Bootblock BIOS Update Methodology

[cnixon]

:D*****Updated - Bootblock bios update methodology finally solved,17th Jan 2006*****
Hi, I was looking for some help with a little problem...
I bad flashed this 2 year old notebook with the acer supplied programme (wflash I think) it is an executable with the rom/bin file embedded. I have now got a very expensive paperweight. I am fairly confident of a solution (which is not a new MB as ACER would have me believe). It has no floppy but it has a CD. Firstly does the boot-block (activated by SW2 under the keyboard) seek anything other than a floppy (CD?) and if not could this be an external USB floppy? This is the begging bit...I need the .bin ROM file, Acer cannot assist! Is there any brave soul who can make a copy from a C302 (C302XMi) or can the ROM file be extracted from the wflash programme.

Desperate...
Craig

(Restored topic title - Steve S)

[SW]

I so wish I read this before upgrading my tablet today - I am now the proud owner of a brick - my ACER C302XMi is only 18 months old - installed the latest ROM 1.13 - the ROM boots (via F2) but it just stops - like it no longer knows how to find the hard drive - does this make sense?

[cnixon]

We have both got the same problem. I am not sure about 1.13. In the UK it is up to 1.08. I am about to try a recovery, but we need the latest bios .bin/ROM file. I just thought I would have a look to see if I had any posts. I will let you know how I get on.

Craig

[cnixon]

Not too a good result! I purchased an Acer USB floppy because Phoenix state the boot block in the BIOS will support it. Inside under the keyboard is a double micro switch (SW2)if the switch numbered 2 is switched on it activates the boot block - keyboard fixed by a single screw from the back (with keyboard symbol) and 3 catches at the top adjacent to ESC, F4 and F12 which click towards the touch pad. On turn on the mail hotkey illuminates and the PC bleeps out the code for "you've messed about with your BIOS and now you've got brick/paperweight/table mat etc" the only way to stop the PC is by taking the battery out! Trying to be clever I used the USB floppy. It appears to check the floppy repeatedly but does not appear to read it. Acer post instructions for this step and state that all the floppy should have on is the bios file see http://support.acer-euro.com/documents/reports/bootblock.html As I do not have the BIOS, see arlier post, I have got a BIOS file for a very similar machine with the same chipsets and graphics drivers (Gateway M275). Really Acer should support us with this especially seeing that the website details the solution. 'SW' I whould be interested what response you get (where are you?) All I think we need is the BIN file.

[SW]

where did you get 1.08 from - I could only find 1.13 (http://support.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/portal.cfm?recordid=1991&formid=3394&website=AcerPanAm.com&originwebsite=AcerPanAm.com&central=1&words=all&keywords=&pupv=pu) (though the link I clicked did say that I needed 1.08 or above http://www.tabletpctalk.com/bugs/index.shtml)

Anyway they (Acer) are looking at it now - some report of replacing the main board this morning - which is worrying if all it needed was a new BIOS upload.

Not sure about if the symptoms are the same as I could turn off the laptop with the power button.

I just hope when it comes back, it is without the sticky keys (or the mouse flying into the bottom corner and r-clicking) - I actually wrote a program that would open a window in that area of the screen and sink the mouse clicks - then in meetings it didn't look too stupid and was largely useful as the pen at least seemed override that behaviour.

(PS - based in Reading)

[cnixon]

Sounds similar, Have Acer quoted you? they wanted 35 quid just to look at it and give me a quote. PS I work in Reading and live in Basingstoke...Small World. 1.08 was from the uk web site.
Craig

[Dimitri Patakidis]

it doesn't look like th ROM file can be extracted from the wflash program. A copy of the ROM file could be made using a working machine and the wfash program.There is an option to "save the bios in a file".
I am not sure if it saves the existing BIOS the machien booted up from ) or the one included with the wflash program.



Dimitri
"With enough bricks you can build a fireplace"



---snip-----
"......who can make a copy from a C302 (C302XMi) or can the ROM file be extracted from the wflash programme.
----snip------

[randeeps]

Hiya Guys

Sorry to hear about this. However I got lucky updating to Bios 1.13 for Acer C302. Earlier had v1.08. Hope you get it sorted - do let us know if you are able to resolve this.

