[Solved]Fixing BIOS error on a socket 3 motherboard \ VOGONS

[Solved]Fixing BIOS error on a socket 3 motherboard

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First post, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-02, 17:40

Steapa Offline

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Solved: This board (Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) does not support EDO memory, only FPM.
Thank you SSTV2 and bloodem.
---

Some time ago I found this motherboard at a recycling center:

It came with the 486 CPU and I paid almost nothing for it. So I added some RAM I had laying around, an ISA VGA, a controller card and I tried to make it post. But this is what I'm getting:

Sorry for the quality. Here what it says:

Award BootBlock Bios v1.0
Copyright (c) 1995, Award Software, Inc.

BIOS ROM checksum error
Keyboard error or no keyboard present

Detecting floppy drive A media...
Drive A error. System Halt

When I have a keyboard and a floppy controller I only get a checksum error and this:

Detecting floppy drive A media...
INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

I asked about it on Reddit and I got lots of suggestions. One of them was to add a CMOS battery, so I did it but nothing changed. A kind soul found the motherboard manual for me and told me to check the jumpers, I checked it and I can't see anything wrong with it:

https://web.archive.org/web/20191111225419/ht … es/4dps0210.pdf

Another suggestion was to clean the ROM socket and its legs with 100% isopropyl alcohol, I also did it but again nothing changed.

I also replaced the RAM and checked if it could be something wrong with my AT PSU, but I couldn't find anything.
They also told me to replace the caps, but I don't have a soldering iron either spare caps. I'm a bit dumb and I have no soldering skills, so I'm afraid of doing this right now.

There's anything else I could do? Here are more images of the board:

That's the new battery I added. The jumper setting J6 is set to "CMOS memory normal operation". When I set it to "CMOS memory clear" nothing would happen.

Some jumper settings

More jumper settings

First pair of RAM sticks I used

Second pair

I remember seeing a thread here of a guy solving this issue by using FPM ram instead of EDO, but I don't know if that is my case.

Any help would be great. I really want a 486 with PCI slots.

Thanks.

Last edited by Steapa on 2020-12-21, 14:37. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 1 of 19, by konc

Posted on 2020-12-02, 17:49

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Sorry if this obvious but it wasn't clear from your description so I just wanted to make sure: after adding the missing battery, did you enter the BIOS to define your floppy drive? Also the m/b appears to have an IDE & floppy controller, you don't need to add one

Reply 2 of 19, by Deksor

Posted on 2020-12-02, 17:51

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Well maybe the BIOS chip itself is really having a problem ? It's rare but it can happen.
Try to flash a new chip using one of the bioses available here http://www.win3x.org/uh19/motherboard/show/5805

Trying to identify old hardware ? Visit The retro web - Project's thread The Retro Web project - a stason.org/TH99 alternative

Reply 3 of 19, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-02, 17:54

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konc wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:49:

Sorry if this obvious but it wasn't clear from your description so I just wanted to make sure: after adding the missing battery, did you enter the BIOS to define your floppy drive? Also the m/b appears to have an IDE & floppy controller, you don't need to add one

I can't enter the bios.

Deksor wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:51:

Well maybe the BIOS chip itself is really having a problem ? It's rare but it can happen.
Try to flash a new chip using one of the bioses available here http://www.win3x.org/uh19/motherboard/show/5805

What do I need to flash the bios? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how to make this.

Reply 4 of 19, by SSTV2

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:02

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You must use FPM RAM, this board does not accept EDO.

Reply 5 of 19, by bloodem

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:04

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Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:54:

What do I need to flash the bios? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how to make this.

You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649

And one of these EEPROM ICs: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-W29EE011-15-W29 … 872.m2749.l2649

OPTIONAL: If you want to try and flash the original BIOS IC, you will also need a UV EPROM Eraser: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultraviolet-Light-EP … 872.m2749.l2649

I just did it a few weeks ago on the exact same board that you have (the Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) 😀 I should mention that mine didn't have the issue that yours has, I simply wanted to update the BIOS to a newer version.

SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:02:

You must use FPM RAM, this board does not accept EDO.

Well, in my case it works with some EDO sticks, but it's extremely unstable. So, yeah, FPM is a must.

