Motherboard Power Cycling problem

Johnboy1951

EDIT:

I found the problem!

Apparently I have a dodgy RAM socket which when a ram stick is inserted pulls the 3.3V line down.

The motherboard has booted, using a Live OS on a USB stick (PCLinuxOS Mate release) with one ram module inserted into the second ram slot.

I will let the main post remain in case anyone is interested

I should have copped this earlier, but was diverted by the apparent relationship with my changing CPU.


*********
To try to make a long story short .....

I attempted to upgrade the CPU and it did not work ..... from some subsequent reading it appears I *might* have needed a BIOS upgrade for the new CPU to work (not sure yet).

I reverted back to the original CPU which fired up, but I had also changed the memory (I removed one stick for better access when changing the CPU and forgot to replace it) so I got error beeps and entry to the BIOS etc.

I don't clearly recall what happened after that, but the net result is the motherboard won't boot.

I have reset the BIOS; removed the battery for a few hours while testing too.

I have taken the motherboard out and stripped it of all attachments and connections ...... leaving only memory, original CPU (with heatsink & fan) and a temporary momentary power switch.

The board behaves as if the PSU is not sending the 'Power_Good' signal, and is thus in a permanent Reset cycle.

The PSU will fire up when I press the power button attached to the motherboard, power the CPU fan and then PSU shuts down again. It starts up again after a few seconds and shuts down again.

I have checked the +5V, +12V and +3V rails ...... the 3V rail was reading 2.56V when I checked (I could have been using the wrong 0V rail which might throw off the reading).

I have some more tests to try today on voltages, but the cycle is so quick that I have difficulty determining a true reading.

I have tried a replacement PSU from a known good PC.
Still get the same result - PSU comes on & CPU fan comes on briefly and PSU shuts down.

Motherboard MSI H61MA-E35 (B3)
Orig CPU Pentium G630
New CPU i3-3225

Supported CPUs
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H61MA-E35--B3-.html#/?div=CPUSupport

The motherboard is was used in a HTPC using the on-board graphics (graphics on CPU).

One other piece of info ...... if I remove the memory I get the three long 'error' beeps at each cycle, as expected.

All I can think of presently is that I have a corrupted BIOS or a very faulty CPU

This thread describes a similar situation, but no resolution posted
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85693047


What have I not checked (or forgot to report)?

Anything else I can do/check?

Thanks for reading and any suggestions

Johnboy1951

Now that I have the motherboard booting again, I have been able to confirm the BIOS version .....

BIOS: E7440IMB V1.2
Date: 01/09/2012

It seems from what I read that if I am to move to an Ivy Bridge CPU (i3-3225) that I need to update the BIOS.

If anyone can help clarify things around the BIOS update I would be grateful.

The last time I attempted a BIOS update was a decade or more ago

To complicate matters (I suspect) I have no MS Windows OS here, so will have to use some alternative means of updating.
Of course maybe these days there is no dependency on using Win for an easy update ..... I have no idea TBH

Views on the best approach are welcome.

My thoughts for the moment:-

Update the BIOS from 1.2 to 2.1 (2.3 is also available, should it be used?)

Change CPU from G630 to i3-3225

Boot and set up BIOS.

Would this be the correct approach?
What effect would the update to BIOS have on using the G630?

game4it70

The safest way to update MSI boards is to use the forum flashing tool with a USB Flash Drive.
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=116721.0

Find your mobo here and follow the instructions for the bios you want to update to.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=163900.0

There is also Mflash in the bios but its less safe from what i've read on the MSI forums.

Either way you need access to an OS to create the bootable USB with the flashing tool.

Short version is,
Run flashing tool and point to the drive letter of the usb drive.
Then either point to mode one or two depending on bios instructions (it varies depending on the bios)
Reboot and press F11 and point to the usb to boot from then follow on screen instructions.
When its flashes it will probably reboot twice so after that clear the cmos and you should be good to go.

Be warned though if it fails your board will be borked and need to be sent for repairs. :mad:

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

The safest way to update MSI boards is to use the forum flashing tool with a USB Flash Drive.
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=116721.0

Find your mobo here and follow the instructions for the bios you want to update to.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=163900.0

There is also Mflash in the bios but its less safe from what i've read on the MSI forums.

Either way you need access to an OS to create the bootable USB with the flashing tool.

