CMOS Checksum Error

[Fuganater]

I acquired a Dell Poweredge 4200 from school and I tried booting it up. It checks the RAM (hate that) then I get an Error that says "System CMOS Checksum bad - Run Setup". I've asked around and ppl say it is probably an old battery. So I replaced it and still get the same error. I'm going to take some of the RAM out on the next boot and see if I can get anywhere.

Someone told me about the BIOS update on floppy? I cant find it.

And I also can't get into the setup. I press F2, it tries to initialize the memory and then gives me the error again...

Any words of wisdom TCBS?

Thanks,

-Fuga

[J-Roc]

You can replace the bios chip on most older computers. Also, swap out the ram. If it seems to be happening while POST counts the ram then it might be that.

[doug91]

if you haven't tried this, reset the CMOS battery by removing it and then putting it back in.

[Fuganater]

You can replace the bios chip on most older computers. Also, swap out the ram. If it seems to be happening while POST counts the ram then it might be that.
Well... idk if I wanna put that much into this server. Might be worth it... might not.


if you haven't tried this, reset the CMOS battery by removing it and then putting it back in.
Yes... I have bought a brand new battery.

[J-Roc]

Did you try diffrent ram?

[Fuganater]

i have several different sticks to try. I've tried some but not all. I'll have to do that when I get some time.

[Fuganater]

ey?

[nil8]

http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R13151&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=10265

That's the last revision of the 4200 BIOS that came out(A05).
Download the exe to a PC with a floppy, format the floppy before running the program, run the program. It will copy all the data needed to the floppy.

Boot the 4200, put the floppy in, hit f12, select diskette drive, it will start a bios flash.
If it fails, KEEP THE MACHINE RUNNING. If you don't, it is a toaster. Dell bios flash images aren't fool proof.

If it fails, find the next oldest revision (a04), put it on a floppy, and repeat the process w/o reboot.

As for the CMOS error, if it's not the battery, it's typically an option or error setting in the bios, so flashing is a LAST RESORT.

That is an old server and uses ECC SDRAM, pick some up off ebay for a few bucks. It might not working with non-ECC.
Here's some memory specs for you.
16x72-60ns, 168p DIMM, 3.3v, EDO, ECC

You cannot go above 512mb of memory on that mobo.
Make this a project box.

[Fuganater]

Ya... i just got rid of it. Not worth keeping if I cant use it.