[plug] [OT] Companies in Perth that can flash BIOS chips

[Paul Antoine]

tim wrote:
 > Sounds like your only chance is pulling out the chip and using a
 >writer to fix it.
 >
 > you might want to try these guys http://www.iinet.net.au/~worcom
 > they sell PLCC32 chips and bits and pieces they might have a writer
 > out back ready made.

As Tim says, Mike at Worldwide is likely to be able to do it for you and 
is a great guy.

P.

> 
> On 8/6/07, *Dion* <tenzero at iinet.net.au <mailto:tenzero at iinet.net.au>> 
> wrote:
> 
>     Arie Hol wrote:
>      > In some cases - the video card BIOS kicks in during the flash
>     procedure and
>      > causes a flash failure = BIOS corruption.
>      >
>      > You could try  flashing with the video card removed - provided
>     that you are
>      > sure the machine needs no interaction from you during flashing
>     -  otherwise
>      > you may need to use an older vga type card to get a display while
>     flashing -
>      >  if you have any isa slots an old isa vga card would be ideal.
>      >
>      > If you only have pci slots - you will need an older pci type vga
>     card.
>      >
>      > I suggest that you go and have a cup of tea during the flash
>     process - then
>      > come back in 5 minutes and do a hard reset of the machine.
>      >
>      > all the above may sound as if you are driving 'blind' but this
>     stage it is
>      > the only hope you've got.
>      >
>     I have had a try with a pci video card now. No change. The Bios and
>     video card do not post anything to
>     the display. In fact the screen (CRT) doesn't even wake up. Thus I
>     believe the system is not being
>     initialised at all. The floppy drive is not polled at all. The light on
>     the floppy drive doesn't come on and the
>     floppy doesn't 'click' like they normally do when the floppy starts to
>     read a disk.
> 
>      >
>      >> the ROM boot block ? >   Sorry I'm not familiar with the term
>     ROM boot
>      >>
>      > block
>      >
>      >> -- can you elaborate? >
>      >>
>      >
>      > the ROM boot block - is the part of your BIOS that looks for
>     "Autoexec.bat"
>      > on the floppy when flashing the BIOS  - usually triggered by
>     setting the
>      > "flash BIOS" jumper.
>      >
>      >
>     Ah, well I don't believe the ROM boot block is in tact. The floppy as
>     indicated above is not being polled.
>     Even with an autoexec.bat file on the disk to run the flash utility,
>     nothing happens.
>      >>>   Yes, I have the mobo manual. > Does your mobo have a jumper that
>      >>>
>      > needs
>      >
>      >> to be set before flashing ? >   No, I can account for all of the
>     jumpers
>      >> with the manual. > HTH >
>      >>
>      >
>      > Some mobo have a jumper that may not be listed in the manual !!!
>      >
>     Understood, however I can account for every jumper on the motherboard. I
>     can visually match each jumper
>     to the plan in the mobo book and there are no other jumpers.
>      > Failing that - you could try flashing your BIOS again - using the
>     "Clear
>      > BIOS" jumper set to clear BIOS
>      >
>     I have been trying this, both just with the clear cmos jumper and doing
>     that as well as removing the cmos
>     backup battery and the power to the board.
>      > NOTE: if your BIOS is hard soldered to the mobo - you will more
>     than likely
>      > need to buy a new mobo - or pay many $$$$'s to get a new BIOS
>     soldered onto
>      > existing mobo.
>      >
>     The bios flash chip is in a socket - Not Soldered. Specifically, it is
>     in a 32 pin PLCC32 package.
>     I have confirmed that I can remove the flash chip from the socket.
>      > HTH
>      >
>      > Regards Arie
>      >
>     So it seems I am back to my original question. I need a supplier of
>     flash chips (in Perth) that can also write the
>     flash image that I bring with me onto the chip.
> 
>     I appreciate the help Arie.
> 
>     Cheers.
>     D.
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