ECS 331 (Advent 7***) keyboard/mouse/usb fault

[bug_bloke]

Hi all, I know this subject has been discussed to death, however I have not found a working solution yet.

I have an Advent 7105PA (AKA ECS 331) which has the common keyboard/mouse/usb fault. In my case they have all stopped functioning permanently.

I have read and digested all the posts made by others on this subject and have come up with two solutions:
1. Remove and refit BIOS battery to reset BIOS.
2. Make and run bootable cd to autorun the latest/correct BIOS update.

I didn’t know how to make an autorun file so went for option 1. Unfortunately keyboard still doesn’t work and I am now stuck with:

CMOS settings Wrong
CMOS Date/Time Not Set
Press F1 to Run Setup
Press F2 to load default values and continue

So now I can’t even try option 2.

So my question is as follows:
a. What is wrong with the motherboard stopping the keyboard from working?
b. Can this specific fault be repaired, (i.e. replace Bios chip)?
c. Is there a service/repair manual for the ECS 331?
d. Where can I get a working motherboard (New or used)?
e. Is there a way of bypassing the “Press F1 or F2” so I can autorun a CD?

Thanks for your help

[megatron]

I had a similar problem with a 7087, this was caused by a faulty battery. If I removed main battery and booted using ac power everything worked fine but with battery fitted it would boot to windows desktop then freeze. Worth a try

[ChrisWJ]

similar problem here too.

might be worth inserting a USB keyboard see if that will work with F2

[ChrisWJ]

ok update on what I've been able to do so far..

Advent 7096 ECS 331 (laptop) keyboard works. just not the USB (I'm guessing this is the start of the whole keyboard and USB issues I've read about with this laptop.

I've flashed the bios chip to and from 2005 and 2006 bios update dates what was on the ECS website, to remendy the problem with no success.

when in windows the USB devices aways popup as unknown, at first I thought it was a drivers issue, but even as I try and use a USB storage device for booting up ( which I've done many times before ) the bios isnt picking up the device from what I can gather. all solder points on the motherboard checked and are ok.. so I asume its IRQ or similar issue from the Bios.

While in the bios you can usualy insert the USB storage device and get it picked up, from which I can see its searching but not getting recognized.

is there any way to reset the IRQ settings for the USB and other controlers ?

even tryed the motherboard switches next to the bios chip; switch 1 clears cmos I asume others change bus speed ect.

any help ?

Thanks in advance

[ChrisWJ]

I've seen in various areas in reguards to the bios... A Top-hat.. this is ment to write a default bios to the chip so that it can be updated to a new bios version.

Just wondering if their is a Top-Hat for the ECS 331 ? and if so would it make any differance ?

[ChrisWJ]

another quickie...

Has anyone tryed editing a bios ROM to unhide the various options that should be available? seen as this is my last resort and nothing to lose, I might as well give it a go.

I'll post again the results if any. seems a shame that a laptop only a few years old still suffers the same problem with no fix.

[ChrisWJ]

Well upon first inspection of the bios rom their is only one option thats hidden "ECS PowerNOW! Configuration" which wouldnt be of any help anyway.

I'll look into DMI & PCI IRQ setting a bit more. As I look in the DMI settings I can see :

8. Port Connector information (type 8 ) J1A1 PS2mouse
9. Port Connector information (type 8 ) J1A1 Keyboard
10. Port Connector information (type 8 ) J2A2 USB 1
11. Port Connector information (type 8 ) J2A2 USB 2

as I know these are the problem areas I'll see what I can find

[Azher]

Hi,

Have you found the solution for your problem???
I am facing similar problem and found motherboard schematic... haven't time to go thru

If you need the schematics let me know

Azher

[sparkyuiop]

I had this keyboard / USB fault and tried to flash the BIOS chip directly with my Nano programmer. Unfortunately the BIOS chip is the SST39VF040 which requires an additional add-on adapter to flash, which I did not have.
I decided to make a emulated floppy BIOS CD with the ECS 311 (the Advent 7*** is just a re-badged ECS 311) BIOS update containing the fix for this issue. I have uploaded the ISO for you to burn http://www.4shared.com/file/Z_-ApIWl/FLASHCD.html.

I removed the motherboard from the laptop, fitted the RAM, power switch assembly, keyboard and DVD drive directly on my workbench (being careful not to short anything out!) and connected the power and an external desktop monitor to the VGA socket.

I messed about with this for ages, flipping those four DIP switches next to the BIOS chip, powering on and off, removing the BIOS battery etc with no joy what-so-ever! I was about to give up when on my last shot I did this:

I had only the AC adapter plugged in with no battery and the BIOS battery was also installed correctly.
The motherboard was switched off but the adapter was switched on.
The BIOS CD was in the drive.
I flipped all the DIP switches to ON and then OFF again.
I held F2 on the keyboard and hit the power button.
The Keyboard had been detected and began to boot the CD!
CD loaded with an error (probably my fault but not an issue).
At the command prompt i typed "afudos $331_807.bmn /p /b /n /c" (without the quotes).
BIOS flashed successfully, problem solved!

This may not work first time but I'm pretty sure it will in the end. I hope this helps anyone with this issue.

sparkyuiop

[sparkyuiop]

Just to update:

24 hours later, same thing again!

WHY!!! ANYONE?

[Ranibeke]

ECS produced some real junk notebooks. The 331-based notebooks should be consigned to the recycling bin.

Try a slightly different approach with the switches, move them all up and switch on with just mains, count to 6, disconnect from the mains, put the switches back down then reboot.

It could be that yours has transitioned from a BIOS issue to the mobo failure scenario.

It is rumoured that the Shuttle team producing the current range of Advents moved from ECS so expect more of the same.