Fixing an Abit IP35 Pro

PortalSkipper

PortalSkipper

PortalSkipper

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18 Feb 2009
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3
Hi OCUK forum-goer's!

I'm in a bit of a pickle. I recently purchased a B-Grade Abit IP35 Pro (well 2 weeks ago today).

I sent it off for an RMA last Wednesday, but Overclockers has sent it back to me, due to the fact that it's damaged (Bent heatsink fins, dent's in the heatsinks and a few bent pins) Even though it was delivered to me that way...

So I'm not the happiest bunny in the world right now. Never the less, I'm going to try and fix this thing.

The board is showing an error code of 9.0. Which I have discovered is because it fails to do this: Complete µGuru initial processAWARD BIOS take over booting job.

The typical causes suggested by Abit are these: OC too high, Award BIOS initial stop processing, and BIOS dead.

The typical solutions are as follows: Clear CMOS (Done, repeatedly) Restore BIOS default settings (Can't access the BIOS -.-), Replace the BIOS chip, and finally RMA at last if it still doesnt work (Which I can't do since OCUK sent it to me damaged, so it won't be accepted back now, and I doubt Abit will accept a damaged board too)

So I'm left with replacing the BIOS... Which coincidentally is what I intend to do.

What I am asking you guy's is, is it simple replacing the BIOS chip on a motherboard? (I assume it is, I mean just, pop the old one out, pop the new one in, flash to latest BIOS).

Are there any risks? And, honestly, how likely is it that this will resolve my problem?

P.S. Sorry for the wall of text, but I honestly have no other idea what I could do.
 
It's actually pretty easy to remove and install a bios chip. Take a look at the instructions for fitting a Bios Saviour here...

http://www.ioss.com.tw/web/English/RD1BIOSSavior/Howtoinstall/PLCCTYPE.html

[Mods - hopefully that link is okay, they don't seem to offer any competing items, if not please remove]

That's pretty much what you need to do to remove/install a bios chip. You can use the special tool, or a small screwdriver, or even a bent paperclip, although I personally would advise that you get the correct tool, especially given they can be picked up for a couple of £'s.
 
replacing the BIOS chip is very easy & you can buy 1 already preflashed.
However, you haven't exhausted all options yet - 9.0. is usually either BIOS(corrupt, unsupported CPU etc.) or power (inadequate/failing PSU, short etc.) related.
What CPU & what PSU are you trying to use & have you checked that there are no shorts?
 
First of all, thanks a bunch for the help guys! Really, I appreciate it.

@ Buff. I'm trying to run a Core 2 Quad Q6600 (B3 Stepping) and the PSU is an Arctic Power 500W (I know not that well known). I checked Abits FAQ's and it specifically located the 9.0 Error code to a BIOS related issue. Power issues are 8.3 I think (:S)

I've checked that there's no shorts, I even re-built a basic system on a cardboard box testing one stick of lackluster RAM I had lying about and a single slot GPU that didn't require any power other than the power the PCI-E slot provides. I doubt it would be a power issue anyway, the motherboard the IP35 was intended to replace was an Asus P5N-E SLI which has worked flawlessly for the past 2 years with this PSU.

I should get ordering this BIOS chip then. Hopefully it works, if not, I just wasted £60+ for nothing.
 
If you intent to play around with bios flashes when you do get it all up and running, it might be worth paying a little extra now and buying a Bios Saviour pre-flashed with the latest IP35 Pro Bios, rather than just a bios chip.

That way, you can then re-install the old chip and reflash it, and you will always have a safety net should something go wrong.

Worth considering. I had one in an old board and they provide so much peace of mind.
 
PortalSkipper said:
@ Buff. I'm trying to run a Core 2 Quad Q6600 (B3 Stepping) and the PSU is an Arctic Power 500W (I know not that well known). I checked Abits FAQ's and it specifically located the 9.0 Error code to a BIOS related issue. Power issues are 8.3 I think (:S)
Click to expand...
the abit FAQ isn't all encompassing though - believe me 9.0. can also come up with power issues as mentioned.

I've checked that there's no shorts, I even re-built a basic system on a cardboard box testing one stick of lackluster RAM I had lying about and a single slot GPU that didn't require any power other than the power the PCI-E slot provides. I doubt it would be a power issue anyway, the motherboard the IP35 was intended to replace was an Asus P5N-E SLI which has worked flawlessly for the past 2 years with this PSU.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that logic doesn't always fly - there have been plenty of cases over the years of mobo/PSU incompatabilities where either will work just those particular combos don't. e.g. we've just had 1 where a guy has a 500 or 550W Coolermaster & got 9.0. swapped it for (iirc) a Corsair & bingo it worked.

Diggsy, can you get a BIOS Savior for an 8Mb BIOS chip for Intel in the UK?
 
BUFF said:
the abit FAQ isn't all encompassing though - believe me 9.0. can also come up with power issues as mentioned.


Unfortunately that logic doesn't always fly - there have been plenty of cases over the years of mobo/PSU incompatabilities where either will work just those particular combos don't. e.g. we've just had 1 where a guy has a 500 or 550W Coolermaster & got 9.0. swapped it for (iirc) a Corsair & bingo it worked.

Diggsy, can you get a BIOS Savior for an 8Mb BIOS chip for Intel in the UK?
Click to expand...

The only one I know of in the UK is the 2mb version, although there is a Swedish supllier who sell to the UK.
 
Have you tried getting back in touch with OCUK via a complaint webnote.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/webnote.php

If they have sent you a faulty board, B-grade or not then they have a legal obligation to replace / refund it providing that any physical damage on the board was present when you recieved it and was not caused by you.

When it was returned one of the bench techs probably took one look, saw damage and threw it back in the box to you.

The complaints webnotes are manned by the supervisions so be clear that you originally sent it back and it was returned for damage as supplied to you. Include the original reference numbers etc and description of fault. Since from what you say they incorrectly refused the RMA you should still be able to return to them despite having exceeded the 14 days.

On the rare occasions I've not been happy, a complaint note has sorted it.

AD
 
decto said:
Have you tried getting back in touch with OCUK via a complaint webnote.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/webnote.php

If they have sent you a faulty board, B-grade or not then they have a legal obligation to replace / refund it providing that any physical damage on the board was present when you recieved it and was not caused by you.

When it was returned one of the bench techs probably took one look, saw damage and threw it back in the box to you.

The complaints webnotes are manned by the supervisions so be clear that you originally sent it back and it was returned for damage as supplied to you. Include the original reference numbers etc and description of fault. Since from what you say they incorrectly refused the RMA you should still be able to return to them despite having exceeded the 14 days.

On the rare occasions I've not been happy, a complaint note has sorted it.

AD
Click to expand...

Yeah I've used the complaint's system. So far they have claimed they won't accept the return due to void of warrenty, although I explained that the board arrived in poor condition (it was B-grade, it wasn't expected to be perfect, just to work). The reply to me explaining that part was a question of why I didn't mention the boards state as I sent it off for RMA... Surely someone had seen the quality the board was in before sending the ruddy thing off.

Thanks for the help anyway guys. I'm still sending complaints/recieving reply's. Hopefully it can get sorted. I wouldn't mind, if it just got replaced I'd be a happy camper, hell, I'd be happy if the same board was just fixed and sent back to me but, thing's don't always work out that way.
 
Have you tried a bios savour floppy ? did the same when my bios flash went bad you just need to create a bios savour floppy it will flash it back to the bios that was there before the bad flash.
 
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