VOGONS

Search

Common searches

GA-7IXE stuck at Checking NVRAM

Topic actions

First post, by PD2JK

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Hey people, thanks for clicking this.

Slot A is one of my favorite platforms. But now I am out of ideas. I think I swapped every component I can think of. This Gigabyte GA-7IXE board is stuck at a well known BIOS POST line:

Checking NVRAM.._ (underscore keeps blinking)

So, the NVRAM is in fact inside the BIOS chip right? I swapped that one too.

A complete list of exchanged components:
-Processor, Argon 600, Pluto/Orion 700 and a TB 1000.
-Power supply
-Memory, multiple DIMMs, from old and slow PC100 stuff to new PC133 CL2.
-The SST BIOS chip , tried a same size Winbond (256kB), BIOS versions F7 and FAa (beta). I flashed them with my beloved TL866II, default settings when programming. I did a full erase and read, goes well with both chips.
-Video card(s), I tried AGP, PCI and ISA cards.
-CR2032 coin cell battery, checked with a volt meter, 3.31 Volt.
And I reset the BIOS multiple times and checked that jumper dozen times.

Is this board ready for getting dumped and potentially being found by another Vogoner so he/she can post it in this topic?:
I recently found this hardware, AKA the Dumpster find thread.

Attachments

  • DSC_2770.JPG
    Filename
    DSC_2770.JPG
    File size
    1.26 MiB
    Views
    335 views
    File license
    Public domain

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Orion 700 | TB 1000 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 1 of 3, by janih

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
PD2JK wrote on 2023-02-09, 11:02:

Checking NVRAM.._ (underscore keeps blinking)

So, the NVRAM is in fact inside the BIOS chip right? I swapped that one too.

Yes, should be the bios chip. Your post reminded me of this Twitter post (https://twitter.com/nanochess/status/16201538 … BDhQXuiMjC1BFWg) where the author fixed similar issue by replacing the bios chip. Was your replacement bios chip new? Maybe it is broken too.

Reply 2 of 3, by PD2JK

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

I found a few 512kB chips, but they don't work in the board.

Is there a special way to flash 256kB ROMs in higher capacity chips? Or does the mainboard expect a 256kB ONLY?

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Orion 700 | TB 1000 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 3 of 3, by Roman555

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
PD2JK wrote on 2023-02-09, 15:17:

I found a few 512kB chips, but they don't work in the board.

Is there a special way to flash 256kB ROMs in higher capacity chips? Or does the mainboard expect a 256kB ONLY?

Are those 512kB chips EEPROM (not FWH nor LPC) ?

If address line A18 of PLCC32 socket is disconnected from mainboard then you can just make a new image for a 512KB flash chip concatenating the two 256KB original images.

copy /b bios.bin + bios.bin  double.bin

If the address line A18 is connected then a pin A18 of a BIOS chip should be isolated from a PLCC32 socket.
All in theory : I've never done it by myself. Because EEPROM chips might have different structure of inner areas. So look up datasheets.

P.S. Is FAa (beta) for GA-7IXE4 compatible for GA-7IXE ? I've seen the latest version for GA-7IXE is F7 Ok, I see FAa version in TheRetroWeb

[ MS6168/PII-350/YMF754/98SE ]
[ 775i65G/E5500/9800Pro/Vortex2/ME ]

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window