Bios virus?

Dell Deskpro T500, 128 Mhz, Phoenix Bios 4.0 version 6

This computer was given to me with the complaint that it returned a message of "No Operating System" at bootup. The Bios reports the hard drive is present. I have subsequently tried several old hds that are bootable elsewhere and get the same response. When I then test those drives on a working machine, they are no longer bootable.
I assume, therefore, that this is a bios virus. Possibly CIH?
So far in my research I have found no solution to a boot virus other than a new bios chip (or sending it back to be reprogrammed). Does anyone know a software solution? How do I fix the hard drives if the machine won't boot? Is AV for fixing a boot virus available anywhere on floppies?
And for a bit of irony, the owner reports that the last thing he remembers doing before the trouble started was to download an update from Norton AV.

 

A bad IDE cable will cause this...

Also, although you've tried other drives;, install the drive that belongs and boot to the Windows 98 startup floppy disk.
Try-- A:> FDISK /MBR
Restart the system and boot the hard disk, hopefully.

 

I have used three different cables on two different machines with the same result, so I will eliminate the bad cable theory.
Fdisk /mbr does not manage to solve the problem.

 

No Power?

Are the lights on the harddrive itself lighting up. If they aren't try a different power cable from the power supply. Maybe it won't see the HD b/c it is not getting any power.

 

I have power.

 

Bad MotherBoard

Do you have another computer you can try the harddrives on. It may be a bad IDE controller on the motherboard.

 

No matter how you look at it, its called toast. Best bet is www.badflash.com for a new chip or get an EEPROM Programmer or get a IOSS bios savior and do your own flashing from another machine. IOSS Bios Saviors can be had from Taiwan or Sweden. And, right now www.compgeeks.com has 2mb bios saviors for about one fifth their regular cost. Beats hot flashing.

Good luck - I've been running into a few similar problems lately and it can be a bear.

 

I have flashed the BIOS on 3 machines, each time I had to boot from a floppy, then insert a disk with the flash program & the new BIOS on it.

I suppose this means that no HDD is needed to flash the BIOS.

....and I also suppose flashing will cure a BIOS virus.

Please tell me if I am wrong.

Dig.

 

AFAIK, the CIH virus can damage the BIOS to the extent that you cannot boot the floppy drive. That's the bummer. Then you either replace the BIOS chip or use some rather troublesome and/or expensive method to restore it.

If the floppy is still bootable, I would certainly try flashing the BIOS. What could you lose. It's a paperweight in the present condition.

 

SLK...I have tested all the hard drives elsewhere before the sick machine messes with them. It is not the IDE controller, I assume, because the cd will run off of either controller.
Rockster...Is there another name for a Bios savior? A search of Compgeeks showed nothing.

Is the motherboard manufacturer (Phoenix) the one from whom to seek the flash bios disk? Or is it the actual bios chip maker? Or is there another source?

 

I had a quick rummage around on the Phoenix Website, it would seem that they don't supply BIOS upgrades, and they recommend that you either contact them, or obtain the new BIOS from they chip manu'f.

If you know Exactly what BIOS chip you have, then you could go to the chip manu'f's website and get it there.

Be sure to get the BIOS flashing utility at the same time, this usually runs after booting from floppy, and is quite (perhaps too) easy.

If you aren't sure as to what BIOS ship you have, post what motherboard (Model number) & the guys here may be able to help.

Alternatively, when you power on your poota, there should be a long list of numbers and letters at the top left or bottom left of your screen, when these appear press the "Pause" Button (Usually on the top left of your keyboard, and has "pause break" written on it) on your keyboard, it'll stop booting and give you time write down what it displays. To continue booting press enter.

Dig.

 

Just checked and it appears to be Out of Stock. Link should be http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=RD1-2M

You can also get this from http://www.eksitdata.com/_uk/index.asp

Hope these help. As to hot flashing, you need another machine to do this and I wouldn't try it unless someone can help you thats done it before. Your MB mfg website should have a listing of the original Bios and updated Bios bin files for you to download. If not, post back and I'll try to find your bin file.

 

This machine has a BIOS ROM chip, Intel E28F004S5. It says Flash on the chip, which is encouraging, if only I could find someone who offers the data with which to flash it. The first bootup screen reports "Phoenix Bios 4.0 Release 6.0 "...4SEB2X0.10a.0017.P05 ". Intel Support and Phoenix both say to check with the motherboard/manufacturer. I don't know who the motherboard mfr. is although it has a sticker that says "Dell Rev A00" and another that says "AA 722 396-108 ". Dell Support online sends me to a website devoted to MSN.
Rockster...this chip does not appear to be compatible with the Bios Savior.

 

They make a couple of different ones - spend some time on the eksitdata site and you will find the one you need.

 

Problem solved, I think. I got the appropriate program from Dell, flashed the bios, and bingo. Now in the process of clearing the virus from the hard drives I used for testing via debugging. My thanks to all for your suggestions.