Hey Motherboard Gurus, Got a head scratcher.

Tyan Tiger 133 (S1834)
Twin PIII 533s

Turn on machine and get videocard ID
Next is:
Award Bootblock Bios v1.0
Copyright (C) 1998 Award Software Inc.
BIOS ROM Checksum Error
Detecting Floppy Drive A Media....
Insert System disk and press enter_

It will boot to an A:\ prompt but when I attempted to flash the bios with

A:\flash73 183v105.exe /py/sn/f/cc/r

I get this message in the flash utility screen

System was not new Award bios version!
Please updata ROM BIOS first.....


All roads have led me to believe the BIOS chip is dead. What do you think?


PS I removed all bootable devices (nic card, RAID card, etc.) to no avail.

 

ssmith10pn,

Have you seen this page which is a pdf file for which you'll need the adobe reader.

Or this

It appears to me that you need the .bin file within the .exe file 183v105.exe. Extract it by just running it and then try again.

 

Make sure that you're using the correct flash utility for the bios version you're using. Now that I've stated the obvious...I ran into a similar situation with my not very old Epox 8RDA+. I put in a floppy with the right utility and bios file and it still would not flash. I always got the error "invalid flash type ". No matter how many different "tricks" I tried, I always got this error. It was frustrating because I was so close.

My conclusion was that the chip was hosed and no longer flashable. Luckily, I was able to get a replacement bios chip from Epox for about ~$16 shipped. Getting a new ship that's already been flashed may be your best bet. Be careful of the pins if you do. With either type, the pins are very fragile.

Gary

 

Would agree with Sparrows observation/commnets re: extracting the files contained in the executable. Not familiar with all the switches you are using or trying to use but that doesn't mean much either. I'm a bit old fashioned but usually stick to what works best for me. Dr Dos Flash utility extracted to a floppy along with AWDFLASH (two versions I'm aware of cover most things I run into) and then the extracted BIOS files. Alternative source for pre-programmed chips or flashes using your chip is here

 

Sorry that was a typo on the .bin file
I entered the file as .bin on the command line and yes the exe was extracted as a .bin.

I had 2 disks
boot disk to get to the A:\ Prompt
and a second disk with the flashv73.exe and 183v105.bin

This is all Tyan shows for Bios flashes on this board.

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/b_s1834.html

 

** If you are using the flashv73.exe utility, please use the following command to flash your BIOS:

flashv73 <name of .bin file> /py/sn/f/cc/r

*All switches below are necessary when flashing the BIOS

py = program yes
sn = save no
f = flash
cc = clear CMOS
r = reboot

 

Misssion Acomplished!!
Aparently Battery was dead clearing CMOS.
I replaced battery before I ever posted.

Turns out the directions for flashv73 are incorrect!
I ran the command line without the switches (they say are required) and all is well after a bios re config.

What a wild goose chase!

 

All you need is one disk prepared by:
format a: /s
and put the other two files on it.

 

I couldn't agree more... I was just following their wonderful instructions shown here:


http://www.tyan.com/support/html/how_to_flash.html



Original Flash Method:

Two separate diskettes are needed. The first diskette is the Windows 95/98 Boot Disk. The second diskette should contain the flash utility and the file to program (unzipped) with no other files on the diskette. Procedure:


1. Hard boot the system using the boot disk.
2. Make sure that you hit the F5 key when the book disk first starts running to make sure no other programs are loaded in the background without your knowledge.
3. You will come to an A: prompt. Remove the first diskette.
4. Insert the second diskette containing the flash utility and the file to program. Type "dir" to check the disk contents.
5. Type in the name of the flash utility followed by a space, followed by the file to program and any special triggers that would be required after the file program name. As a general rule all Award based bios flashes use the /py /sn /f /cc /r at the end of the flash utility to work correctly. AMI as a general rule uses /a /b /c at the end of their flash utility to work correctly. Not all flash utilities or versions require triggers on the end of the flash line. If there are special triggers to add on the end of the flash utility it would be stated in any FAQ's that would be on the website. EXAMPLE: flashv73 1854v107.bin /py /sn /f /cc /r (enter key) or phlash16 2460v104.rom (enter key)
6. Clear the CMOS jumper. Reboot system and the flashed version of the BIOS should now be seen during the POST screen details.

 

Problem solved!

Congratulations!