The downward spiral with my MoBo

[nin]

Hi again,

 

my first post was deleted by lowboy because although a proper signature was pasted in the posting not saved in my settings. I feel like in a kindergarten with my 32 years, however - here is my problem.

 

I have to start at the beginning (again)...

 

I had a 100 % stable running system with all brand new parts. But I decided to flash to the newest stable DFI Bios on their website. I have built that floppy disk using the NF4LD406.EXE from DFI and I was strictly following the guide in Doc No 30001902 "How to flash BIOS with Diamond Flash Image? ..." Thus, consequently, I have not cleared the CMOS before or after.

 

After successfully flashing following the guide I was on Windows working for a while. After a reboot I noticed that the Windows Logo after Bios is not loading anymore (just black). Then I have decided to reflash the BIOS using my new floppy disk. All went good at first. I was back on Windows ... but after shutdown and new start - same problem - I did not see the Windows Logo appearing.

 

I posted this problem here in the forum and caffeinejunkie was very helpful giving me the recommendation to clear the CMOS.

 

After I came back to my PC, I decided to start with a quick first try, burning a second Bootable Media with Nero7 (verified) using Tmods 7.0 ISO, because I feared that I would have a problem if even this single floppy disk would get broken. I have booted my PC from CD and tried one after another two OCZTony versions 724 beta and 623 beta I believe, all suitable for my LP UT NF4 U-D. But at each time I had one write failure (one single red square). Finally, I tried another BIOS in that category (a modded one from OCZTony) from that CD with the same result. But this time after removing the CD and hitting F1 my PC was no more booting the BIOS. My screen was absolutely black. I have to push the main power button on the rear to shutdown. After Start, 1 beep as normal, I see for a part of a second 4, then 3 red LEDs. The system is running (cooler, LCD etc) but nothing further happens.

 

OK. My hope was, that the CMOS clear would help me with that. I was strictly following that good guide on this forum. I have been waiting for 8 hours over night, speaker on, RAM in DIMM2 etc. and now I have the worst imaginable situation. My system does not even start the BIOS. Same as described before.

 

Please help me!

 

Thanks in advance.

 

nin

[soundx98]

ALL moderators are instructed to delete posts without a proper signature.

sorry it didn't save for you.

 

Sounds like you've done everything right on your end.

I'm sure you've read ExRoadie's CMOS clear but here is a link if you have not http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...16&postcount=19

 

If you need to RMA PM member "Bulldog" as he is EU support or can perhaps better answer your question.

[calvintang]

why dont you flash with TMOD flash CD?

its certainly more safer,more choices(all the bios) than the floppy..

[soundx98]

He has, 3 different bioses.

[Angry_Games]

Hi again,

 

my first post was deleted by lowboy because although a proper signature was pasted in the posting not saved in my settings. I feel like in a kindergarten with my 32 years, however - here is my problem.

 

hi for the first time

 

maybe you didn't see when you signed up that you were to read the rules and follow them?

 

then when you posted the first time you again had to agree to read the rules and they were right there in the rule box?

 

the fact that you blatantly ignored these rules could have resulted in a 7 day ban for you AS THE RULES HAVE TOLD YOU.

 

Luckily for you lowboy didn't ban you for seven days so here's my suggestion to you.

 

Next time you I see you crying about someone making you follow the rules I myself will personally permanently ban you because if there is one thing I will not tolerate at MY forums is people like you badmouthing the moderators that I have given specific instructions to.

 

This is a forum with rules. You may not have to follow rules where you are from, but you will quickly find out around here that you are not tolerated one bit, and your stay here will be a short and not sweet though your exit will be.

 

Don't ignore my warnings because I do not have time to babysit people like you who blatantly ignore rules and then cry about it like you were wronged.

[nin]

Hi again,

 

Thanks soundx98 for your help. I think I will try to contact Bulldog asap.

 

But one single question I have just now. After following ExRoadie's finde guide how to clear CMOS properly, I am curious to know, If a 24 hours CMOS clear could have any better result as my 8 hours try. In what way is a 24 hours CMOS clear different? That's what I am curious at the moment.

 

I do not see at least a BIOS chesum error or any sign of a chance to reawaken the BIOS boot screen.

 

Do I have to buy another MoBo or is there any theoretical chance to get the BIOS to boot at least? Just to have an idea to calculate my position.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

nin

 

PS: To the Mods involved: I really think you are doing a good job. But hopefully it is not expected from me to answer to these "intellectual effusions". I deeply apologize.

