If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Flashing BIOS on Windows 2000/XP - Help
Since I'm upgrading my graphics card to a fairly
new one (9800XT) and have also just added a new hard drive, I've decided to upgrade my motherboard BIOS and drivers. From the ASUS website, I've gotten the latest for my model number (A7A266): * BIOS number = 1012 * ALi Integrated Driver v1.04 I've seen it recommended that you should only use the DOC BIOS flash utility aflash.exe. However, this obviously only works on DOS rather than from the XP command prompt; for example, the aflash.exe manual states you should: -- 1. Type FORMAT A:/S at the DOS prompt to create a bootable system floppy disk. -- However, this command doesn't work from the command line in XP. Searching for details hasn't come up with much; some postings mentioned the site www.bootdisk.com, without mentioning specific details. Am I supposed to: 1. Use the utility at http://files.frashii.com/~bootdisk/622-514.exe to create a DOS 6.2.2 boot floppy disk 2. Copy aflash.exe and the relevant BIOS update file (in this case, AA261012.AWD) to the boot disk. 3. Boot up using the disk. ? This all seems to be a bit of a hack in this non-DOS days - is this really the most reliable way to update an ASUS BIOS? Thanks, P. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Paul Moloney wrote:
I can't actually quote what you wrote since everything below "-- " is snipped as it is the delimiter for your signature. Booting into a single tasking OS (such as DOS) is the most reliable way of updating your BIOS, yes. The first (and last) time I updated a BIOS in Windows, Windows crashed mid-way, rendering the board useless. Ben -- A7N8X FAQ: www.ben.pope.name/a7n8x_faq.html Questions by email will likely be ignored, please use the newsgroups. I'm not just a number. To many, I'm known as a String... |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without
the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. http://www.hellasystems.de/ftp/Utili...0/drdflash.exe Use the German version flash utility 2.21 because it has two useful dos programs that allow you to save your existing bios settings to a text file and it allows you to clear the CMOS without having to short the solder pads or jumpers. ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIO.../aflash221.zip Unzip the utilities and the new flash file to the boot disk, leaving it unlocked. Boot off the floppy disk. Save your current bios settings to a text file using the CMOS program just for reference. When you run Aflash, save your current bios file to the floppy before flashing with the new file just in case you may need it. Flash to the new file and then clear the cmos with the clrcmos program. When you re-Boot to bios the very first time load the setup defaults. This is the most reliable way. "Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... Since I'm upgrading my graphics card to a fairly new one (9800XT) and have also just added a new hard drive, I've decided to upgrade my motherboard BIOS and drivers. From the ASUS website, I've gotten the latest for my model number (A7A266): * BIOS number = 1012 * ALi Integrated Driver v1.04 I've seen it recommended that you should only use the DOC BIOS flash utility aflash.exe. However, this obviously only works on DOS rather than from the XP command prompt; for example, the aflash.exe manual states you should: -- 1. Type FORMAT A:/S at the DOS prompt to create a bootable system floppy disk. -- However, this command doesn't work from the command line in XP. Searching for details hasn't come up with much; some postings mentioned the site www.bootdisk.com, without mentioning specific details. Am I supposed to: 1. Use the utility at http://files.frashii.com/~bootdisk/622-514.exe to create a DOS 6.2.2 boot floppy disk 2. Copy aflash.exe and the relevant BIOS update file (in this case, AA261012.AWD) to the boot disk. 3. Boot up using the disk. ? This all seems to be a bit of a hack in this non-DOS days - is this really the most reliable way to update an ASUS BIOS? Thanks, P. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"tomcas" wrote in message et...
