Joeman …. on some HP/Compaq systems you could hold down a sequence of keys that would force a flash, looking for that now … But I did find this ( of course all this maybe mute because it now has a ASUS BIOS)
The FailSafe Boot Block ROM allows for system recovery in the unlikely event of a ROM flash failure, for example, if a power failure were to occur during a ROM upgrade. The Boot Block is a flash-protected section of the ROM that checks for a valid system ROM flash when power to the system is turned on.
If the system ROM is valid, the system starts normally.
If the system ROM fails the validation check, the FailSafe Boot Block ROM provides enough support to start the system from a ROMPaq diskette, which will program the system ROM with a valid image.
NOTE: Some models also support recovery from a ROMPaq CD.
When the bootblock detects an invalid system ROM, the System Power LED blinks RED 8 times, one every second, followed by a 2-second pause. Also 8 simultaneous beeps will be heard. A Boot Block recovery mode message is displayed on the screen (some models).
NOTE: The beeps continue through five cycles of 8 simultaneous beeps and stop; however, the LED continues blinking until the issue is resolved.
To recover the system after it enters Boot Block recovery mode, complete the following steps:
If there is a diskette in the diskette drive or a CD in the CD drive, remove the media and turn off the power.
Insert a ROMPaq diskette, bootable drive key, or CD.
Turn on power to the system.
If no ROMPaq diskette is found, you will be prompted to insert one and restart the computer.
If a supervisor password has been established, the Caps Lock light will turn on and you will be prompted to enter the password.
Enter the supervisor password.
If the system successfully starts from the media and successfully reprograms the ROM, then the three keyboard lights will turn on. A rising tone series of beeps also signals successful completion.
Remove the media and turn the power off
Turn the power on again to restart the computer.
The following table lists the various keyboard light combinations used by the Boot Block ROM (when a PS/2 keyboard is attached to the computer), and explains the meaning and action associated with each combination.
Failsafe Boot Block Mode
Keyboard LED Color
Keyboard LED Activity
State/Message
Num Lock
Green
On
ROMPaq media not present, is bad, or drive not ready
Caps Lock
Green
On
Enter password.
Num, Caps, Scroll Lock
Green
Blink on in sequence, one-at-a-time – N, C, SL
Keyboard locked in network mode.
Num, Caps, Scroll Lock
Green
On
Boot Block ROM Flash successful. Turn power off, then on to reboot.
NOTE: Diagnostic lights do not flash on USB keyboards.