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BIOS Setup has limited options
Topic Started: Nov 25 2003, 12:25 AM (2,692 Views)
seskanda
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Senior Member
[ *  *  * ]
I have an E-Machines e-Monster 550 computer, and I plan to buy not only a top-notch PCI sound card, but also an equally state-of-the-art ISA sound card someday. To install and configure these cards I believe that I must first disable the onboard sound that resides on the motherboard, in order to prevent any hardware conflicts.

But, alas, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with my BIOS setup program. I have an AMIBIOS, and when i enter the BIOS setup there are very few options to chose from. The On-Line computer manual states that there is supposed to be four menus, but instead I have only three.

The first menu "Setup" is where I'am missing most of the options the only thing that appears there is 'Advanced' the other five options that the manual indicates are nonexistent. Under "Security" there's missing 'supervisor' and 'anti-virus' Under "Utility" the 'detect IDE' is gone. And the "Default" menu does not appear.

I have no idea why its like this, or why the BIOS simply does not detect anything wrong. I tried to do something as daring as clearing the CMOS, by turning one of the 8 Jumper/DIP switches to ON, but here yet another problem arose. For whatever reason that particular switch which clears the CMOS just won't budge!!!

In fact, of all the 8 DIP switches, I was efforlessly able to turn ON/OFF the first 4, which (at least to me) didn't seem to do anything. However, the later, more important, 4 DIP switches just wouldn't budge!!!! These are the ones that control the CMOS, FDD, password, and other crucial functions. They are tiny, and quite delicate things, tried using toothpicks, paperclips, etc. but so far nothing is working.

For fear that any further tweaking and fiddling with them might cause permanent damage, accordingly, i have stopped messing around with them and am ready to try something else. There are a number of 3rd party programs that can clear the CMOS, but I am not willing to try them, yet, that's mianly because of fear of any DRASTIC consequences, but also because I was figuring that there must a way to fix this problem without having to reset the CMOS, right?

Even if, by chance, there is another way to disable that onboard sound, still the various options that BIOS Setup is supposed to provide are vital and essential. As you can see I am stumped as to how to remedy this plight any help would be appreciated!!!! Thank You!!!!




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TD25x
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Collector of Rocket Widgets
Have you upgraded the BIOS?
If not, I would go here and download and install file na2_113s.zip

As far as the switches being stuck, I don't know of any way to "unstick" them. Unless you, or someone you know, can solder on the PCB level and replace the switch pack, just leave it alone.
T5224
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TJSEVEN
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OZ ... The Great and Powerful!!
I would use a"nail"....instead of paperclips and toothpicks,always worked for me!
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TD25x
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Collector of Rocket Widgets
Quote:
 
I would use a"nail"....


What size hammer?
T5224
‡ Intel DG33TLM
‡ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
‡ 2 x 1GB Crucial PC6400 DDR2
‡ EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB
‡ 1- WD 80GB SATA2 10,000RPM Raptor
‡ 1- WD 1.0TB SATA3 7200RPM
‡ Samsung 22x DVD-RW SH-S222L
‡ Corsair AX750W PSU
‡ Win7 Ult x64
‡ Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse
‡ DELL - UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-inch Flat Panel
‡ Bose Companion 3 speakers
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TJSEVEN
Member Avatar
OZ ... The Great and Powerful!!
"BFH",of course......I was hoping you wouldn't miss that opportunity! ;)
THE BLACK PEARL with a new sail!
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Core 2MB L2 cache S939
Overclocked to something or other this week!
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 MOBO
(3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 AGP, 1 Future CPU Port, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
4 Gig G.SKILL PC3200 DUAL DDR SDRAM
and other Stuff....!
ZOOM>>>ZOOM>>>

I ALWAYS SAY," IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO OVERCLOCK THEN IT ISN'T REALLY AN OVERCLOCK!!"
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seskanda
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Senior Member
[ *  *  * ]
Well, Thank goodness because I was able to resolve this problem without having to resort to any drastic measures! Thank you very much for your help and rather "speedy" support. Somewhere or somehow I found a utility called "Killcmos.com" archived in a zipfile of the same name "Killcmos.zip" If anyone should have the same or similar problem as I have I would advise them to find this program online or somewhere, as I can't recall where I got it from.