One issue - after updating to 1.13, i now get an error "Expansion slot not initialised - PCI Network Controller.......". Any idea how i can fix it? I am a novice in laptop but have assembled desktops. Any help will be appreciated. Also I am trying to upgrade my memory to 2GB .. so trying to get into the DIMM Slot2. However I am having trouble opening the keyboard to get access to it. Acer manual does not give much instrcution. So any step by step instruction for a novice will be highly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Merry X'mas and Happy New Year 2006

[bmhome1]

The 300's have a screw hole labeled KB on bottom, unscrew that.

There's 3 tiny tabs at keyboard top to slide downwards with a pentip, keyboard lifts out. RAM slot is under metal plate removed with numerous screws.

Be sure tablet is unpowered and battery pulled first.

[randeeps]

quote:Originally posted by bmhome1

The 300's have a screw hole labeled KB on bottom, unscrew that.

There's 3 tiny tabs at keyboard top to slide downwards with a pentip, keyboard lifts out. RAM slot is under metal plate removed with numerous screws.

Be sure tablet is unpowered and battery pulled first.


Thanks bmhome1.

When I press the 3 tiny tabs (one after the other - not simultaneously), nothing happens. Do I have to press it very hard? I have also read in one forum that instead of pressing it downwards, I have to pull it upwards - but that did not work either.

Pls help !

[Crippit]

Unscrew the screw labeled KB on the base, then unclip the clips on the keyboard....

Once you have done this put your fingers under the top edge of the keyboard, and pull very gently upwards, you need to apply quite a bit of force to get it to come out, there are 4 tiny clips you have to bend the keyboard over to get it out...

As long as you don't yank it you will be fine!

[cnixon]

The three catches have to be moved about 3mm to the front (i,e towards the space bar) the keyboard is then held tight in place at either side and requires a flick out with a flat screwdriver or blade.

P.s anybody able to get me a copy of a working bios off their machine. Please....

Craig

[loy]

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/TravelMate_C300/bios/

any way to get it booting of a cd?

[cnixon]

sorry for the delay...Xmas and all that! I think it may boot (according to AMI/Phoenix Bios)its just I am not sure how to make a bootable CD.

[loy]

"AWARD-BIOS:
We need our Bootdiskette and do only 1 Change on it:
Create (on a 2nd PC using a Texteditor) a File called: "AUTOEXEC.BAT", with only one Line: "awdflash.exe updatefilename /py /sn" (without quotes!) and copy it onto our Diskette.

Now, boot from Diskette and listen to the Beeps:"

While googling i found this so hopefully it'll help. I need a floppy disc :( damn laptop didn't come with one




While Booting:
2 short Beeps = no Bootdiskette in Drive A:
Continuously short Beeps = no Floppydrive ;)

After the Flash Process:
Continuously long Beeps = Programming successfully. RESTART!

AMI-BIOS:
You will need an empty and formatted Diskette. Copy only your BIOS-Updatefile on it and rename it to "AMIBOOT.ROM". Now, restart your PC and press "<CTRL><Home>" until you can hear 1 Beep. After 10-30 Seconds, you will hear: 4 Beeps = "BIOS was re-programmed !"

PHOENIX-BIOS:
There must be a Jumper on your Mainboard called "Recovery Mode" and you must boot from a "Crisis Recovery Disk" (from your Mainboard Manufacturer).

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Has anyone had any success resurrecting their tablet ?

[loy]

Need to get a freaking external usb floppy

[slash.crognr]

I have the same problem with my Acer C300 , i updated my bios to 1.13 using the standard windows flash utility found on the acer website. When i rebooted my screen got blank and that's all. I tryed to use the BIOS boot block function to recover my bios, but i always get the sound 1L-2S which means that my bios file can't be read. I try to rename the .wph bios rom file to .rom and .bin from all the bios zips from the acer site. I got no results, my laptop still gives me the sound that the file can't be read. I think that it has some thing to do with the wrong file size,.wph is 514 kb and the rom must be 512kb. :-( Can anybody save a correct rom file from his working c300 and send me, i would me very greatful.

[loy]

I. PREPARING A BOOTABLE BIOS REFLASH DISK AND USE IT

Step 1. Create a bootable disk.

Step 2. Decompress the ZIP file to this bootable disk.

