Laptop doesn't boot after BIOS update  

Is it possible to reflash the BIOS with the same version you had originally to see if that version still works?

General rule regarding flashing the BIOS is not to do it unless you are trying to fix a specific issue that the new BIOS is reputed to fix. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Hope you get things going again.

Florius said:

I will try that, however, does that not just change all the BIOS settings to default, not the BIOS version?

Yup. If a setting is just wrong from the flash, and the new BIOS version isn't corrupt, it may be all that's needed. If you can get a previous version of your BIOS and are able to flash by booting, you'll be up and running again.
This is why when I flash my BIOS(online inside of Windows though), my stomache always feels like it did, the 1st time when I repelled out of a Blackhawk helicopter.

Fro MSI

When should I upgrade my BIOS?

Author Stu on 17 March, 2011 | Print | Bookmark


The process of flashing the BIOS is only about 98% foolproof. Every time you flash your BIOS there's a small chance that you'll end up with a corrupted BIOS and a system that is disabled until you can buy a new BIOS chip. So we recommend flashing your BIOS only when necessary to solve a compatibility issue, solve a technical glitch, or to support new features

yeah I know too late

How to clear the CMOS

Author Stu on 17 March, 2011 | Print | Bookmark


Here are is the basic procedure to clearing your CMOS.

MSI Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0


It is important to understand that clearing the CMOS will:
-Restore the default settings in all BIOS menus.


It is important to understand that clearing the CMOS willnot:
-Restore the original BIOS code (will not revert back to the original bios version).

Old CMOS clearing method

Step 1:
Disconnect the main AC power by either shutting off the power button on the back of your power supply or simply pulling out the power cable.

Step2:
Wait a minute to be sure all the capacitors and coils have discharged.
To be really safe you can press the power button which will drain the capacitors for sure.

Step3:
Move the CMOS jumper to the clear position, this is usually done on MSI boards by moving JBAT1 from it's original 1-2 position to 2-3 position as demonstrated in the photo below.
If you are not sure or have a non MSI board you must find the correct jumper in your motherboard manual.

*Note to all nForce2 users, your board usually has a special "safe mode" jumper for the FSB. You should also set it to the safe setting in case you have been overclocking since the normal clear CMOS jumper will not reset the frequency settings on these boards. You may refer to your user manual.

Step4:
Wait a minute to be sure the CMOS has been cleared.

Step 5:
Return the CMOS jumper to it's original position.

Step6:
Restore power to the system.

---

* New CMOS clearing method *

Step 1:
Disconnect the main AC power by either shutting off the power button on the back of your power supply or simply pulling out the power cable.

Step2:
Wait a minute to be sure all the capacitors and coils have discharged.
To be really safe you can press the power button which will drain the capacitors for sure.

Step3:
Press the clear CMOS button on the back of the I/O panel.

Step4:
Wait a minute to be sure the CMOS has been cleared.

Note: It is also recommended to remove CMOS battery to ensure 100% CMOS clear on Big Bang X & Intel 6x Sandy Bridge MB's. If date/time do not revert to original time of MB manufacture then you didn't get a complete clear CMOS.

Step5:
Restore power to the system.

More Link: https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/category/bios

How to recover the BIOS

Author Stu on 19 March, 2011 | Print | Bookmark


In many cases, provided the 'bootblock' of your BIOS is not corrupted during a bad flash, the BIOS can often be recovered by following the recovery procedures detailed below. NOTE: this recovery method should not be followed for normal practice of updating your BIOS! As you will be invariably forced to flash from a floppy disk, you'll need both a known good working floppy drive (non-USB) and a good floppy disk.



For Award BIOS

Make a bootable floppy disk*
Copy the Award flash utility & BIOS file to the said floppy disk
Create an autoexec.bat with "Award_Flash_Utility BiosFilename" in the content (e.g. awdfl823K w6378vms.130)
Sample on how to create an autoexec:
a. On Windows, open the notepad
b. On the notepad, write "awdfl823K w6378vms.130" (without the " ")**
c. Save the file as autoexec.bat

Boot up system with the said floppy (it will take less than 2 minutes before screen comes out)

Re-flash the BIOS & reboot.