I would post this file right here, but I couldn't seem to find a way of doing that. Even though I have effectively remedied this problem, I am still willing to somehow find a way to fix those darn jumper/DIP switches, especially since I intend to set a password on my newly renovated BIOS Setup, for various reasons.

In case, by some ill chance, I forget the password or something like that happens I believe there is no other way to disable the password other than by means of one of those DIP switches. BTW, I don't understand what is meant by soldering a "PCB level" or the kind of nail that was suggested. I guess it must a pretty thin or light nail because as I mentioned before those jumper/DIP switches are quite sensitive.
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TD25x
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Collector of Rocket Widgets
Quote:
 
I would post this file right here, but I couldn't seem to find a way of doing that.


That's admin privledges only.

Quote:
 
I don't understand what is meant by soldering a "PCB level"


PCB=printed circut board.....not just anybody can do this.

Quote:
 
or the kind of nail that was suggested.


TJ likes using carpentry tools and materials when working on mobos.....the bigger the better is his motto. And if he can't fix it, he reaches in that big ass toolbox (where he keeps his BFH) for a big can of Fug that he just sprays all over it and, instantly, problem solved!
T5224
‡ Intel DG33TLM
‡ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
‡ 2 x 1GB Crucial PC6400 DDR2
‡ EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB
‡ 1- WD 80GB SATA2 10,000RPM Raptor
‡ 1- WD 1.0TB SATA3 7200RPM
‡ Samsung 22x DVD-RW SH-S222L
‡ Corsair AX750W PSU
‡ Win7 Ult x64
‡ Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse
‡ DELL - UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-inch Flat Panel
‡ Bose Companion 3 speakers
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TJSEVEN
Member Avatar
OZ ... The Great and Powerful!!
I can't touch that!
THE BLACK PEARL with a new sail!
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Core 2MB L2 cache S939
Overclocked to something or other this week!
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 MOBO
(3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 AGP, 1 Future CPU Port, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
4 Gig G.SKILL PC3200 DUAL DDR SDRAM
and other Stuff....!
ZOOM>>>ZOOM>>>

I ALWAYS SAY," IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO OVERCLOCK THEN IT ISN'T REALLY AN OVERCLOCK!!"
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Grizzly
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Well you can kiss my GRITS
I think you can also reset the password by removing all power from the motherboard, to include the baterry and let it sit for awhile.

If you can get your hands on some contact cleaner fom a local electronics store, I would soak the switch (make sure you remove the power first hehehehe) down, then let air dry for awhile... may have some dust and goop in there causeing it seize up... Its been awhile since I have messed with em...
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Back to my normally scheduled signature soon!!
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seaneyb
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NEWBIE
you can just go on the mobo and change the jumper settings t erase the password flick it back and done
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geeklifer
Unregistered

Unless I misunderstood your initial post, I cannot figure out why you would want to run a PCI AND ISA sound card simultaneously.

To address the more relavent question of jumper settings....

Ever here of needle-nose plyers?

I've found that, in most cases, you can easily remove stubborn jumpers with a $2 set of needle-nose plyers. Nails, Paperclips, toothpicks, etc. only increase your chances of screwing something up.

But to back up for a minute.... Before you do ANYTHING to a motherboard, I strongly suggest you obtain as much information / documentation as possible that pertains to your particular motherboard. I realize hunting this information down can be a very time consuming endeavor; however, one misplaced jumper can cause some serious problems. Another precaution I always take is creating a crude diagram of the default jumper settings BEFORE I change anything.

As far as your BIOS settings go, I think it's already been suggested that you obtain the appropriate BIOS upgrade, read ALL of the documentation, and go forth as usual. From my personal experience, if you read all of the documentation that pertains to a BIOS flash and you take the necassary precautions (ie: back up the previous version), flashing your BIOS is actually a very simple task that can be performed in about 5-10 minutes.

Good luck.

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TJSEVEN
Member Avatar
OZ ... The Great and Powerful!!
Quote:
 
I've found that, in most cases, you can easily remove stubborn jumpers with a $2 set of needle-nose plyers. Nails, Paperclips, toothpicks, etc. only increase your chances of screwing something up.


geeklifer,
He's having trouble changing "dip-switches" not jumpers.....different animal.
Although, he's not very clear.
THE BLACK PEARL with a new sail!
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Core 2MB L2 cache S939
Overclocked to something or other this week!
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 MOBO
(3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 AGP, 1 Future CPU Port, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
4 Gig G.SKILL PC3200 DUAL DDR SDRAM
and other Stuff....!
ZOOM>>>ZOOM>>>

I ALWAYS SAY," IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO OVERCLOCK THEN IT ISN'T REALLY AN OVERCLOCK!!"
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geeklifer
Unregistered

:unsure: Oooops! Hehe. Guess I missed that one.

Um, yeah... a nail would work good. So would that "BFH"

:D
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seskanda
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Senior Member
[ *  *  * ]
TJSEVEN
Dec 17 2003, 10:46 AM
Quote:
 
He's having trouble changing "dip-switches" not jumpers.....different animal. Although, he's not very clear..



Yes, in this case, I am strictly referring to DIP switches, and specifically, to those DIP switches which reside on the mobo of the eMachines eMonster 550. As I believe i have stated before these are tiny, and quite delicate switches that control crucial functions of the system. In fact, they are so delicate that I just might have damaged some of them myself! Though, hopefully, they are NOT permanently ruined!! I guess I've made the problem fairly clear, and I'm sorry if I was, at first, somehow unclear.

Again, I think me or someone else stated before that a nail would most likely be too harsh and/or rough for those apparently fragile DIP switches. BTW, I still don't understand exactly what that BFH (Big Can of Fug?) could possibly do other than potentially damage a mobo even further! As for, applying "contact cleaner" to those DIP switches..hmmm..sounds pretty darn dangerous! Furthermore, it would, of course, prove fruitless if there is NO EFFECT!!! On second thought, I just might try it out of boredom or something, who knows??
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geeklifer
Unregistered

BFH = Big F*****g Hammer

If it don't work, break out the BFH and have some fun with it. ;)

Try compressed air. If that doesn't work, then try a good contact cleaner. 3M makes a good one. If you're still having no luck, break out the soldering iron replace the DIPs. If I'm not mistaken, you can get DIPs for about $0.10/ea. If you're any good at all with the soldering iron, you might be ahead to go that route from the start.
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TJSEVEN
Member Avatar
OZ ... The Great and Powerful!!
I use a small nail all the time ...never had a problem. You need something,very stiff with a small head.Dipswitches need some pressure to flip,not as sensitive as you might think.
THE BLACK PEARL with a new sail!
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo Core 2MB L2 cache S939
Overclocked to something or other this week!
ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 MOBO
(3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 1 AGP, 1 Future CPU Port, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
4 Gig G.SKILL PC3200 DUAL DDR SDRAM
and other Stuff....!
ZOOM>>>ZOOM>>>

I ALWAYS SAY," IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO OVERCLOCK THEN IT ISN'T REALLY AN OVERCLOCK!!"
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seskanda
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Senior Member
[ *  *  * ]
I'd like to revive this thread....nearly five years in the making. I have a Dell Dimension E310, now. The BIOS on it is basically crippled (just like nearly everything else on it) Is there someway i could overwrite its firmware with a NON-dell BIOS? AFAIK, the PC will ONLY accept a Dell-ized BIOS.....
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