BIOS Updates forum

Hello all,

The stupid AMI flashing program crashed yesterday while I was flashing my BIOS. I heard this program is very buggy while inquiring about my problem today. I am skeptical.
After the first reboot, video didn't initialize, and according to their D-Bracket system, the computer hung up during "RTC (real time clock) check". After unplugging everything, removing the CMOS battery for about 20 minutes and then replugging it all, my computer (home-made) says that now my processor is damaged (4 red lights on the D-Bracket).
I doubt very much this is possible, but I am not sure, for I don't know if these lights are controlled by the BIOS or by some MSI-specific chip.
Anyway. I tried the amiboot.rom trick, but it doesn't work. I also tried pressing ctrl+home during boot-up, but since the keyboard doesn't even initialize, I don't think I'll get any luck doing that.

Can I contact MSI's support and tell them to replace my mainboard, insisting on the fact that it's their fault if the program they provide is buggy? I was attempting to correct a disfunctionment in THEIR product, using THEIR method.
Or what else can I do? I am already planning on sending my chip to flashbios.org. Has anyone here used this service? Have you been satisfied?

Anyone can help anyway??

Thanks

Pascal.

Did you use PS/2 keyboard for the Ctrl+Home? USB will not work.

Nope, I used PS/2 keyboards. I tried with two French ones, and an American one, without success. One of the French keyboard is wireless and sometimes doesn't work in DOS mode, but the two others are proven to work. I mostly use the American one. The problem is, the lights on the keyboard don't turn on with I turn my computer on. I think it hangs up before initializing the keyboard.
I went to a friend's house today with my processor. This very friend has an MSI mainboard and an Athlon too. Though our mainboards are very similar, his has a Phoenix bios, whereas mine is Ami (well...was . Anyway, according to his D-Bracket system (MSI's diagnostic tool), my processor is in good shape. Aah, I'm relieved.
Anyway. I was wondering if that "hot swapping" technique I heard about is safe. Like, booting with a working chip and the cache to RAM option enabled, then remove the working chip and replace it with the faulty one and flash it.... I want to try that with my friend's BIOS, but I don't know if it will let me boot to DOS. I have no flashing utility for Linux, but it might work better to flash my BIOS under that OS, since it uses the BIOS less.... well, I don't know, I'm confused. I need my computer up and working....

Please help...

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Pour les Français : connaissez vous un systeme du type www.flashbios.org qui charge environ autant (8 Euros pour flashbios) mais qui soit situé en France? Merci...

The problem is, the lights on the keyboard don't turn on with I turn my computer on.

Keyboard lights usually light up for a while after applying 5V power to the keyboard (self-test). That looks like very bad board design - power to the keyboard might be controller by BIOS and by default it's disabled...

For hot-flashing, see http://rainbow.ht.st/hardware/hotflash.html.

Ah, I see.
About hot flashing.... well, I have a winbond chip, but it has a square form(and a pain in the a.. to remove). Can I still apply your method? Seems hard to put the chip in place just so that the pins make contact.
Do you think I might have to change the motherboard?

Pascal.