Special Topic Bios

[ravi_mishra]

I think that a topic on the BIOS can be interesting, it is not perfect, but you will be there to add your small key. Let us start immediately to know sharp about the subject...

What is BIOS?
The BIOS (for BASIC Input/Output System) is a whole of routines (programmmes) which allows the operating system to manage the various elements of the mother board. These instructions are stored in a EEPROM (for Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory). The process of update is thus a little more complex and riskier than that of a normal software. In the event of a bad handling, the contents of the EEPROM of the BIOS can be deteriorated, which can prevent the PC from correctly functioning, to even ignite.

[ravi_mishra]

Maintenance, let us see a little the various significances of the beeps which can occur with the starting of your machine... In general this is not good sign, but solutions exist

Award Bios
Beep - 1 long beep + 2 short beeps
Significance - Error in the display system (garphic chart or adaptor)
Possible Remedy - Check the connection of the graphics board (it may be that it is badly inserted)

Beep - 1 beep
Significance - Error of cooling of the RAM
Possible Remedy - Reinstall the bars of memory. If that persists, changes them or modifies the adjustments of the access report

Beep - 2 beeps
Significance - Error in the first 64 KB of memory

Beep - 3 beeps
Significance - Failing conventional memory

Beep - 5 beeps
Significance - Error of processor

Beep - 6 beeps
Significance - Error of keyboard
Possible Remedy - Check if no key is inserted (keyboard, mouse) and if all is connected correctly

Beep - 8 beeps
Significance - Impossible posting
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the graphics card or its memory extension. If that persists, change the graphics card.


FRIENDLY BIOS
Beep - 1 beep
Significance - Error of cooling of the RAM
Possible Remedy - Reinstall the memory bars. If that persists, change them or modify adjustments of access in memory in the BIOS

Beep - 2 short beeps
Significance - Error of parity in the first 64 KB of the memory

Beep - 3 short beeps
Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB

Beep - 4 short beeps
Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB or Timer failure
Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change your mother board

Beep - 5 short beeps
Significance - Error of processor
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the processor

Beep - 6 short beeps
Significance - Failure of keyboard (circuit 8042) or GateA20
Possible Remedy - Change the keyboard or the chip controller keyboard

Beep - 7 short beeps
Significance - Error of virtual mode
Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change the mother board

Beep - 8 short beeps
Significance - The video controller is missing or RAM is defective
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the graphics adapter or its memory extension. If that persists, changes graphics adapter or remove the memory of the adapter if you added some.

Beep - 9 short beeps
Significance - Error of the ROM of the BIOS
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate circuit DIP of the BIOS

Beep - 10 short beeps
Significance - Error of access to memory CMOS
Possible Remedy - Defective mother board. Change mother board

Beep - 11 short beeps
Significance - Error of the external hiding place storage Level2
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate the memory correctly hiding place

Beep - 1 beep long + 2 short beeps
Significance - Video error
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate graphics adapter or its memory of extension. If that persists change graphics board.

Beep - 1 long beep + 3 short beeps
Significance - Video error
Possible Remedy - Reintegrate graphics adapter or its memory of extension. If that persists change graphics board.

Phoenix BIOS
Beep - 1-1-3
Significance - Error of access to memory CMOS

Beep - 1-1-4
Significance - Failure of ROM BIOS

Beep - 1-3-1
Significance - Circuit of cooling report

Beep - 1-4-2
Significance - Error parity in the first 64KB

Beep - 1-3-3
Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB

Beep - 1-3-4
Significance - Failure report in the first 64KB

Beep - 3-2-4
Significance - Controller keyboard (circuit 8042)

Beep - 3-1-1
Significance - Failure of circuit DMA

Beep - 3-1-2
Significance - Failure of circuit DMA

Beep - 3-3-4
Significance - Video controller


Phoenix BIOS v4.0 release 6
Beep - 1-2-2-3
Significance - Erroneous Checksum BIOS
Possible Remedy - Change the pile of the BIOS

Beep - 1-3-1-1
Significance - Cooling DRAM
Possible Remedy - Put the adjustments of the BIOS on FAIL

Beep - 1-3-1-3
Significance - Controller keyboard
Possible Remedy - Change the keyboard

Beep - 1-3-4-1
Significance - Address first 512KB of DRAM

Beep - 1-3-4-3
Significance - data of first 512KB of DRAM

[ravi_mishra]

To keep you hanging, we have untraceable list of beeps of special BIOS Phoenix valid for the mother board Mercury (some), KT266 and others...

