Originally posted by: DualMonitors
thx yet again!
my components list does NOT include a floppy! I've been told by many that it is no longer necessary for updating BIOS...etc. many told me that one can update BIOS nowadays via USB flash drives (i have one handy at home that is a 512mb Sandisk Cruzer Micro which i've never used). Have I made a mistake to not include a floppy? Should i run out to bestbuy and buy any floppy that i can find and bring it home so i'll have it "ready to go" along with all my other components for Thursday's morning delivery so i have everything needed for assembly?
First, if you don't try to calm yourself down, your hands are going to be too shaky to build anything. :laugh:
You do not NEED a floppy, as there are options for flashing the BIOS via usb key. However, it is my opinion (from experience) that the AFUDOS method is the most reliable. At this point, though, there is no need to rush out and do anything. I see nothing about your setup are needs that will require a BIOS update.
i did some research on this on Asus's site and it appears (though i might well have misunderstood it) that a floppy is needed? I went to the "AFUDOS BIOS Update Procedure" section and selected P5 series:
http://support.asus.com/technicaldocume...ocuments.aspx?root=198&SLanguage=en-us
It talks about "...inserting a clean, unformatted disk into A:\drive and boot the system into DOS mode..." etc. Not that i know how to do that, but it sure does sound very "10 years ago" type of procedure! is this the BEST method to PROPERLY update the BIOS?
The best method *should* be the EzFlash method (see manual), but I have seen too many people end-up with a corrupt BIOS as a result of this procedure failing. This is why I still use the AFUDOS method, antiquated as it is. The important things is that it works, and works very well. FYI, you need 2 floppy disks for the AFUDOS method. One disk that you will format and make bootable, and the other for storing AFUDOS.exe and the BIOS .ROM file.
Again, BIOS flashing is not something I expect you will have any for, anytime soon. If it makes you feel more comfortable, go out and buy a floppy drive (a cable is included in the P5W DH box).
i just ordered the P5W DH Deluxe over this past weekend and it will be delivered on 2/22/07, so i think i'll just miss the latest BIOS. BTW, according to this page (
http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us ), is version 1901 THE BEST BIOS version for me? As 1901 was updated on 2/9/07, i don't believe that it would be enough time to make it to NewEgg and to me by this past weekend
The 1901 saying that it "...enhances compatibility between EZ-Flash II and USB Flash...supports new CPUs..." all sound quite important!! what might be your advice, please? There are MANY MANY versions of all sorts of new "stuff" to download there at Asus's page for this motherboard. Which ones do i need? Which ones are "not yet stable"? i recall reading some thread where people complained repeatedly that certain BIOS updates are not that great that that they had to go back to older ones and all! While i'd certainly want the most functionally stable and great BIOS and anythings else appropriate for my MB, i do not wish to get an unstable driver/BIOS and have to go back! All these BIOS and various driver updates cause me concern so i guess the best route for me is to ONLY handle the stable ones - i'm not the right candidate for BETA drivers! can't figure out what other drivers from Asus that i ought to download as well.
Many people are still using BIOS versions from last August/September. Whichever BIOS you will get (and it WILL be a recent version) will be fine for your setup.
In terms of a "time line" of steps, would this be best? :
- assemble parts into case
- plug in power supply into ups power surge protected "power outlet"
- turn on the power button
- hope that BIOS shows up on the LCD monitor? (is this true?)
- use Mr. phile's advice and input those relevant BIOS settings, i.e. RAM timing 4-4-4-12, etc
- put Vista Ultimate 32bit CD into optical drive
- i assume that the CD will be automatically read by the computer?? (i don't know about this at all!)
If you set the boot order to have the DVDROM drive at the top, you will see a message "Press any key to boot from CD." when booting with the Vista DVD in the drive.
- wait from 15 mins to 30 mins, approximately, for Vista 32bit Ultimate to fully load
- reboot?
The installation will guide you, step by step. One thing to note: the machine will reboot at least once during the installation, DO NOT PRESS ANY KEY to boot from the DVD this time around. Just let it continue.
- the PC will turn on now with Vista Ultimate's desktop displayed, just like a new Dell computer would show up in my house (is this correct?)
