Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (
More info?)
In article <5567c7c9.0410030611.277118@posting.google.com>,
barry-dell@excite.com (BarryN) wrote:
> My son has the dreaded Bootlock error on his homebuilt system.
>
> We have successfully gotten the Awardflash utility to work, but once
> it goes thru the routine of flashing the BIOS, it suddenly reboots.
> We are in an un-ending loop of flasing the BIOS. There is never a
> pause for us to hit any <F1> option that explained in the help files.
>
> Any ideas on the next steps?
>
> We have cleared CMOS etc b4 flashing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Barry
If no one else offers a suggestion, then visit badflash.com and
order a replacement BIOS chip. Since you have cleared the CMOS,
I don't see a reason for it to stay in a loop - unless at some
point, you flashed the wrong BIOS into the board ? It should
either be completely dead (i.e. when the boot block gets blasted),
or it should check the file you are offering it, verify the file
is appropriate for the board, and then successfully flash it.
A loop implies something has become very confused - as in a
logical inconsistency of some sort. (For example, a 512KB flash
program living in a 256KB flash chip, will overrun the end every
time...) A new flash chip will straighten it all out. (Unless
someone in the audience knows another one of those magic key
sequences
If you are into buying insurance, invest in a BIOS Savior
(ioss.com.tw). These cost about $25, and give your motherboard
two BIOS chips running at the same time. A switch allows you to
select a BIOS chip at runtime, so you can boot from "A", then
switch to "B" and use the flash routine until "B" is successfully
flashed. Then boot from "B", and flash "A" if you want. The BIOS
Savior is great if you want to hack your own BIOS, or use a hacked
BIOS, as it takes the danger out of flashing.
If you can find a vendor who will flash the Savior before shipping
it, then you eliminate the visit to badflash.com . But most
vendors ship it unprogrammed, and it cannot be used in that state,
to rescue you from your current predicament. (Hmm. Maybe someone
can convince the badflash guy to stock Saviors ? Now, that would
be a more economical solution than the programming service offered
by Eksit.)
HTH,
Paul
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