The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? Thanks, P. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
it is not a program; it is the act of physically shorting out the two pins
on the motherboard after removing AC power and the battery. If you don't do it you MIGHT have problems due to old values of BIOS setting "stuck" in the old value. "Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... "tomcas" wrote in message et... The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? Thanks, P. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... "tomcas" wrote in message et... The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", The aflash version with the two utilities is available to the best of my knowledge only thru the German site and then only thru the ftp server. All other versions do not contain these utilities. Here's the link- ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIO.../aflash221.zip Just login anonymously, but if it fails to login you can assume they are over the 100 anonymous user limit and you will have to try later when it's slower so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. Yes, you can. Do it the old fashion way by shorting the solder pads or jumpers shown in your mobo manual. Make sure you unplug your powersupply first. I've seen requirements to remove the CMOS battery also before shorting the leads but I've always left the battery in place. If you remove the battery for an extended period of time you don't even need to short the leads as the CMOS will clear when it looses it's charge. .. What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? It will pretty much reset all the bios settings to ones which have the greatest compatibilty under general conditions. Most of the settings will be auto detect and things like advanced memory settings and overclocking will not be enabled. Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Not really, although you are least likely to have initial boot problems if you always do it when you flash. Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? I can email it to you, or you can get it from the German Asus FTP. Thanks, P. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
In this case they are programs. They run in dos, typically from the same
floppy used to flash your bios. The program called "CMOS" (version 1.04t) will record all of your bios settings to a text file. The program called "clrcmos" will clear you cmos without have to open the case and short the jumpers. Why not give them a try. You probably don't want to clear you cmos now but writing all the bios settings to a text file is good insurance just in case. ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIO.../aflash221.zip "no_one" wrote in message news it is not a program; it is the act of physically shorting out the two pins on the motherboard after removing AC power and the battery. If you don't do it you MIGHT have problems due to old values of BIOS setting "stuck" in the old value. "Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... "tomcas" wrote in message et... The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? Thanks, P. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Hi,
Flash utility has switches. One is for clearning CMOS. Tony tomcas wrote: "Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... "tomcas" wrote in message et... The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", The aflash version with the two utilities is available to the best of my knowledge only thru the German site and then only thru the ftp server. All other versions do not contain these utilities. Here's the link- ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIO.../aflash221.zip Just login anonymously, but if it fails to login you can assume they are over the 100 anonymous user limit and you will have to try later when it's slower so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. Yes, you can. Do it the old fashion way by shorting the solder pads or jumpers shown in your mobo manual. Make sure you unplug your powersupply first. I've seen requirements to remove the CMOS battery also before shorting the leads but I've always left the battery in place. If you remove the battery for an extended period of time you don't even need to short the leads as the CMOS will clear when it looses it's charge. . What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? It will pretty much reset all the bios settings to ones which have the greatest compatibilty under general conditions. Most of the settings will be auto detect and things like advanced memory settings and overclocking will not be enabled. Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Not really, although you are least likely to have initial boot problems if you always do it when you flash. Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? I can email it to you, or you can get it from the German Asus FTP. Thanks, P. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Tony
I don't understand. Can you answer something for me- Are you saying that the Aflash utility has the ability to clear the CMOS by itself? If so what is the switch and why did they bundle a separate program called clrcmos? Or are you saying the clrcmos is the switch? "Tony Hwang" wrote in message news:7gERb.299475$JQ1.269549@pd7tw1no... Hi, Flash utility has switches. One is for clearning CMOS. Tony tomcas wrote: "Paul Moloney" wrote in message om... "tomcas" wrote in message et... The easiest and safest way to make a boot disk for flashing purposes without the risk of running low on memory during flashing is to simply download Dr. Dos Boot Disk. [snip] Thanks for that info - it was a big help. I succesfully flashed a test machine (that is, not mine and will upgrade my own later. However, the aflash.exe I used came in an archive aflash221.zip that didn't contain any CMOS-related program or any called "clrcmos", The aflash version with the two utilities is available to the best of my knowledge only thru the German site and then only thru the ftp server. All other versions do not contain these utilities. Here's the link- ftp://ftp.asuscom.de/pub/ASUSCOM/BIO.../aflash221.zip Just login anonymously, but if it fails to login you can assume they are over the 100 anonymous user limit and you will have to try later when it's slower so I wasn't able clear the CMOS. Yes, you can. Do it the old fashion way by shorting the solder pads or jumpers shown in your mobo manual. Make sure you unplug your powersupply first. I've seen requirements to remove the CMOS battery also before shorting the leads but I've always left the battery in place. If you remove the battery for an extended period of time you don't even need to short the leads as the CMOS will clear when it looses it's charge. . What exactly does clearing the CMOS mean? It will pretty much reset all the bios settings to ones which have the greatest compatibilty under general conditions. Most of the settings will be auto detect and things like advanced memory settings and overclocking will not be enabled. Does _not_ carrying out this action cause any harm? Not really, although you are least likely to have initial boot problems if you always do it when you flash. Can you tell me where I might find this program seperately? I can email it to you, or you can get it from the German Asus FTP. Thanks, P. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
how to test psu and reset to cmos to default | Tanya | General | 23 | February 7th 05 09:56 AM |
abit kt7raid - bios 7n and in windows 2000 using driver 2.34 and still only see 127gig not 160gig HD why? | siego | Abit Motherboards | 2 | January 24th 04 05:26 PM |
Downgrading the BIOS of my p4p800-vm...possible? | KILOWATT | Asus Motherboards | 3 | January 2nd 04 08:37 PM |
Install SB16 or Live Value in FIC VA-503+ with Windows | Woody | General | 2 | July 10th 03 08:28 AM |
bios hung while flashing | mdp | General | 1 | June 23rd 03 11:18 AM |