MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

[spikeman]

After upgrading my sons pc I used the 'old' parts to upgrade my own pc. I got it working ok .Then I read somewhere the phenom X3 710 4th core unlocks on most proc so i decided to try this . Get the latest bios was the first step in the guide . So i went to the Gigabyte site and downloaded the latest bios for the GA-790XT-UD4P , that's F8 I believe, and it was on F4G version . Then I downloaded @bios from their official site and flashed it . This went perfect and asked to restart . After reboot the screen went black and it still is . I checked forums for help and tried about everything , cleared cmos , battery out from 5 min to 5 hours , shorted main bios 5 + 6 pin several times , connected 4 + 7pin , tried the power + start button method to force mobo to go to backup bios . Nothing appears on the screen of the monitor , not even a cursor ! Dual bios My ...... !
The only things that happen are revving of fans , 4 flashes of 3 leds on the gpu card and 1 beep of the mobo , all over again and again ,...
After checking the site again I believe I made a mistake . I flashed the right bios for the right board but with the wrong @bios program i guess , the one for the new x79 boards . Could this be the reason for the trouble and can someone tell me what to do next or what goes wrong ?

[profJim]

re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

The only things that happen are revving of fans , 4 flashes of 3 leds on the gpu card and 1 beep of the mobo , all over again and again ,...

Is your system in a boot loop where it powers on momentarily, powers off, and repeats this cycle?

Is your system a GA-MA790XT-UD4P?
If yes, the current @BIOS version is: B11.1004.1 (5.10 MB) 2011/10/04

Have you tried a minimal hardware boot using only one memory module, keyboard, and graphics card?
Does your monitor and cable work on another system?
With your psu unplugged, have you tried re-seating your memory and graphics card?

[spikeman]

re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Yes it's a GA-MA790XT-UD4P , yes I used the B11.1004.1@bios program but if u click the link you see 2 versions on the Gigabyte website . 1 is for the X79 chipset boards and 1 for the others I guess . I used by mistake the first version with the right bios however , with this result , black screen . I did try with 1 mem mob , graka and keyboard , nothing . Cable is ok and in right place , worked fine just before flash , it would be odd if the monitor died after a bios flash ,not ?
Yes it's in somekind of loop , powers up immediatly after pushing the start button , all fans rev up , graka blinks 4 times , dvd rom clicks i believe , then 1 beep from the mobo , from there on fans keep turning , graka blinks and mobo beeps once every 5 or 6 secs this is repeated , the system never powers off , but nothing comes on the screen !

[profJim]

re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

From the Gigabyte Utilities list, the first @BIOS option is:
@BIOS (X79) Version B12.0112.1 Date 2012/01/12 size = 5.13 MB
- Correct @BIOS ver: B11.1004.1 Date 2011/10/04 size = 5.10 MB

To eliminate all possible problems:

1. remove your motherboard from the computer case and set it on a cardboard box beside your computer case
2. disconnect ALL HARDWARE that isn't required for booting into the bios, hard drives, optical drives, mouse, usb, etc.
3. install a ps/2 keyboard

Did you remove your cpu and/or heatsink during the hardware swap?
Are the 24-pin and 8-pin EPS_12v or 4-pin ATX_12v cables securely plugged in to the motherboard?
You might need to remove your mobo battery, jumper the clear_cmos pins, unplug your psu from the outlet and leave it in this state for 24 hours.

We can best help you if you include a detailed hardware list in your forum signature.
I'll correct the model number in the thread's title.

[spikeman]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Ok I put those in my profile . No I didn't remove the cpu from the board and it has been running for 1 week with no problems until the flash with indeed that @bios version and the right bios ,so I believe all connectors are ok .
I tried the clear cmos and the battery removel but not for 24 hours .
Is there a major difference between the 2 @bios programs , the 1 I used was not the right one for my 790x chipset mobo . but for the new X79 chipset .
I will try to remove the board tonight and try to boot in the morning with minimal hardware .

[Acebmxer]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Please Use this version of @bios @BIOS v.2.20 B11.1004.1

The version of @bios that has X79 is for Intel's X79 platform. You are on AMD platform. Please use the version I posted.

[spikeman]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Please Use this version of @bios @BIOS v.2.20 B11.1004.1

The version of @bios that has X79 is for Intel's X79 platform. You are on AMD platform. Please use the version I posted.

Yes I know , I wish I could use that one but the PC is dead for the moment , a black screen is all i get , no post screen no errors nothing , how do I move on with the correct bios now ? I have something on a bootable cd but nothing happens ? I'm stuck .

