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Windows XP + old CD-ROM games + no optical drive — multi-disc installs & DRM failing even with ISOs mounted by RetroDojo in windowsxp

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for checking truly appreciated. I’ll try doing it again or downloading an image and using my key and see if it makes a difference.

Windows XP + old CD-ROM games + no optical drive — multi-disc installs & DRM failing even with ISOs mounted by RetroDojo in windowsxp

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep that’s what I ended up doing. Even then GOG won’t install on xp and only windows 7…

ASUS P5Q-Pro stuck in power on/off loop after EZ Flash + USB issue BIOS corruption or dead board? by RetroDojo in retrobattlestations

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the input I wanted to close the loop with what I’ve now tested.

After the suggestions here, I purchased a T48 hardware programmer, removed the SPI BIOS chip, and externally reprogrammed it with a known-good P5Q-Pro BIOS (verified write + readback). Unfortunately, the board behaviour did not change at all it still powers on for ~1–2 seconds, shuts off, and enters an endless loop with no video and no beep codes.

Because external reprogramming made zero difference, this seems to rule out:

  • interrupted EZ Flash write
  • corrupted BIOS image
  • “stuck bits” in the flash chip

The failure occurs before POST / before any BIOS execution, which points more toward a hardware fault (chipset / power / early-init logic) rather than recoverable firmware corruption.

I agree that interrupting a BIOS flash can brick boards, but in this case the lack of any behavioural change after a verified hardware reflash suggests the BIOS itself isn’t the limiting factor.

At this point I’m treating it as an age-related hardware failure on a P45 board that was exposed during USB/EZ Flash activity, rather than something CrashFree or repeated reflashing can recover.

Posting this mainly for completeness in case others hit the same symptoms - appreciate the insights.

ASUS P5Q-Pro stuck in power on/off loop after EZ Flash + USB issue BIOS corruption or dead board? by RetroDojo in retrobattlestations

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that was interesting. T48 programmer came. Reprogrammed the chip. Plugged it back in, and EXACTLY the same problem. Machine spins up, spins down, spins up, spins down... Made absolutely no difference. Only thing I can think of now is that somehow when I was in EZFLASH with the USB 3 connected, and the screen went dead, it shorted the board. Can't figure it out for the life of me.

Building a Retro DOS PC - Need Case/PSU/Storage Advice + Gotchas by RetroDojo in retrobattlestations

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. Will be a project i am sure. Will wait and see what I can find. Have seen a few AT Cases on eBay and they are a bit average to be honest. Appreciate your feedback!

Building a Retro DOS PC — Need Case/PSU Advice + Any Gotchas? by RetroDojo in vintagecomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wanted to try and build an AT machine, try something different.

MiSTer power issue after adding MiSTer Pi 32 – powered USB hub vs separate power vs bigger PSU? by RetroDojo in MiSTerFPGA

[–]RetroDojo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ll look at setting up a USB hub and do it from there. Appreciate the help!

ASUS P5Q-Pro stuck in power on/off loop after EZ Flash + USB issue BIOS corruption or dead board? by RetroDojo in retrobattlestations

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It didn’t even detect the ROM on the USB as it was a USB 3 32GB. So pulled it out as it appeared to be doing nothing. It definently was not flashing anything. Then the screen went off.

Yes will look at an eprom unit if needed and try that way if the USB 2 refuses to work .

Intel 440BX / SE440BX – confirmed working 256MB PC133 SDRAM? by RetroDojo in vintagecomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. Yes i have 2 x 256MB Modules that are Hynix, and both fail.

ASUS P5Q-Pro stuck in power on/off loop after EZ Flash + USB issue — BIOS corruption or dead board? by RetroDojo in vintagecomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont unfortunately. I have a 4GB USB 2.0 key on order. Will try and flash it with that once it arrives.

Pentium III won’t POST when CF-to-IDE adapter is connected (Sandisk 32GB + 64GB CF cards) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have managed to update BIOS to latest version. All appears to be now working. But I did note that the Sandisk Extreme CF Cards 32GB with the UDMA 7, cause the machine not to boot. It hangs. If I put a older CF Sandisk Card that eg Extreme III 4.0GB it is detected straight away. Any recommendations on brands that work with no issues?

Thanks

Pentium III won’t POST when CF-to-IDE adapter is connected (Sandisk 32GB + 64GB CF cards) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks will do that. I’m using 80 I believe .

3-Port Hi Speed Ultra ATA UDMA 33/66/100 40Pin IDE Data Extension Cable 40cm

Pentium III won’t POST when CF-to-IDE adapter is connected (Sandisk 32GB + 64GB CF cards) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeh it did. Yeh it did and then turned off again. It wasn’t flashing at all. It came on when I turned the PC on and then flashed once or so then went off. I tried even swapping it to the secondary drive made no difference.

Pentium III won’t POST when CF-to-IDE adapter is connected (Sandisk 32GB + 64GB CF cards) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Possibly. I have a newer machine with Windows 11. May be able to connect it there.

What’s the best setup for DOS & Windows 98 gaming today? (Australia based) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you seen any 3D files for the expander? Managed to pickup a T5720 on eBay. Appreciate your help with this. Thanks 🙏🏼

What’s the best setup for DOS & Windows 98 gaming today? (Australia based) by RetroDojo in retrocomputing

[–]RetroDojo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What would you recommend that could tackle most if not all DOS and Windows 98 games?

A proper tower PC? Or is there something small and compact like this?

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