- using my flash drive, which i would have a preloaded Avast Home Edition (free) downloaded by my current pc prior to this, upload Avast to my new, just assembled PC
- install Avast for anti virus protection
- download INF Update Utility (chipset drivers):
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts...0Ultimate,%2032-bit%20version<=eng
Install the chipset drivers first, before anything else.
(phile suggested that if i were to do RAID, then i'd need these 2 additional items:
RAID/AHCI Software - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager (if burning to CD):
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts...0Ultimate,%2032-bit%20version<=eng
Floppy Configuration Utility - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager (if using floppy disk):
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts...0Ultimate,%2032-bit%20version<=eng
You do not need to download both of these. See my comments in brackets? The first link is if you plan to burn the drivers to a CD and use that to preload the drivers. The second link is for use with a floppy drive only.
In any case, since you will NOT be building a RAID array, you will not need either. So ignore completely.
IMPORTANT: these downloads contain drivers for both the ICH7R and ICH8R chipset drivers. Vista should choose the proper driver from the list, but make sure you select the drivers for the ICH7R chipset. BUT, since i do NOT intend on doing RAID even though i have 2 identical 500gb seagate drives, do i NOT NEED those 2 links? just want to be sure, also want to be sure of the sequence)
If not building RAID array, you will not need these drivers.
after this point, the Intel INF chipset drivers are updated. Avast would have been INSTALLED BEFORE the INF chipset drivers are installed, is that ok?
Chipset drivers before anything else.
NOW, do i want to go to Asus and try to update my BIOS via flash drive? Is it even POSSIBLE to update BIOS via flash drives? This point, plus the actual TIMING and SEQUENCE of events outlined above, i'd like to be certain of to "do the proper, best thing".
Once again, forget about BIOS update.
- can i now download Firefox, and put in my brand new Office 2007 CD's to install Office 2007?
After installing the chipset drivers, you will need to install the drivers for your other components. For the sake of ease, I will dictate the order:
1) Chipset drivers
2) Ethernet drivers
Vista may find and install ethernet drivers automatically.
3) Sound drivers
If Vista finds no driver, download latest Vista driver from realtek:
Vista Driver (32/64 bits) Driver only (ZIP file)
ftp://202.65.194.211/pc/audio/6213_Vista_APO.zip
4) Videocard drivers (download latest nVidia drivers for your 8800)
ForceWare Release 100
Version: 100.65
Release Date: February 20, 2007
WHQL Driver
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_100.65.html
Note: Vista drivers for the nVidia 8800 series are still in Beta, and being updated frequently.
5) Now, you should run Windows Update (Start Menu/Programs)
6) With all your drivers installed and Windows updated, go ahead and install all your software applications.
- can i also download G-chat, Yahoo messenger, Trillian...the several programs that i use often? Also, i use Photoshop CS2 and it is loaded on my current PC, can i load it up on my new Vista Ultimate PC as well? Will it allow me to do that? will the registration code or whatever allow me to do that? this is absolutely for personal use.
All these programs should have Vista versions - check the respective sites for latest download. Photoshop CS2 runs perfectly on Vista, as is.
- what might be the CONSEQUENCES of updating the BIOS AFTER all these various "daily use" programs are already on the hard drive?
None, especially because you won't be updating your BIOS, in all likelyhood.
- i now would connect my new PC to my Linksys B wireless router, which my current old PC is also connected to. i think i can now network them VIA THE LINKSYS and transfer my old files from my current PC's hard drive THROUGH the Linksys to my new hard drive on my new PC, is that correct? are there consequences to doing all these things FIRST and only later, do I update the BIOS? i.e. install the several often used programs, transfer many files from my old pc to my newly built pc...etc. AND ONLY THEN would i learn to and update to the latest BIOS? confused here... I know nothing about BIOS...sorry to be so verbose.
Hook-up the router when you initally set-up the hardware, for first boot. No need to wait until after Windows is installed.
sorry i'm so detailed oriented. i'm just trying my best to do this right and be prepared for Thursday. i figure an ounce of prevention and early research and notes, would likely save me lots of stomach acid on Thursday! Thx for bearing with me
I could write 1000 word posts every hour for the rest of my life, and you won't learn as much as you will be simply getting your hands dirty.