Since I was formatting my PC I noticed, when downloading network drivers, that the BIOS for my motherboard (ASUS P8H67-M) was changed significantly since last I updated it.
So I went ahead and downloaded the latest BIOS for this motherboard, and proceeded to install the BIOS during one of the many system restarts needed when setting up a system from scratch.
The update was going well - the update utility recognized the BIOS file and accepted it. At the end, a message that a reboot is required appeared with an OK button.
And here's where things went sour. Pressing enter, the system would proceed to beep wildly with short beeps until I eventually turned the system off (long press of the power button). Now the system is quiet - the fans would spin, but it's as if the CPU was missing.
I tried to clear the CMOS, both using regular means as well as popping out the battery and disconnecting all power. I even detached the memory sticks to see if the system would complain about that (it should beep in a specific fashion when no memory is in the system). Alas - nothing. No beeps, no video signal - only the silent hum of the CPU and PU fans.
I'm a bit baffled by the experience - how is this possible? Did I flash the wrong BIOS? If so, don't these systems check if the model is OK and prevent flashing the wrong thing? I'm having things strange feeling where I feel I did something wrong but at the same time feel I did everything right.
Also, what can I do now?