[profJim]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

The problem is probably due to using the X79 @BIOS version.
The fact that you have a boot loop is a somewhat encouraging sign.
When a mobo is bricked from a bad flash, the system will often power on and do nothing at all.
There might be a bios recovery trick that might help where you "play" with the front panel on/off switch and the psu on/off switch at the same time. I'm not familiar with the exact details.

Your hardware list should automatically be displayed in your next post.

[spikeman]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Thx for replying so soon , could someone explain the exact procedure for this 'trick' , I have tried something of the kind but don't know i did this correct . I'm somewhat concerned that the screen stays black is this common for 'bricked' boards ?

[profJim]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

There are several causes for a black screen.
The fact that you're in a boot loop means that your system is failing to post and that is why your screen remains blank.

"Coincidental" failures are rare, but I've seen enough of them not to rule out the possibility.
Recently in another thread the problem turned out to be a power supply that failed, even though the motherboard LEDs would light up when the system was turned on. In his case, there wasn't even a speaker beep or boot loop and it appeared that his motherboard was bricked. He didn't have any hardware he could borrow to see if his memory or graphics card had failed. He had to take it to a local shop to be checked out. I encouraged him to also bring his power supply as part of the check up. His power supply had "suddenly" failed and with his new power supply, his system was fine.

DON'T assume that all of your hardware is OK. It's a PITA to do all this checking, but it's the best way to go for now.

[profJim]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

From http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...tml#post388530, post #31:

It is possible to make the BIOS Auto-Recovery kick in (Dual BIOS) and re-flash the MAIN BIOS with the contents of the BACKUP BIOS.

This is a simple and easy method for anyone to try before having to resort to other more difficult methods, or a RMA.

1. Shut off the power supply using the switch on the back of the PSU, wait 10-15 seconds.
2. Press and hold the case Power On swtich, then while still holding turn on the power supply from the switch on the rear.
3. Still holding the case power on switch, the board will start, once it does release the case power on switch and shut off the power supply via the switch on the rear of the unit. (Do the latter two parts as quickly as you can once the board starts)
4. The board will shut down.
5. Turn the power supply back on using the switch on the rear of the unit.
6. Turn on the motherboard by pressing the case power on button.

Once the board starts this time you should see the Gigabyte splash screen, or POST page, then the Auto-Recovery from Dual BIOS will kick in. You will see a checksum error, and then recovery from BACKUP BIOS will begin. Once it is done reboot your machine and enter the BIOS and load optimized defaults then save/apply/reboot back to BIOS.

Now you are done, and will be using whatever BIOS was in your BACKUP BIOS, From there you can attempt whatever you were previously trying, or update your BIOS to the latest version.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

The above should sort it out for you, if it doesn't keep trying because you may not have the timing just right. And 4+7 should also sort it out easy too, and that must be timed just right too so if you try it anymore try several times.

Here's my suggested method on 4+7, maybe some of my thoughts will help you time it out better

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/33904-how-fix-dead-dual-bios-motherboard-if-flashing-failed.html#post375734

Also, as mentioned previously, it could be still ok and something else is causing it to cycle or not show anything on screen. Failed graphics cards can do that, faulty drives, ect. Do you have another card to test with?

A single beep means all is well and the BIOS has posted to windows, so if you hear a single beep and then nothing, you may need to try another graphics card with no hard drives attached and see if maybe you can boot to CD or get into the BIOS via Del key (you'll be able to tell you're in the BIOS because it'll stop looping and just sit there even if nothing is on screen)

[spikeman]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

kk thx guys I get to it after work tomorrow , and let u know what came up . Don't have a spare graphics card but I'll ask around .

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

Good luck, hopefully you can recover! Hope you can find a card to test with too, just in case that would help!

[spikeman]

Re: MA790XT-UD4P dead after @bios flash !

OK , standigs ! The method with the power and psu switch don't give any result after 10 or so tries . I always get the same result fans rev , graka blinks 4 times , mobo beeps , loop ! No post what so ever .
The 4-7 short then : After shorting M-bios chip 4-7 , psu on while shorted , power up , board shuts down (still shorted) .So far all goes as posted by lsdmeasap's thread , then nothing happens anymore , no repost or boot . When I let go of my tweezers (before I get cramps in my left hand) the pc stays in this state : The 3 leds on the graka now stay on , psu case and graka fans now turn slow , no cpu fan though , black screen all the way . Also I can't shut down or reset the PC now , only when I turn psu off . When I reboot after shutting down the psu we return to the old state with the beep . :-(
Sigh .
KK ,mem and graka on loan ruled out these components , so we're down to Mobo or CPU . Don't have those to test so I gave it along with someone who works in a shop . Let's wait for the verdict !