Step 3. Put the bootable disk into TravelMate C300, then boot.

III. USING THE TravelMate C300 BIOS REFLASH DISK

# NOTICE !! Important !! #
# " Do not power off during a BIOS update. Otherwise your system #
# may be damaged " #

A. After Booting, You will see the massage like this (BIOS Version
may be different):

Acer TravelMate C300
BIOS Flash Service Diskette
BIOS Version 1.13

Licensed Material - Property of Acer
(C) Copyright Acer Corp. 2003
All Rights Reserved.



This utility updates the system program to the current level.

Press <1> to continue, <0> to exit.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Important <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Do not power off during a BIOS update. Otherwise your system may
be damaged.

B. If you are ready to reflash BIOS, press "1", otherwise press "0".
If you press "1", the reflash utility will check if this machine
is Wistron Canary series. If yes, You will see this massage:

Acer TravelMate C300
BIOS Flash Service Diskette








>> Warning <<
Continuing with this process will install downlevel system
program than currently installed in the system.
If unsure, do not continue.

Press <1> to continue, <0> to exit."

C. Press "1" to make sure again. The BIOS reflash utility will
re-check your system and begin to update your BIOS to Version 1.13.

D. If the BIOS reflash is done successful, you will see:

Acer TravelMate C300
BIOS Flash Service Diskette

[slash.crognr]

loy thanks for the answer, but that was not what i needed, me laptop does have any bios inside now. I need to use the Bios Boot Block function to flash a working bios in the eeprom. The only problem i have is that i don't have a binary 512 kb rom file. A user who has a working c300 can save his bios to a file and send i to me, that's what i need.

[Dimitri Patakidis]

I saved my bios but it created a .wph file that apparently is only usable with winflash. Do we know how to create the .rom file (512KB).
Or can we just take the first 512 KB of the file throw away the rest, rename it and use it?

[slash.crognr]

hm, i realy don't know what can we do with a .wph file. The Bios Block Function doesn't recognize that as a valid bios flash file. The file extension i think is .bin , Dimitri can you take the first 512 kb of the wph file and create a new file with .bin extension. I'll try that file if you can send it to me, i've got a nothing to lose.

[Dimitri Patakidis]

I went back to my collection of files and realized the file I saved before I flashed IS 512KB.
It was saved as 108.exe and it does "look" like a BIOS kinda file.
Now I am wondering if it's my silly USB floppy drive that the laptop is having a fit with.
My USB floppy drive is a smartdisk FDUSB-TM2

[Dimitri Patakidis]

There is a chance the reason why I can't reflash my laptop is not because I have the wrong ro bad saved BIOS file.
So...I am making the bios file I saved b e f o r e I flashed available for download.
Of course use it at your own risk. This BIOS was saved from a Model C300
TravelMate C301XCi
Part Number LT T280E.001

If someone has better luck with it, hopefully will share how they did it :)

And before I forget...here is the link to download the BIOS file from:

http://www.dotp.com/acer/bios/acerc300bios108.bin

[slash.crognr]

Dimitri thanks for the file, i copied the file, put it in my USB external floopy. I get the same bpep all over again. I read on the acer support page that the beep means that the bios file is defective and cannot be read.
http://support.acer-euro.com/documents/reports/bootblock.html
I realy don't know what to do anymore, maybe my external floopy doesn't read my floopy diskette i don't know. My floopy flashes just like it's trying to read something from it, but it always gives me the same beep.

[cnixon]

Hi all..No sucess yet but the last line from Loy (Jan 3)has finally become clear. The Phoenix Bios boot block needs a flopy with a few very specific files on. It does not need the platform.bin at this crisis stage though. This disk really does seem to be a Manufacturer supplied thing though and no searches have provided any info for me. such as a download from another manufacturer. A couple of search hits discus a crisdisk.zip download which needs to contain a file minidos.sys (or minidos.600), crisboot.bin
The following link may assist our understanding...
www.kontron-em.com/SW_DB/DOWNLOAD/BS16/Phlash_EC_E112.pdf

I really am now absolutly stuck. I have found someone in the UK who says they can replace the bios chip for £135 (GBP) sounds tempting although I really do think it is necessary if Acer were more helpful.
Craig

[cnixon]

I have also been informed that 514k is not unexpected for a phoenix bios ???? I think it has platform info within the file. I know its all a bit late but I think it was a virus checker that caused all this problem because it tried to stop the writing to the bios. oh dear.

