Flashing the BIOS?

[lostsoul62]

I have a abit VA-20 motherboard and I think I got the right file and when I put it into a bootable floppy and double click on it, it says it's not a true 32 bit. I have the message "BIOS ROM checksum error Detecting floppy drive A media. I did everything I can think of which is about 4 hours worth of troubleshooting and it still won't boot. So I'm trying to flash the BIOS with no luck. I'm not experience in this so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I have a abit VA-20 motherboard and I think I got the right file and when I put it into a bootable floppy and double click on it, it says it's not a true 32 bit. I have the message "BIOS ROM checksum error Detecting floppy drive A media. I did everything I can think of which is about 4 hours worth of troubleshooting and it still won't boot. So I'm trying to flash the BIOS with no luck. I'm not experience in this so any help would be appreciated.

Have you tried using a memory stick?

 

[pebbly]

Hi lostsoul62 , is this the bios you are trying to install? Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia Are you using the flash utility? read all the information you can ,a bad flash can render your mobo FUBAR

 

[Lemur]

You can boot from usb or cd.

Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia

**EDIT**

Hi Pebbly. Our web page is slightly different.

 

[lostsoul62]

Flashing did not work

I think my only hope in to buy another cmos battery or just throw it in the garbage can? I can not get into the BOIS and it won't boot. I've tried to flash my BOIS but to no avail.

 

[Wishmaster]

What sort of problems are you having that you want to flash the bios?

Generally speaking, since bios flashing can be potentially risky, its usually a last step to resolve a issue..
And, only IF it specifically addresses a problem your are currently having, and says so in the update notes.

Having said that, the safest way IMHO is wish a USB flash drive.
There should be instructions on the manufacturers site.

Also, to help avoid any potential problems, Do not forget to reset the bios to defaults before flashing as well. Especially if you are overclocking.

Im not sure about yours, but some boards like ASUS and Gigabyte, have a automated flasher that works from within Windows, and actually do quite well.
(I just never liked in Windows Flashing)


As far as not being able to get into the bios ...
Did this just start after you tried flashing or the problem you are trying to correct?

You can try clearing CMOS. Each board is slightly different, but there should be a jumper you need to move, wait for 30seconds and move it back to Reset them.

 

[lostsoul62]

Toast

I drain the Cmos but I still get "Insert system disk and enter"
So it can't get a BOIS flash
I think my last chance is to replace the cmos battery but I think this motherboard is toast. After 8 hours of working on it should be good enough and to think this is what I use to do for a living before I retired a decade ago.

 

[Wishmaster]

unless Im misunderstanding, The system Disk error sounds like either booting from wrong HD, or a Boot manager problem.

Can you boot from the Windows DVD to do a repair Install?

 

[stormy13]

Not that it probably helps by now but from the readme inside the zip file for that bios,

1. How to upgrade BIOS:

a. Boot into MS-DOS or "Safe mode and command prompt" if you are using
Windows95/98
b. Run "va2013.EXE" to extract all files.
c. Run "runme.bat"

*** Please notice that we suggest you flashing the bios with switches

"/py /sn /cd /cp /cc /cks /R" or by "runme.bat".

also no .rom file in there either. Looks like Abit was trying to get away from floppy flashing even back then.

 

[Lemur]

bios is toast...

 

[spyknee]

When I have done a mobo bios flash,
I downloaded the new bios file to desktop.
I then extracted it to a floppy. A:\
I then entered bios and 1) made floppy only boot disk or 2) chose the Fx key the started bios flash for mobo.
In both cases from floppy I chose the update file and said yes, enter.

Unplug puter. Try removing the cmoss batt and put a jumper or a screw driver across the mobos cmoss reset pins. See your manual for location.

If you have not actually got to the new bios file and started the process, you are liable to be unchanged in the bios. Double check all connections, make sure all is seated proper. If no go, remove all ram sticks but the one in lead slot. If your are using an HDTV monitors HD input, no POST screen. Use the pc input or a vga monitor, to see POST screen.