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Karlsweldt
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Joined: 12 Nov 2003
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Location: 07438
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 Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: |
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2.82 volts is marginal with a BIOS battery. A new one should cost less than $4.00 USD. Pick a store that has a good turn-over of batteries. Some stores have them on display for more than six months before sale!
Your mobo can only recognize single-density memory modules. If double-density, that is the reason for the displayed amount on the POST page to be half the actual. Double-density memory will not synch properly with those older boards! And the memory must be non-parity, or 4x32 class, not 4x36 class. EDO or FP type modules should work properly, if at PC-66 or PC-100 rating. Maximum memory is 64 MB per slot. But you can use 4, 8, 16 or 32 MB modules instead.
I still have maybe four of those old P-B systems in my "closet", but not active. Decent case, simple system.. but obsolete today. Finding a good hard drive with less than 2.3 GB for them scarcer than hen's teeth!
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dani9678
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Joined: 23 Mar 2012
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a new 2032 battery today with 3.11v. I popped it in but there was no change. I'm still getting a C3 code. There is no way for me to get into the CMOS setup because the computer doesn't get that far into the boot process before it throws the code.
Matt |
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evasive
Mobo-fu Master
Joined: 06 May 2001
Posts: 36382
Location: Netherlands, Breda
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:09 am Post subject: |
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Right, do you have a Pentium 200MHz MMX to test with? 233 is officially not supported.
| Quote: | | C3 - Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM |
do you have another working board that you can hotflash the bios chip in?
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dani9678
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:28 am Post subject: |
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How do you hot flash a bios? I have other boards but they are not proprietary like this one. I don't know if that matters. I thought that the program that is in the CMOS chip would only work on boards that are identical?
Matt |
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Karlsweldt
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Joined: 12 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:03 am Post subject: |
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The BIOS has to be specific to the motherboard model. There are many variants of a motherboard design, some with different features. Or a "complete" BIOS agenda (all feature pages/options). The wrong BIOS version could render the motherboard useless, unless a new BIOS chip is installed. If the BIOS chip is soldered to the board, forget the idea. But if in a socket, it could be replaced. A special tool is needed to extract the chip without damaging the contacts or socket. Two proper dental picks might be used, but extreme caution is advised. This thread here on the Forum may be of interest..
If the jumper settings do not apply to a 233 MHz CPU, then settle for a 200 MHz CPU. The actual FSB must be 66.67 MHz, not 66 MHz. We just 'abbreviate' the standard. For a 200 MHz CPU, the multiplier ratio would be 3.0 (actual 200.01 MHz). For a 233 MHz CPU, the multiplier would be 3.5 (actual 233.35 MHz). If you install a 233 MHz CPU, it would only operate at 200 MHz. That model design does not have an "auto-set" feature to ID and configure the CPU to the motherboard.
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dani9678
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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I thought the same thing as far as the BIOS being specific to the board. The only CPU I have that will fit that board is another 233MHz Pentium.
What did Evasive mean by hot "flashing" the chip in another board? The CMOS chip is socketed by the way.
I also just wanted to mention that I tested the CPU and RAM in two other boards (two because the first didn't support the RAM) and they worked fine so I guess either the problem is in the CMOS or board.
Matt |
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evasive
Mobo-fu Master
Joined: 06 May 2001
Posts: 36382
Location: Netherlands, Breda
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Occasionally, either through a bad flash or corruption ie through a virus, you could be left with an unusable mobo.
One way round it is to buy a replacement bios chip, another is to Hot Flash it.
What is Hot Flashing and how do you do it?
What is it?
Hot Flashing is a way of using a running mobo with a compatible bios chip as a host for your corrupted bios chip. Your corrupted bios chip obviously won't allow you to run POST, therefore won't allow you to re-flash it normally, so you need to use another mobo to get you there.
What to do
You'll need a mobo with a compatible bios chip.
A tool to remove the bios chip
A DOS boot disc with a flashing utility and the required bios image
You'll be using a live running mobo, so extreme care should be taken!
Here's how:
The easiest way to remove the working bios chip is to remove it whilst the mobo is disconnected, then put it in just enough so that it is connected but not fully inserted.
Another method is to either attach some dental floss with a little superglue to the top of it, or run a piece of dental floss under it, so that when the ends are pulled it comes out easier.
If you have a bios removal then the above isn't necessary.
Using the working mobo, create a DOS-boot disc on a spare floppy.
Copy the bios image file for your corrupted bios chip from the manufacturer's website it usually has a .bin or .rom extension.
Most manufacturer's have a downloadable flash utility which can be copied straight to the floppy.
Make note of the orientation of the bios chip on your working mobo, one corner is angled.
Disconnect any unnecessary hardware such as Hdd's, Opticals etc. to prevent loss of data.
Set your primary boot device to Floppy, then reboot.
Once you see the "A:\>" the bios chip has done it's job and is no longer required, so remove it carefully and replace it with the corrupted bios chip. Make sure you orientate it correctly!
Now flash the bios as you would normally.
When the flash is complete, remember you don't want the mobo to boot with the newly flashed bios chip in, unless it is the same mobo!
Switch off and switch bios chips, your corrupted bios chip should now be fully working, time to make sure in your "problem" board. |
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dani9678
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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OK... Out of all of my pile if system boards I found one that has the same CMOS socket as the one in the Packard Bell. The problem is it is a Phoenix and the other is an Award. The board is an ASUS Hawk model MEW-VM rev. 2.03 with a sticker on the CMOS chip that says MWVM6 1.03.
Matt |
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dani9678
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I can't seem to find a BIOS flash or what is needed to flash it for the Packard Bell. |
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evasive
Mobo-fu Master
Joined: 06 May 2001
Posts: 36382
Location: Netherlands, Breda
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:26 am Post subject: |
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I'll check if I can find the .bin file for that one, should be in the offline archives somewhere....
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