Beep - 1 beep runs
Significance - System boot OK

Beep - 2 short beeps
Significance - CMOS setting error

Beep - 1 long beep + 1 short beep
Significance - DRAM error

Beep - 1 long beep + 2 short beeps
Significance - Display card gold monitor connection error

Beep - 1 long beep + 3 short beeps
Significance - Keyboard error

Beep - 1 long beep + 9 short beeps
Significance - ROM error

Beep - Long beep continuous
Significance - Fine DRAM did not seat

Beep - Beep short continuous
Significance - Power supply error

Error messages to starting
Beep - CMOS CHECKSUM FAILURE
Significance - Problem with battery, replace it

Beep - BIOS ROM CHECKSUM Error System HALTED
Significance - Error in the BIOS. Replace the chip

Beep - KB/INTERFACE ERROR
Significance - The keyboard is damaged or perhaps badly connected

Beep - FDD CONTROLLER FAILURE
Significance - Error of the controller of disk drive
Possible Remedy - Check if the cable which connects it to mother board is connected properly. If the problem persists change the controller

Beep - HDD CONTROLLER FAILURE
Significance - The hard disk is damaged or perhaps badly connected

Beep - MEMORY ERROR DURING MEMORY TEST
Possible Remedy - Check memory bars are installed correctly

Beep - CMOS SYSTEM OPTIONS NOT SET RUN SETUP UTILITY
Significance - No parameters is defined in the setup BIOS
Possible Remedy - Launch the BIOS and enter the parameters

Beep - CMOS MEMORY SIZE MISMATCH
Significance - Declared memory steps physically installed

Beep - UNABLE TO INITIALIZE HARDWARE DRIVE (STANDARD DRIVE?)
Significance - In this case the hard disk drive was not defined or badly was it

Beep - KEYBOARD IS LOCKED
Significance - The keyboard is having problems
Possible Remedy - Unbolt it by putting the key in the lock present on the frontage of the majority of the PC and turn-there. To finish, start again the PC or press on a key

Beep - "8042 Gate-A20 Error
Significance - The controller of the keyboard (8042) does not function
Possible Remedy - Often, the controller quite simply left his support test reintegrate correctly. If not change it.

Beep - "CH-2Timer error"
Significance - The second timer has a problem
Possible Remedy - Conflict caused by a peripheral

Beep - "Mask memory bad, C not enable mask!"
Significance - Lapse of the memory hiding place

Beep - "Address line shorts"
Significance - Logical problem in the decoding of an address location. It can be a question of a magnetic disturbance.
Possible Remedy - Shut down and turn on the pc 30 seconds later

Beep - "On board parity error"
Significance - Error of parity in the memory of the mother board
Possible Remedy - Make an antiviral checking

Beep - "drunk DMA time out"
Significance - A peripheral monopolized the signals of the bus for one length of time higher than the allocated duration (7.8 ms). That generally means that the accused peripheral is defective
Possible Remedy - Replace the peripheral which poses problem

Beep - No ROM BASIC
Significance - Heritage of IBM PC, this message indicates that no unit of BOOT is defined in the setup BIOS

[ravi_mishra]

THE SETUP OF BIOS
The majority of BIOS have a "setup" (program of configuration) which makes it possible to modify the basic configuration of the system. This type of information is stored in a car-fed memory (using a pile) so that the information is stored even when the system is out-tension (the read-write memory is re-initialized with each restarting).

There are many BIOS in each machine:

The BIOS of motherboard
The BIOS which controls keyboard
The BIOS of video adapter
The BIOS of controllers SCSI which allows booting on peripheral SCSI, which communicates with DOS without additional pilot.
BIOS of network card, which allows network bootup.
When the system is started, BIOS posts a copyright message to the screen, then carries out initialization and diagnostic tests. When all the were carried out, BIOS posts a message inviting user to press one or more keys in order to enter BIOS setup.

