Louise Sometimes called "Flash BIOS" the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) can be updated or replaced by a process called "flashing".
BIOS is the software that performs the power-on self test, the very first steps of the boot process, and provides the basic interface to much of the hardware. Occasionally it needs to be updated. In fact updating your BIOS is frequently a solution for certain types of hardware compatibility issues. You need a working BIOS to even get to the point of flashing it. Or do anything else, for that matter. When a BIOS flash fails, the only typical remedy is to physically replace the chip on the motherboard in which the BIOS is stored with one containing a working BIOS for that motherboard. That probably means going back to the manufacturer of your computer or its motherboard. This obviously wouldn't be cost effective in the case of an old computer. If he downloaded ther new BIOS from the MOBO's manufacturers site, I wondered if he reset the CMOS (there is a jumper on the board) and your system will boot with the new BIOS. A lot of people that have said that this CMOS reset made the HD that they thought were toast, helped the BIOS recognise the HDD, run properly. I thought you had already installed a new hard drive - how did you get the OS installed on it - or did you have 2 HDD in your Computer? I wonder what error messages he got? You normally get some symptoms before a HD fails. Did you hear any noise frome the Drive? Unless the person you bought this computer from is obligated to repair it gratis, I would seriously consider writing the cost of to experience and spending no more money on it, and put the money saved towards buying a new Tower. Regards Paris --- In [email protected], "ayotte218" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > OK, I took the computer back to the person I got it from-remember it > is a Dell PIII w/WinXP. the last problem I had was that it was taking > minutes between pages. I had taken it to my ISP to remove a dialler > virus and it was supposedly clean. I believe my ISP-I have been with > them for 10 years and they have always been straight with me. I > finally decided to get the guy who sold it to me to do a clean install > for me (I didn't have the OS disks)because I had programs on it that > really weren't compatible with XP and I think I just confused the darn > thing. I figured a clean install would give me a point to start over > from and the fellow I got it from agreed that the incompatible > programs would slow the unit down. He calls me today to say that my HD > is corrupted. I must have had a more serious virus cause the 2 HD > drives are toast. I constantly run AdAware, Spybot and AVG. What are > the odds that it worked fine with this serious virus until he started > a clean install? He said he "flashed the bios" and that is how he > came to this. What does that mean? > > Louise > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Home is just a click away. Make Yahoo! your home page now. http://us.click.yahoo.com/DHchtC/3FxNAA/yQLSAA/67folB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> If you have any questions or problems with any aspect of this site, please feel free to contact me directly [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please do not post personal issues directly to the group. To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you for using A-1 Computer Tech Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-1-Computer_Tech/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