Short version is,
Run flashing tool and point to the drive letter of the usb drive.
Then either point to mode one or two depending on bios instructions (it varies depending on the bios)
Reboot and press F11 and point to the usb to boot from then follow on screen instructions.
When its flashes it will probably reboot twice so after that clear the cmos and you should be good to go.

Be warned though if it fails your board will be borked and need to be sent for repairs. :mad:

Thank you!

It seems I have to register to view either of those links

This is the BIOS update page related to the m/board
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H61MA-E35--B3-.html#/?div=BIOS

I don't know which update I should use ..... the latest one?

I'll have no difficulty creating a bootable USB .... will have to get details of what filesystem the update tool needs ...... possibly a MS filesystem? I don't normally use FAT/NTFS or whatever so would be preparing a USB stick especially for the purpose.

The big doubt in my mind presently is whether using the updated BIOS would interfere with using the G630 CPU but allow the i3 to be used.

I haven't read anything definitive yet, just something about updating ONLY if you require to use the Ivy Bridge CPU.

Thanks again for the info

game4it70

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Thank you!

It seems I have to register to view either of those links

This is the BIOS update page related to the m/board
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H61MA-E35--B3-.html#/?div=BIOS

I don't know which update I should use ..... the latest one?

I'll have no difficulty creating a bootable USB .... will have to get details of what filesystem the update tool needs ...... possibly a MS filesystem? I don't normally use FAT/NTFS or whatever so would be preparing a USB stick especially for the purpose.

The big doubt in my mind presently is whether using the updated BIOS would interfere with using the G630 CPU but allow the i3 to be used.

I haven't read anything definitive yet, just something about updating ONLY if you require to use the Ivy Bridge CPU.

Thanks again for the info

You should register just to double check what i've said just in case...

Use Fat for the USB.
I cant see why the old cpu wouldn't work with the new bios but if you need to use both i'd search the MSI forums to be sure.
As for what bios to use i'd go with latest and they normally have all the old updates from previous bios's.

I attached the Forum tool and the latest bios from the forums.
Its dated 16-February-13.
Grr invalid file and too big.

When using the flashing tool use Mode 1 (Point to archive file) if using the latest bios "E7740IMS.241"

Download the Intel Management Engine Driver for your mobo and install after bios update.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

You should register just to double check what i've said just in case...

Use Fat for the USB.
I cant see why the old cpu wouldn't work with the new bios but if you need to use both i'd search the MSI forums to be sure.
As for what bios to use i'd go with latest and they normally have all the old updates from previous bios's.

I attached the Forum tool and the latest bios from the forums.
Its dated 16-February-13.
Grr invalid file and too big.

When using the flashing tool use Mode 1 (Point to archive file) if using the latest bios "E7740IMS.241"

Download the Intel Management Engine Driver for your mobo and install after bios update.

Thanks for the instructions, it is useful to compare instructions as I often find I am a little doubtful because of how some are written ...... I'll get to it over the weekend.

I will first register and do a search for any reported problems .... just in case

****

I am now wondering if my attempt to install the i3 could have (somehow) damaged the circuitry for the RAM socket ..... or is the problem just coincidental?

Any comment? (while I have your attention )

Regards.

game4it70

If there are problems with the ram socket it could also be a bent pin (cpu socket) so the cpu pads aren't making good contact.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

If there are problems with the ram socket it could also be a bent pin (cpu socket) so the cpu pads aren't making good contact.

Ah!

In that case it is likely my own doing ..... damaged a pin when changing CPUs
I did attempt to do a mem check which aborted and rebooted the PC.

I doubt my eyesight would be much good finding it

Even if I did I might only make things worse ..... yet I would like to get it right.

I will wait until after the BIOS update to look ....... when changing the CPU to the i3.

Thank you.

I hope I won't 'need' any more help with this

Regards.


EDIT: presently m/board is sitting on table with PSU, connected to TV and playing music from a network share, running PCLinuxOS on a USB flash stick. Only the second memory stick inserted.
All is stable, so looking good except for the RAM module problem.

game4it70

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Ah!

In that case it is likely my own doing ..... damaged a pin when changing CPUs
I did attempt to do a mem check which aborted and rebooted the PC.

I doubt my eyesight would be much good finding it

Even if I did I might only make things worse ..... yet I would like to get it right.

I will wait until after the BIOS update to look ....... when changing the CPU to the i3.

Thank you.

I hope I won't 'need' any more help with this

Regards.


