Computer Hope
Software => Computer software => Topic started by: joevh09 on December 12, 2008, 03:07:29 PM
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I'm trying to flash my BIOS to update it to support my CPU. I am using a floppy disk to do the update with but every time I try the computer would shut down but i figured that problem out and now it wont read the floppy disk. I need to figure out why so can any one help me please.
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MBoard make and model ?
Flash revision and model # ? ?
CPU involved ? ?
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Patio's questions + the possibility that your floppy disk is corrupt. Try a different floppy.
You may also want to find out if there are options for flashing the BIOS from Windows or through a bootable CD.
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I certainly hope this is the correct BIOS flash.....
Boat anchor here we come.
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CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 Ghz
Motherboard- Asus P5K Pro
HDD- Western Digital Caviar 500GB
Graphics Card- Nvidia 9800GTX+
RAM- G-Skill 2x1GB DDR2 1066 PC2 8500
Sony DVD-CD+-RW dvd drive
Samsung Floppy drive
I'm positive its the right update
Flash- Current- Asus BIOS version 806 being upgraded to version 1104
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When I enter the Bios flash utility it won't read my floppy disk for some reason that i dont know. ???
The version is- AsusTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V3.06
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The problem is one of four things:
1) Bad floppy drive
2) Bad floppy disk
3) You don't have DOS boot files on your floppy (autoexec.bat, config.sys) EDIT: MSDOS.SYS and IO.SYS, per BC_Programmer
4) Improper floppy boot sector
- i.e.: you formatted the floppy using Windows Explorer in XP or Vista, but didn't select "Create an MS-DOS boot disk"
- in this case, the boot sector is not looking for MSDOS.SYS or IO.SYS. It's looking for NTLDR, ntdetect.com, and boot.ini (for NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003) or bootmgr and boot\bcd (for Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7)
For #3 and #4, just select "Create an MS-DOS boot disk" and format away. Copy your BIOS files on the floppy afterward (if they fit).
For #2, try a new floppy.
For #1, either replace the floppy drive or use a USB floppy (just make sure the BIOS can boot from a floppy).
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On the other hand...
If you want to avoid using a floppy altogether, you could make a bootable CD that emulates a floppy.
1) Download VFD:
http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html#download
2) Set up a virtual floppy disk to use drive letter A. You may have to disable or disconnect your physical floppy drive for this purpose.
3) Format the virtual floppy. Again, remember to select "Create an MS-DOS system disk."
4) Add your BIOS flash utility and appropriate file to drive A.
5) Unmount the virtual floppy.
6) Use a program like Roxio or Nero (I'm sure a few others as well) to create a bootable CD. Use the virtual floppy image you created as the boot image.
7) Burn your CD.
8) Start your computer using the CD. It'll act like a floppy and allow you to start the BIOS flash utility. You won't be able to back up your current BIOS this way, since the back up can't be written to the CD...
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...
Boat anchor here we come.
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Autoexec.bat and config.sys are files run by DOS after it boots; the real boot files would be MSDOS.SYS and IO.SYS, or IBMBIO.COM and IBMDOS.COM.
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The fact that the flash is not co-operating only reaffirms my boat anchor theory...
However carry on if you must.
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...
Boat anchor here we come.
I understand the concern here. Normally, I wouldn't encourage people to flash their BIOS if there's no legitimate reason to do so. In the OP's case, it's to support his newer CPU.
Of course he does need to be aware of potentially turning his machine into a boat anchor if something goes wrong...so...
One more thing the OP needs to try:
See if Windows can read the floppy. If Windows can't, then the problem is obviously either #1 or #2 from my previous post. If it can, then it's #3 or #4.
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I got it to work.
The files were in a zipped folder on the floppy so i unzipped them but they wouldn't fit onto the floppy so i used my old 512mb flash drive and it worked just fine.
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This is indeed good news... and i apologise for being an alarmist.
I've just seen it far too many times.
Enjoy the Holidays !
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This is indeed good news... and i apologise for being an alarmist.
I've just seen it far too many times.
Enjoy the Holidays !
I understand why you were.
You too.