[slash.crognr]

thanks cnixon, now i only need the Crisis Disc for C300

[cnixon]

Here is a link for a crisis disk generator (CRISP588.zip)(not acer C300) read the JAP0034.pdf from same link.

www.mite.cz/softdos-en/softdoslist.html

The kontron link earlier post discusses to approaches (section 5.1)

CRISDISK.BAT produces a floppy with the 4 files as indicated I replaced/renamed the bios.rom with the 512k .bin file from v1.08 we located earlier. I have no platform file so I otherwise kept it as CRISDISK produced it. This did not work for me but....this is the best bit...my USB floppy drive started to read from the floppy and the bleeps stopped (repeated long, short, short,or, dah, dit, dit for the Radio HAMs).
The other thing I then tried (as hinted in my kontron link)was replacing phlash.exe with phlash16.exe. scrapping platform.bin and replaced/renamed the bios.rom to bios.wph with the >512k .wph file from v1.13 we downloaded from acer. This didn't work either but again bleeps stopped.

so near and yet so far...I think I might stick a config.sys file in next along the lines of:

buffers=20
files=15
shell=a:\phlash.exe /mode=2 /S bios.bin

Craig

[loy]

I think i got it... I'm in the process right now

[loy]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOT I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[loy]

Now how to attach something

[loy]

bah it's not letting me upload

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Email it to me (dimitri@dotp.com) and I'll put it up for download!!!

..and tell us what you did!!

[loy]

email sent

[Dimitri Patakidis]

WOW!
Here is the link to download the files:
http://www.dotp.com/acer/bios/c300crisisrecoverydisc.rar

I used makeboot from the crisp588 package mentioned earlier to make the floppy bootable.
Then I copied the 3 files I received from loy (http://www.dotp.com/acer/bios/c300crisisrecoverydisc.rar) onto the floppy.
Enabled BootBlock on the Acer and turned it on.
I counted 31 beeps while the floppy was being read.
Then there were 24 short beeps with no floppy access.
Then one long continuous beep that didn't stop until I turned the laptop off.
I disabled the BootBlock, turned the laptop on and....WOW!! :)


T H A N K S L O Y :)

[loy]

hehe maybe it's time to change the description of yours. Also just simply copy the three files no need to doo makeboot

[Dimitri Patakidis]

I just changed my profile :) Hehehe...
As for makeboot...I tried just copying the files and didn't work...I worked great after makeboot.Go figure ; Oh no, hold on...you did that already !:)

Thanks again
Dimitri

[cnixon]

I watch telly for one night and this post is red hot. Have we worked out this enigma?

Craig

[loy]

yes we have

[cnixon]

I would just like to say a huge thank you to everybody who has contributed to this thread. I really feel we have done the impossible. I had tried the files which eventually worked but it is possible that I should have had mains power on?? I am absolutely thrilled at what can be achie,ved when needed. I can now go back to XP, I have been on Win 98 since it happened. I can now go on Google earth! Can this fix be posted anywhere else I really want to (need to) rub Acers nose in it.

You're all stars...
Craig

[maxtablet]

hi,Ive got an acer c301xmi tablet. I did what I shouldnt and flashed the bios through windows.now it doesnt boot up. Same problem as you guys had. Ive followed all the instructions. Bought a floppy drive,copied the 3 files over to disk after making it bootable. Enabled bootblock.

switched on tablet.it starts reading the floppy but then i get a beep bip bip and this goes on every 2 seconds.At the same time the floppy is accessed.

Can anyone tell me what ive done wrong?? Have i got the wrong bios file? am i buggered?

thanks in advance
max

[cnixon]

Max, I must admit I am not that sure how I did it myself. Did you make the bootable floppy through windows or with the makeboot.exe from the crisp588.zip programme (link from my 15th jan posting). Also where you on mains power? The beep bip bip is what I got the first time so keep trying. When you do get it to work...and you should, there will be no bleeps while it does the reprogramming and then a lot of bleeps at the end.

[cnixon]

Max, you may have the wrong bios. I think we all had 302xmi's. Whatever you have the bios should be renamed to bios.wph don't wory if it is not 512k. I will just have a look on Acers web site.

