just an opinion on 'calculated risk'

please.

RM

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 10:59 am
by Rainbow
There is currently no patched BIOS at http://wims.rainbow-software.org for AXX5 board. AX5 is NOT the same board as AXX5.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2003 11:17 pm
by robertM
K,,understood - an' thanks.

This is the "end of the road" for this project.
ATM I cannot afford a pharked up DB simply because a no-name bit of PCB isnt supported. There are other solutions - like a new MB :-)

It is usual for me to 'lift the lid' before buying a new box
[yes believe it, what you see is often NOT what you get !]
to see if any of the components are on my "DO NOT TOUCH WITH A BURNT STICK" list.
Both JATON and ABIT are new listings.

Thanks for the access to this KB. I have picked up some fine tips from reading - you do good work.
Thanks

RM

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2003 12:51 pm
by Rainbow
Have you flashed the latest BIOS from Abit?
Do you have set the HDD to LBA? Tried repartitioning and reformatting the drive?

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 1:18 am
by robertM
<QT>
Have you flashed the latest BIOS from Abit?
</QT>
No. I HAVE asked ABIT to adjudicate - they refuse to answer.
I HAVE asked JATON their advice/recomm. re this update.
Their response was to tell me in that suttle 'chingaling' way to "bash it".
[bash it = piss0rf - NOT my problem]
<QT>
Do you have set the HDD to LBA?
</QT>
Yes,, and - using auto-config and - researching the correct info for the drive and manually inputting THAT and - running fdisk (linux) and inputting THAT info manually.
<QT>
Tried repartitioning and reformatting the drive?
</QT>
I keep images of my hdd partitions so its no problem to try all computations of HDD setup.
This I have done many times.
ALL before I posted any REQ's - anywhere.
I understand lowlevel formatting is often used as a 'fixall'. For me it is a last resort as a comeback requires hours of rebuilding a drive/partition.
There is no evidence to indicate the current FS is corrupt in any way.
Hence my reluctance to even contemplate THIS path.

to update:
I have loaded an earlier version of the kernel and this does seem to be 'seen', so far so good.
The idea is to sneak up on the latest version, hoping to prove that it
IS a version problem with my BIOS and not simply a config problem
with the latest kernel.

ALL of that is not related to the simple request/s made of the supplier/s as to support.
My statement (earlier post) stands & moreover is additional proof (to me) to give brown paper wrapped PCB's a wide berth!

cheers

RM

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 12:34 pm
by NickS
If you've got a way of hotflashing as backup, why not "suck it and see" with that BIOS at ftp://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/bios/axx5/axx5fh.exewhich has the JMB55T31 ID in the BIOS OEM message. If it runs OK, we can look at patching it if it has the Award 32GB/64GB bugs.

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2003 1:29 pm
by Rainbow
I'm 99.999% sure that the BIOS is for your board - same BIOS ID and OEM ID (only date changed).

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2003 11:28 am
by robertM
thank you VM for your thoughts.. the work IS appreciated.
I AM an advocate of "suck it and see" when it comes to trialling/manipulating
software - somewhat warier when hacking firmware <g>
I write this from a valid (read=accomplished) pedestal, namely:
linux 2.4.16-k6 kernel
Xfree 4.2
0pera6.11
as I am using the same BIOS i started with, an achievement ?
the goal would not have been achieved without your input, for that I am thankfull.
the trip would have possibly been much less painless (bleeding fingertips) with
some co-operation from those 2-bit third world hacks who parade as 'system builders'.
A pox on all the ABIT & JATON type suppliers whose spawn emantes through
this industry like scum on a pond.
thanks for the space :-)

RM