EDIT: presently m/board is sitting on table with PSU, connected to TV and playing music from a network share, running PCLinuxOS on a USB flash stick. Only the second memory stick inserted.
All is stable, so looking good except for the RAM module problem.

Your welcome and thats good about it only being the stick of ram as easy to rma that

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Your welcome and thats good about it only being the stick of ram as easy to rma that

Sorry, I was unclear ....... the ram is good ...... either stick will work in the good socket ..... it seems likely that I damaged one of the pins in the CPU socket when I was changing the CPU.

Originally Posted by game4it70
If there are problems with the ram socket it could also be a bent pin (cpu socket) so the cpu pads aren't making good contact.

game4it70

Ah i see now,i took ram module as a stick of ram.

So have you checked the cpu socket pins yet?
The odds of the ram/dimm socket not working all of a sudden when you happened to be replacing the cpu would be very coincidental.

A torch can help check the pins as if there are any bent they will stand out with the way the light hits them.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Ah i see now,i took ram module as a stick of ram.

Sorry for not making what I meant much clearer

So have you checked the cpu socket pins yet?
The odds of the ram/dimm socket not working all of a sudden when you happened to be replacing the cpu would be very coincidental.

A torch can help check the pins as if there are any bent they will stand out with the way the light hits them.

No, I have not removed the CPU since.

My intention is to leave it as it is until I have the BIOS updated and then check when I attempt to change to the i3 CPU.

Today was taken up with making other arrangements to record the All Ireland ..... and then of course watching it.

Hopefully I will get the courage to do the BIOS update tomorrow :eek:

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

The safest way to update MSI boards is to use the forum flashing tool with a USB Flash Drive.
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=116721.0

Find your mobo here and follow the instructions for the bios you want to update to.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=163900.0

I registered to view those tools, and it appears I would need a Windows operating system to use them, so that method is out.

There is also Mflash in the bios but its less safe from what i've read on the MSI forums.

Yes I have been looking at MFlash in the BIOS options.
I saved the present BIOS to a file in case I might need it.

The saved file is E7740IMS.120 ..... a form of EUFI file I *think*.

I downloaded the updated E7740IMS.241.zip which contains the correct type of file I believe.

I am warned I should use the forum software (Windows only) to flash the BIOS

For BIOS Update >>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<< => Mode 1: Point to archive file!

Either way you need access to an OS to create the bootable USB with the flashing tool.

Short version is,
Run flashing tool and point to the drive letter of the usb drive.
Then either point to mode one or two depending on bios instructions (it varies depending on the bios)
Reboot and press F11 and point to the usb to boot from then follow on screen instructions.
When its flashes it will probably reboot twice so after that clear the cmos and you should be good to go.

Be warned though if it fails your board will be borked and need to be sent for repairs. :mad:

It appears that using the MFlash utility it would not require a bootable flash drive, just a flash drive (FAT fs) to hold the updte file.

I am rather hesitant to use the MFlash utility after reading the warning ...... more research to do to find out if there is a good reason not to use the MFlash utility with that file ......

..... I wish I was more familiar with BIOS flashing .....

game4it70

You need windows OS to install the flashing tool on a pc or laptop first.Then you run the tool to create the flash-able usb drive.

The pc your trying to flash does not need to have an OS on it once you have made the flash-able usb.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

You need windows OS to install the flashing tool on a pc or laptop first.Then you run the tool to create the flash-able usb drive.

The pc your trying to flash does not need to have an OS on it once you have made the flash-able usb.

Yes ...... and I don't have such a PC with Windows.

OK, I took the plunge

As I mentioned previously I have the m/board on the table with PSU connected, and have connected keyboard & mouse.

I d/loaded the BIOS files in this thread
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=162107.0

I got the latest one first (.241) but the MFlash utility did not see it, so I got the lot of them.
It sees only the SandyBridge BIOS files ..... my saved .120 and the d/loaded .139.
I successfully updated the BIOS to the .139
On reboot it was reported as .13B9 in the BIOS.

Apparently it will not update further unless there is an IvyBridge CPU in place ...... or so it seems ......

So my idea of updating the BIOS prior to changing the CPU seems doomed

BTW .... the MFlash utility worked well, and fast, once I made the decision.

So, I guess tomorrow I will change the CPU, and hopefully find the bent pin as I do it, and after that will again attempt to update the BIOS to the latest, using the MFlash utility.

