Updating my MB BIOS

[radar_1_2000]

I need help flashing my bios. Please if you decide to help, I need to be directed as if I were a child. I don't want to mess this up, and I have little experience in messing with DOS.

What I have is an ASUS A7V MB, 900MHZ T-BIRD, 256 MB RAM system that I built myself about 2 years ago.
I do have the instructions from the ASUS web page on HOW TO MANAGE your MOTHERBOARDS BIOS. However, there is some knowledge that I am deficient of that I need someones help.

I have a blank, formatted, floppy disk.
I have a WINDOWS 98 START UP DISK that I created when I first built my system.

Now, the first instructions from ASUS is to create a bootable system floppy disk by typing {FORMAT A:/S from the DOS prompt without creating "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and "CONFIG.SYS" files.
THEN Copy AFLASH.EXE to the just created boot disk.
THEN Run AFLASH.EXE from the new disk............

Can someone walk me through this first step, and then I will reply and go on from here...... Please be very basic like you were explaining my 9 year old son.............. thanks.

[morriswindgate]

http://www.pcmech.com/show/bios/81/

[glc]

Don't use a startup disk, it loads stuff into memory that you don't want. You want to put a blank floppy in the drive, open a DOS prompt, and type:

format a: /s

Then, as indicated, copy the aflash.exe and the bios file to that disk.

However, can you tell us why you want to flash the bios? If it's working fine, don't. The only reason to flash a bios is to address a specific issue.

[radar_1_2000]

Thanks glc, this type of instruction helps me.

I have trying to capture video on my computer since I built it with limited success. I have ATI RADEON 64 MB DDR video card, but I have had "severe lock ups" ever since I've had it. I have been able to get it to work, but never know when it will lock up. Sometimes I lose complete video, and always have to restart. I've looked at every issue including IRQ assignments and everything they suggested. Updating my bios is the one thing I've avoided doing and I've never done it.

ATI finally has put out a bunch of new drivers and video capture software on the net. I've downloaded them all. I can know capture video, and actually do it, but like I said, I'm tired of the "lock ups". This is why I'm looking to update the bios.

Radar

[Cricket]

Originally posted by radar_1_2000 I have trying to capture video on my computer since I built it with limited success. I have ATI RADEON 64 MB DDR video card, but I have had "severe lock ups" ever since I've had it. I have been able to get it to work, but never know when it will lock up. Sometimes I lose complete video, and always have to restart. I can know capture video, and actually do it, but like I said, I'm tired of the "lock ups". This is why I'm looking to update the bios. Radar

How's your case cooling? Do you have any case fans installed? Lock ups and freezes can be caused by high temperatures. What kind of CPU and system temps are you getting?

Cricket

[radar_1_2000]

No, cooling is no problem. I've checked that. I have a Tornado 1000 Case with the power fan and 3 additional cooling fans, plus the video card fan itself. In fact, I think i'm over cooled. Anyway, I've checked temperatures and they've been fine.

[radar_1_2000]

Well, I was able to do the "format a: /s". That worked. But where is the AFLASH.EXE? Had a friend over, and we looked and searched all the C:\ Drive for this file, can't find. Tried the dos copy command to copy to a:, but no AFLASH.EXE file? Can I down load this from the net? I thought it was already on the hard drive? Can someone explain?

Thanks,
Radar

[Cricket]

Originally posted by radar_1_2000 Well, I was able to do the "format a: /s". That worked. But where is the AFLASH.EXE? Had a friend over, and we looked and searched all the C:\ Drive for this file, can't find. Tried the dos copy command to copy to a:, but no AFLASH.EXE file? Can I down load this from the net? I thought it was already on the hard drive? Can someone explain?

You have to go to the motherboard maker's website and download the flash utility from there. It might come in a zipped file along with the BIOS update .bin file. Should be located on the download page or section where you get the BIOS update from.

Cricket

[Needtoknow]

its on the ASUS website, Under "downloads" then under something like "How to manage your motherboard's BIOS" It's in the body of the instructions, like a link.
Download it to your floppy. Then go to the appropriate BIOS download and download it. Then Remember to Unzip the BIOS update TO the floppy .
Read Windows help on how to start upwithout autoexec.bat and config.sys files, it's an easy to get to option after you hold down control button on restart.( Option "6" on win 98.)
The instructions on the website are pretty good with illustrations.
Run aflash.exe
follow the instructions, it doesnt blow up or anything if you get goofy.. just reboot into windows and figure out where you went wrong. I just did an Asus for the first time last week, so this is all fresh. Good luck

[radar_1_2000]

Thanks Needtoknow, I know the ASUS websight, but didn't know they had the AFLASH.exe somewhere there. I'll find it.

RADAR

[radar_1_2000]

QUESTION?
I've got to the point where I ran AFLASH and chose the option to save current BIOS to file. When I saved it, it asked me to name the file. I just named in REV1004, and saved it to the disk. Should I have given it some sort of extension? Like REV1004.dat or something like that?

I saved the two updated BIOS revs. from ASUS for my MB. Each one has a note on what problems they intended to fix. Of course neither of these problems have anything do with video capture as such. I'm just wondering if this is worth the while. I think I will do it regardless just to be able to do it in the future if needed.
Oh, will this change all my settings in BIOS?
Any other opinions about updating bios?

Thanks,
RADAR

[Cricket]

Originally posted by radar_1_2000 QUESTION? I've got to the point where I ran AFLASH and chose the option to save current BIOS to file. When I saved it, it asked me to name the file. I just named in REV1004, and saved it to the disk. Should I have given it some sort of extension? Like REV1004.dat or something like that?

No, the program will give it the proper extension.

Originally posted by radar_1_2000 I'm just wondering if this is worth the while. I think I will do it regardless just to be able to do it in the future if needed.

Normally, it's recommended to only flash the BIOS if the update fixes a existing problem as there is the risk that the flash will go bad and could render your system inoperable. I haven't had any problems with BIOS updates yet...but you never know.

Originally posted by radar_1_2000 Oh, will this change all my settings in BIOS? Any other opinions about updating bios?

I haven't done a BIOS update in awhile, but I don't recall the BIOS settings being changed after the flash. I think it would be a good idea to go through the BIOS and write down your settings and then clear the BIOS just prior to the flash process.

Cricket

[redbaron_snoopy]

It's good practise to clear the BIOS after flashing, then redo the settings again.
Your problem may not be bios related. If cooling and video drivers are not the problem, try the latest VIA drivers. It's a better bet.

[radar_1_2000]

Seems I have sucessfully flashed my BIOS. Whether my system will run any better is yet to be seen. Thanks for your help everyone!

RADAR