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Reply 6 of 19, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:07

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bloodem wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:04:
You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649 […]
Show full quote

Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:54:

What do I need to flash the bios? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how to make this.

You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649

And one of these EEPROM ICs: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-W29EE011-15-W29 … 872.m2749.l2649

OPTIONAL: If you want to try and flash the original BIOS IC, you will also need a UV EPROM Eraser: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultraviolet-Light-EP … 872.m2749.l2649

I just did it a few weeks ago on the exact same board that you have (the Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) 😀

Thank you
Can you confirm what SSTV2 said? Does this board only support FPM ram?

Reply 7 of 19, by drosse1meyer

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:08

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This may sound dumb, but have you tried setting the bios CLR jumpers and booting the system? EDIT nvm just saw some text between the pics.

Also, boy they went sticker happy on those chips 🤣

BIOS ROM checksum error would indicate to me that the BIOS is corrupted in some way. Since you've already removed, cleaned, and reinstalled the chip, maybe the rom chip is faulty, or the code itself... you could try re-flashing the BIOS, which is why I imagine its asking you to insert a floppy disk

Last edited by drosse1meyer on 2020-12-02, 18:17. Edited 2 times in total.

P1: Packard Bell - 233 MMX, Voodoo1, 64 MB, ALS100+
P2-V2: Dell Dimension - 400 Mhz, Voodoo2, 256 MB
P!!! Custom: 1 Ghz, GeForce2 Pro/64MB, 384 MB

Reply 8 of 19, by bloodem

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:11

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Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:07:

Thank you
Can you confirm what SSTV2 said? Does this board only support FPM ram?

You're welcome!
Already confirmed 😀 See my previous post, I edited it before you replied.

Reply 9 of 19, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:18

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bloodem wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:11:

Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:07:

Thank you
Can you confirm what SSTV2 said? Does this board only support FPM ram?

You're welcome!
Already confirmed 😀 See my previous post, I edited it before you replied.

Oh, thanks again.

I'm going to buy FPM ram then. I will post here if it works.

Reply 10 of 19, by SSTV2

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:21

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Only PR revision of that SIS chipset support EDO RAM, older revisions will cause that "checksum" error at boot, though with some fast EDO ram sticks it might POST, but don't expect anything more.

Reply 11 of 19, by drosse1meyer

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:35

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bloodem wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:04:
You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649 […]
Show full quote

Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:54:

What do I need to flash the bios? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how to make this.

You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649

And one of these EEPROM ICs: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-W29EE011-15-W29 … 872.m2749.l2649

OPTIONAL: If you want to try and flash the original BIOS IC, you will also need a UV EPROM Eraser: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultraviolet-Light-EP … 872.m2749.l2649

I just did it a few weeks ago on the exact same board that you have (the Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) 😀 I should mention that mine didn't have the issue that yours has, I simply wanted to update the BIOS to a newer version.

SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:02:

You must use FPM RAM, this board does not accept EDO.

Well, in my case it works with some EDO sticks, but it's extremely unstable. So, yeah, FPM is a must.

Looking at the manual it appears this mobo has a jumper JP4, for EEPROM vs Flash rom selection, in between two PCI slots... Wonder if OP checked that's set right?

P1: Packard Bell - 233 MMX, Voodoo1, 64 MB, ALS100+
P2-V2: Dell Dimension - 400 Mhz, Voodoo2, 256 MB
P!!! Custom: 1 Ghz, GeForce2 Pro/64MB, 384 MB

Reply 12 of 19, by drosse1meyer

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:37

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SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:21:

Only PR revision of that SIS chipset support EDO RAM, older revisions will cause that "checksum" error at boot, though with some fast EDO ram sticks it might POST, but don't expect anything more.

INteresting... I guess problem solved! (hopefully)

P1: Packard Bell - 233 MMX, Voodoo1, 64 MB, ALS100+
P2-V2: Dell Dimension - 400 Mhz, Voodoo2, 256 MB
P!!! Custom: 1 Ghz, GeForce2 Pro/64MB, 384 MB

Reply 13 of 19, by Deksor

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:45

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SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:21:

Only PR revision of that SIS chipset support EDO RAM, older revisions will cause that "checksum" error at boot, though with some fast EDO ram sticks it might POST, but don't expect anything more.

