EP45-UD3P (v1.6) - Unable to update Bios to FFB from FD

[Vinster]

This is a continuation from this post; EP45-UD3P v1.6 Post beeping when shutting down or even restart

I'm starting a new thread as alamakluke's title was for a different issue and troubleshooting left off from his last post.

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I'm starting to think the only thing left to try is an @Bios update :(

this is what I've done

- Took the board out of the case
- Tried multiple CPU's (P4-540j, PD-805, P4-519K, P4-521) all of which ended up in an endless boot loop... this was frustrating and will be a problem as Luke bought the board to bench
- installed an e4500 and got it to boot, but still could not flash using Q-Flash
- used a Floppy drive (Dos Boot Disk, Win95 Boot Disks and Win98 Boot Disks) and still would get flash errors...
- - When trying to flash to FFB
- - - using a bios pulled from the US I get flash error FFF00000
- - - using a bios from Finland I got a flash error FF5FFFFC
- - - I also tried the different sub links from both US/Finland sites (Asia, China, America) and got the same error's as above.

all flash errors happen when trying to erase and fail at 64KB

I have tried different RAM, both sticks, single stick and different slots.
- Kingston 800Mhz Value ram
- Kingston 800Mhz HyperX
- Mushkin Enhanced 1066Mhz
- Patriot 1150Mhz

I have also tried Loading Fail-Safe Defaults and also Optimized defaults with both e7200 and e4500 CPU's prior to flashing and had the same end results...

I swapped out the Ultra450W PSU and used my benching Ultra750w PSU and had the same results with all CPU's

I have tried different manufacturer USB sticks..

my KB is a PS2 unit that I have used for years...

I've tried recovering the backup Bios and it too also has FD installed. :(

the Bios Part number from the Bios System Information is: 7A69PG0V

I don't know if anyone knows what or can find out what that bios part number is/means...

So I am at a loss of what else to try. I've been at this thing for a total of about 8 hours now... if anyone else can suggest what I have not already tried I'll give it a go... but I'm really starting to think it was updated using the @Bios previously and I have read in the past that once you update using this method you are stuck with that method.

let me know your thoughts, I'd love to be able to get this thing going properly for Luke.

Vin

EDIT: sorry I had also tried replacing the GPU. the original GPU was a Radeon HD 6670 and I tried with my 8800GTS-640MB and again with no change in the results with either e7200 or e4500

[CDS Foley]

Have you read through this thread? How to fix "dead" dual BIOS motherboard if flashing failed

[Vinster]

Have you read through this thread? How to fix "dead" dual BIOS motherboard if flashing failed

yep I have I've done that, that's how I confirmed that both bios's had the same FD versions installed.

Vin

[alamakluke]

I just wanted to add that I created a incident with Gigabyte technical support and there response was to use @BIOS to flash the BIOS in Windows and that's it, nothing more.

[Vinster]

Well, I wouldn't do it in Windows7, I'd install WinxpSP3-32bit. thinking of flashing from windows is making me feel dirty...

Vin

[CDS Foley]

I just wanted to add that I created a incident with Gigabyte technical support and there response was to use @BIOS to flash the BIOS in Windows and that's it, nothing more.

Well go for it then no matter what windows your in. Just use the latest @BIOS. Good luck. Next step either replace bios chip or burn board till nothings left but ashes... and cuss prev owner for no full disclosure and post his/their ebay details so the rest of us can steer clear of them...

[Vinster]

I am handy at electronics, wonder what would happen if we were to swap the bios chips? I wonder if we would fare properly if Bios_B was actually Bios_M? the chips aren't small and the pin spacing is wide. wouldn't be hard.

Vin

[profJim]

Check out BIOS Flashing - A "How To ~ Qflash Guide" and look at last half of post #3 and the beginning of post #4 where Lsdme discusses using a FAT32 floppy and manually flashing using AWDFLASH, FLASH985, or FLASHSPI. As I recall, FLASHSPI seems to ignore the optional flash options and immediately starts the flash with no user prompts.

A web search using: Award 6.0 BIOS - BootBlock Recovery
should provide some additional information that might help.

[Vinster]

thanks, I'll check that out, but I already tried AWDFLASH and it resulted in an immediate lockup of the system once started tried with a USB and floppy disk, same result both times... I'll check Flash985 next.

Vin

[profJim]

Swapping the Main and Backup bios chips might work, but only if the Main bios chip can't be written to and the Backup bios chip is OK.
Your next best bet would then be to check out Award 6.0 BIOS - BootBlock Recovery on the web to see if that will provide any useful information.

If needed, you should be able to buy a brand new pre-flashed bios chip (or two) on the web.
If the problem is with the mobo and not the bios chips, you're out of luck.

Good Luck!!