*Need a bootable floppy disk? Look here: http://www.bootdisk.com
**Make sure you enter the correct filenames for your flasher program and BIOS ROM file!

For AMI BIOS

Rename the desired AMI BIOS file to AMIBOOT.ROM and save it on a floppy disk. e.g. Rename A569MS23.ROM to AMIBOOT.ROM

Insert this floppy disk in the floppy drive. Turn On the system and press and hold Ctrl-Home to force update. It will read the AMIBOOT.ROM file and recover the BIOS from the A drive.

When 4 beeps are heard you may remove the floppy disk and restart the computer.


For new boards with AMI BIOS core 8 (4MB)

Discovered by Jack The Newbie:

Of course, the steps are similar to the standard AMI BIOS Recovery Procedure for internal floppy drives (rename corresponding BIOS File to AMIBOOT.ROM, hit CTRL + HOME after starting the system).

What has to be done (tested on P45 Platinum):

1. An optical SATA Drive needs to be connected to one of the Intel ICH10R SATA ports. {After a lot of testing, I found that it does not work with the same optical drive connected to the SATA Ports hosted by the secondary JMicron Controller. Also, using an optical drive on the JMicron IDE/PATA port does not help either.}

2. A proper BIOS File has to be renamed to AMIBOOT.ROM and burned on an empty CD.

3. CMOS-Clear with main A/C power cable removed from PSU has to be performed. {If this step is not done, the system will reboot after pressing CTRL + Home and will not proceed with recovery procedure.}

4. Press CTRL + Home to trigger BIOS Recovery. -> The system should enter BIOS Recovery Routine. {Will basically work with both USB & PS/2 keyboard. However, a PS/2 Keyboard is recommended as the system will respond earlier to PS/2 Keyboard than to USB Devices.}

What should happen now:

1. After pressing CTRL + HOME the LED Status should change to "Intializing Hard Disk Controller" and there should be access to the optical drive connected to the Intel ICH10R SATA ports.

2. It can take up to 30+ seconds until the BIOS File that was renamed to AMIBOOT.ROM is found. {Drive Bay can be opened to try a different CD without turning off or restarting the system.}

3. When the system finds the BIOS File, LED Status will change to "Testing RTC" and there should be a message on the screen indicating that the Flash Recovery Procedure has started.

4. Since the BIOS File is 4MB in size, it will take a while until the BIOS is actually reflashed.


Its also possible that BIOS recovery on boards with AMIBIOS8 can be done using a FAT-formatted USB stick, containing the renamed BIOS file. Be warned, in some circumstances it may take several moments before recovery procedure actually begins.




If recovery does not work...


Locate the BIOS chip on your mainboard. If it is soldered directly to the PCB like...


...then you have no choice but to return the board to your supplier, or to MSI, for replacement.


If your BIOS chip is in a socket, like...

...then you may be able to source a replacement BIOS chip, either from MSI, or from a website such as www.badflash.com

strollin said:

Is it possible to reflash the BIOS with the same version you had originally to see if that version still works?

General rule regarding flashing the BIOS is not to do it unless you are trying to fix a specific issue that the new BIOS is reputed to fix. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Hope you get things going again.

I can't count how many times I tell people not to mess around with updating the bios . I have seen so many kill their Mboard from it . And people who help others shouldn't advise people in doing so IMO . Let a tech shop do so and beforehand make sure they'll warranty it from a fail bios update, this way the damage isn't much

Florius said:

I have done it several times on my old ASUS laptop, and on my current and previous ASrock motherboard, without any problem.
.

Florius I'm not trying to blame you or anyone else but all it takes is one fail bios update ( corrupt file ) and then what . If one really needs to update / flash their bios IMO I think it's best to let a tech shop who gives warranty to do so, they don't charge much for it and it sure a lot better than a dead board if that's the case, no ?

BTW I'm just referring this toward laptops