According to BIOS mark, it can be key F2, key F10, key LED (only on French keyboards: "Support"), or of one of the following sequences of key:

< Ctrl>+<Alt>+<S >
< Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Esc >
< Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Ins >

On BIOS Award the following message is posted at the time of the POST:

"TO ENTER SETUP BEFORE BOOT PRESS Ctrl-alt-esc GOLD LED KEY"
This message means "PRESS" Ctrl-alt-esc "or key" LED "to enter the" SETUP "before the starting of the PC"

REINITIALISATION OF BIOS
Setup of BIOS makes it possible to modify material parameters, it can prove that system becomes unstable, even does not start again more. Thus, when that arrives, it becomes necessary to cancel modifications made to BIOS and to give default settings.

If computer starts and access to BIOS setup is possible, this makes it possible to restore default settings. On Phoenix BIOS, support on F9 key makes it possible to restore the default manufacturer settings. On Award BIOS, support on F5 key restores the preceding parameters, support on F6 restores default values of Award BIOS, finally F7 key makes it possible to restore default settings provided by motherboard manufacturer.

If access to BIOS is impossible by standard procedure, majority of motherboards are equipped with a rider (jumper) on the motherboard making it possible to restore default values. It is enough to change the position of the jumper, and leave in this new position during ten seconds.

HOW TO FLASH A BIOS?
Boot under DOS, once provided with update of your BIOS diskette, start under DOS prefer a session of real DOS to a line of order under Windows. Attention, certain manufacturers propose utilities of flashing under Windows (Asus, MSI), but this solution proves to be risky in the event of instability of Windows during flashing.

(Note: certain BIOS can be written on motherboard only in configuration clear NVRAM/clear CMOS. In such case, check motherboard guide to know the side jumper has to be moved, with a screwdriver and plug in the entrails of board!)

To carry out program if your PC does not start on diskette, you will have initially enter BIOS editor and change parameters. It is now a question of replacing file of existing BIOS by its update. In general this procedure is done thanks to achievable which requires the place of you where the file is then takes care of the remainder. If not, according to the mark of your BIOS, type:

> for a BIOS Award:: awdflash xxx.bin or pflash xxx.awd
> for a FRIENDLY BIOS:: amiflash xxx.bin
> for a BIOS MrBios:: mrflash xxx.bin where xxx are the name of the file of instructions corresponding to the model of your BIOS.

If it is proposed to you do not hesitate to safeguard your version of existing BIOS. One never knows...

Flashing BIOS should not be stopped.
Take care that there is no interruption. Start again/shut down your PC only one time the procedure carried out in the long term. (If you clear of NVRAM/CMOS, think of replacing jumper in its initial position.)

[ravi_mishra]

TOOLS OF FLASHING UNDER WINDOWS FOR ASUS BOARDS
This utility is available here => ASUS Update Utility

1) Check motherboard model to match current version of your bios as well as the date

2) indicates the bios to that you prepare has to install

3) after checking the model press on the button "Flash" an indication will announce you about progressi of old the bios especially not to stop unfolding.

4) After flashing new bios not to stop unfolding so refer above.

5) to finish it proceeds checking of new bios not to stop unfolding.

6) the automatically notched box indicates to you configuration of the setup (bios)

CAUTION: After clicking on flash button, await the end of flashing once finished it will ask you to start your PC again, at restarting reconfigure your setup.

# [/* ]Software at MSI MSI Live Update http://www.msi-computer.fr/download/...LiveUpdate.zip ftp://ftp.msi-computer.fr/programmes/LiveUpdate.zip

Software style at MSI
MSI Live Update
http://www.msi-computer.com/download...LiveUpdate.zip
ftp://ftp.msi-computer.com/programmes/LiveUpdate.zip

Missed FLASHING?
It is not inevitably good sign...But we will see there are solutions to recover a CORRUPT BIOS

If your PC does not start any more after a flashING you have four possibilities then and some to solve this problem.

First solution
It is initially necessary to replace temporarily corrupt BIOS by a chip in good condition in order to reach DOS, to acheive this you can use a BIOS coming from another mother board, provided that the chipsets of these two charts are not too different. For example you can use the BIOS of a mother board 430HX for flashing a motherboard equiped with INTEL 430FX or 430VX BIOS. It is generally preferable that this BIOS comes from same motherboard marks than yours. Once your PC is on the way and under DOS, withdraw BIOS chip - note machine is under operation! reassure, you do not risk large thing: if the Shadow option is activated in BIOS substitution, BIOS is charged in memory and thus system does not need more EEPROM. Fact that reverts disconnecting an electrical connector. It thus remains you to replace the corrupt chip with reflashing.

