BIOS "Buile" date - is this a problem?

Hi,

I'm trying to fix a dead AOA110 for a friend.

After reading stuff on this forum I decided to reflash the BIOS but that didn't get me anywhere (flashing cursor was as most as i got). So I thought a dead SSD seemed likely. Got a new one of these and installed it and I'm still having problems (though after more playing around I've got a test install of XP partly working,except it BSODs every time).

But one thing I noticed, whilst reflashing the BIOS a few more times for luck yesterday, is that if I disable "Quick Boot" from the BIOS then on startup I get the messages "Insyde H2) version v0.3310", execpt the writing is very "patchy" with pixels missing (could just be trying to do a font that's not working) and "BIOS Buile Dater - 10/06/2008". Yes, it says "Buile" rather than "Build".

So, is this normal? Is this a sign that there might be a problem with the BIOS, and if so do you have any ideas what to do about it?

It's entirely possible it is/was a hard drive problem but I'm just trying to narrow things down and this looks odd.

Thanks for reading.

Jim

 

Sounds like the graphical artifacting you get on an integrated video chipset which shares system RAM. This is usually caused by either faulty RAM that needs replacing, or dirty RAM that needs it's contacts cleaned. If you remove the RAM chips from the system, give the gold contacts a rub with a standard, white pencil eraser until they're shiny again. Reinstall the RAM and try again.

 

Thanks, but there's a problem with that.

It's a 512mb AOA110 so (as far as I can tell) all the memory is soldered on to the motherboard, so I'm not going to be able to remove it to clean/replace.
I'll try running memtest on the machine to see if it shows any memory problems; it's one thing I've not looked at yet.

Thanks for your help anyway, if it is a memory problem it sounds like the machines stuffed.

Any other ideas, anyone?

 

Hi there,

If it is a memory problem you could try adding a stick of 512Mb/1Gb RAM and try forcing the BIOS to use this rather than the on-board.
Not sure which is will default to using first.

Obviously this is something to try only if you have a stick of RAM, I wouldnt go out and buy one to try this as I'm not convinced it would work, just my thoughts.

Paul :ugeek:

 

Yeah, I'd wondered about that but i thought it likely that by default it would use the built in memory first and I don't remember seeing anywhere in the BIOS I could change that. I'll have a rummage around to see if I can dig up any suitable RAM to give it a go though.

Thanks.

 

I wonder if, for example, it is the built in memory, if it would be possible to physically de-solder a component/jumper etc to manually disable the on-board RAM and run a functional memory module.

 

I think I have seen this mentioned a few times in the threads relating to upgrading to 2Gb (i.e. putting a 2Gb stick in and bypassing the 512Mb on board).

Would be worth a search through those threads to see if there was ever a definitive outcome to trying that.
I'm sure it must be possible, just de-solder the power pin for the on-board modules...

Paul :ugeek: