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Now my computer locks up

tsumake - Aug 26, 2005

		tsumake		Aug 26, 2005
			I was trolling around the BIOS of my recently acquired comp, restarted it, and now I get an error message saying something like : AWARD BOOTLOCK BIOS ROM checksum error PLEASE insert system disk in drive A: Is there a way to restore the default BIOS settings? Here the specs: VIA AMD mobo Dual P4 3ghz processors 1 gig RAM 150 gig HD WinXP ATI Radeon 9600 128 meg Thanks!

		ExCyber		Aug 27, 2005
			Since it says "insert system disk", it sounds like it should at least attempt to boot a floppy. If you can find the make and model of your motherboard, get on their website and download a BIOS image and the DOS flash tool (AWDFLASH), format a DOS boot floppy and put them on there. In the worst case your motherboard manufactuer may sell you a freshly-flashed chip to pop into the socket; these are usually overpriced but still a heck of a lot cheaper than a new motherboard.

		it290		Aug 27, 2005
			Usually a checksum error like that just means your settings got screwed up somehow. Just enter the BIOS and make sure you're set to boot to your HD. As for restoring defaults, usually you have a few choices like 'restore failsafe settings' and 'restore optimum settings'. Just be aware that those defaults probably aren't entirely what you want. If you can't get it to do anything, try taking out the battery on the mobo or setting the BIOS clear jumper (if there is one). edit - BTW, were you actually flashing your BIOS at the time? If so, then what ExCyber suggests is more likely.

		ExCyber		Aug 27, 2005
			Award BIOS will generally reset settings and/or drop you into the config menu if CMOS RAM contents get hosed. I'm pretty sure this is corruption of the BIOS itself.

		tsumake		Aug 28, 2005
			Well, I fixed it. I removed the CMOS battery for five minutes, and the BIOS resetted and everything's ok. Thanks again for your suggestions. You guys are the greatest.