Second solution
This is specific to Award BIOS. It is necessary initially to withdraw graphics board NCV and replace it by a ISA (to prevent that the BIOS of the card does not take care). Then, put the PC under tension; it will start booting of the Award BIOS. If you insert a diskette containing the utility of flashing and a file of instructions both valid, you will be able to carry out the flashing.

Third solution
This relates to INTEL charts equipped with a jumper "Flash Recovery". Shut down PC, position the jumper in Recovery mode. Boot inserting the bootable diskette to update. The BIOS has a block of nonerasable boot record which will enable you to start the machine. But the number of instructions of the block being very reduced, posting does not function. It is then necessary to follow the good course of operation via the loudspeaker system and the luminous diode of the disk drive. The emission of a beep by the PC and lighting of the luminous diode indicate that the system copies the code of Recovery in the BIOS. As soon as the luminous diode of the disk drive dies out, the process is finished. Later reposition the Recovery rider in its initial position and start again the normal procedure of flashing since DOS.

Fourth solution
Fourth solution consists in using a programme of EEPROM and finding somebody having the same board as you (or very near in the range to the mark). It will be then possible to programme a copy of EEPROM.

Solutions in bulk
Beyond the solutions suggested above, here are some whose chances of success are variable. They depend largely on the faith which you will put in this company (see the ultimate method for more details).

- Disconnect your PC Open it. Locate a pile button on the mother board and remove it. Await 48h. If that is possible, put your motherboard in configuration Clear CMOS/Clear NVRAM (see the handbook). Replace the pile. Replug the PC and, while pressing on the button of starting, "Booooot! Boooooot! Boooooooooooooooot!... "

- Make replace the chip of your BIOS (if your mother board deserves really such an expensive operation)
- Take the Yellow Pages and contact a repairer within Mumbai
- If nothing, nothing, nothing functions, take a large bag dustbin, put this faulty motherboard inside and pass to another thing.

[Dhananjay]

Excellent topic, lot of information for beginner for flashing
thank you for this profitable research.

[Puneet_]

To supplement the list of the beeps, in my collection the untraceable complete list on the Net (at the time in any case) for Kobian Mercury KT26A .

Below is complete beep list for KT266a motherboard
1 short : system boot Ok.
2 short : CMOS setting error
1 long 1 short : DRAM error
1 long 2 short : Display card or monitor connection error
1 long 3 short : Keyboard error
1 long 9 short : ROM error
continue long : DRAM did not seat fine
continue short : Power supply error

If I remember well this is Phoenix BIOS but which has its own codes, I suppose that this are valid for other Mercury boards, the KT266 (to be checked)

[vikas.pal]

I think that a topic on the BIOS can be interesting, it is not perfect, but you will be there to add your small key. Let us start immediately to know sharp about the subject...

What is BIOS?
The BIOS (for BASIC Input/Output System) is a whole of routines (programmmes) which allows the operating system to manage the various elements of the mother board. These instructions are stored in a EEPROM (for Electrically Eraseable Programmable Read Only Memory). The process of update is thus a little more complex and riskier than that of a normal software. In the event of a bad handling, the contents of the EEPROM of the BIOS can be deteriorated, which can prevent the PC from correctly functioning, to even ignite.

good the concern is, it is necessary to print the solution before flashing its BIOS because it is hard to turn over on the Net to see the topic
finally it is a super trick useful thus thank you

[Kishan]

Thats A Great Post Man

Thanks Dude

[dullgenius]

My new PC with got attacked by some w32 virus. I had made slave of my old HDD. In my various attempts to remove the virus like installation of windows 2000 and other methods, I tried to reboot with by slave HDD so that I can remove virus on the other HDD...

Ultimately I reached BIOS. I tried to disable one HDD, then vice versa. Finally I tried to disable both HDD... result was that the next i restarted there were only weird designs on the screen I could see no BIOS.

Has my BIOS become corrupt? Should hardware be repaired? Can it be repaired by software?

Axper XP M5VM800 motherboard
Intel P4.

I have an old PC through which I am sending this, can my old PC be of some use? (Celeron 266)

[EINSTEIN_007]

How to update your BIOS ?