Help me update my BIOS please

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Berzerker
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The Berzerker

Hello. Just bought an ASUS P4S800D motherboard, and figured I might as well
update the BIOS to the latest version to avoid any stability problems that
may occur otherwise... or something.

So, I've downloaded the latest bios version B1009, and got the AFUDOS211
program, which I think I read somewhere that I should use. So, where do I go
from here? I've never updated a BIOS chip before, so I'm a little lost...

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

--



The Berzerker
Stick Your Hate to Me
 
I just updated the bios on my P4C800ED last night. I assume since it
uses the same utility (afudos211) that your motherboard works the same
way. If not, I am sure someone will correct me ;)

1. Create a bootable floppy. In XP this is done by inserting a blank
in the floppy drive and in explorer right click on drive A and select
format. Check the box that says something like "make bootable" or
"copy os"
2. Unzip your downloaded bios and afudos211 to the newly formated
floppy.
3. Boot off the floppy.
4. At the command prompt type afudos211. The program will tell you
what format it expects the for the execute instruction. For mine (and
probably yours) it wanted "afudos211 /iBIOS_FILENAME"
5. Type in the appropriate execution instruction
6. Watch it flash your bios.

Good luck,
Wade
 
with you programm AFUDOS211 it's more complicated but i'll explain:
create a boot disk and put on this disk the afudos211 and the unzipped
bios file.
then restart the pc and boot from the disk. then run afudos211 (OR
enter afudos211.exe -[filename new bios]?? i think so).
much easier is the ASUS update programm. (visit the asus page.) this
is win app with the same function as the afudos211.
i've just updated (P4G8X delux) with this programm. it's fast and
userfriendly.
Have a nice flaashing.

Max O.

==============
Posted through www.HowToFixComputers.com/bb - free access to hardware troubleshooting newsgroups.
 
"The said:
Hello. Just bought an ASUS P4S800D motherboard, and figured I might as well
update the BIOS to the latest version to avoid any stability problems that
may occur otherwise... or something.

So, I've downloaded the latest bios version B1009, and got the AFUDOS211
program, which I think I read somewhere that I should use. So, where do I go
from here? I've never updated a BIOS chip before, so I'm a little lost...

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris
Click to expand...

Have you looked at chapter 4 in the manual? It has quite a few hints.
But, it wouldn't tell you to backup the BIOS onto a floppy first,
so you can be sure you have a copy of the factory issued BIOS.
That is handy for if you ever want to flash it back to the way it
was.

Unless the motherboard stock is really old (mom and pop computer
store that doesn't sell a lot of motherboards), the BIOS is probably
already pretty close to the latest. If the motherboard is reasonably
mature, the last few BIOS only differ in that they add support for
the latest processors (like maybe a CeleronD). You would be advised
to go to the download page on the Asus web site, and click the "More"
link for a particular BIOS file, to read what few release notes come
with the BIOS. That can help you decide whether it is worth the risk
or not. There will also be any warnings, about what flashing methods
not to use for a particular release, as there are three ways to
flash, and some methods become "busted" sometimes, and can leave
you with a dead board. So, it pays to read the release notes, either
from the "More" link, or the release notes are also printed on the
final download page as well.

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=P4S800D&Type=All

HTH,
Paul
 
The Berzerker said:
Hello. Just bought an ASUS P4S800D motherboard, and figured I might as well
update the BIOS to the latest version to avoid any stability problems that
may occur otherwise... or something.

So, I've downloaded the latest bios version B1009, and got the AFUDOS211
program, which I think I read somewhere that I should use. So, where do I go
from here? I've never updated a BIOS chip before, so I'm a little lost...

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

--



The Berzerker
Stick Your Hate to Me
Click to expand...

