Flashing BIOS

[DanDaMan315]

Abit KV8 mobo, I am trying to update the bios this board. I downloaded the update from Abit, extracted it, then burnt a bootable disc with the extracted items. I booted up, it went through what looked to me like a BIOS update, then came to screen with A:/> and I didn't know what to do from there. How do I know if I updated the BIOS? I realised that there was an Abit flash utility that I was supposed to get with the update. I don't know if that made a difference or not.

 

[fstime]

Doesn't it say the bios version in the bios? Usualy it brings you the that A:/> screen and you have to type a command and it flashes., well thats how it is with vid cards atleast.

 

[DanDaMan315]

Yea I did it wrong, because in the POST it says the version of the BIOS I already had.

**Does it have to be on a floppy or can I use a bootable CD?**

 

[DanDaMan315]

Bump.

 

[fstime]

Ok, you need to put the bios file along with the flash utility you found on the MS-Dos floppy, yes it has to be a floppy, then when you get to the A:/ screen you need to type in, ( IM NOT SURE OF THIS) <name of flash utility (abitflash.exe)> <bios file name. Should like like this, EX. <ABITFLASH.EXE BIOS11111.ROM>, I dont know if thats right but thats how you flash video cards, there should be instuctions on abit's site.

 

[stevty2889]

It needs to be on a floppy(if you can't do it through windows, my Abit motherboard allows me to do it from within windows). Is there a particular reason you are trying to flash your bios? It's usualy best to leave it alone if you aren' t having a specific problem that the new version fixes..if it ain't broke, don't fix it..

 

[The J]

I don't see why you couldn't use a bootable CD, but I'm not really sure. You woudn't be able to save a backup copy of your old BIOS, though. When you get to the prompt (A:\>), type in dir to see what's on the CD. You should see the files that were put on the CD to make it bootable, your BIOS rom/bin file, and the flashing utility (***flash.exe, usually, where *** is any number of other characters). Type in the name of the flashing utility followed by the name of the BIOS file. For example, if you had awdflash.exe and bios.rom, you'd type in awdflash bios.rom. If you don't have that utility (it may not be called AWDflash.exe), then you'll need to get one from your motherboard manufacturer's website and reburn the CD.

 

[DanDaMan315]

When I get to the screen it says A:/>

 

[thunderroller]

thats really risky game

 

[DanDaMan315]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
It needs to be on a floppy(if you can't do it through windows, my Abit motherboard allows me to do it from within windows). Is there a particular reason you are trying to flash your bios? It's usualy best to leave it alone if you aren' t having a specific problem that the new version fixes..if it ain't broke, don't fix it..

^^^ Yes you are right, I'm an idiot. The program calle FlashMenu updates the BIOS inside Windows, which is really nice. Thanks for the help guys, the updated BIOS has some features that I wanted, thats my reason for updated. And with that program its really really easy.

 

[n0cmonkey]

It's typically "really really easy" the old way too. If you read the instructions.

 

[mauiblue]

Flashing a mobo BIOS is a little risky. I did take that risk and all is well. But if it goes to hell, you may end up RMAing the board. If there is some benefit in flashing the BIOS great but if it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

[footbal07]

i recently flashed an abit bh-6, and a couple of my newer rigs and if you print of the directions on your manufacturers website it is pretty easy to do. i have always shied away from the winflash utilities, but i dont think that is much of an issue anymore.