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Program runs in MSDOS and claims "this program must run in MSDOS"????

HTC

Joined
Apr 1, 2008
Messages
4,698 (0.75/day)
Location
Portugal
System Name HTC's System
Processor Ryzen 5 5800X3D
Motherboard Asrock Taichi X370
Cooling NH-C14, with the AM4 mounting kit
Memory G.Skill Kit 16GB DDR4 F4 - 3200 C16D - 16 GTZB
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse 6600 8 GB
Storage 1 Samsung NVMe 960 EVO 250 GB + 1 3.5" Seagate IronWolf Pro 6TB 7200RPM 256MB SATA III
Display(s) LG 27UD58
Case Fractal Design Define R6 USB-C
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair TX 850M 80+ Gold
Mouse Razer Deathadder Elite
Software Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS
I think the BIOS in this board (K8V SE motherboard) isn't OK because i get bad BIOS checksum many times, while others it boots normally so i thought i should flash it to make sure it's OK.

I'm using an USB to boot MSDOS command prompt but what i find really weird is that, when i'm @ the command prompt and i try to use the BIOS update program, it says: "This program must be run in MSDOS" ... HUH ...?

I tried getting MSDOS 6.22 but ain't getting any success in making it USB bootable.

Any suggestions?
 
Your battery can cause that
 
Try swapping the battery out
 
Try swapping the battery out

Don't have another one :(

Anyway, i tried what Norton suggested and still no boot with DOS 6.22 but it does boot with DOS 7.1. Slight snag, though: still says "ERROR: This program must be run is MS-DOS mode" :(

WTH???

The reason i'm trying this is because i can't get windows to install as it fails before i even get the chance to select to which drive i want to install it to and i'm using disks i'm sure are OK (even tried to make more just in case the ones i was using were indeed faulty) yet the PC states the prob is with the installation files which cause the install to fail.
 
Well go to a walgreens. home depot or walmart or like store and get a coincell battery should be cr2032
 
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Well go to a walgreens. home depot or walmart or like store and get a coincell battery should be cr2032

No such thing here in Portugal and it's 4:51 AM over here.

It will have to wait until after work because i start work before any stores are opened but i'll try getting one: thanks!
 
Try unplugging it from the mains. Do you see the error then?
If yes, then it's the CMOS battery.
 
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Try unplugging it from the mains. Do you see the error then?
If yes, then it's the CMOS battery.

Already put in a new battery but i now have another problem: can't make the BIOS load it's defaults because the keyboard keeps getting frozen before i manage to load the defaults :(

Tried resetting the CMOS but still have the same problem. Tried putting back the old BIOS battery but still the same problem. To add to injury, it now says ALWAYS bad BIOS checksum :(

Any tips?


Thanks for this: trying the usbdrive.zip file and it's on the USB now but didn't get the chance to use it yet because of the above described problems :(


This board was originally mine but i've sold it to a work colleague a few years ago. I'm trying to help him out but it's proving difficult :(
 
check your ide/sata connectors and psu.. those things can mess up windows install.
wont boot could be heat.
but all the symptoms put together could be memory issue..
i would reseat everything..
 
check your ide/sata connectors and psu.. those things can mess up windows install.
wont boot could be heat.
but all the symptoms put together could be memory issue..
i would reseat everything..

It will boot but show bad BIOS checksum :(

Should i try and remove the HDD (1 TB spinpoint F3)? It's the only HDD in the system.

EDIT

Tried resetting the CMOS after disconnecting the HDD and still no go: it still says bad BIOS checksum and the keyboard gets locked before i can manage to load the BIOS defaults :(
 
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The BIOS are toast then I'd say. You'll have to contact the manufacturer and let them know and they'll tell you how to fix it, if it is even possible. You can't flash BIOS from corrupt BIOS (the reason why they do a checksum).
 
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The BIOS are toast then I'd say. You'll have to contact the manufacturer and let them know and they'll tell you how to fix it, if it is even possible. You can't flash BIOS from corrupt BIOS (the reason why they do a checksum).

I'll have to contact my usual PC repair shop then :(

Thanks all.
 
you already have bios defaults loaded.
when you remove battery for more then 30 sec and if you have unpluged power cord from psu bios lose its saved setting and factory defaults are loaded.

edit:
you can try to run bios update from usb flash. check mb manual for boot select key (default is F10 or F12) and smash on boot. when drive list shows up select usb as boot device and start bios flash. it'd be better if you disconnect hdd (just in case)

edit2:
i think you'd better tell your friend it is time for upgrade. ddr1 socket 754, agp. it is pure miricle it lasted so long.
have a look on this list http://es.pcpartpicker.com/p/XyT3mG
parts that has to be changed for sure + may be psu (+about 60-70 euro for psu)
 
Last edited:
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if your bios is cacheable. and removable. you should be able to flash it if some one els you know has the same board and is willing to let you de socket their bios.
 
