Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

[JohnNovak]

Hi.

Today something goes wrong with the motherboard bios.
Have no boot screen, no keyboard lights, no beeps.
Can not flash bios from any device.
Bios chip is soldered , can not put in another motherboard
to program the bios chip.
I already do this job with another board with hot swap method
ang goes fine with bios flashing when chip socket is on board.
I do reset, clear cmos, take out battery.
Still no post screen and no startup beep, was one beep before when boot up was OK.
What else can be done except desoldering bios chip.
Is any option to flash bios in this condition?

Thanks.

[SMDFlea]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

You can get a reverse socket and programmer,i got one with the original parallel nano bios programmer: FWH/LPC reverse socket https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NANO-BIOS...-/270743167751

If you have a spare bios its easier and cheaper to cut the old bios legs with a scalpel then cean up with a soldering iron,then solder a new PLCC socket to the board .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10X-New-P...pRg:rk:10:pf:0

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Hi.

This motherboard have backup bios chip pcb which
is empty. Is any option to solder socket in that position
and put good bios chip on backup socket?

[SMDFlea]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Hi.

This motherboard have backup bios chip pcb which
is empty. Is any option to solder socket in that position
and put good bios chip on backup socket?

Its worth a try, if it doesn`t work then solder another socket on.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Maybe i can resolder old bios chip and reflash it in any other motherboard with socket on and solder bios chip back.
To solder PLCC32 socket to multi layer pcb board without any good hot air tool is impossible.
This will be the best option to put PLCC32 socket on motherboard, but have no hot air tools.

[SMDFlea]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

"To solder PLCC32 socket to multi layer pcb board without any good hot air tool is impossible."

Its not impossible, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3jnfKCAsc just use some solder wick/braid to remove the old solder first to make sure the socket sits as flat as possible onto the pads.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

"To solder PLCC32 socket to multi layer pcb board without any good hot air tool is impossible."

Its not impossible, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI3jnfKCAsc just use some solder wick/braid to remove the old solder first to make sure the socket sits as flat as possible onto the pads.

This video i see, yes can be soldered by cutting the center of socket.
But i do not work like this to cut sockets.
I mean to solder socket in original version.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

I found interesting tool to think to make diy.
24V 80W hot air pencil Model Magnum SM1004.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

I make more research about soldering PLCC32 socket.
Looks nobody solder this socket in original state even if they have hot air tool.
So i will probably must accept this option to cut center and solder socket to pcb board.
Now i think about how to remove bios chip from board without damaging the pcb.

I try many tricks to reflash bios, board not wish to accept any trick.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Hi.

I found another problem at motherboard.
The space for plcc32 smd socket is very limited.
Some sockets simple do not fit, because they are too big. (21x18mm).
The only socket wich fit is smaller version, 19.5x17mm.
Not available on Ebay.
What is available on Ebay sellers have no idea what is dimension.
Nobody can measure the dimension, they don't care.
Also it is very important center shape which can easy be cut and removed for hand soldering.
it is not easy to remove bottom without damaging socket.

Any other suggestion?

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Hi.

I finally solve bios problem, desolder bios chip, solder plcc32 socket and sucesfully reflash the chip in other motherbard.
I put bios chip on board and motherboard works normal.
I reflash bios again on original motherboard.

Now i have new unknown problem in bios, +5V check fail?
Never see that kind of fault.

Any suggestion?

[ala_borbe]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

change power supply

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

Hi.

I check voltages with digital multimeter.
I replace power supply.
I change RAM, change processor, reflash bios 4 versions, reset bios...
Still +5V FAIL.
What else can i do?

Replace bios chip with new, can not because i order new chips but not received order.

Replace motherboard will be answer.

[SMDFlea]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

You may have some swollen capacitors on the motherboard .Any caps that are bad want replacing.

[JohnNovak]

Re: Gigabyte GA-7N400 rev.2.0 BIOS problem

I check already, can not see any fault cap as usual shows fault when goes dry.
I have 5.1V line voltage i think us OK.