i updated my BIOS ealier today, unfortunatly i made a BIG booboo, i installed the BIOS for the ABIT NF7-S2 instead of the BIOS for the NF7-S 2.0 (it was not untill after that i realised they were not the same, the ABIT Flashmenu would not work in auto mode so i updated by selecting the file to use) the PC sort of runs but it will not run correctly, not well enough to do anything. i have the correct BIOS update now but can't get it to flash, i updated using a windows flashing utility from the board makers, but this will not work now to put the correct one back. and when i try to flash from DOS it stops with the error message; this is not an award BIOS.

THere is a way of restoring the BIOS after failed/corrupted flashes - but unfortunately I only know the precise way when using an American Megatrends BIOS- but I'm sure that if you search around you'll find the exact info for Award BIOS( I beleive this is what you have?) somewhere on the netFor AMI Bios what you do is make a floppy with just the BIOS .Rom file on it, rename it to amiboot .rom, put the disk in the Floppy drive - turn the PC on , (at this point - pray- ,)go away and do something else for a few mins, then after a while you should get 4 beeps indicating a successful flash. Restart - all should be well. But as I said above- this is for an AMI BIOS so I don't know what the rename would be for Award BIOS but would think the principle would be similar, and info must be out there somewhere- go and search- there is most likely a forum for your board with all the info.Dave

cheers dave, i found a file that was supposed to reinstall the correct BIOS but it did not work. probably because i have put the wrong bios in and the file thinks it is something else :)i'll do what you suggest, at least i still have interent so i may be able to gett he help i need :)

Usually BIOS flash programs have a command line parameter that you can use to override error messages like the one you seeing. Failing that option, there are also freeware flash programs out there on the net that support force flashing of whatever BIOS you want (I used one to successfully flash a BX motherboard BIOS for me on a Pentium MMX system a couple of years ago!). If you opt for a force flash freeware program, there are obvious risks involved - do your reseach first!Gary

Isn't it possible to dump the BIOS? Many boards have a feature that will dump whatever BIOS is loaded and reset to the original default BIOS. This usually involves shorting a jumper on the motherboard, or removing the battery and shorting something (?) on the board..Might be worth checking the MB manual, Bruce.Also, you might inquire at this forum: http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12Good luck,Greg

cheers guys, greg i think what you are thinking of just clears the BIOS settings, i, in my infinate wisdom have flashed my BIOS with the wrong type. i have found a couple of companies in the UK that will repair your BIOS or send you a new one, this is an acceptable option as it would not mean rebuilding the PC, something i really do not want to do.gary, i'll look into your sugestions, if i can fix it without taking the BIOS chip out all the better :)

Sorry Bruce... I made my post long after I should have been in bed making z's.But the fact that the computer works at all means all is not lost. If indeed you can get into Windows then the system is seeing things like the hard drive, video card, etc. The BIOS may be the wrong one, but I'm not convinced you need to pay someone to save the system for you.Did you make sure the name you gave the good BIOS is correct? My board too uses an Award BIOS, and I always flashed in DOS (I've heard too many horror stories about Windows flash programs). Make sure the name you assign the BIOS ends in the .bin extention.The way it works for ASUS boards is that I load up the BIOS named .bin along with the ASUS flash utility on a floppy, insert the disc and reboot. I follow all the prompts and its a done deal. The one goofy thing I have to do with every flash on my A7N8X is input the name I gave the BIOS twice! For some reason it gives me that "this is not an AWARD BIOS" message every time. I simply retype the correct name an off it goes.Good luck. Hope you get it sorted soon.Greg

cheers gregjust phoned ABIT UK, the guys i spoke to was supprised i can even boot up, the BIOS i flashed to is not only the wrong type but i think it is even from a differenct manufacturer, the DOS programs will not flash it and niether will the windows utility now. I can get a new BIOS from the manufacturers (ABIT) so that is what i am going to do, the cost is about what it would be to have someone just look at it so it is not as bad as i first thought. next time i will take a lot more care doing this sort of thing :) the main thing is at least i will not have to buy a new Mobo or even have to reasemble my PC and i won't have to touch my valauble instalation (one allways loses stuff no matter how carefull you are), the value of the software far outways that of the hardware so i am quite relieved.I think my BIOS chip is lost although it could be reprogrammed, it is more conveniant and safer to just get a new one, the cost differential being so small, besides the old one will probably make an interesting conversation piece used as a piece of jewelry :) the only problem this little adventure has caused it not being able to go "flying" and missing a few NASCAR online races, i shall probably drop a few more places in the leagues but that is no big deal.

Wow, Bruce, too bad you've got to go through all that to get your system squared away! In the future I'll be sure to double check any BIOS I wish to use.Good luck,Greg

all is back up and running now, the new BIOS arrived in the post this morning. very simple and quick job to pop out the old BIOS and clip the new one in place, then just cleared the cmos (probably not needed but just to be sure), booted up to BIOS setup, just load in optimised defualts set clock and all is done.if you ever trash your BIOS try this first before rebuilding with a new Mobo; the cost savings are obvious but it saves all the hassle of rebuilding with a new Mobo with all the riskd of needing to reinstall windows with the usual inevitable data loss.