Old motherboards may only be flashable from Windows 98 startup disk (genuine MS-DOS) and a floppy drive.

And yes, I would try replacing the CR2032 battery before giving up on it.
 
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you already have bios defaults loaded.
when you remove battery for more then 30 sec and if you have unpluged power cord from psu bios lose its saved setting and factory defaults are loaded.

edit:
you can try to run bios update from usb flash. check mb manual for boot select key (default is F10 or F12) and smash on boot. when drive list shows up select usb as boot device and start bios flash. it'd be better if you disconnect hdd (just in case)

edit2:
i think you'd better tell your friend it is time for upgrade. ddr1 socket 754, agp. it is pure miricle it lasted so long.
have a look on this list http://es.pcpartpicker.com/p/XyT3mG
parts that has to be changed for sure + may be psu (+about 60-70 euro for psu)

He needs this PC for his radio and it handles some programs he uses for the radio. He still uses my old Athlon 3200 with this board, lol.

Right now, i can't do a thing because it always says bad checksum and the keyboards freezes.

Haven't tried to remove the battery for 30+ seconds: will try that.

I heard PS2 keyboards sometimes get stuck while USB keyboards don't: i'll try using my keyboard to see if it gets stuck like his does.

Old motherboards may only be flashable from Windows 98 startup disk (genuine MS-DOS) and a floppy drive.

And yes, I would try replacing the CR2032 battery before giving up on it.

So i can't flash it from an USB? Is that why it says "this program must be run in MS-DOS" when running it from the USB?

Already replaced it: it actually got worse because now it ALWAYS gives bad checksum. Swapped the batteries again but still bad checksum :(
 
Plausible. It would maybe work if it was a USB floppy drive. Point is, floppy. Virtually all old motherboards like that have an FDD header. If you have a floppy drive around, you should be able to pop it in and see if it makes any progress.

Attaching Win98 boot disk files.
 

Attachments

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He needs this PC for his radio and it handles some programs he uses for the radio. He still uses my old Athlon 3200 with this board, lol.
Right now, i can't do a thing because it always says bad checksum and the keyboards freezes.
Haven't tried to remove the battery for 30+ seconds: will try that.
I heard PS2 keyboards sometimes get stuck while USB keyboards don't: i'll try using my keyboard to see if it gets stuck like his does.

So i can't flash it from an USB? Is that why it says "this program must be run in MS-DOS" when running it from the USB?
Already replaced it: it actually got worse because now it ALWAYS gives bad checksum. Swapped the batteries again but still bad checksum :(
when you get this check sum when you enter bios or on pc boot.
yes you can flash it from usb. just use dos 6.22 instead of 7.1
if your friend doesnt need big storage and since load is so light price can be dropped to around 200 euro http://es.pcpartpicker.com/p/bdLK23
 
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Plausible. It would maybe work if it was a USB floppy drive. Point is, floppy. Virtually all old motherboards like that have an FDD header. If you have a floppy drive around, you should be able to pop it in and see if it makes any progress.

Attaching Win98 boot disk files.

I have the Win98 boot disk files: what i don't have is a floppy drive, which is why i was trying the USB :(

EDIT

when you get this check sum when you enter bios or on pc boot.
yes you can flash it from usb. just use dos 6.22 instead of 7.1
if your friend doesnt need big storage and since load is so light price can be dropped to around 200 euro http://es.pcpartpicker.com/p/bdLK23

It does it on boot :(

Also have DOS 6.22 but i can't seem to get it bootable from the USB :(

Can't try now all of the things i mentioned since returning from work nor all the suggestions but i'll try them today.
 
you can try ask local pc service if they have fdd and cable laying around and lend it to you for few hours
 
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you can try ask local pc service if they have fdd and cable laying around and lend it to you for few hours

Hadn't thought of that ... DUH ...

If i manage to get it bootable, i'll do that.
 
do you have a ps2 style keyboard?
it could have set your bios not to use usb keyboard or usb bootable legacy devices when you cleared the cmos.
The invalid checksum would then stop you booting because it would need a keyboard input "f1 usually" to continue. or delete to enter the bios..
 
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