Mashed Articles

I just ran across this article from an outfit called Radio World Newspaper. It is clear and simple for even amateur computer users.

10 Tips to a Faster, Healthier Computer

A BIOS Chip is one of the most important part of one’s PC, without it a PC never works.BIOS chip seldom breaks down that’s why a lot of us dont mind its function. The moment you encounter a “BIOS check sum error….” or suspect a hardware incompatibility,then you will start to remember how important BIOS is in a PC system.In such a situation the next you will think to do is to flash(replace the program) your BIOS via a utility provided by your board manufacturer.

What if your BIOS chip is write-protected?
BIOS can be write-protected via the software(by entering cmos setup) or via jumper setting on your board.But some manufacturer(refer to manual) don’t provide jumper setting on their motherboard, so one option left is to write-enable it via CMOS setup,but the last solution mention above is only good if your BIOS setup is still accessible, in cases where you have a “Bootblock situation……” then it is impossible to enter your CMOS setup.

In this case your last option is to write-enable your BIOS chip directly,you have to disable the write-protect pin in order to flash your BIOS chip succesully.So, next thing you must do is to look(search the net) for the pin layout of a particular BIOS chip in order to bypass the write-protect pin.If your BIOS chip is similar to the figure shown above then you may proceed in write-enabling your BIOS.You may short it exactly as what it was shown in the figure,it will be easier to insert a thin wire in between the BIOS and the socket pin if it is socketed.

After putting a thin wire jumper on your BIOS chip you may now proceed in flashing your BIOS and it should flash successfully otherwise you wrongfully jumper your BIOS chip or has some non BIOS related problem of your motherboard.Remove the jumper after successfully flashing your BIOS chip.

Note:
This trick was successfully tested on the BIOS of a XPC Shuttle CPU, it may work on similar BIOS chip as other claim it, but don’t held me responsible in case something worst happen on your motherboard.Its only a last resort solution before replacing a motherboard.If you don’t want to take the risk I suggest that you try to order a BIOS replacement from your motherboard manufacturer or have it repaired to them.

Kaspersky Lab Names PCSecurityShield as Award Recipient at
The 2008 Technology Partner Session
PCSecurityShield Top Partner in Desktop Security

Delray Beach, FL, April 21st, 2008 – PCSecurityShield, an Internet security company headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, was named Kaspersky Lab’s “Best Technology Partner” in the area of Desktop Security at this year’s Technology Partner Session. At this event Eugene Kaspersky, the founder and CEO of Kaspersky Lab, talked about current malware trends and the new solutions being made available by Kaspersky Lab to combat those trends.

PCSecurityShield licenses a variety of Internet security technologies and offers consumers a comprehensive line of computer protection products. Their top-of-the-line Internet security product, The Shield Deluxe 2008, is powered by Kaspersky Lab’s cutting-edge antivirus technology.

more …

Almost everyday in our line of work we encounter unusual problem(if not difficult),just recently I encountered a problem in a XPC Shuttle CPU which is a BIOS Boot Block situation(refer to image), it is a socket 939 with a 1GB DDR1 Corsair Mem(take note-its branded).

By looking the screen when you turn on the unit, you will say that its a corrupted BIOS(its an Award BIOS)program.Basically BIOS program in newer motherboards is divided into two blocks, these are the bootblock and the mainblock.The bootblock loads up if it will sense a damage mainblock portion of the bios.The mainblock is the one that will start when you power up your CPU.The purpose of the bootblock portion is, for you to have a chance to flash you BIOS mainblock so that your PC becomes operational again.

So to cut my story short I downloaded the specific BIOS bin of the particular model and flash the BIOS using the Award Flash utility software, everything went fine during the flashing of the new bios program, but after resetting the CPU it just came back from where I started(refer to image). I try to flash different latest version of BIOS files several times, still it does not work.

I give up troubleshooting and assumed that the BIOS chip itself maybe damage and it needs to be replace.While still looking for a BIOS chip replacement,I decided to transfer its existing memory on another system.And to my surprise the system also display an “Award Bios bootblock ….. please insert system disk……”,I inserted a different memory module of the problematic PC and it works normally.

In my entire life as technical support, this is just the first time that I encounter a memory module causing a bios bootblock situation—-take note—- its not just an ordinary memory module, its a popular brand.So, next time if your planning to buy a branded memory, choose the right one to avoid problems such this one.

The threat to seniors is growing…and changing. Baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) are now the largest segment of our population—about 78 million people. That means that the number of senior citizens is rising. Many younger boomers also have considerable computer skills, so criminals are modifying their targeting techniques—using not only traditional telephone calls and mass mailings but also online scams like phishing and e-mail spamming.

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