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Bios Rom Checksum Error

Hey all..

Been asked to look at a mates computer, when its been turned on and used for a while then rebooted it displays the following boot error;

'BIOS ROM CHECKSUM ERROR'
'INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER'

The machine then has to be left a couple of hours before it will boot up again.

I understand it is the BIOS which may well be on its way out..
I've done a few searches but not sure which advice to take.

Any suggestions?
I would have used my own initiative if someone would have told me to!
«1

Comments

  • Stompa
    Stompa Posts: 8,381 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sounds like the BIOS is either corrupted (in which case re-flashing may fix it) or physically damaged (in which case it would need replacing).
    Stompa
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Although as it boots up OK after a couple of hours, what about the BIOS battery? Should cost £2 at the most.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • I've not tried replacing the battery..

    I'll try that first, then maybe a BIOS flash..
    I would have used my own initiative if someone would have told me to!
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Usually a CR 2032 cell about the size of a five pence.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • superscaper
    superscaper Posts: 13,369 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    espresso wrote: »
    about the size of a five pence.

    I'd have said it was about the size of a ten pence.
    "She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
    Moss
  • BritBrat
    BritBrat Posts: 3,764 Forumite
    I'd have said it was about the size of a ten pence.

    So would I,

    Normally when the battery has failed the computer will not start up, if you then leave it pluged into the mains overnight but computer not on, it will charge the battery enough to make it start the computer.

    Battery is cheap and simple to replace so would be the first thing to do.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'd have said it was about the size of a ten pence.

    Well you are wrong and so is BritBrat and so am I. The CR 2032 is 20 mm diameter, a ten pence is 24.5 mm, a five pence is 23.59 mm and a one pence is 20.32 mm.

    :D
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • Stompa
    Stompa Posts: 8,381 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    espresso wrote: »
    Although as it boots up OK after a couple of hours, what about the BIOS battery? Should cost £2 at the most.

    Though the BIOS doesn't require any power, the battery powers the CMOS memory and I'd have thought you'd get a CMOS checksum error if it failed. You may get lucky, but personally I wouldn't be too optimistic!
    Stompa
  • superscaper
    superscaper Posts: 13,369 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Looks like it is the size of a penny (reason for photo, no idea just because I can and it's final proof we were all wrong :beer:).

    P1000373.jpg
    "She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
    Moss
  • Tried the batteries out of my two good machines.. No joy..

    Is a flash the only other possibility?
    I would have used my own initiative if someone would have told me to!
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