[Kirby Smith]

I see other options, which I apologize for being vague about.

 

a) Buy a new BIOS chip with a BIOS loaded. There is someone on these fora who provides them inexpensively.

 

B) Buy (not inexpensive, but worth it if you value your time) grc.com's SpinRite6 and use it to check out the hardrive that Windows boots from unless you are certain that the drive is functioning perfectly.

 

c) Be sure no other hard drives are connected. I've noticed that if the boot drive is absent for a single bootup, the BIOS picks the next drive as the boot drive and then complains that it is not a boot drive. However, this should be obvious if it is the problem.

 

d) Perhaps I missed it in your initial question, but did you force the BIOS to re-acquire the properties of the hard drive and did it do so correctly? Or is it that you can't access the BIOS because it is "broken"?

 

kirby

[nin]

Hi kirby, Thanks for your reply.

 

I am not sure, how to answer, though.

 

To a) I am outside US. Anyway, If I should have no other option, I will buy a new Mobo.

 

To B) My HDD is perfect, checked with HDD Regenerator, which has similarities to SpinRite, I believe.

 

To c) Just one HDD atm. Btw, It is actually my wifes PC. :-)

 

To d) I am sorry but I have a counter question. How do I force the BIOS to re-acquire the properties of the hard drive? I cannot enter the BIOS, because it is just not booting. All is black.

 

Thanks for help!

 

nin

 

 

.

[soundx98]

I cheat.

I have a spare Bios Chip.

Actually many of them, bought them from Tmod.

I NEVER flash unless I have one available ever since the NF2 days.

(Don't misunderstand, I have many cause I put them somewhere I won't forget and then promptly forget where I put them, so I wind up ordering another from Tmod)

Back in the day I used a "Bios Savior". Same deal, backup plan.

 

Yes, I have had motherboards do a "Lazarus" after 24 hours.

Machine just wakes up and there I am with a "dazed and confused" look on my face but smiling.

Had an NF2 "sista" that needed 3 days facing the corner to boot again.

(Was hell not being able to touch it)

One of the mysteries of life I guess, but I can't explain why my ex-wife was so frikken' crazy either some sheet just don't make sense.

 

My Ultra-D NF4s absolutely LOVED Tony's 704-2bta.

Spare chips are available from sources in the EU and even if worse comes to worse an RMA usually gets the board right back up.

Whether the damn bios chip clears itself in transit or it's an act of God I'm not sure.

 

You could try a single stick of PC 2700 RAM in the Orange slot furthest from the CPU.

I've even tried ceremonial bonefires and burning stuffed animals in the neighbors yard.

 

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...63&postcount=13

[nin]

Thanks soundx98 for reply and for sharing your experience.

 

I cheat.

I have a spare Bios Chip. Actually many of them, bought them from Tmod.

I NEVER flash unless I have one available ever since the NF2 days.

(Don't misunderstand, I have many cause I put them somewhere I won't forget and then promptly forget where I put them, so I wind up ordering another from Tmod)

Back in the day I used a "Bios Savior". Same deal, backup plan.

 

Hehe. I believe Tmod is not hooked to deliver chips to Germany? :-)

 

Yes, I have had motherboards do a "Lazarus" after 24 hours.

Machine just wakes up and there I am with a "dazed and confused" look on my face but smiling.

 

Ok. I will give the fine MoBo a second chance for 24 hours. That's what I was hoping to hear from somebody. Now I am feeling a lot better.

 

My Ultra-D NF4s absolutely LOVED Tony's 704-2bta.

 

Strange. I was not able to flash 3 different BIOSes from that Boot CD because of write failure. The 704-2B was my first try.

 

Spare chips are available from sources in the EU and even if worse comes to worse an RMA usually gets the board right back up.

Whether the damn bios chip clears itself in transit or it's an act of God I'm not sure.

 

Maybe Bulldog can give me an info in this regard? I will try to draw his attention to this thread...

 

Great help so far, soundx98.

 

Cheers, nin

[Gipse]

Hi,

I can feel your pain... Before you start thinking about buying a new motherboard visit this site:

www.biosflash.com

Very fast shippment and reasonable prices, just tell them what bios version do you want and they will send you a pre-flashed one.

Good luck!

Gipse

[nin]

Thank you very much Gipse, now I have another new option.

 

Cheers

nin