That is the plan ....... if you spot any flaw, please do post

Thank you!

Regards

EDIT:

It seems a 'supported CPU' should be in place before updating the BIOS ....
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=162003.msg1187070#msg1187070

You would probably need a supported cpu to flash to bios version 21 though.

game4it70

Looks good so far and dont forget to install the Intel Management Engine Driver if needed.
Some of the bios's already have it combined in the bios file when used with Mflash but no harm checking.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Looks good so far

Thanks for taking a look

and dont forget to install the Intel Management Engine Driver if needed.
Some of the bios's already have it combined in the bios file when used with Mflash but no harm checking.

As far as I am aware (but open to correction of course) those drivers are for Windows operating system of various versions?

game4it70

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

As far as I am aware (but open to correction of course) those drivers are for Windows operating system of various versions?

Yeah they are,there on that original page you linked for your mobo.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H61MA-E35--B3-.html#/?div=Driver&os=Win8%2064

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Yeah they are,there on that original page you linked for your mobo.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H61MA-E35--B3-.html#/?div=Driver&os=Win8%2064

Thanks for the confirmation.

I won't be needing them so

One more thing I don't have to consider

Johnboy1951

Things do not seem to be working out for me

I had the motherboard, keyboard, mouse, one RAM module, Flash stick with Live OS on it, and HDMI cable to TV all connected and working, using the G630 CPU.

I removed the CPU and
I checked all the pins of the socket and found none bent out of alignment.

I fitted the i3 ....... and got nothing but power cycling as before.

I removed the i3 and replaced the G630 and all booted OK.

I checked both sticks of RAM in the second socket ..... even ram memory test for a few minutes on each, with no immediate faults showing.

Shut down and moved the ram module to the first slot and powered on again ..... it booted!!!!!!!??????? What??????

Booted up the OS on the LiveUSB stick just to be sure.
All good!

Powered off again, and fitted the second ram module into the second board slot.

Powered up again ....... all OK ...... all ram recognised ..... ?????

It seems I can get the G630 working with all the ram again as it is now, but the i3 just will not allow a boot to get to the BIOS to change it.

It seems to me the only real variable is the removal and insertion of the CPU.

Sometimes everything works as now, and at other times nothing works as with the i3, and yet at other times one ram socket seemed not to work.

I could see nothing amiss with the socket pins ..... I checked with a LED torch and a large magnifying glass.

I am puzzled again.


I wonder if it is worthwhile trying the i3 again in the socket ...... maybe something would connect differently the next time ...... a bit weird doing the same thing and expecting different results :eek:

Any thoughts on this?

game4it70

If its any help i'm confused too now :P

From the manual,
"To ensure a successful system boot-up, always insert the memory modules into the DIMM1 first."

Thats sounds like you have to populate dimm 1 before you populate dimm 2.That makes no sense to me.I may be reading it wrong as the norm would be when using one stick you have to use a certain dimm (in this case dimm 1).

I'll re read the thread and see if i can think of something else.

Disconnect the psu and try taking the battery out for a few mins when swapping the cpu to make sure you get a full cmos reset.

I presume you have both the 24pin and the 4pin power cables connected?

What ram do you have?

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

If its any help i'm confused too now :P

Unfortunately not

From the manual,
"To ensure a successful system boot-up, always insert the memory modules into the DIMM1 first."

Thats sounds like you have to populate dimm 1 before you populate dimm 2.That makes no sense to me.I may be reading it wrong as the norm would be when using one stick you have to use a certain dimm (in this case dimm 1).

My experience in swapping ram about is that it matters not which ram slot is used .... either or both .... it boots with the G630.

I'll re read the thread and see if i can think of something else.

Disconnect the psu and try taking the battery out for a few mins when swapping the cpu to make sure you get a full cmos reset.

I presume you have both the 24pin and the 4pin power cables connected?

What ram do you have?

Yes the 24 & 4 pin cables are connected.

RAM

CORSAIR DDR3 1333Mhz 8GB Kit 2x4GB DIMM 240-pin - DDR3 - 1333 MHz / PC3-10600 - CL9

I will try fitting the i3 CPU again ...... after completely discharging the BIOS voltage.
I do not recall doing that previously, so it might make a difference.

Thanks for your interest in my troubles

Johnboy1951

OK, tried discharging, fitting the new CPU, re-applying the power leads and refitting the battery.

The PSU begins to power up when the on/off motherboard connections are made, but never gets going properly, it just shuts down again.

