Flash BIOS

[skalb]

Gentelmen I need to flash the BIOS on my system..I'm a computer retard and need simple to understand instructions..I know how to make the floopy,I just need instructions for a child on the actual flash operation..Thank you....

[Kov-Ice]

Unless you have a definite reason for flashing, it's best to leave it alone. If there is an issue causing you to need an updated BIOS, there should be directions on the mobo's website. Is it for the one in your sig?

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice Unless you have a definite reason for flashing, it's best to leave it alone. If there is an issue causing you to need an updated BIOS, there should be directions on the mobo's website. Is it for the one in your sig?

Yes sir it is..The BIOS that I have now was written by a member of the now defunct MSI user to user forum and I believe that something is corrupted in it..It wont let me change anything anymore and I would like to put the "stock "BIOS" .I read the flash instructions on the MSI site and I don't understand what I'm supposed to type to do the flash..

[not important]

MSI instructions for flashing BIOS: http://www.msicomputer.com/support/BIOS_AMI.asp

[skalb]

Originally Posted by not important MSI instructions for flashing BIOS: http://www.msicomputer.com/support/BIOS_AMI.asp

I'm sorry I have read that and I dont understand exactly what to type..Well I guess I'll just try it and it will or wont work...

[TwoRails]

It might help if you tell us what part you don't understand:

7. At the A:\ prompt, you will type in the following command ... a. A:\FLASHUTILITY BIOSFILE.VER ... b. The flash utility will be the .EXE file included in the BIOS you downloaded. For example: ADSFI712.EXE = BIOS FLASH UTILITY ... c. The BIOS file will end with the version number you downloaded. For example: A6728ims.210 = BIOS file version 2.10 8. To update the BIOS using the example above you would type the following command. ... a. A:\ADSFI712 A6728ims.210, then push the enter key.

[Kov-Ice]

skalb, I agree the directions are a bit hard to follow. It will be easier once you have downloaded and unzipped the proper files you need. Inside the extracted zip file, there will be the .exe file to actually do the flash, the BIOS version file, and a couple of documents to tell you what to do.

Most importantly, you must be sure you have the correct mobo model and BIOS version. From the How To doc in the zip file, it says:

2. Know Your model number a. Open your case and look for the MS-XXXX number on the motherboard between the PCI slots, also check the version number that is written there as well. (some motherboards are named like K7T Turbo, make sure you have the right version number) b. Boot up your system & take a look at the top left screen during POST, you should see something like “W6373MS v2.1 122101” This means the board is MS-6373 with BIOS version 2.1 Hint: Many systems are clearing this message very fast, the bios version is then unreadable, you can either press “PAUSE” or disable the “Quick Boot” in the BIOS setup. 3. Download the BIOS that matches your motherboard AND version number (some motherboards are named like K7T Turbo, make sure you have the right version number). BIOS can be found according to the CPU type of your board like if your CPU is Intel P4 478 type then look here http://www.msi.com.tw/support/bios/socket_478.php if you cannot find the BIOS that matches your board, try here http://www.msi.com.tw/support/bios/more.php

Once you have the exact stuff written down, download the proper file from MSI and unzip it. Post back with what's in there once you've done that. We can then help you with what exactly needs to be typed in order to run the flash properly.

[skalb]

Originally Posted by TwoRails It might help if you tell us what part you don't understand:

Ok I know you change the BIOS to boot from the floopy.I dont understand exactly what I type at the A:\ prompt..Here is what is on the floopy..I'm really sorry for being so dumb... The MB is in my sig...Its a 7025 ...MSI K8N NEO2 Platinum MOBO

[Kov-Ice]

When I look that mobo up, I'm taken to THIS page at the MSI site. The top file is the most recent revision, so I'd think that's the one you'd want. When I open it, it contains the following:

7025.txt
How to flash the BIOS.doc
AWFL859G.EXE
W7025NMS.1B0

While the bottom two in my list (and those are the important ones) are in the folder you show, several of the files are different. Where did you find that download? Maybe I looked up the wrong thing?


edit: btw, skalb, it's usually best if you convert your pic to a link, esp. when it's overly big.

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice When I look that mobo up, I'm taken to THIS page at the MSI site. The top file is the most recent revision, so I'd think that's the one you'd want. When I open it, it contains the following: 7025.txt How to flash the BIOS.doc AWFL859G.EXE W7025NMS.1B0 While the bottom two in my list (and those are the important ones) are in the folder you show, several of the files are different. Where did you find that download? Maybe I looked up the wrong thing? edit: btw, skalb, it's usually best if you convert your pic to a link, esp. when it's overly big.

I'm sorry about the picture..I thought I got the floppy files from that site? It wont work?

[Kov-Ice]

I'm sure it's no big deal on the pic. They just like you to try to keep things minimal in the the threads. You can probably still hit Edit on that post to delete the pic and just paste the link for it.

So you don't have the link to where you downloaded that .zip file from, maybe in your history or something? The .exe file and the BIOS file are both the same as what I found, but I don't know what that other stuff is in your screenshot. Did you check if my link has the correct mobo information listed for your board?

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice I'm sure it's no big deal on the pic. They just like you to try to keep things minimal in the the threads. You can probably still hit Edit on that post to delete the pic and just paste the link for it. So you don't have the link to where you downloaded that .zip file from, maybe in your history or something? The .exe file and the BIOS file are both the same as what I found, but I don't know what that other stuff is in your screenshot. Did you check if my link has the correct mobo information listed for your board?

I went back and re downloaded it and now have a floopy that matches yours...

