The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

[chermesh]

Hi,
Sometime ago I posted a request for assistance - I found no way to access my BIOS on a gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g pc. (The full thread is available on http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/cant-access-bios-ga-p43-es3g-37491/ ).
The solution to my problem was clearing BIOS using a clrbios procedure.

Yesterday, this same proble showed up again. When I start my pc, I see a black screen. The system light shows operation and after a not-too-long time, windows screen shows up. My system is a dual boot system, WinXP Pro and Win7. Since Win7 is defined as a default os, I'm led to win7. (If I change default os, most probably, xp will go on line. I haven't tested it, but I'm almost sure about it).

The shop I bought the pc from isn't too friendly, and my request to replace the mb was turned down.

Is there any way I can spot the cause of this problem and cure it?

Is there a way I can gain replacement of the mob directly from the supplier? (I live in Israel, and us related solution may not be available).

I'll appreciate any suggestion.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Well Gigabyte offers 3 year warranty on their boards, so if you had to you could RMA with them. But really I don't think this is a board issue.

What BIOS are you using?

Are you using USB or PS/2 mouse and keyboards? If you are using USB keyboards then you would need to be sure you enabled a few things in the BIOS after you clear the CMOS each time. Those would be USB 1 and 2 support, and legacy USB Storage Detect.

Or you could switch to PS/2 keyboard, then this issue would not bother you so much.

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Well Gigabyte offers 3 year warranty on their boards, so if you had to you could RMA with them. But really I don't think this is a board issue.

Just in case, how is this RMA working? Does it require sending the mb via mail to gigabyte? an instruction to the store I bought the computer from to replace the mb? or else?

What BIOS are you using?

See image:

Are you using USB or PS/2 mouse and keyboards??

A usb mouse and a ps/2 keyboard.

If you are using USB keyboards then you would need to be sure you enabled a few things in the BIOS after you clear the CMOS each time. Those would be USB 1 and 2 support, and legacy USB Storage Detect.

Or you could switch to PS/2 keyboard, then this issue would not bother you so much.

If you refer to my keyboard, then looks like no step is required on my behalf. Did I understand you right?

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

One minore addition: BIOS Agent reports that my BIOS fits Microsoft Windows NT Version: 6.1.7600. My main os is windows 7. Does it create a problem?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Yes you would send the motherboard to Gigabyte. Or you could ask your store to do that as well.

Here, try BIOS F12
GA-P43-ES3G (rev. 1.0) - GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS

Please use Qflash or DOS to flash, DO NOT USE @BIOS. Here is a guide if you are unsure how to flash properly

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Ya if you are using PS/2 Keyboard in a PS/2 slot then you shouldn't need to worry about the things I mentioned. Do you have another PS/2 keyboard to test with though, in case something is wrong with the one you are using now, or their is some compatibility issue?

BIOS agent is fairly useless, I would not advise using it for anything really. You can use CPU-z to check your BIOS versions if need be in the future or look in the BIOS itself, on the MAIN page of the BIOS press F9 and system info will come up showing you the BIOS version.

Try the new BIOS F12 and see if the issue remains, if it does you may also want to try BIOS F10. Be sure you always load optimized defaults, then save/apply/ reboot F10 after you flash. Then go back into the BIOS before windows and make any changes you need to make.

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Well, Lsdmeasap, got stuck. I tried clrbios twice, made sure I stick to all details, but nothing changed. The screen is black untill win7 starts.
Is there anything I can still do to cure my problem?

[profJim]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Even though your screen remains black until the windows screen appears, can you currently enter your bios by pressing the DELETE key shortly after your system starts the POST procedure?

[Chike]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

To continue profJim's thought, if not try to turn the monitor off for a few minutes if you don't see the BIOS screen turn it back on.

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

No, I can't. I tried, but nothing happens, or at least, I can't see if anything happens.

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Chike,
When do you suggest me to turn the monitor off? while the system is closed? when I start it? when it's already inside win7? or else?

[Chike]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Before you turn the computer on, or after you try to enter BIOS and the screen is blank.
Do you usually turn it off or leave it in standby?

[profJim]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

How is your monitor connected to your video card? DVI? VGA?
What brand/model/type of monitor are your using?
Do you have an older VGA monitor you can test with?
Have you re-seated your video card?

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

Before you turn the computer on, or after you try to enter BIOS and the screen is blank.
Do you usually turn it off or leave it in standby?

My pc is up all the time. I usually switch the monitor off during night time.
Most of the time, when I start the pc, it's a reboot and therefore, the montor is on.
I never leave it on standby.

[Chike]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

I just asked because for example my monitor sometimes has problem synchronizing when I wake the computer from hibernation. At first I thought it's a problem with the settings but if I turn it off for a few seconds it turns up OK.

Just trtying to understand if it's a problem with the monitor or the VGA card and VGA mode since you say it turns on when windows start.

[chermesh]

Re: The saga repeats itself - Accessing my BIOS? : gigabyte, ga-p43-as3g

I don't think the problem has something to do with the monitor, since it works as expected under the more advanced condition of win7 and fail on the least challenging task - post prior to win7.
For this reason, I don't believe it's a graphic card problem.