RECOVERING A BAD FLASH

by Kaushik March 23, 2007

CASE1: Able to Boot with Dead Drive
Same as above DOS Flashing..

Download MtkFlsh(DOS) from here

Set the failed Drive(DVD assumed) as Secondary master

#1 Rename Mtkflash.exe to Mtkfl.exe
#2 Make a bootable floppy.
#3 Copy mtkfl.exe on to the floppy.
#4 Copy new firmware or modded RP1 firmware onto different good floppy(do this as there might not be space on Win98 floppy if used).
#5 Boot using the Floppy(configure ur bios if required to boot directly to the floppy.DO NOT LOAD ANY CDROM SUPPORT if using WIN98 Boot Disk)

#6 Keep an eye while booting for ur RAM DRiVE and note its Drive letter.

#7 Upon reaching the C: prompt ..type "copy A:mtkfl.exe %RAMD%:mtkfl.exe

#8 Similarily copy ur new firmware or RPC1 firmware to the ram drive or "%RAMD%"

#9 Now go to ur Ramdrive prompt..(Remember the drive letter I told u to note previously) and type: "mtkfl 3 w firmwarename.hex" with out the quotes( sustitute .hex with .bin if required)

#10 It will take a few secs(abt 10 secs or less) saying....



CASE2: System Stuck at BIOS (PERSONAL TRICK)

Failed/dead drive = DVD ROM assumed
This method works only if u have 2 Optical Drives(One dead/bad flash and other workin)

THINGS TO DO FIRST

#1 Rename Mtkflash.exe to Mtkfl.exe
#2 Make a bootable floppy.
#3 Copy mtkfl.exe on to the floppy.
#4 Copy new firmware or modded RP1 firmware onto different good floppy(do this as there might not be space on Win98 floppy if used).
#5 Shutdown... switch off all power.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART

#6 Open ur cabinet

#7 Set your CDROM jumper as master and also det your DVDROM jumper to master(yes set both as master you will know later why)

#8 Unplug the IDE cable from your DVD-ROM(donot disconnect the IDE cable from your motherboard) and do not unplug DVD ROM's power chord.

#9 Boot using the bootable Floppy(configure ur bios if required to boot directly to the floppy.DO NOT LOAD ANY CDROM SUPPORT if using WIN98 Boot Disk)

#10 Keep an eye while booting for ur RAM DRiVE and note its Drive letter.

#11 Upon reaching the C: prompt ..type "copy A:mtkfl.exe %RAMD%:mtkfl.exe

#12 Similarily copy ur new firmware or RPC1 firmware to the ram drive or "%RAMD%"

NOW BE EXTRA CAREFULL FROM HERE ON DO ALL THIS WITH OUT POWERING OFF
TAKE CARE AND AVOID SHOCK
#13 UNPLUG the IDE cable from ur CD ROM,but DO NOT UNPLUG IT FROM UR MOTHERBOARD.

#14 Now Plug the IDE cable removed from the CDROM into the DVD ROM.

#15 Now go to ur Ramdrive prompt..(Remember the drive letter I told u to note previously) and type: "mtkfl 3 w firmwarename.hex" with out the quotes( sustitute .hex with .bin if required)

#16 It will take a few secs(abt 10 secs or less) saying....


NOTE: The Second method is tried and tested method for recovering a dead drive if the BIOS freezes and doesnt make it past POST..