Learn to update bios !!!

[mrjeejay99]

Hi, there.
I'm using P4G8X deluxe with bios revision 1003.

I have few question. I'm new and haven't flash bios before in my life.

I'm planning to flash it to version 1005.
But there is version 1004 also.
Will version 1005 have all the added stuff like version 1004.
Or version 1005 doesn't include all the stuff in version 1004.
And i also don't know how to flash a bios...
Can i use "Asus Update" software to update my bios, or any other way.
"Asus Update comes with my motherboard CD"
Please tell me whish way to use and how to use it.

Please help me, i couldn't find any post about bios update in this forum.

What should i do after the update. Will all my hardware work like normal after the update, or should i do any changes to the bios later.

Please help me, i really need an update.
Thanks

If you love something set it free, if it doesn't come back, hunt it down and kill it !!!

 

[rebturtle]

You'll probably get various opinions on this one between using AWDFlash and ASUS update. Strangely, ASUS' own site does not mention ASUS update in it's BIOS-Flashing instructions (<A HREF="http://www.asus.com.tw/support/english/techref/bios/index.aspx" target="_new">here</A>), although I use it exclusively for all of their products. It is much more user-friendly and is run in Windows. It is important to turn off other programs before running it, though. A crash halfway through the Flashing procedure would be very, very bad - to say the least.

BIOS updates are traditionally backwards compatible, only removing items the previous version had if there was a very good reason to. I have run versions 1003, 1004, and now 1005 on my board, and I can say each one was an improvement.

You may find that logging onto or downloading files from ASUS' servers can be a patience-testing feat at times. Sometimes it's easier for me do download the new BIOS from their regular site, unzip it and then choose "flash from file" in ASUS update. You will have to do this for Beta BIOSes also, as ASUS Update will not search for them. When it finishes flashing you will need to reboot, enter the new BIOS and reset all of your settings.

I have used AWDFlash also. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, it's just a little more time-consuming (i.e. "I need a d*mn floppy. Where did I put all the floppies?!").
Good luck and be careful!

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<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/rebturtle/TurtleTech.html" target="_new">My System</A>

 

[mrjeejay99]

thanks man,
I think, i'll do it with Asus Update.....
Hope everything runs smoothly

Thanks

If you love something set it free, if it doesn't come back, hunt it down and kill it !!!

 

[FO_SHO]

i don't have an Asus board, (epox) but was wondering, when you do the update flash in windows, do you underclock your CPU back to default or can you leave it overclocked???

 

[rebturtle]

Actually, flashing the BIOS restets all settings to default, which means the CPU boots up in safe mode (below normal clock). Of course, it's a mandatory reboot and you need to go in to the BIOS to adjust all of your settings anyways, so it's not a big deal.

<A HREF="http://rebturtle.com" target="_new">rebturtle</A>
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/rebturtle/TurtleTech.html" target="_new">My System</A>

 

[mrjeejay99]

Hi,
I just updated my bios to version 1005.

How do i disable the SATA raid controller in my bios.
Everytime i boot, it checks for the SATA device for about 30 second to 1 minute, then it boot to windows.
This is wasting time since i do not use any SATA device.
Last time my friend disabled it for me, but now i couldn't contact him.

Please tell me the way to disable it.

I couldn't find it my manual book.....

Maybe there is some special word for that which i don't understand...
Please help.......
Thanks...

If you love something set it free, if it doesn't come back, hunt it down and kill it !!!

 

[rebturtle]

Theres a jumper you have to change on the board, just below and to the right of the Cmos battery. With the computer off, pull off the jumper and move it to the right. This will disable SATA. Use page 19 in the manual for reference.

<A HREF="http://rebturtle.com" target="_new">rebturtle</A>
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/rebturtle/TurtleTech.html" target="_new">My System</A>

 

[mrjeejay99]

Hi bro, thanks for your answer. You took your time to have a look in the manual.
I'll try to disable it.
But the last time my friend did, he disabled it in the bios. But i couldn't find it there.
If you get to know how to disable it in the bios, please tell me.

Thanks rebturtle for your help, i appreaciate that...

If you love something set it free, if it doesn't come back, hunt it down and kill it !!!

 

[Waspy]

Hmm, I'm having major problems. I can't boot into Windows 2000 (getting a blue screen of death...memory error thing). When I boot into Windows 2000 Safe Mode I can't install the ASUS Update, it gives me all kinds of funky errors, I think it's because I'm in safe mode, but I can't get into regular mode until I have updated the BIOS. What is the best way out of this problem?

 

[ChipDeath]

I can't get into regular mode until I have updated the BIOS.

Ummm... How do you know that? I would be willing to bet that your BIOS is not causing your problems.

It's extremely rare for a BIOS to cause crashes like you describe.

Make sure you're not suffering from dodgy RAM, power supply, or whatever. Download Memtest86 to check for bad memory, and check voltages aren't dropping. Also, if the air being blown out by your Power supply is very warm it indicates it's struggling a little.

When did your problems start? has the PC always done this, or did it work fine for a while and then screw up?

---
"Sex without love is an empty experience...
But as empty experiences go, it's one of the best" - Woody Allen

 

[Waspy]

Yep you are right, that wasn't the problem, I used EZFlash to update my BIOS.

Well see, I had all these parts in a different case. But I'm upgrading and want to keep my case so I'm handing these parts down to my father. I never had any problems when the items were in the other case so I couldn't believe RAM could up and go bad. I guess there is a good chance it could be the power supply then. I'll try hooking the power supply from the computer that all this used to be connected to into the components and see if it will boot then.

 

[Waspy]

I just used the same power supply that all of the components were connected to previously, and I get the same error. It must be something with Windows 2000, I guess I will have to clean off the drive the best I can, then format it and see if I run into any problems.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Waspy on 01/04/05 07:17 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[ChipDeath]

before going to all that effort, I would try running memtest86. It might not actually be bad ram as such - it might just be that for some reason it's now trying to run more agressive timings or something.

Better to spend a couple of hours letting memtest have a check than spend them re-installing only to find the same problem.

It could still just be a screwed-up OS install, but What've you got to lose apart from a couple of hours while you're watching TV or something?

---
"Sex without love is an empty experience...
But as empty experiences go, it's one of the best" - Woody Allen