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Mine was (is) a 301xCi and it was flasched using the same files

[maxtablet]

hi, i used the crispdisc to make the floppy bootable. Im close guys cos the laptop now reads the disc and then goes quiet.reads it a bit more.over a period of 15 seconds and then it makes a buzz noise and beeps twice.
I havent had it on mains power but will do that now. I'll also download the files again and see. fingers crossed.

max

[maxtablet]

ive now got it to read disc and while its reading after a while it buzzes and then beeps 3 times while still reading the disc.
not sure what that means.
also, I havent been connecting the charger to it? does that make a difference?
I'll try it that way.

[maxtablet]

GOOD NEWS. I got it working. its the best feeling ever.
This is what i did:
1. downloaded the crisis boot files again.
2.downloaded the files put up by dmitri.
3.made a complete boot disc using cripsdisc.
4.replaced all the files on the created crispdisc with the
ones from step 2 (above)
5. stuck it in laptop with bootblock enabled.

it started up and for about 25 seconds it read the disc without a sound, then, it did a 5 second beep and then beeped twice.
after that it cycled back to the start and started reading disc again as though laptop had just been switched on.

I switched off laptop.disbled bootblock and switched on. i heard the fan come on and then it changed speed.
The bios came on and i was very happy.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH GUYS

P.S. that bios file is ok for all c300 series tablets (301,302,303 etc)

also: flashing bios removes platinumpas from the bios memory. Im just saying this because ive had problems with my smartcard having corrupt data.

take it easy people....

Max

[AndaD]

I had a bad flash of my C110 (also using the windows utility) and tried the boot-block solution. Went to enormous lengths, getting the binary file, taking the whole thing apart, tripping the bootblock switch, but it didn't work. I even had an experienced technician try as well. In the end, I bought a new laptop on ebay which was cheaper than the fee Acer wanted to charge for a motherboard. Has anyone ever managed to get the boot-block to work??

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Maxtablet: Yes. it's a very good feeling to see the tablet booting up again !!!!

AndaD: have you followed any of the instructions posted here ? Boot block DOES work contrary to the ignoramus maximus employed by Acer posing as "support technicians".

Acer support is barely able to answer the phone properly. Everything else after that is a bonus!!

[jarmanis]

how to Locate the jumper on the main board to enable the "Boot Block " function or enable the Update BIOS there that jumper is can someone tell me ?

[Dimitri Patakidis]

From a previous post:
" keyboard fixed by a single screw from the back (with keyboard symbol) and 3 catches at the top adjacent to ESC, F4 and F12 which click towards the touch pad."

[jarmanis]

your boot the computer with cd or with floppy disk ??? And if with floppy thith how floppy he sings in in usb or there cd-rom now becouse i dont have floppy :( and i cant do that you say all that about the bios :( say how your floppy sing in ??? thanks

[Dimitri Patakidis]

You'll have to buy or borrow a USB floppy drive and then follow the directions posted in the thread on what do do next.

[jarmanis]

But i hear the usb work only in windows or i hear bad ?

[jarmanis]

You did this with usb floppy ?

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Yes. USB Floppy drive connected to an Acer C300 .

[jarmanis]

Ok thanks i try it but if doesint work i dont now what what i do

[TerryCKing]

my 2 cents...in all my years working with computers (37), this is one of the most impressive self-help stories (with a happy ending) I've ever seen

good work guys

[pjara]

I guess somebody did not like my posts because they were erased. But the solution that worked for me is here

http://www.math.lsu.edu/~pjara/travelmatec300

Thanks guys for the tip about the USB floppy disk.

[crazy_al]

I downloaded that 1.13 BIOS from Acer's site, flashed my laptop successfully, it rebooted, and turned my tablet into a brick.

That's ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. Acer support wanted to charge me $450 to repair it.

I'm SOOOO glad I found this thread, and I really hope I can reproduce your successes.

But really, I will NEVER buy an Acer again for as long as I live, they've been a nightmare even on the first day I got my C300 (one of the RAM sticks was bad)

[crazy_al]

Oh my god I love all of you people that put together that boot disk.

It worked. At first it didn't, but then I tried again with an AC adaptor plugged in and the keyboard plugged in, and it WORKED...


