Yeah, MSI has a rather unique way of doing things. For example, the on-line motherboard manual calls out JWP1 as the BIOS flash jumper and JPW1 as auxiliary CPU power. A trap for the unwary, but least they're completely different configurations.

Have you replaced the CMOS battery, as I suggested above? If not, you should do. BIOS problems aside, some motherboards will not boot up if battery voltage is low.

It's probably a CR2032 disc type, but check the number on the top of the battery to be certain. Some batteries are a simple press-fit into the socket, while others have a tiny latch that must be pushed to the side to release the battery. When you install the new battery, be certain to install it with the same orientation as the old one, probably with the "+" side up.

When the new battery is in place, boot up without a floppy in the drive and while pressing Del to enter BIOS setup.

For the PM8M3-V H, MSI apparently made some changes to the PM8M3-V motherboard other than just adding a PCI slot. The on-line manual is for the PM8M3-V, and shows a JWP1. If you have a hard-copy manual, does it show anything like a BIOS flash jumper or a boot block jumper, or do you see any jumpers on the board that you can't identify?

Installing a new BIOS chip is a probably the simplest way to go, but you could also buy another PM8M3-V H motherboard. If you get another model/manufacturer micro-ATX motherboard, it's very likely that you'll have to reformat your hard drive and re-install all software, including Win XP. Another PM8M3-V H motherboard should eliminate that necessity. Sources are, for example, here and here.

Note that best DIY practice for removing a BIOS chip from a PLCC socket is to use a purpose-made tool, which avoids damaging the socket. If you have a very delicate touch and keen eyesight, you can try using a small screwdriver or a couple of bent paper clips, but BIOS chips can take a good bit of force to remove. Hard prying with a screwdriver may crack the socket at a removal slot, which is a weak point. See Howto remove a Bios Chip or BIOS chip Removal.

Hello Heimdall. yes i changed the battery,my book appears to be the same as the online one (i will go and have a look),no there are no jumpers that i do not recognise,my BIOS chip is surface mounted,not fitted in a socket,and although i have things like a small soldering iron,etc,i am not prepared to change it myself

< sigh >

Well, I'd say that this has been a valiant effort. It's a real shame that the easy stuff hasn't been successful!

It's certainly your choice, of course, but if you're considering removing your motherboard and sending it off to a BIOS chip replacement outfit, would it be better as a first pass to buy another PM8M3-V H? That's what I'd do, since the board has to be removed in either case. BIOS chip replacement is always a fallback.

Heimdall i do not appear to be able to find the online manual,only the info that is on the motherboard specs page,and that does not have a pictorial version of the board on there. anyway the following are jumper points on my board. JUDIO1. JBAT2. JUSB1. JUSB2. JFP1.COM2.JBAT1,as mentioned in my book is actually the battery holder.there is no mention of a BIOS flash jumper in the book either.the choice of new board or chip is just down to cost at the moment,Heimdall,and yes it is a pity all the hard work you have put in to this on my behalf has come to nothing,especially when it looked like it was going to work,after all it started to read the bootable floppy,and the disc ran longer than before so i do not know why it did not work.On the positive side i have learned an awful lot from you,which can only be a good thing.

We've both put in hard work on this. Most folks in your position would have given up long ago!

I've stumbled across another thing to try.

Revise the AUTOEXEC.BAT file line on the new bootable floppy to read:

A:\AWFL865.EXE W7211VMS.340 /CC /CD /CP /R /PY /SN

Then try booting up with the floppy in the MSI PC's drive.
-- Those are forward slashes (/) before CC, CD, CP, R, PY, and SN,
-- There are spaces between AWFL865.EXE and W7211VMS.340, between W7211VMS.340 and /CC, between /CC and /CD, /CP, /R, /PY, and /SN.

The AWFL865.EXE modifiers are:
-- /CC = clear CMOS data after programming
-- /CD = clear DMI data after programming
-- /CP = clear PnP (ESCD) data after programming
-- /R = reset system after programming
-- /PY = program flash memory
-- /SN = don't save existing BIOS

If that doesn't work, nothing will!

HEIMDALL!!!!!! I am now staring at the following on the MSI computer: pheonix awardBIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally COPYRIGHT (c) 1984-2003,Pheonix Technologies,LTDPM8M3-V V3.4 022807,Plus other stuff relating to the operating system,and this:CMOS checksum error-defaults loaded.Warning!CPU has been changed or cpu change ratio fail. Please re-enter CPU settings in the CMOS setup and remember to save before quit!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This final message of thanks for the hard work Heimdall put in to help get me out of the mess i put myself in is being printed on a system i thought was dead,thanks to my inept handling of my BIOS upgrade. so if anybody else is thinking of upgrading theirs via online sites my advice is DON'T.Once again thankyou Heimdall

wow, I am fully amazed at the two of you.

Amazed at Heimdall who seems to know everything about any system and amazed at snake-eyes59 for being able to follow Heimdall's instructions.

Too bad that Cyan did not hire Heimdall G. to help them with Uru Live. He would have been quite needed.

Bravo, bravosimo.

snake-eyes,

That's really great! I'm very glad your PC is working again! Now you can install the AGP card and enjoy Revelation.

BTW, if you need any help with Revelation, look through the Myst IV Revelation Forums. Or, if you can't get your PC to recognize the new card, post in Myst IV Revelation - Technical Help & Advice.


nanoukmetal,

I think it's even more amazing that snake-eyes never gave up. In fact, my experience has been that with a problem like this, many folks won't even try.

It's always a happy time when we can say "problem solved"!

Hello Heimdall/Nanouk Not only was i determined to explore all possibilities before i did indeed give up,but i had this feeling that it had to be something simple,when you think about it,the fact the upgrade failed must have meant the original settings were there somewhere,so all that really needed to happen to restore things to normal was for us to find a way to unlock it,plus i had every faith in Heimdall's abilities even though i have never met him.i don't know,call it instinct or something.as you can tell that faith was well justified,and i cannot thank Heimdall enough for taking the time to get me running again.Any way i am now looking forward to playing the rest of the MYST series,just as soon as i have helped someone out with their gaming problem.and Heimdall i hope you get as much satisfaction out of the next problem you help solve as you got from this one,and Nanouk i will catch you later on off topic-a picture for the soul.

You're very welcome!

Yes, the successes in helping folks are what keep me going in these Forums. I gave up beating my head against the wall to no good effect a long time ago....