Abit IP35-E RMA question

[diamonddave]

A little background: I have two Abit IP35-E motherboards, one in my existing system & one for the new system I was about to build with a Q9550 for 64-bit Vista & Windows 7 experimentation. Well, I started to set up the new computer, using an older CPU so I could update the BIOS. Vanilla install of XP, I run flash menu using the same file I downloaded (v18) for my other IP35-E, go to update ... and it hangs about 2/3 of the way through. The other update worked fine. Basically, the next time I boot I get multiple beeps & a BIOS error, BIOS is corrupt.

Before I go through an RMA with Abit, is there any hope of resetting the BIOS using the good version in the other IP35-E? I've tried clearing CMOS, removing battery, etc - looks like boot blocks are hosed, but I'm no expert. I can't even get to a POST, which makes me wonder if even a boot floppy would do any good. My hope is there's some way to utilize the BIOS in the existing machine to duplicate it with the new one where the BIOS is corrupt.

In case there's no other option, I've got a question about shipping out my IP35-E board for a replacement. I've gotten an RMA approval via e-mail & directions for shipping. Now here's my blunt question: With Abit's standing in the marketplace, what chance do I have of getting this board back? Are they still processing RMAs & honoring warranties? (I'm barely still in warranty.) With Abit closing up shop as far as motherboards go, I'd hate to send in my motherboard only to have it go into a black hole & never come back.

I tried searching through the Abit IP35-E threads, but couldn't find anything specific to this topic. Thanks for any help.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: diamonddave

Before I go through an RMA with Abit, is there any hope of resetting the BIOS using the good version in the other IP35-E? I've tried clearing CMOS, removing battery, etc - looks like boot blocks are hosed, but I'm no expert. I can't even get to a POST, which makes me wonder if even a boot floppy would do any good. My hope is there's some way to utilize the BIOS in the existing machine to duplicate it with the new one where the BIOS is corrupt.

Have a look at http://pages.sbcglobal.net/jefn/bootblock.html - if that doesn't apply then
you can hotflash the BIOS chip in the other mobo if you feel upto it or you could just buy another preflashed BIOS chip from a no. of vendors.

In case there's no other option, I've got a question about shipping out my IP35-E board for a replacement. I've gotten an RMA approval via e-mail & directions for shipping. Now here's my blunt question: With Abit's standing in the marketplace, what chance do I have of getting this board back? Are they still processing RMAs & honoring warranties? (I'm barely still in warranty.) With Abit closing up shop as far as motherboards go, I'd hate to send in my motherboard only to have it go into a black hole & never come back.

the chances of getting your exact mobo back are slim - abit & others operate a pool system to hopefully send you a replacement before they would be able to repair & return your exact mobo.

in the US abit had a 3 year warranty (2 years free parts & labour, 3rd year $25 labour) so you can't possibly be out of warranty yet. & they have said that they will continue honouring their warranty obligations.

 

[Zap]

For the past half year seems as if any RMAs to Abit were getting back random boards, some of which were not nearly as good as the returned board. However, this is a moot issue now because Abit closed its doors on 12/31/08.

I think your best bet would be to do a hot-flash of the afflicted BIOS.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: Zap
However, this is a moot issue now because Abit closed its doors on 12/31/08.

abit/USI are still doing warranty support

 

[VirtualLarry]

hot-flash isn't too hard if your BIOS chip is socketed. Get a chip puller tool.

I've done it with DIP flash chips, haven't tried it yet with PLCC chips, but it should work the same way in theory.

You boot with the good flash chip installed, then you pull it out while the machine is running, plug in the bad flash chip, and then run the flash program to re-flash the BIOS.

 

[diamonddave]

I think I'm gonna try the hot-flash first & if that doesn't work, then send in the board for RMA. I've gotten the RMA authorization, which claims I have 90 days to send it in for replacement. Have IP35-E users ever reported getting an IP35 or an IP35 Pro as a replacement? I'm sure most (if not all) boards sent back to users for RMA returns are refurbished.

Thanks, everyone.