archived, old, out of date bios a1450n

[tonys64]

I'm looking for archived bios versions. Specifically version 3.10 of the bios for the a8n-la motherboard.

I'm trying to roll back the bios by flashing the old version.

The newer version won't load the OS (win xp).

[CherylG]

I am not sure that you can get the older BIOS. For some reason HP takes down the old when adding a new one. Could you give a bit more detail about the problem? Did the machine fail to boot after flashing the BIOS, or are you trying to reinstall XP,etc? Error messages?

[tonys64]

Right, after updating the bios from 3.10 to 3.11, the pc won't run windows from a hard drive.

Since my first post, I have put in a blank hd and installed Win 7 on it. Win 7 worked after installation, but won't run from boot-up.

If I reinstall Win 7 I could make a boot cd. I don't know if this would actually work though (and would be an annoying, temporary fix anyway).

[Big_Dave]

What exactly happens when you try to boot up?

[CherylG]

Have you tried entering BIOS setup by tapping F1 key at the HP logo screen? If you can get into BIOS setup, reset BIOS defaults by tapping F5 key, then F10 key to Save & Exit.

[tonys64]

Thanks for the responses, folks!

OK, on start-up, the pc gets to the blue HP splash screen. Then it goes to a black screen with a cursor in the upper left, and that's it.

I can get to the bios screen or the boot menu. The bios menu lets you change or reset the bios settings, but you can't roll back the bios itself there. I think all pc's are that way, by neccesity. Everything short of running windows from a hd  works fine.

[CherylG]

Did you try tapping F5 key to reset BIOS defaults,Save & Exit? Sometimes that step is needed after a BIOS update. Or go to Boot tab and see if hdd is listed as 1st or 2nd boot device.Usually CD/DVD is listed as first to allow booting from Recovery Disks which is fine_but is the hdd listed as 2nd boot device?

[tonys64]

"Did you try tapping F5 key to reset BIOS defaults,Save & Exit?"

"Or go to Boot tab and see if hdd is listed as 1st or 2nd boot device."

Thanks, I'll be sure to try both when I get home tonight.

[TheOldMan]

If all that does not help, then try one of these.

EasyBCD : http://download.cnet.com/EasyBCD/3000-2094_4-10556865.html  This can repair a bad boot record.

Hiren's Boot CD 10.1.  Google for the download, as the new one is different.  After the CD is made and you boot to it, there is an opening menu.  Pick the one that says "Start Hiren's Boot CD (alternate boot method)  It is in the box below the other choices.  If you can boot from that menu choice, then EasyBCD can fix your problem or you can try with the Windows 7 DVD. 

See here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html