It is not present even long enough for the CPU fan to attempt spin up.

The PSU will cycle like that until I switch off its power - apparently under control of the motherboard.

It seems this motherboard does not like this i3 CPU.

I have no means of testing the CPU in case I got a dud
I know that seems unlikely.

It could also be a catch 22 ...... the i3 needs the new BIOS and the new BIOS won't be installed without the i3 ....

I will wait to see if you can come up with some words of wisdom

game4it70

Your right when you say its rare for the cpu to be a dud but it sounds like there is a very slight chance that it might be a dud.

It make no sense to me that you need a ivy cpu installed to update the board for ivy but looks like thats the case.Not the way forward MSI,tut tut tut.

Here is a post on MSI forum with the same type of problem.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=159229.msg1168205#msg1168205

There is F all i can think of tbh bar trying different bios files which is not something you want to do just in case of a bad flash.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Your right when you say its rare for the cpu to be a dud but it sounds like there is a very slight chance that it might be a dud.

It make no sense to me that you need a ivy cpu installed to update the board for ivy but looks like thats the case.Not the way forward MSI,tut tut tut.

Here is a post on MSI forum with the same type of problem.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=159229.msg1168205#msg1168205

There is F all i can think of tbh bar trying different bios files which is not something you want to do just in case of a bad flash.

Thanks for the link ..... maybe I should try a post in that thread even though it is very old. Maybe someone could indicate what works.

Can i update the BIOS without the use of a processor? Seeing as my current one does not work i have no clue how to do it.

NVM. Got ninja-posted. Thanks all!

I really hate that! A solution to the problem and it not posted!

BTW, I downloaded several iterations of the IvyBridge BIOS updates, put them on a USB stick along with the saved BIOS from the m/board and an upgrade to the SandyBridge BIOS I found.

When, using the G630, I accessed the USB stick through MFlash, the IvyBridge BIOS files were not listed at all ..... only the two for SandyBridge

So it seems I will have to find a means of writing to the BIOS chip from outside of the existing BIOS.
If I could find exact details of how to make a suitable USB stick for the purpose I would try it .... but I need details and not just some Win software to do it, as I will be doing it manually from Linux.
I have no problem doing it ..... but need to get the details correct first ...... does it need to be bootable .... if so what boot method -- ISOLinux/Syslinux/other ..... what filesystem --- FAT, VFAT, NTFS/other ..... and so on .... maybe use some DOS image for a USB stick from somewhere?

Getting frustrated with it now

Regards.

game4it70

I think not having windows installed is not making it an easier.
I'm not sure if it would even help since it doesn't see the ivy bios files.

There are dos tools that can flash the bios far as i know but you may run into the same problem of not reading them.

Spi flash programmer is a solution that can be used to fix a borked bios but i'm not sure if you need to have a replaceable bios chip whiich i presume your board dosen't have.

What type of file where the ivy bios's that you tried with mflash?
I know from having problems with my bios too that some wont be read if zipped while others need to be zip.This depends on the way you try to flash the bios.

Would be no harm making a thread here
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?board=8.0
If have no luck with that contact Msi directly.Be warned there slow as fook to reply.

game4it70

Found this for linux
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=138659.0

Just be careful if you try it

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Found this for linux
http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=138659.0

Just be careful if you try it

I had found that one ..... but to be honest I am rather hesitant to try it ...... maybe as a last resort

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

I think not having windows installed is not making it an easier.
I'm not sure if it would even help since it doesn't see the ivy bios files.

Yes, not having Windows is a hindrance in this situation ...... but I am not yet certain it would help ..... or be any better than doing it via DOS.

There are dos tools that can flash the bios far as i know but you may run into the same problem of not reading them.

Spi flash programmer is a solution that can be used to fix a borked bios but i'm not sure if you need to have a replaceable bios chip whiich i presume your board dosen't have.

No second chip on this board ..... which makes things a little hairy

What type of file where the ivy bios's that you tried with mflash?
I know from having problems with my bios too that some wont be read if zipped while others need to be zip.This depends on the way you try to flash the bios.

The files appeared similar to the one I saved and the one I used to upgrade.
I suspect the contents were examined and refused because of a flag for Ivy/SandyBridge use.
So the upgrade files were not even listed.

Would be no harm making a thread here
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?board=8.0
If have no luck with that contact Msi directly.Be warned there slow as fook to reply.

