Happy Face @ boot.

[htcs]

Thanks for all the suggestions:

I've tried to reset the BIOS using the jumpers.

So I took the computer apart and was getting ready to contact ASUS for an RMA, when somehow I reached their Tech Support instead of the RMA dept.

I told the tech about the problem - and apparently I downloaded the wrong Flash Utility and version of the BIOS. Which i don't understand how i did, i checked several times to make sure i was at the right page and using the correct BIOS info. When i went to the same page today (which was bookmarked), it was completely different - so i'm assuming their site was flawed (or still is).

Anyway, i downloaded the 'new' correct flash app and updated bios file (1005), reflashed the bios and now everything works great.

Again Thanks.

 

[TheMajor]

Anyway, i downloaded the 'new' correct flash app and updated bios file (1005), reflashed the bios and now everything works great.

Again Thanks.

How? I thought it didn't boot?

 

[htcs]

I thought i would give it a shot just one more time with a few more troubleshooting steps:

I tried again with the HDD in, no boot, just got a happy face.
I tried using a floppy, no boot, just got a happy face.
Tried using a bootable CD ROM, again, the happy face.

In my last attempt, I made a bootable USB Key, and don't ask why, but it booted from the USB key and i was able to run the flash program.

I've put the computer back together and everything is working great. I'm running another Virus Scan just in case.

 

[TheMajor]

I wonder where the happy face came from.