updating BIOS question(s) ...

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:41 pm

The instruction in the manual tell me to "make a bootable floppy disk" and then "copy the necessary files onto it".

Does this mean I click the option "Create an MS-DOS startup disk" when formatting a 3.5" disk ?

THanks.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 3:46 pm

Now I'm even more confused... the book is telling me to put these things on disk and then put them to disk, boot to DOS and then type the following:

A:\AWDFLASH se6_sw.bin /cc /cd /cp /py /sn /cks /r_

However... when I look at the "read me" file that came with the new BIOS download, it gives me these instructions:

1. How to upgrade BIOS:

a. Boot into MS-DOS or "Safe mode and command prompt" if you are using
Windows95/98
b. Run "bh712.exe" to extract all files.
c. Run "runme.bat"

*** Please notice that we suggest you flashing the bios with switches

"/py /sn /cd /cp /cc /cks /R" or by "runme.bat".

d. For more detail, please visit:

http://fae.abit.com.tw/cht/download/bioshelp.htm (Chinese)
http://fae.abit.com.tw/eng/download/bioshelp.htm (English)

2.After BIOS updated, pull off the power cord and then clear the CMOS data
via jumper before restarting system please.

I am so confused !! This is telling me to do 2 different thigns.. or at least 2 different ways.

Stef · Post by **Stef** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 4:36 pm

Unless you've encountered a serious bug in your motherboards BIOS an upgrade is not recomended.

For one, if your upgrade fails your motherboard will no longer boot.

Also, you should always backup your previous version of your motherboard's BIOS before attempting an upgrade.

That way if you downloaded a corrupted file or your flash is interrupted you have something to fall back on. If your upgraded version of your BIOS contains new bugs which prevent some sort of functionality you'll need to downgrade to the original BIOS version.

What your manufacturer is saying is very basic. If your running Windows boot into MS-DOS mode and run the batch file to upgrade your BIOS. If your running NT or UNIX make an MS-DOS boot disk and use it to upgrade the BIOS.

Stef

Duzmor · Post by **Duzmor** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 5:13 pm

Get a Clean Floppie: Copy the AWDFLASH Exe. pgm and the .Bin file to the Floppie ( Wright down the Bin file numbers)

Now use a Win 98 se start up disk to get to Does (Like if you were going to Format a Win 98 OS) at the A: type in AWDFLASH Exe. (That will bring up the Flash Pgm) Type in the Bin. File Just like you copyed it - That will start the flash -

Duzmor

Duz !!

Jamie_R · Post by **Jamie_R** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 5:39 pm

mountainman - what kind of mobo do you have again? some boards come w/ utilities now that will flash the BIOS from windows w/o having to make the floppy .... I know for a fact Intel and MSI have it .........

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 6:02 pm

Thanks for the info.

My mobo is an Abit BH7.

When I boot up, there is an option at the FIRST screen when it reads all the devices that says:

ALT+F2 to enter AWDFLASH

Do you think if I got that program with the bin file on a disk, that makes it go right to that ?

Thanks guys.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 6:04 pm

what i do is download a doctor dos boot disk and add the bin file, adfalsh or which ever utility is needed.

also make sure to set the bios to the most stable settings first just in case, no overclocks.

if it gives you the option to save the current bios do so.

ScottE · Post by **ScottE** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 9:22 pm

Originally posted by mountainman
Thanks for the info.

My mobo is an Abit BH7.

When I boot up, there is an option at the FIRST screen when it reads all the devices that says:

ALT+F2 to enter AWDFLASH

Do you think if I got that program with the bin file on a disk, that makes it go right to that ?

Thanks guys.

Yeah you just get the .bin file on a disk, reboot the computer and press Alt+F2 and it upgrades the flash for you. Think it even backs up the old one first. Did that for a friend of mines computer alot easier than fishing for my old DOS6.22 Disks that I use as boot disks.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 12:58 am

Nice.

Thanks for the info.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 10:58 am

I would do it just as the manual says.

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 10:53 pm

Wow. Done.

Nice - n - smooth.

1) Put files on disk.
2) Restart computer.
3) Press ALT+F2
4) Wait for process to finish.
5) Remove disk as computer restarts.
6) Enjoy new BIOS.