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No Bios

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13 replies

by wildman2

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I have a Compaq Presario Media Center SR2013WM Desktop PC and I was reinstalling window xp and found Bios update at the HP website and updated that also. Rebooted the computer and never saw the desktop again and will not even show the Bios window. I have reset the bios, unhocked just about everything there was , leaving only one memory stick and changing memory in different slots. And still no bios window, no desktop,I can see the hard drive light comes on, the yellow light flashing so the hard drive must be working. The video is onboard and the motherboard is a ASUS A8M2N-LA

13 replies

by computercookie

disclaimer that "flashing the BIOS could render the system unworkable".

You will need to talk to HP.

by oh smeg

You may be able to replace the BIOS Chip You can get the correct information here as to what Chip Is required.

http://www.biosman.com/

While ythere are other places that Sell BIOS Chipos I have found this one quite good as I always buy new Chipos rather than flash a Mission Critical Server. It's just way cheaper and they do offer a great service.

Col

by birusaha

Sounds like something has gone terribly wrong during the flash and as you mentioned...you don't have a bios.

If you are fond of this particular computer, you can go to a local computer repair shop with a BIOS writer. This procedure is NOT cheap($50-100), it may just be a smarter idea to purchase a new board.

by robo_dev

either way I would raise cain with HP if your bios update 'bricked' your MOBO.

A new motherboard for that would cost around $100 or so.

by wildman2

Thanks guys for the help and will I just gave up on the motherboard period , didnt get much help from HP at all so I just going to get a new motherboard and go on with my life. Again thanks guys.

by oh smeg

When you replace the M'Board you will need to reinstall Windows. As HP do not give you a Windows Install CD with their computers you can not use the HP Recovery Disc as it is a Slipstreamed Install Disc with only the drivers that where required for the HP supplied M'Board.

So if you want to install Windows to the Computer after the M'Board change you'll need a Windows Install Disc made by M$.

For the small cost a replacement BIOS chip will solve your problem and get the system running again without the need to reinstall the OS and associated software.

But it's your decision a new M'Board is going to cost somewhere around $150.00 + and a OEM Copy of XP if you can still buy one is about $194.00.

Compare that to about $30.00 for a replacement BIOS Chip with the latest BIOS and I know which way I would go.

Col

by robo_dev

I admit I haven't really looked, however.

by oh smeg

On newer NB the answer is Yes but on Desktops the BIOS Chip is fitted to a Socket that is a square with a 4 sided Chip inserted into the Socket.

You just need to lift out the Chip and replace it in the correct orientation and you are up and running again.

I do this will all Servers when they need a BIOS Flash and some Desktops it they are important to the business.

It's just safer to replace the BIOS Chip than run the risk of a failed BIOS Flash. Particularly on a Server which can cost Millions in the time taken to pull it out and replace it with another one. For me at least Desktops are not as critical but some people think that because I do it this way with Servers it's good enough for their desktops. It's actually much faster to just change the BIOS chip as well once you know what you are doing.

Col

by seanferd

So you can still enter BIOS setup? If you can get the floppy /CD drive to run, you can try to flash back to an older (or correct) version of the BIOS.

For reference:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/41

http://www.ultimatepcrepair.com/news/22.html

http://www.freebyte.com/drivers/#bios

http://ask-leo.com/flashing_my_bios_failed_how_can_i_recover.html

http://www.arlabs.com/bioskit.htm

http://www.wimsbios.com/phpBB2/topic9883.html

I wish I could find my old favorite site, it was truly comprehensive.

by w2ktechman

with a soldering iron, for fear that something will go wrong and hose something else.

If a new MB was the same model as the previous, then likely no new Windows is needed.

by oh smeg

Where the Chip just pushes in. You need an extraction tool but as they are only a few $ it's no big deal.

NB's on the other hand are a different story as they do have the BIOS Chips Soldered on and I've yet to come across anyone with the right equipment to safely remove a BIOS Chip. Unless the Soldering Iron has an Earthed Tip you run the risk of injecting high Voltage into the M'Boards Tracks and destroying many more components that are not possible to replace. Well High Voltage in comparison to what should be there at least. Also if the Soldering Iron Isn't Temperature Controlled you can damage components connected to adjacent tracks.

Col

by w2ktechman

when there is trouble I just swap boards, or computers (swap HDD's). But then again, the parts are easily available for me to do this.
However, I rarely look into desktops anymore, everything that comes my way (usually) is a notebook or tablet (or IPAQ).

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