Thanks I will consider posting .....

Presently I am looking at using a USB stick with DOS.
I am trying to figure out how to get a bootable USB stick with sufficient room to save the various BIOS files on it, and with some OS .... DOS/FreeDOS/whatever.

I now have a 4GB USB stick, which I have made bootable, and extracted the files from an ISO I downloaded to the root of the USB stick ..... but it appears to be missing a kernel

The stick boots, but reports "Missing Operating System" or such.

I am surprised I have not come across a file for download which, if written to USB devices would set this up in less than a minute.

Maybe I am searching for the wrong item ....

Thanks again ...... I will continue working on this DOS/Win98 idea and when booting I will drop some BIOS files on it to make sure they can be seen properly.

After that I will probably need to add the relevant .exe files and if I can run one of those it SHOULD do the job of changing the BIOS.

I have great theories

game4it70

Good luck!

I'm no help to you with the dos usb thingy sorry as its hurts my brain :P

Keep me posted on any updates and i'll try help if i can.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Good luck!

I'm no help to you with the dos usb thingy sorry as its hurts my brain :P

Keep me posted on any updates and i'll try help if i can.

Thanks

I am presently looking more closely at flashrom.
The board (H61MA) is listed as supported which is a great start.

I am considering using some LiveCD/USB with flashrom on board, and a means of adding the new BIOS file/s.
My preference would be LiveUSB of course for ease of copying files etc.

..... what little hair I have left is rapidly departing .....

Johnboy1951

Small update:

I d/loaded SystemRescueCD and burned it to a USB stick.

So far all I have done is booted it and checked that FlashRom is present and working.

It appears to be OK ..... version 9.6.1 (the latest released is 9.7)

I will need to play with this for a wee while to become somewhat comfortable with it.

After that ...... :eek: :eek:



It does look like the simplest way to do this ....... and hopefully it works well.

Will report more later

game4it70

Seems like your making progress,good stuff.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Seems like your making progress,good stuff.

Posting this from the Live RescueCD running on the H61 motherboard ... it is still on the bench

First run of Flashrom, to find out if it can access the BIOS chip ......

root@sysresccd /root % flashrom -p internal                        
flashrom v0.9.6.1-r1564 on Linux 3.4.62-std380-amd64 (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org

Calibrating delay loop... OK.
Found chipset "Intel H61". Enabling flash write... OK.
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q32" (4096 kB, SPI) at physical address 0xffc00000.
No operations were specified.
root@sysresccd /root %

I then copied the BIOS to a file using Flashrom, to check as much as I could without writing to the BIOS chip. Here is the output .....

root@sysresccd /root % flashrom -p internal -r /tmp/bios.bin
flashrom v0.9.6.1-r1564 on Linux 3.4.62-std380-amd64 (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org

Calibrating delay loop... OK.
Found chipset "Intel H61". Enabling flash write... OK.
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q32" (4096 kB, SPI) at physical address 0xffc00000.
Reading flash... done.
root@sysresccd /root %

Looks good from the little I know .... please comment if you have doubts

I thought checking the MD5Sum of the saved file against the BIOS file I used when I upgraded the BIOS might be useful ...... but maybe not.

The files do not match ... but that could be due to several reasons.
The size of the files match.

I am getting close to taking the plunge

What I am unsure of is if the SandyBridge G630 will be able to work after upgrading the BIOS for the IvyBridge i3.
Do you have any idea ?

Time for grub and maybe do it afterwards

game4it70

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Looks good from the little I know .... please comment if you have doubts

I thought checking the MD5Sum of the saved file against the BIOS file I used when I upgraded the BIOS might be useful ...... but maybe not.

The files do not match ... but that could be due to several reasons.
The size of the files match.

I am getting close to taking the plunge

What I am unsure of is if the SandyBridge G630 will be able to work after upgrading the BIOS for the IvyBridge i3.
Do you have any idea ?

Time for grub and maybe do it afterwards

I cant see anything wrong with your progress but i'm know expert (my disclaimer :P)

The bios files being different sizes is normal i think.

I'd be very shocked if the sandybridge didn't work after a successful flash but there is always a chance.If your going to be using the Ivy it shouldn't matter either way.

