a7n8x deluxe and bios 1005 - big problem

I have the a7n8x deluxe mobo version 2.0 which came with bios v1003. I
downloaded and updated the bios to 1005 from the asus site. All was
well until I changed some minor settings, exited and saved the bios.
The mb went dead. Fans and mobo llight only - no cpu mem video etc,
would not reset ... nothing. Next my supplier replaced the board, and
flashed it to 1005 himself. The same thing has happened again with
him. He thinks the bios chip is dead.
Please can anyone advise what might be happening. Is this a known
problem?
Thanks.