[Kov-Ice]

As long as you're positive that it is the exact match for your mobo model.

If so, then we need to get another opinion on the difference between the directions on the website and those in the .doc file. There are a couple...

First off, the website says:

1. Check your BIOS for BIOS FLASH PROTECTION and make sure it's DISABLED, some motherboards have this function. For Example: K7N420 Pro (MS-6373) – BIOS setup/Integrated Peripherals/BIOS Protect/Disabled

While the .doc file says:

1. Check your BIOS for BIOS FLASH DISABLED and ENABLE it, some boards have this function. For Example: K7N420 Pro (MS-6373) – BIOS setup/Integrated Peripherals/BIOS Protect/Disabled

I would think you'd want to disable flash protection so that the BIOS can be flashed, but I'm not sure.

Secondly, the website tells you to put the BIOS files onto a floppy, while the .doc file says, "WARNING!!!!! DON'T FLASH FROM A FLOPPY DISK!!!!" I would think it would be more reliable to flash from files on the hard drive rather than the floppy, but again... not sure.

Maybe someone can give a definitive answer on these?

While we wait, you'll need to make your bootable floppy disc. Go to Your Computer, right click drive A:, select Format, select copy system files. We'll boot to the DOS prompt with that once we get an answer, and from there we should be able to do the rest.

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice As long as you're positive that it is the exact match for your mobo model. If so, then we need to get another opinion on the difference between the directions on the website and those in the .doc file. There are a couple... First off, the website says: While the .doc file says: I would think you'd want to disable flash protection so that the BIOS can be flashed, but I'm not sure. Secondly, the website tells you to put the BIOS files onto a floppy, while the .doc file says, "WARNING!!!!! DON'T FLASH FROM A FLOPPY DISK!!!!" I would think it would be more reliable to flash from files on the hard drive rather than the floppy, but again... not sure. Maybe someone can give an definitive answer on these? While we wait, you'll need to make your bootable floppy disc. Go to Your Computer, right click drive A:, select Format, select copy system files. We'll boot to the DOS prompt with that once we get an answer, and from there we should be able to do the rest.

RGR Sir...

Ok I created an MSDOS statup disk.....

[skalb]

Ok gentelmen thank you all that tried to help..Tomorrow morning I will just try this on my own and like I said it will either work or it wont..I have a 50/50 chance...

[Kov-Ice]

Let's not do that yet, skalb. A bad flash will render your mobo inoperable. Then we have a whole additional set of problems to work through.

Maybe someone can give an answer to the two questions?

1. Should the BIOS FLASH PROTECTION be Disabled or Enabled?
2. Flash from the C: drive or the floppy?

Once we know those two things, we can go through the proper steps the rest of the way. Have you tried to email MSI support to see what they recommend? There's a form on their website.

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Kov-Ice Let's not do that yet, skalb. A bad flash will render your mobo inoperable. Then we have a whole additional set of problems to work through. Maybe someone can give an answer to the two questions? Should the BIOS FLASH PROTECTION be Disabled or Enabled? Flash from the C: drive or the floppy? Once we know those two things, we can go through the proper steps the rest of the way. Have you tried to email MSI support to see what they recommend? There's a form on their website.

Kov-Ice there is no BIOS FLASH PROTECTION any place in the BIOS.,this is a "custom" BIOS written by someone at the now defunct MSI forum..

[Kov-Ice]

OK, so no worries there then. So let's try to do the flash as the How To .doc instructs...

You made a boot floppy, correct? You also downloaded the proper .zip file?

Now you need to unzip it to your C: drive. Double-click and unzip those files to C:\TEST.

Next, you'd boot with the floppy disk. You may have to go into BIOS and set your boot order to floppy first if it doesn't pick it up the first time you try it. You should boot to the black DOS screen with A:\ showing.

Type C: and press
Type cd\test and press
Your prompt should now say C:\test>
At that prompt, type the name of the .exe file followed by a space followed by the name of the BIOS file. If I'm looking at the same files as you, that would be AWFL859G W7025NMS.1B0

Reboot when it tells you, and do not interrupt your comp as it goes through this process. Fingers crossed, and it should be cool. This advice offered with no representations, warranties, or conditions, express or implied...

[skalb]

Ok will try it in a little bit....

[skalb]

Kov-Ice that wouldnt work. I call tech support at MSI and this is what the sent me..

Sorry, I forgot to send the link…
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...=1&prod_no=587

From: Bryan Bastian
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 11:27 AM
To: 'skalb'
Subject: RE: Here is the Instructions and the bios update link

Dear Customer:

It is bios version 1.0D , click on the link I sent you…
Thanks Bryan Bastian

From: skalb [mailto: skalb@socal.rr.com ]
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 9:21 PM
To: Bryan Bastian
Subject: Re: Here is the Instructions and the bios update link
Bryan I cant find the 1d BIOS on your site..
SKalb

Bryan Bastian wrote:

Dear Customer,
Please use 1.0D…
Instructions :
A: awfl833d w7025nms.1d0
Bryan Bastian

MSI Technial Support Department

Technical Support Engineer

1-626-581-3001 x 179

This wouldnt work either.Booted with the boot disk and then replaced it with the new BIOS disk and typed what he said and it said "bad command or invalid file" so I emaile back and am waiting for their answer...

ITS DONE!!!!!!!!!! MSI called me back and we did on the phone.... Thanks for all of your help....

[Alaron]

What was the trick?

[skalb]

Originally Posted by Alaron What was the trick?

I think I didnt type the spaces right at the A prompt...Not really sure,he just told me what to do and I did and it did..