Johnboy1951

I flashed the BIOS . but I used the file I had created with Flashrom as an intermediary step in my learning ..... yeah, I chickened out of using one of the new ones first

root@sysresccd /root % flashrom -p internal -w /tmp/bios.bin      
flashrom v0.9.6.1-r1564 on Linux 3.4.62-std380-amd64 (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org

Calibrating delay loop... OK.
Found chipset "Intel H61". Enabling flash write... OK.
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q32" (4096 kB, SPI) at physical address 0xffc00000.
Flash image seems to be a legacy BIOS. Disabling coreboot-related checks.
Reading old flash chip contents... done.
Erasing and writing flash chip... Erase/write done.
Verifying flash... VERIFIED.          
root@sysresccd /root %

Time to reboot to see if I still have a working board

EDIT:

Yep, rebooted with Live USB SystemRescue ....... time to move on methinks

Johnboy1951

Next step in this saga ...

root@sysresccd /root % flashrom -p internal -w /livemnt/boot/BIOS_Files/E7740IMS.225
flashrom v0.9.6.1-r1564 on Linux 3.4.62-std380-amd64 (x86_64)
flashrom is free software, get the source code at http://www.flashrom.org

Calibrating delay loop... OK.
Found chipset "Intel H61". Enabling flash write... OK.
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q32" (4096 kB, SPI) at physical address 0xffc00000.
Flash image seems to be a legacy BIOS. Disabling coreboot-related checks.
Reading old flash chip contents... done.
Erasing and writing flash chip... Erase/write done.
Verifying flash... VERIFIED.          
root@sysresccd /root % 

All seems to have gone well with this write.

Now to shut down; clear CMOS, and try booting .....

game4it70

Well ?????????????????????????????
:pac::pac::pac:

Johnboy1951

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the delay in this post ....... the last one was made from the LiveUSB and after that I had to correctly shut down (being careful) power off and clear CMoS ....... it is now sitting at the BIOS screen waiting for me to enter date etc.

It started with the Sandybridge CPU

Full success.

I want to thank you very much for the handholding and advice throughout this.

Without it I doubt I would have proceeded for another week

So, THANKS (again).

..... and thumbs up for FlashRom on Linux

game4it70

Yipppppeeeeeeeeee

Your welcome,glad i could kinda help.

You going to try the Ivy tonight?

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Yipppppeeeeeeeeee

Your welcome,glad i could kinda help.

You going to try the Ivy tonight?

Probably ....... after I recover from the tension

I will post when I do.

I dunno if you noticed but I did not use the very latest BIOS and after I fit the Ivy I might consider a further upgrade.

See that?

I am getting adventurous!

Hahahaha ......

game4it70

Dont tempt fate

Mind you i have flashed video cards and numerous boards with no issues bar this effing mobo i have.It has dual bios switch so i was lucky.
I cant fix it at all though and gave up trying after flashing (the bad bios) to every bios made for the board.

I'm not surprised it got corrupted as it was a little flaky from day one :mad:

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Dont tempt fate

Mind you i have flashed video cards and numerous boards with no issues bar this effing mobo i have.It has dual bios switch so i was lucky.
I cant fix it at all though and gave up trying after flashing (the bad bios) to every bios made for the board.

I'm not surprised it got corrupted as it was a little flaky from day one :mad:

The benefits of a dual BIOS

The i3 is running ..... I swapped it after a suitably strong coffee

In BIOS at present ...... and the first noticeable thing after the obvious CPU and ME entries, is that the system temp now reads correctly.

So it seems all is OK after that big adventure

It will take me days to re-assemble the bloody HTPC

But this is one 'happy chappy' tonight

game4it70

Brilliant,good job.

Johnboy1951

game4it70 wrote: »

Brilliant,good job.

Thank YOU!

Presently its sitting on the bench with a full Linux Desktop running live from USB stick.

All memory seen ....... all good.

I guess this thread can be closed ...... marked with a big

SUCCESS!

Johnboy1951

A further update, in case you are still following this .....

I re-assembled the HTPC today and all is working ....... but when the PC is shut down, either from the OS or from the front panel switch, it re-starts again within a few seconds.

I will have to check the BIOS settings I suppose to see if something might be triggering the re-start.

I did not notice this before assembly ..... fairly sure it was not present, so maybe I got some of the front panel wiring wrong ..... but the only one I *might* have mixed up would be the reset switch, and that does not shut it down either.

.....maybe something like WOL could be causing it ...... not sure as I never used that previously so don't know what to expect there.

So I am still having fun with this

...... and I saw no discernible difference between the old and new CPU .....