BIOS flash

[Smoke24]

I need a little help with exactly how to flash the bios on two MSI boards. I need to update the bios for higher processor multipliers and to make the bios temp and fan speed sensors work properly. Is there a place other than Wms Bios Page to get exact instructions, I had no luck with theirs. I also need to know how to get the correct file name of the existing bios in order to save it, just in case. The award id program gives me the string but not the file name that the flasher program asks for.

[WJWheels]

Hey Smokey.. good to see you around. Generally you can save the old bios under any name you want... ie: smoke01.bin

Any bios programs I've used boot from the floppy and either furnish directions on the screen or I know ahead of time, I'm supposed to let the disk do it's stuff and not disturb it till the fdd lights go out.

[Toaster]

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.
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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).]

[WJWheels]

%^$@# showoff!!!! hehehehehe.. thanks for elaborating Toaster..

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In Cyberspace no one can
hear you scheme...

[Smoke24]

Thanks WJ and Toaster, I guess I will give it a try because I can't use either board with my new 750 processor until I get the new bios. If it doesn't work, can't I get MSI to send me a new bios chip preprogrammed? I think I have also seen other places online that also sell them for about $20. I guess you give them the make and model of your board and the bios version and they program you a chip? Is this not correct? One more question, how do you make the required boot disk leaving off all the drivers that are not supposed to be there?

[This message has been edited by Smoke24 (edited 08-10-2000).]

[Toaster]

To make a simple "boot disk" that is suitable for "flash" use, do the following:
If win9x, either start the system in "DOS" mode or use a "DOS box via the DOS icon from the start menu" Insert a diskette into your "A" drive and type "format a:/u/s" (don`t include the quotes).
Copy your BIOS files and flash utility to this diskette. Thats it, then follow my previous suggestion earlier in this topic.

[Smoke24]

Thanks again Toaser, I'll give it a try tonight.

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Take Smoke's advice as fact if it works and fiction if it don't!!!

[AndyM]

Thanks too for the followup on making the boot disk, that was going to be my next question.

[Toaster]

Your welcome guys.

One little note on the boot disk.
That particular boot disk is simply that, a clean start-up diskette without any drivers for "other" devices. This diskette is also handy for virus check software thats reasonably small and runs from the command line. Write protect this diskette after your BIOS flash to prevent infection. Keep the diskette handy for other "clean boot" utilities and such.

[Smoke24]

Hey Toaster,
I did finally get it to flash and it works alright but it did not correct the problem with the temp sensor. One of the bios revisions between my old and the new one I used had that fix, would it not be included in the latest version or do you have to flash with each revision that you need for a fix for your problems? My old was revision 2.2 and the new was 2.7 and there are four in between that fix various problems.

[glc]

Bios revisions are cumulative - no need to use the intermediate flashes.

[Smoke24]

Thanks glc,
I thought that was the case but I can't figure out why the temp sensor still isn't right and I don't show additional multipliers. The bios revision number shows that it did flash?

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Take Smoke's advice as fact if it works and fiction if it don't!!!