last change:
9.2.2003

Counter2
since 16.9.2000

A7V Troubleshooting
Why the heck is there a tank ?!?

Main Page
"HowTo" Guides
Troubleshooting Guides
BIOS related information
CPU related information
Overclocking

Articles
Downloads
Forum
Contact
Links

RD1 BIOS Savior

Testing

I tested the RD1 with several Mainboards fitting the RD1-2M. One of them (ASUS P2B) proved not compatible at first, although it was reported by 8 people as being compatible according to the IOSS compatibility list. After reverting to an older flash tool (Aflash 1.27) the error disappered.

So, the RD1 is compatible to all tested mainboards

Conclusion

The principle seems sound. As soon as you have the RD1 installed, flashing a new BIOS is not risky any more. Especially with the A7V series, flashing new BIOSes can sometimes be like russian roulette, so it would be adviseable to get a RD1 if you ever plan to flash your BIOS.

Also, if flashing already went wrong, instead of getting a new BIOS chip, you might want to get a pre-programmed RD1. Thus you solve two problems: Your mainboard works again, plus in future you can recover by yourself.

The third interesting point is that using an RD1 a hot-flash procedure is a lot easier than without. You simply insert the faulty BIOS chip on top of the RD1, boot from the RD1, switch to the faulty chip and flash it. So you can easily help friends to recover - or even earn a bit of money by offering recovery services to other people.

Last but not least, you can easily switch between different BIOS versions by programming RD1 and the original chip with different versions. You can even stack several RD1, which gives you some BIOS versions to choose from. You should be aware that clearing the CMOS or loading setup defaults after each BIOS change is recommendable, as different BIOS versions might interpret CMOS settings differently.

One drawbach is there: The IOSS compatibility list doesn't seem to be updated any more. The last entry is from 2001 - so if you have a recent mainboard, you can't check if it's supported. The japanese counterpart is still updated. You can use the selection chart, however. This should tell you if your mainboard qualifies.

The only remaining question is: Is the RD1 worth the money you pay for it?

First of all, what does it cost?

I searched the internet, here are several shops that have the RD1:

Shop

DIPP 1Mbit
RD1-1M

DIPP 2Mbit
RD1-2M
PLCC 2Mbit
RD1-PL
RD1-LPC2
Intel FWH
2/4 Mbit
RD1-8X2
Programming
(Ony needed if your BIOS is dead already)
Shipping
(Europe)
EksitData
(+25% VAT inside EU !)
€19,89 (€24,86)
€26,22 (€32,78)
€27,78 (€34,74)
€27,78
(€34,74)
€11,11
(€13,89)
€11,11
(€13,89)
€40,90
€40,90
€50,90
€50,90
-
€6 - €15,50
€40,79
€40,79
€50,99
€50,99
-
€8,49

Now, what do you have to pay for a new BIOS chip if you buy it online:

Shop
New BIOS chip, preprogrammed
Shipping to Europe
€15,66
Free (in germany)
€28
included
€17
4,50€ (Germany: €2,20)
€16
€2
$19
$6
$19,99
?
€40
€6/8/10 (France/Europe/World)

(If you know of more shops, feel free to send me details)

A pregrogrammed RD1 costs quite a bit more than any programmed chip you might buy. But: It will help you recover many times without having to do a hot flash. Plus, you don't have to wait for your maiboard being repaired or until a new chip arrives. So you have to decide for yourself wether the RD1 is worth it's money. I think it is, and if it wasn't for the Recovery BIOS that my mainboard has, I would have bought one ...

>> Next Page
<< Previous Page

Page1: The Problem
Page2: What you get / how it works
Page3: Testing / Conclusion
Page4: Addendum: Testing Procedure


(c)2001 Disclaimer - Mail to webmaster (preferrably post in the forum)