Format a floppy. Besure to check of "Create an MS-DOS startup disk"
Copy afudos.exe and your bios file to this floppy.
make sure they are unzipped.
boot your PC with this floppy in the drive
to flash your bios type
afudos /iYOUR_NEW_BIOS_FILE /oSAVE_OLD_BIOS
if you don't have enough space on the floppy you
can leave the /oSAVE_OLD_BIOS but it creates a backup
of you old bios just in case
You can old so type afudos /? for help

Jim M
 
Hello. Just bought an ASUS P4S800D motherboard, and figured I might as
well update the BIOS to the latest version to avoid any stability
problems that may occur otherwise... or something.
Click to expand...


A bad idea. Do you actually _have_ stability problems? No?
Wait until "any stability problems" occur - be sure they stem from your
BIOS - then flash BIOS. They probably _won't_ occur.

Don't update BIOS "because you can". Update BIOS only when there's no
alternative left.

Browse the archives of this NG, count the number of "help - BIOS update
went wrong - mobo is dead - what should I do?" messages, shut down your
newsreader, look in the mirror, think twice - trice, and forget about it
if it ain't stricly necessary.


BIOS: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.


--
CeeBee



Archer: "Houdini could get out of this."
T'Pol: "Perhaps you should invite him on your next mission."


Picard: "Mr. Worf, do you know Gilbert and Sullivan?"
Worf: "No sir, I have not had a chance to meet all the new crew members
since I have been back."
 
Well, that's one person's opinion, and that's all that it is.

With a new motherboard, no installed system to worry about, and the
major issue of Intel microcode for Prescott processors wreaking havoc on
SP2 installations, personally, I'd follow the original inclination to
upgrade the BIOS BEFORE setting up the system.

One man's "if it ain't broke don't fix it" becomes another man's advice
not to see a dentist until your teeth are rotting or loose. Sometimes,
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[The risk of screwing up a motherboard in a BIOS update is very small if
you do it under DOS]
 
alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus:

One man's "if it ain't broke don't fix it" becomes another man's
advice not to see a dentist until your teeth are rotting or loose.
Sometimes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Click to expand...

Upgrading your BIOS can't be compared to go to a dentist for caries
prevention.

Upgrading BIOS is like using a chainsaw. Very effective if used properly,
and very destructive if used wrongly. Very effective in capable hands,
very dangerous in inexperienced hands.

If you think you _really_ need a chainsaw, of course I won't prevent you
to flash your BIOS. I only advised to think twice about the necessity
given the risks.

If a new system gives hiccups with SP2, it won't be damaged because of an
old BIOS. If you flash it after that, everything will run fine again. If
it doesn't give hiccups, there's no need to risk a brownout through a non-
necessary BIOS flash in the first place.

[The risk of screwing up a motherboard in a BIOS update is very small if
you do it under DOS]
Click to expand...

As I already said, that remains to be seen. It's why I referred to the
multiple postings about screwed up BIOS flashes - even with backup
utilityies.


--
CeeBee



Archer: "Houdini could get out of this."
T'Pol: "Perhaps you should invite him on your next mission."


Picard: "Mr. Worf, do you know Gilbert and Sullivan?"
Worf: "No sir, I have not had a chance to meet all the new crew members
since I have been back."
 
The Berzerker said:
Hello. Just bought an ASUS P4S800D motherboard, and figured I might as well
update the BIOS to the latest version to avoid any stability problems that
may occur otherwise... or something.

So, I've downloaded the latest bios version B1009, and got the AFUDOS211
program, which I think I read somewhere that I should use. So, where do I go
from here? I've never updated a BIOS chip before, so I'm a little lost...

Any help would be appreciated.

Chris

--



The Berzerker
Stick Your Hate to Me
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the help. I actually flashed the BIOS before reading any of
your warnings, but thankfully it went well and everything runs fine. You're
right, it did add support for newer processors.... but it seems all the bios
updates are incredibly vague with what they actually do, so, perhaps it
fixed something, or whatever. Anyway, I used AFUDOS, and it's done. Oh, and
you're right about it being listed in the motherboard manual, I compeltely
overlooked this, like a fool.

Thanks for the support. I got some gaming to do!
 
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