Where did you get that info ? I'm curious 😁

Trying to identify old hardware ? Visit The retro web - Project's thread The Retro Web project - a stason.org/TH99 alternative

Reply 14 of 19, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:52

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drosse1meyer wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:35:

bloodem wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:04:
You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649 […]
Show full quote

Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 17:54:

What do I need to flash the bios? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I have no idea how to make this.

You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649

And one of these EEPROM ICs: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-W29EE011-15-W29 … 872.m2749.l2649

OPTIONAL: If you want to try and flash the original BIOS IC, you will also need a UV EPROM Eraser: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultraviolet-Light-EP … 872.m2749.l2649

I just did it a few weeks ago on the exact same board that you have (the Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) 😀 I should mention that mine didn't have the issue that yours has, I simply wanted to update the BIOS to a newer version.

SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:02:

You must use FPM RAM, this board does not accept EDO.

Well, in my case it works with some EDO sticks, but it's extremely unstable. So, yeah, FPM is a must.

Looking at the manual it appears this mobo has a jumper JP4, for EEPROM vs Flash rom selection, in between two PCI slots... Wonder if OP checked that's set right?

Yeah, I checked it nothing changed.
I just bought some fpm ram sticks, but it will take three to four weeks for it to arrive 🙁. I was looking forward to spending my Christmas playing lemmings on this machine.

Reply 15 of 19, by SSTV2

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:54

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Deksor wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:45:

SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:21:

Only PR revision of that SIS chipset support EDO RAM, older revisions will cause that "checksum" error at boot, though with some fast EDO ram sticks it might POST, but don't expect anything more.

Where did you get that info ? I'm curious 😁

VOGONS and personal experience 😁

Reply 16 of 19, by drosse1meyer

Posted on 2020-12-02, 18:57

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Steapa wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:52:

drosse1meyer wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:35:

bloodem wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:04:
You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649 […]
Show full quote

You will need this EPROM/EEPROM programmer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/XGecu-Programmer-TL8 … 872.m2749.l2649

And one of these EEPROM ICs: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-W29EE011-15-W29 … 872.m2749.l2649

OPTIONAL: If you want to try and flash the original BIOS IC, you will also need a UV EPROM Eraser: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultraviolet-Light-EP … 872.m2749.l2649

I just did it a few weeks ago on the exact same board that you have (the Zida 4DPS ver 2.1) 😀 I should mention that mine didn't have the issue that yours has, I simply wanted to update the BIOS to a newer version.

Well, in my case it works with some EDO sticks, but it's extremely unstable. So, yeah, FPM is a must.

Looking at the manual it appears this mobo has a jumper JP4, for EEPROM vs Flash rom selection, in between two PCI slots... Wonder if OP checked that's set right?

Yeah, I checked it nothing changed.
I just bought some fpm ram sticks, but it will take three to four weeks for it to arrive 🙁. I was looking forward to spending my Christmas playing lemmings on this machine.

Maybe Santa will come early 🤣

P1: Packard Bell - 233 MMX, Voodoo1, 64 MB, ALS100+
P2-V2: Dell Dimension - 400 Mhz, Voodoo2, 256 MB
P!!! Custom: 1 Ghz, GeForce2 Pro/64MB, 384 MB

Reply 17 of 19, by Deksor

Posted on 2020-12-02, 20:49

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SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:54:

Deksor wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:45:

SSTV2 wrote on 2020-12-02, 18:21:

Only PR revision of that SIS chipset support EDO RAM, older revisions will cause that "checksum" error at boot, though with some fast EDO ram sticks it might POST, but don't expect anything more.

Where did you get that info ? I'm curious 😁

VOGONS and personal experience 😁

Well i don't know which kind of RAM I used on my 4DPS, but I think that was EDO, I'll try that since mine isn't the rev you described 😁 (and also that the datasheet for that chipset from 1995 states that EDO is supported)

Trying to identify old hardware ? Visit The retro web - Project's thread The Retro Web project - a stason.org/TH99 alternative

Reply 18 of 19, by Steapa

Posted on 2020-12-21, 14:36

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My memory arrived, switching to FPM indeed solved the problem. Thank you, everyone.

Reply 19 of 19, by bloodem

Posted on 2020-12-21, 15:04

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Glad it's working for you now! It's a great board, enjoy it 😀

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