I now have my computer back!!!!


(I still hate Acer though)

[crazy_al]

We need to get Acer to pull this thing off it's site before it turns more people's computers into bricks.

For every lucky soul like me who finds out how to fix their tablet, there's got to be like 5 people that get screwed and end up paying $450 to fix it.


I sent a comment on the Acer site, but who knows if they're going to read it. Does anyone have any contacts at Acer and could put the message through that they need to pull this?

[hellborn]

Hi I have tried to flash my acer c300 with the supplied boot disk, it boots up and starts to read the disk, after a second or so the lappy starts to beep about 30 times, then the light on the usb floppy goes off and it beeps another 26 or so times then one long beep then it goes 3 beeps 1 short beep then 5 beeps and it stops making noise, so I disable the bootlock switch and turn it back on and then in goes into a screen saying PLATINUMPAS no valid card or something, I have the main AC plugged in during this whole process, now I am locked out and when I press f2 nothing happens. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[bowsere]

You guys rock. [unworthy]

I don't know who to blame more me or Acer. Since I didn't see anything on their Downloads site about a 301Xci I assumed that I should use the C300 bios. I flashed my bios at 10:30 pm New Years eve with bios 1.13. Needless to say I started the New Year with a paper weight. I checked Acer's support site and there is no mention of this issue or any fixes. I tried to call support but was on hold for over an hour. As I was on hold I ran across your site. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

[KingRoach]

Hello.

I was simply installing Kaspersky on my fully-working Acer TravelMate 4000 (4001Lci), which is a regular laptop. I had installed it before; it worked find, and then I formatted my C: drive. When the installation was complete, I was asked to restart my computer, which is a normal procedure, but it never booted. It has the very same symptoms you guys are describing. I am positive it is the BIOS, even though I have no idea what could have possibley corrupted it!

Anyway, the many pages I found about this actually confused me, and I'm on a different version of TravelMate. I need someone to please give me a clear decscription that you think would work for a TM4000.

Plus, I don't have a USB Floppy drive. Is it possible that it might work if I convert my FLASH disk into what looks like a floppy drive, and acts like a floppy drive with the name A:\?

Thanking you in anticipation.

[nrjoseph]

I must admit i did not follow all the steps involved but could someone please post a final set of instructions to resurrect a C300 from a bad BIOS flash? This thread read better than any thriller as you guys cracked the issue from across the globe !

[nrjoseph]

there is a set of instructions & needed files for anyone screwed with a dead acerTM300 due to a bad bios flash put up by pjara ( thanx man! ) http://www.math.lsu.edu/~pjara/travelmatec300 . wonder why acer posts that bios update with all the drivers !

[nrjoseph]

Pjara's method works. i resurrected my C300 that way. Thanx Pjara !

[Hejsan]

Hi guys!

I tried everything, but with no luck :-( My Acer TravelMate C300 does not want to start reading the floppy. I got this USB floppy drive, prepared the Crisis disk, copied the proper BIOS file on this disk and put it into the USB FDD, connected to the notebook (to the USB port which is closer to the power cord). Then I switched the jumper to Boot Block enabled position, removed battery, DVD-ROM and HDD, connected mains power and switched the notebook ON. It starts beeping (1 long + 2 short beeps) and the Floppy does not start at all. I made about 50 attempts, but nothing happens with floppy. What can I do? I don't know, maybe the USB port is bad... Before flashing it with Winphlash utility, this USB port was giving a power to the USB mouse, but windows didn't want to recognize the device, connected to that USB port. Is there any chance to flash it with DVD-ROM?

[bAN01TgAZ]

Thanks for your help guys,

I bought a c300 and installed a new hdd & os, I downloaded all drivers from acer and was installing them audio, bios... crap!

this thread helped resurect my c300 with ease, I created a crisP588 floppy creator with corrected files

for those that require it grab it from http://hd-wmv.com/bAN01TgAZ/C300.BOOTBLOCK.FLOPPY.rar just plug in a floppy, extract and use 'RUNME.BAT' to do all the work, you will be left with a floppy thats been formatted, bios file, phlash16, minidos.sys on the floppy ready to recover.

I hope this helps you as much as this thread helped me.

I created the rar as i found it moderately difficult to find crisp588 due to the age of the files.