Stick at "Verifying DMI pool Data.." after BIOS upgrade

[lehj16]

HI,

I did a BIOS upgrade to be able to upgrade my memory and CPU.

ACER Aspire T180
MB ID: EM61SM/EM61PM
Phoenix Award BIOS
BIOS Version before: don't know
System BIOS ID before: R01-A1
Release date: 09/14/2006

BIOS version after : 6.00 PG
System BIOS ID: R01-C0
Release date: 06/15/2007

HD
SATA HDS728080PLA380 - 80GB
IDE  WDC WD1200JB-00CRA1 - 110 GB

No drive A

Memory:
1GB generic
512MB Apacer

I did a backup of the BIOS and have a copy on CD.

After the upgrade with the supplied WinFlash software, I got a message that the erase failed and that I need to take out the protection.

I ran the WinFlash to see what version of BIOS I had and showed the old version.

I rebooted to see how to take the protection off the BIOS when I realized that the BIOS version changed.

I could see all the drives with no problem.

But when I let it pass past the BIOS check screen, it stop at Verifying DMI pool data..

I resetted the CMOS with the jumpers and the battery (took it out) for 20 min or so - i.e. stop PC, unplugged the PC, grounded myself to the casing, changed jumpers and took out battery....

After reboot I got  the following messages:
   CMOS checksum error - Default loaded
   Warning! Now system in safe mode
   Please re-setting CPU frequency in CMOS setup

The issue is that I don't have access to the CPU Frequency in the CMOS setup... this BIOS is an Acer Customized Award BIOS.

I configured the BIOS to show all the messages...

It finds memory and tests it OK, finds all HD, goes through the PCI

then it stops at the
   Verifying PMI pool Data .. 

Only two dots at the end, I don't know if it means anything.

Thank you in advance for any help.

[Computer_Commando]

Verifying PMI pool Data ..

[lehj16]

Hi,

I have taken out the IDE drive already and reset the CMOS and got the same messages:
   CMOS checksum error - Default loaded
   Warning! Now system in safe mode
   Please re-setting CPU frequency in CMOS setup

Will try to get all the cards out that are not required to boot.

I haven't found anything that resembles to:
Enable "Reset Configuration Data" (may be "Force Update ESCD" in some CMOS Setups)

[patio]

Replace your CMOS battery...part # CR2032...bout the size of a dime on the MBoard.
Make sure all power to the system is removed.

[lehj16]

Hi patio,

nope, it still doesn't go pass the Verifying PMI Pool Data ..  message even after changing the CMOS battery.

I'm thinking of taking the drive A from my son's PC to hook it to my PC to see if I could at least boot from a diskette and reload my old Bios file...

I don't know if it has a chance of working or not....

Anything else I could do?

[patio]

The absolute last thing i would do to fix a Windows issue would be to flash the BIOS...

[Computer_Commando]

You didn't seem to follow the 10 steps I provided.

Since you didn't remove the SATA drive, do that first.
Next, remove all drive data cables, so BIOS sees nothing.
If that works, after connecting drives you may have to set Compatibility Mode of SATA to IDE.

[Geek-9pm]

I'm thinking of taking the drive A from my son's PC to hook it to my PC to see if I could at least boot from a diskette and reload my old Bios file...

If the problem is the BIOS, that is the most viable option.

Unless you have a EPROM burner and some spare FLASH chips.

[lehj16]

I took the SATA and IDE drives and there cables out and all boards.

Still the same message.

Should I disconnect the DVD also?

That will be my next step tonight.

PS.  No I don not have a EPROM burner  ...

[Computer_Commando]

...Should I disconnect the DVD also?...

Disconnect all drives.
Then connect FDD from son's computer and attempt to boot a bootable floppy.  This will rule out Windows as the culprit.

It's beginning to look as if you had a "bad flash".  You will need that floppy to flash again if you have exhausted all else.

The message you provided seems to indicate a bad flash.

After reboot I got  the following messages:
   CMOS checksum error - Default loaded
   Warning! Now system in safe mode
   Please re-setting CPU frequency in CMOS setup

[lehj16]

Just to let you all know, that I couldn't connect a FDD so I trashed the card...

I'll be more carefull before upgrading the BIOS...

[Computer_Commando]

Just to let you all know, that I couldn't connect a FDD so I trashed the card...
I'll be more carefull before upgrading the BIOS...

Usually a "bad flash" indicates a defective motherboard.  It's not supposed to be a big deal.  If it were, the manufacturer's wouldn't provide the updates and instructions.  Many new machines allow flashing from within the BIOS or from a boot disk.  Older machines are from boot disk only.