PCMech Forums - View Single Post

Toaster · 08-09-2000, 07:20 PM

Hi folks,
Flashing a system board BIOS can be devestating to the system board if done incorrectly. Virtually all BIOS flash utilities give SPECIFIC instructions which should be followed exactly and to the letter.
Omitting any step or taking steps out of order can be permanently damaging to the BIOS/system board. In lieu of these instructions, the majority of BIOS flsh utilities ask you to do the following in this order:
Make a copy of all BIOS settings either by printing them or hand written. If you have access to a UPS, now is the time to have it online and fully charged. It is highly recommended that you do a scan for any virus activity PRIOR to flashing and verify the system is "clean" before you begin.
READ THE README file that ships with the flash utility/BIOS file before you begin and FOLLOW THOSE directions instead of these if any. The following procedure is very typical of almost all BIOS flash utilities and can be used IF NONE OTHER ARE AVAILABLE.
*********************************************

1. Make a boot disk but DO NOT include *any* memory management drivers of ANY sort.
(no himem, emm386, etc.)
2. Copy the BIOS flash utility to the newly created boot disk along with the BIOS update file. (if zipped, unzip them and put them into the root directory of the boot disk)
3. Restart/start the system with the boot disk. DO NOT use the "exit to DOS" option of Win9x, boot from the diskette. When done correctly, the system will start and drop you off at the "a" prompt.
NEVER flash a BIOS while in Win9x, this includes a DOS box or DOS prompt "shell".
4. Execute the flash utility "EXE" file followed by the filename of the BIOS update file. Example: Awdflsh bios.bin.
A space may be required, this is typical.
5. The BIOS utility will ask you if you wish to save your old BIOS. Answer yes and furnish a name in the field. Name this file something you can remember and keep the filename to 8 char. or less. In most cases, the extension of the file name you choose will/should have the extention "BIN". DO NOT ATTEMPT to use long file names.
6. Here is the fun part. The BIOS utility will ask confirmation to flash. Answer yes to proceed and WAIT until it completes. This can take in excess of 1 min, be patient.
7. Upon *successful* completion, restart the system, enter your BIOS set-up screen and check/change your BIOS settings to values you had PRIOR to the flash. Restart and all should be well. You are done.
8. Upon *unsucessful* completion, repeat the above steps, avoid shutting down the system until you succeed. If the flash program simply exits without updating the BIOS, you are trying to do something you shouldn`t or you blew it on the flash command line. Go back to the source of the BIOS file and BE CERTAIN you have the correct flash before proceeding once again.

[This message has been edited by Toaster (edited 08-10-2000).]

08-09-2000, 07:20 PM	#3
Toaster Member (13 bit) Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Now in Phoenix, AZ. Where next? Only 8 states left to see. Posts: 4,661	Hi folks, Flashing a system board BIOS can be devestating to the system board if done incorrectly. Virtually all BIOS flash utilities give SPECIFIC instructions which should be followed exactly and to the letter. Omitting any step or taking steps out of order can be permanently damaging to the BIOS/system board. In lieu of these instructions, the majority of BIOS flsh utilities ask you to do the following in this order: Make a copy of all BIOS settings either by printing them or hand written. If you have access to a UPS, now is the time to have it online and fully charged. It is highly recommended that you do a scan for any virus activity PRIOR to flashing and verify the system is "clean" before you begin. READ THE README file that ships with the flash utility/BIOS file before you begin and FOLLOW THOSE directions instead of these if any. The following procedure is very typical of almost all BIOS flash utilities and can be used IF NONE OTHER ARE AVAILABLE. ********************************************* 1. Make a boot disk but DO NOT include any memory management drivers of ANY sort. (no himem, emm386, etc.) 2. Copy the BIOS flash utility to the newly created boot disk along with the BIOS update file. (if zipped, unzip them and put them into the root directory of the boot disk) 3. Restart/start the system with the boot disk. DO NOT use the "exit to DOS" option of Win9x, boot from the diskette. When done correctly, the system will start and drop you off at the "a" prompt. NEVER flash a BIOS while in Win9x, this includes a DOS box or DOS prompt "shell". 4. Execute the flash utility "EXE" file followed by the filename of the BIOS update file. Example: Awdflsh bios.bin. A space may be required, this is typical. 5. The BIOS utility will ask you if you wish to save your old BIOS. Answer yes and furnish a name in the field. Name this file something you can remember and keep the filename to 8 char. or less. In most cases, the extension of the file name you choose will/should have the extention "BIN". DO NOT ATTEMPT to use long file names. 6. Here is the fun part. The BIOS utility will ask confirmation to flash. Answer yes to proceed and WAIT until it completes. This can take in excess of 1 min, be patient. 7. Upon successful completion, restart the system, enter your BIOS set-up screen and check/change your BIOS settings to values you had PRIOR to the flash. Restart and all should be well. You are done. 8. Upon unsucessful completion, repeat the above steps, avoid shutting down the system until you succeed. If the flash program simply exits without updating the BIOS, you are trying to do something you shouldn`t or you blew it on the flash command line. Go back to the source of the BIOS file and BE CERTAIN you have the correct flash before proceeding once again. [This message has been edited by Toaster (edited 08-10-2000).]